03-28-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 28, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (7. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTION, Continued) The feasibility also identified improvements to both the street and utilities to adequately serve the area. Printup stated he reads that to mean the condition of the road is the priority of this project and that in the last several weeks safety has become the buzz word. Printup stated in his view the City has a duty to construct a safe road and that the landscaping has become more of a beautification project. Printup noted there were several optional improvements listed in the report. Some of the options were a sidewalk on the west side, enhanced pedestrian crossings, a 12 -foot wide median, and enhanced lights. There was no mention of irrigation, which is now an add -on. Printup commented that irrigation is expensive and requires ongoing maintenance. Earlier this evening there was a work session where some discussion on the maintenance agreement was had about who is going to maintain the median. Ultimately it is likely the City will take ownership of it. The City needs to take a real hard look at the ongoing maintenance of the landscaping and the road. Dennis Walsh asked why the City is having an open house when everything appears to have been decided.. Printup commented in his view there is more that needs to be understood and discussed as part of this project so the project does not become bloated. Printup noted on tonight's agenda under Item No. 8 the residents of Crystal Bay Road are requesting speed bumps, which has also been an ongoing issue for their neighborhood. Printup stated they have been talking about $109,000 for landscaping but yet the Crystal Bay residents have trouble getting speed 40 bumps or speed humps. Printup moved, Rahn seconded, to remove all landscaping, including trees and shrubs, and the cable rail as part of the Old Crystal Bay Road project and to consider adding it later, and to approve the LED lights. Rahn asked if Printup is agreeing with the LED lights. Printup stated he is in agreement with the LED lights but would like the landscaping removed, which would include all trees on the median and boulevard, as well as the shrubs and the irrigation system. McMillan asked if different sections of the landscaping can be bid as an alternate. McMillan stated this item also relates to the maintenance agreement and that she does have concerns about putting in trees and landscaping if there is not a firm agreement between the City and the School District. McMillan commented it can be expensive to replace trees and shrubs and that perhaps the City should scale back on the landscaping. Kellogg noted the direction his office was given in October was to pursue landscaping. The only thing that has been added to the project has been the third roundabout. The direction in October was to construct a median not to exceed 12 feet wide and to bid the third roundabout as an alternate. The sidewalk on the west side is being paid for by the school and the lighting was part of the base bid. Kellogg indicated to his recollection the discussion at the time was that the City did not think the landscaping budgets that were provided in the feasibility report were doable and that considerable • discussion has been had over the past few months concerning that aspect of the project. Kellogg stated the landscaping in the roundabouts is required to direct traffic. The landscaping in the medians could possibly be eliminated, but if the landscaping is removed, the plans will need to be resubmitted and the project will be delayed if the plans are changed significantly. Page 9 of 24