08-25-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 25, 1997 (#15 - Casco Cove Road Maintenance - Continued) asked for the explanation on how the C" came into ownership of the road. • Jabbour as xp City F Moorse said the piece of property with the road on it became tax forfeit, and Staff had to decide whether to acquire it or let someone else. It was decided that the City should take ownership to preserve access to properties. Jabbour questioned whether this same situation could occur with outlots designed for future roads. Kelley said he also had this question citing the example of the outlot for his property- Moorse indicated a two part answer. The City is attempting to have the County properly classify the private roads as a "K" classification, where taxes are not all allocated to the roads, to avoid what happened to the road outlot in Lafayette Ridge neighborhood_ The City did not take that property as the subdivision needed it for their road. Jahbour stated that the City had taken the stand that roads will not be taken over unless it is built to City standards, in an urban area. With other similar outlots in the same situation, Jabbour said the City should have a definite policy. Goetten asked when tax forfeit parcels arise, if the cities have to make a policy to take or give the property back Moorse said the cities have a 90-day period to decide and then it goes for sale. Moorse said the City requested the County to put a hold on the Lafayette • Ridge property in order to work with the homeowners association. Otherwise, it would have been made available for purchase. Jabbour asked what the life expectancy would be for a road like Casco Cove that was built to 1997 standards. Moorse indicated it should last about 20 years with good maintenance. After a total of 40 years, reconstruction would most likely be. necessary. Kelley cited an example of the private road his residence is on having had to be overlaid twice in the last 15 years and only used by 11 homes. Moorse said the Council may want the engineer to do a more in -depth construction review of private roads to ensure at least a 20 year life span. Kellev received confirmation from Moorse that roads are supposed to be built to City standards. It was noted that there are different standards for roads within the City as they have been built in different time periods when different standards were in effect. Cook indicated that there are examples of different bases used and soils result in differences as well. Kelley said he would support the City taking over the maintenance of the three roads mentioned. • 16