11-10-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 26 of 31 (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT, Continued) Edwards stated his proposal is to take a tiered approach with the maintenance and reassess the situation in the spring before proceeding with more expensive corrections. Edwards stated in his view this situation presents little risk to the actual property as there is no structure that is threatened by the ponding. The nearest home at 2800 Countryside Drive sits four feet above the level of Old Crystal Bay Road, and if there is a major flooding event, the water would go over Old Crystal Bay Road rather than towards the house. Edwards noted even with the corrections, there would still likely be some ponding if a 100-year event occurred. McMillan stated she appreciates the recommendations and course of action being taken and that the City is attempting to solve it as quickly and simply as possible. Levang asked what the homeowners’ response to this has been. Edwards stated he is not sure they have seen the report. Levang recommended the homeowners be contacted. Printup noted he did speak to the homeowners about this but that he did not get any feedback from them. Printup stated he likes the tiered approach and that he is comfortable proceeding forward with the City Engineer’s recommendation since it is demonstrating a commitment by the City. McMillan stated the heavy rains demonstrated a lot of problems throughout different areas of the City and that some of them are easy fixes and others that will require further study. The City Council took no formal action on this item. 13. WINTER MAINTENANCE OF TRAILS Printup noted Orono currently does some winter maintenance of trails but not the Dakota Trail and that he is wondering whether the City Council should perhaps discuss this in a work session since the Dakota Trail does get used quite a bit in the winter. Edwards stated the only Three Rivers trail the City maintains is the section in front of the Independence Lakes trail. Edwards stated he would recommend the City continue to do that since it is basically used as a sidewalk and that it is important to keep that clear of snow. Edwards stated the options the City has for the various Three Rivers trails includes different types of maintenance, such as grooming for cross-country skiing or other uses. Edwards noted if the City assumes the maintenance responsibility for the trails that would also include insurance responsibilities and fixing of the trail in the spring. Edwards indicated he did speak with the trail manager for this program as well as some of the surrounding communities and none of those immediately adjacent communities have any plans to maintain any of the Three Rivers trails.