02-22-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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submitting the final plans for approval. In advance of the final approval the City has been considering its financing as noted in Attachment E and F. The total project cost for the entire three city project is $4.5 - 5 million. With the City responsible to provide funds for $428,000. This a new estimate that is down from the original $488,000. Issues identified at the Council's November 9, 1987 meeting included concern regarding sidewalk on both sides, the use of special assessments for funding a portion of the project and the penalty the City would incur for utilization of MSA funds related to the use of MSA funds on a County State Aid Highway project. DISCUSSION - ISSUE 1 - FINAL PLAN APPROVAL_ - The principal focus of concern in advance of people seeing the final plans was the construction of sidewalks, the cost of which for the City of Orono would total about $47,000. Among those present at the November 9, 1987 meeting were indisiduals who expressed the opinion that there was rot a need fcr sidewalks in their area, as there were few pedestrians and that there would be encroachment into certain properties. During the week of November 16th, John Gerhardson has been reviewing these plans with any parties who have been interested to call. The original inclusion of the sidewalks on both sides by the County was in response to an agreed to request by the three Cities because of the narrow width and relatively high volume for an essentially two lane road. Additionally although no objective data cxist to indicate such, installation of sidewalks along a fairly narrow route will tend to generate pedestrain traffic where none existed before because people did not feel it safe to use without sidewalks. Additionally the need for sidewalk on both sides is the fact that it is difficult to cross from one side to the other on a busy street in order to utilize a one sided sidewalk system. - Maintenance - Related to the installation of the sidewalk is the maintenance of that sidewalk. As this is a "regional" sidewalk and the fact that of sporatic snowplowing or removal by abutting property owners is a concern, the City could undertake snowplowing for a "regional" sidewalk system as the City does have the capability with its current equipment. It is expected the City would do this generally within a two to five day time period after a snowfall when all the streets have been opened up. Additional cost of this would be the time/overtime available or needed to undertake this, which once constructed the City will be better able to estimate the amount. (Probable under $2, 000)