10-11-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 11, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (11. CRYSTAL BAYROAD CUL-DE-SAC PETITION, Continued) changed over the years. The roadway would be fine if the motorists are driving the speed limit of 15 miles an hour. A lot of people drive at a much higher rate of speed, especially down the hill. If cost is a concern, if safety for the community is a concern, an inexpensive solution would be to have a break -away barrier. An ambulance or police car could drive through them. The break -away would accomplish the objectives of the residents and the City. Bakke noted break -aways have been done in a number of other locations where cul -de -sacs have been constructed. The residents are not saying the City has to construct a cul -de -sac, but there are a number of ways to accomplish this and a compromise could be reached. Speed bumps or a one -way road would cut the problem in half. The feasibility study would allow the City to look at all the options. Teri Abers, 3349 Crystal Bay Road, indicated she moved in approximately one year ago and was not aware of the amount of traffic on that road. Abers stated if she is standing at the end of her driveway taking her garbage down to the road and a truck with a trailer swerves into the driveway, she would be hit. Abers stated in her view it is very important that the Council follow the City Staff's recommendation and do the feasibility study to look at ways to make the neighborhood safe. Mayor White closed the public hearing at 9:11 p.m. White stated he is not in favor of closing the street and that in his opinion Staff should obtain the comments from the public safety people and Minnetonka Beach. The study has to eliminate the idea of a cul -de -sac given the costs associated with constructing it and the necessary land acquisition. White stated in his opinion the City should not approve spending $6,000 to look at something that we already know we cannot afford. White noted the City has had to lay off two additional police officers currently and another city staff person last month due to a shortfall in the budget. White indicated he is in agreement that there are some public safety concerns here but that the City and residents need to look at other options. It is possible to make the road safer but the City cannot construct a cul -de -sac unless someone would like to purchase some property and donate it to the city. Murphy stated he has been driving that road for a number of years and that the residents have a number of valid concerns. The road is narrow and there are a number of children and animals. The idea of closing a city road that provides access to another city is not feasible. Murphy asked what is different about this particular road from every other road that is in the city. O'Reilly stated this was originally a horse and buggy road and existed as a path. It does not even have dimensions on the plat as to where the boundaries are. Bakke indicated there is no right -of -way and there is just an easement. O'Reilly stated it existed for a whole different reason and should be servicing just the properties that basically are in that area. Most of the people in Minnetonka Beach do not care for the traffic either. • O'Reilly stated in her view this is a unique situation given the nearness of the lake, which attracts additional traffic, and people who do not want to travel on 19 or 15. Page 17 of 20