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 RECONSTRUCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) Tom Stringer, indicated the school would be willing to look at a partnership with the City on maintaining the median. Stringer stated landscaping would bring a calming, green space that would enhance the area. Stringer stated they have attempted to define their use of the roadway and identify areas of concern for the City to look at. Kellogg asked whether the school can identify any areas where they think undesired pedestrian crossings would occur. Stringer stated their main area of concern is from the middle school to the high school since there is no crosswalk there. In the wintertime a snow berm is created to deter pedestrian traffic in that area. The other area of concern is people crossing from the east side to the west side, which the sidewalk on both sides of the roadway and crosswalk addresses. Stringer stated personally he would prefer a wider median. Kellogg stated on the south end, pedestrian traffic is not a problem, and the sidewalk on the west side and the marked crossings on the roundabout would assist with the pedestrian traffic. Kellogg stated the problematic area appears to be isolated near the middle school and the high school and that a compromise could be a wider median in that area. McMillan commented all members of the Council need to be comfortable with the plan and that it is a • moving target at this point. McMillan pointed out the most recent plan was only created on Friday, which has not left the Council much time to study the matter. Franchot indicated he would be willing to make a motion authorizing the City Engineer to proceed with the median/landscaping plan that was presented tonight,�with all boulevard trees being eliminated. McMillan, stated it comes down to a maintenance issue for her and the costs associated with that long- term. McMillan commented she would like to see an alternative depicting a narrower median. Franchot stated the maintenance costs appear to be low and that the School District has indicated a willingness to work with the City on the maintenance of the median. Franchot noted that there are also maintenance costs associated with concrete and that it is impossible to eliminate all maintenance costs. McMillan reiterated she would like to see an alternate plan depicting the narrower median. Kellogg pointed out that a sketch of a narrower median was included in the feasibility study and that the Council had decided to go with a wider median with landscaping. Printup stated the widening of the crossings was raised tonight along with the possibility of a maintenance agreement being entered into with the School District. Printup indicated he would be comfortable delaying a vote on this matter until a special meeting can be scheduled sometime in the next few days. Printup stated it appears the Council is okay with the three roundabouts. Loftus noted the soonest a special meeting could be scheduled would be Friday given the requirements for noticing the meeting. Page 13 of 15