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) Moorse asked Council to discuss the roads noting Dakota Avenue is new and Shore Hills Drive residents may not wish the City to take over maintenance as it is in good condition. Casco Cove, in its poor condition, may require not only maintenance but significant upgrade and correction to some portions and overlay elsewhere. Moorse said the cost would be significant. He noted there is no program in place for major reconstruction of existing streets. The road would be added to the list of roads requiring work. He indicated there are other roads in similar condition on the list. Flint said he is of the opinion that the City should not take over roads that are not built to City standards. He noted Dakota Avenue will be to standards but paid for by assessments. Jabbour said the road work was City subsidized. Flint suggested Casco Cove be brought to City standard and then taken over by way of assessment. Jabbour indicated the Comprehensive Plan is binding in its action or an amendment will be required noting the distinctions made regarding rural and urban roads. He cited the incident of Old Beach Road. Jabbour agreed the City should not take on a liability, but should have brought the road to City standard in 1987 when it was taken over. He noted it could not be brought. to current standard in the wooded area. Cook concurred. Flint said he was in agreement with the explanation made by Moorse on why the road • was taken over in order to protect access for residences. He indicated the road is still that of those residents and should not be taken over by the City for maintenance without being brought to standard. He noted the ownership was done to protect the interest of the residents. Jabbour said he agreed with Flint but is of the opinion that the 10 years of subsequent use should be considered and value depreciated. Peterson said she believes 50% of the fife span for the road has been used_ Goetten asked if the next step should follow that train of thought. Peterson inquired what the prior standard was for that road. Moorse indicated that not all roads are built to the standard width but should have a good base and 3" of bituminous. Kelley noted that the road would then not be to City standards. Flint concurred that the standard was different than what currently exists. Gaffron indicated that the standards adopted with the subdivision code only go back to 1980. Jabbour asked, if the road was taken over in 1987 and built to City standards, what . would have been the cost and what depreciation would have occurred. Peterson, while agreeing with this thought, noted the standards would have been different. Moorse • indicated the road would have been about 8" of Class 5 and 3" of asphalt but not to the current width requirements. 17