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U <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />Monday, January 31, 2011 <br />8:00 o'clock adn. <br />Slack responded he was unsure but it probably balances out over time. Installing the irrigation system <br />will have a higher cost but the maintenance plan agreement wouldn't be needed. The hardest part is <br />monitoring the landscape contractor to be sure the work is being done. <br />Bremer stated the good thing with irrigation would be that the city controls it and can zone for irrigation. <br />Slack noted that once trees are established, they can typically survive on the annual rainfall. At that point, <br />trees need air in the soil so it's important not to compact soil. <br />McMillan asked for comments and thoughts from the Council. <br />Franchot asked for comments from the school and police chief regarding the landscaped median vs. <br />hardscaped fence median. <br />Bremer commented if they decide that the two options are a fenced environment vs. partial trees /partial <br />fence that the safety issues are the same. She noted a letter from the Long Lake Mayor and Fire Chief <br />indicates they would like nothing in medians to allow for the ability to cross at any point. Since there are <br />three roundabouts, there are good access points. At the time the letter was written, they had not seen the <br />plans that include some type of barrier. <br />John Ostlund, Building and Grounds Coordinator for Orono Schools, introduced other school <br />• representatives including Superintendent Karen Orcutt, School Board Members Martha Van de Ven, <br />Mike Bash, Bob Tunheim, and additional staff Tom Stringer, Justin McCoy and Gary Kubat. <br />Ostlund stated planning has made the process most successful. The school was invited very early in the <br />process and has helped the project evolve. They are pleased with the location of the three roundabouts <br />and both median designs meet their safety concerns. He noted a good number of trees exist, but he <br />believes at least some of them will be uprooted during the construction process and will need <br />replacement. He added that many are ash trees with the challenge of ash tree disease. He asked that the <br />need for trees not be minimized. In regard to irrigation and watering, he commented that it is hard to add <br />and find funding at a later time and should be considered early in the process. The school is willing to <br />provide in -kind support services, specifically mowing and mulching. The superintendent has already <br />started working on signage and communication plans, but will need the city's help with signage. <br />Mike Bash stated the superintendent and other school representatives have had very positive experiences <br />in working with city staff on this project. He commented that from the long -term perspective, he would <br />prefer the wider landscaped median. It gives much greater flexibility to work with landscaping and add <br />trees in the future. <br />Franchot asked Chief Farniok for his opinion regarding landscaped vs. concrete median. <br />Farniok responded that either design works. He noted the crosswalk north of the second smaller <br />roundabout was of some concern with only a 4' buffer next to the stacking lane and if it would be wide <br />enough for students and staff waiting for the traffic between lanes. <br />Printup asked about the commitment from the schools. Bash had mentioned going with a wider median <br />• and looking down the line into plantings, and doing what the.city is good at which is sweeping the streets. <br />Printup stated he wanted more of a commitment from the school in this project. <br />Page 5 of 12 <br />