07-22-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE � ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,July 22,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (S. DAKOTA TRAIL PARKING AT BAYVIEW PLACE, Continued) McMillan noted she did visit the area a couple of weeks ago, and on the day she was there,there was a construction trailer for a property up the road parking in this area. McMillan stated some of the cars also were sticking out on the road,which limits the visibility on County Road 19 to the right, and the gravel is somewhat unstable. McMillan commented the Meyers and the other residents in the neighborhood have patiently waited for solutions to be identified but they have come to the conclusion that this informal parking area is not working. McMillan stated there is also a fair amount of storm water that drains in this area and that perhaps should be looked at, especially if a portion of the gravel is removed. Anderson stated she travels by that area almost daily and that she is amazed at how many cars attempt to squeeze into that area. Anderson indicated she has witnessed cars almost going over the edge. The slope in that area is somewhat eroded and the drainage needs to be looked at. Anderson indicated she would be in support of restricting parking on Bayview due to safety concerns but that there will be impacts to the people utilizing the bus stop. Rick Meyers,2195 Bayview Place,pointed out on the overhead the area where the people usually park to drop and pick their children up for the bus. Meyers indicated he does not have a problem keeping that area trimmed since they do not park there for an extended period of time but merely stop and then leave after the kids get on the bus. Meyers stated one of the concerns he has is the safety issue with cars parking in that area since they block the vision for traffic attempting to get on to County Road 19. Meyers stated it is his understanding it is illegal to park within 30 feet of the stop sign. The other concerns relate to the ditch and the drainage in the area. Meyers pointed out there is a culvert under the street that drains the area. That area is now filled in and so the water goes down the road and then down on the trail. Meyers indicated he did speak with some Three River representatives and told them that it needs to be dug out and a connection made. Meyers indicated the wide area was created due to train derailments. Following the last derailment,the railroad placed a big pile of ballast on the tracks that sat there for approximately six months. It was then flattened out, which created an informal parking lot. Once the trail was constructed, Meyers indicated he had a concern that it would become a de facto parking lot,which it did end up becoming. Meyers commented he frequently hears brakes squealing since people will unload their bikes in this area and often stand on the road. Meyers stated many years ago the drain plugged up and the area now floods and creates drainage issues. Struve stated he has spoken with Hennepin County about that culvert but that he cannot control when they come out and perform work on that culvert. Struve indicated he could follow up and ask when they can locate that culvert end and free it up but that once the culvert is opened up,more water will flow into that area. Struve stated he has not noticed big problems with the drainage but that he is aware of some ponding that occurs on the road,which would be fairly easily rectified. Levang asked if the best solution is to open that end. Struve indicated it will improve the situation minimally but that he is unable to quantify it. Page 5 of 20