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• <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />Monday, January 31, 2011 <br />8:00 o'clock a.m. <br />which is against the Orono philosophy. She reiterated her support of the wider median to include trees, <br />grasses and plantings to add a natural look. <br />Franchot agreed with comments made by Bremer and strongly supports the landscaped median. He added <br />that he has never seen a concrete median that doesn't have weeds and could be an eyesore. Regarding site <br />lines, he drives Carlson Parkway every day and doesn't see any site line issues. He stated this is Orono <br />and the city regularly gets dinged when it doesn't work to preserve the rural oasis and natural spaces. It is <br />important that the school have a warm welcoming entrance. Since costs have come in so much cheaper, <br />the only reasonable objection, which was the substantial cost difference, has gone away. He strongly <br />supports the landscaped median essentially as it has been presented, with possible adjustments to trees <br />and plantings as the project moves forward. He is not in favor installing a wide median and delaying the <br />plantings. There will be other projects and work to do in the future, and given that the landscaped median <br />has come in lower in cost than concrete, the landscaping should be done as part of the project. Relative to <br />boulevard trees, fewer tees could be added, but any trees lost in construction should be replaced and the <br />city should also be mindful of the ash borer. Trees would be a good place to cut costs if necessary as each <br />tree is $500. Franchot added his appreciation to the school board for their partnership in the project. One <br />of the concerns has been additional maintenance for the city's Public Works Department. With the <br />planning for low maintenance and help from the school, the maintenance issue is well under control, if <br />not gone. <br />Printup stated after talking with parents around town and hearing their concerns with the project, it <br />• becomes a need vs. want and they don't entirely see the need for such landscaping, but they do see a need <br />for traffic control. The fundamental governmental service from the city is to build the road. The road <br />will be constructed as part of the project, but beautification and landscaping comes down to a want. He <br />stated he could go along with an 8' or 10' median with very limited landscaping, because he doesn't want <br />it to be a beautification project. If the school wants to move forward with landscaping, that would be <br />great, and there are a lot of volunteers in the area that could volunteer to donate a tree, shrub or plantings <br />from their own yards. He would rely a lot on volunteerism for landscaping, not coming out of the city <br />budget. As for site lines for parents dropping children off and watching as they enter school, there <br />shouldn't be any obstructions and that goes along with leaving the median open. <br />Franchot responded to comments regarding site lines and didn't think there would be an issue with <br />parents feeling comfortable with their children entering the school safely because the drop -off locations <br />are off the road in parking lots. Planning has been-done to allow for staging and drop -off areas for <br />students. <br />Kellogg agreed indicating that many of the design features focus on drop -offs at the elementary and <br />middle schools and the pedestrian crossings, especially between the middle school and high school. <br />Comments from the elementary and middle schools have been incorporated into the designs. Parents <br />dropping off students, especially elementary age, want to watch their child walk into the front door. <br />Franchot responded to the wants vs. needs issue and felt that argument demands the landscaped median <br />because it is so much cheaper, and we have a responsibility to our citizens to make it look finished and <br />good. He does not think the proposed landscaping is excessive. The landscaping helps as a pedestrian <br />barrier and requires much less of the expensive fencing. While he appreciates Printup's optimism as to <br />• the generosity of volunteers, he doesn't think they will step up. This is the time to do the landscaping and <br />move on with other projects. We could also get donated plants that won't survive. He thought Printup's <br />position points to approving the whole plan as recommended. <br />Page 7 of 12 <br />