10-27-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL MEET: IQ OCT 2 7 1997 DATE; October 27, 1997 ITEM Department Approval: Name Gregory A. Gappa Title Director of Public Services Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: Engineer's Report Item Description: Maintenance of Dakota Avenue Dakota Avenue is a dead end street off Long Lake Boulevard. Sanitary sewer was just installed in this street as part of the North Long Lake Sanitary Sewer project. This was an existing gravel street that was paved after sewer installation was completed. This street was privately maintained in ^ past, and the residents have contacted the City requesting public maintenance of this street. This issue has been discussed at several public meetings for the sewer project. The maintenance of this street was last discussed at the assessment hearing for the sewer project. The meeting minutes state that no decision has been reached on maintenance responsibility for this street. The residents of Dakota Avenue have requested that a final determination be made by the Council on public versus private maintenance of this street be reached as soon as possible. If private maintenance is to be continued, the residents need to arrange for snow plowing services as soon as possible. The street is 600 feet long and serves 7 houses. According to public works personnel, this road has teen privately maintained for at least the last twenty years. Dakota Avenue was dedicated as public Right of Way in a plat dating from the 1940's. We are not aware of any written documentation concerning the responsibility for maintenance of Dakota Avenue. Long Lake Boulevard has been paved for many years and maintained by the City. Dakota Avenue was not paved, and this may have teen a factor in the City not maintaining the street. This street was Just paved as part of the North Long Lake sewer project. An issue that needs to be considered is the precedent that will be set by changing the maintenance respomibilities for any roads in the City. The policy of private road maintenance in the rural areas is stated in the comprehensive plan. Since the 1974 Comprehensive Guide Plan This policy has been clearly followed in the rural areas. The new roads developed in the rural area are intended to be private with the road ownership and maintenance responsibilities defined in the subdivision platting and development agreements. Any decisions reached on Dakota Avenue should not set a precedent that requires changes to rural area private road maintenance or ownership. The only other sfteet located on public right of way that is privately maintained is Shore Hills Drive, located adjacent to Old Beach Road. Shore Hills Drive is narrow, approximately 16 wide, and has the appearance of a private driveway through the woods. We are not aware of any