01-24-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTIONPLAN UPDATE, Continued) McMillan stated the median could be four feet wide at those points and have some type of stamped concrete or other treatment. Franchot commented that the main concern the Council has heard from the beginning of this project is pedestrians crossing the roadway at undesirable locations and the safety hazard that would create. Franchot stated having a four foot median with nothing in it would not address the safety issue. McMillan commented that people could also walk across landscaping and that it really is not a deterrent. Franchot pointed out there would also be fencing in some locations where pedestrian traffic is likely to occur. Franchot stated he would like to know exactly what Mayor McMillan is proposing. McMillan stated the fencing is one option but that she would like to see wider, identified crosswalks and promote crossing at those areas. McMillan stated it is doubtful the City would be able to stop pedestriaps from crossing at other points even if they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to deter that. Franchot asked if the City Council approves the narrower median and the wider crosswalks, how they would encourage people to use only those designated areas to cross the roadway. • Slack indicated there would need to be an educational component to that and the school would play a role • in that. Slack stated there could also be additional policing, of the area and the possibility of tickets being issued for those who do not cross at the proper location. Franchot pointed out the costs associated with signage and lights are also substantial. Slack stated he is not familiar with the amount of pedestrian traffic that is experienced on this roadway but that in his estimation it would be substantial based on the fact that the schools are located on this road and the students need to access the different parking lots and recreational fields. Slack stated even if landscaping and land structures are added, that likely will not deter all pedestrian traffic. McMillan stated short of having a special council meeting where they could look at another alternative, given the time schedule for this project, the Council will need to, make a decision tonight. Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to authorize the City Engineer to proceed forward with the median/landscaping plan that has been presented tonight, with 50 percent of the boulevard trees being eliminated. VOTE: Ayes 2, Nays 2, McMillan and Printup Opposed. MOTION FAILED. Bremer commented that this is a time where five council members would be helpful but that a decision needs to be made tonight given the time table and that if Mayor McMillan has a proposal, it should be made tonight. Printup noted a special council meeting could be held, at which time an alternate plan could be presented depicting the narrower median. U Page 12 of 15