04/10/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilman Hershner asked if this dedication carried -the same' restrictions as the City's, i.e.,' that the property will be used for park and recreational purposes 'onl'y . Manager replied' that it", doi,/s /iwd 'also 'carries' a "prov1.s'ibn " that if used for any other purpOse the land will revert to EWEB. A vote was taken on the motion as stated, and motion cfl,rried unanimously. . -, '- M. Vacation of easement between'Mill and Ferry from 2nd Avenue to' sout'h160 feet (Witzig/Moreland) ..:. Plann'ing Commission recommended approval at its March 13, 19,72 meeting. It wasundeI:st60'd a"hearing:' (Jate.' 'would be set~ N. Vacation easement at Sylvan Street (20th)' and Fircrest Drive (Ch'a.mness) - . " ~ Plann~ng Comm~ssl11Qn recommended approval at its March 13, 1972 meeting. It was understood a hearing date would be set. O. Alley Improvement Specifications - Manager in answer to the question of alley maintenance programs raised by Councilman Williams, lexplained the long-standing City 'policy which is,to require alley improvement in the form of Portland-cement conrete'if the City is. contr'acting the' work and the cost' is being assessed to owners of abutting properties. If alleys are black- topped or oiled, they are not maintained by the City. The only City mainte- nance is on unpaved alleys, and then- only to scarify and put b'ilCk in~gravelled condition. 'This :is done once a year, or more often where USe is heavy. He said the question is whether 'present standard of only Portland cement con- crete in alleys is appropriate, should there be a review of the policy, or is lesser standard' acceptable. ' " Councilman Williams saidi t is not so much a question of proper specifica- tions for permanent improvement of alleys, but rather whether the City sho,uld accept responsibility"for maintaining grav€Hle'a alleys "and' not accept responsi- bility for maintaining those which are blacktopped. Public Works Director said they would recommend abandoiling the pol'icy of' temporary surfacing, and' consider perini tting nothing but 'permanent improvement ~ He said even though permits are issued for asphalt paving, specifications are left to the property owners which re$ults in'varying thicknesses of'surfaCing.~ , Mr. Wi'l'liams asked if the cost of occasionally patching a blacktop alley is significantly greater than grading a gravelled alley. Public Works Director explained that'patching is a continuing process entailing USe of costly materials. There is no base in that type improvement, and no way to mai'ntain other than' ' ' adding costly asphaltic materials when the surfacing breaks down. In grading gravelled alleys, no material 'needs' to be added. He said' as 'a rule property owners will accept assessments for permanent paving in front of their proper- ties, but will not for those on alleys; that temporary surfacing will not stand up under heavy traffic counts which' are experienced on some of the alleys. Councilman Mohr asked if a policy should be adopted to allow high grade asphaltic paving of alleys.' Public Works Director said to have specifications for asphaltic paving comparable ,to concrete would be too costly to build. He explained the features necessary to provide a permanent improvement - curbs, gutters to main- tain drainage, and maintaining grade which cannot be accomplished in laying as- phalt because of the limited width and difficillty in using the type of equipment necessary for that type of paving. Councilman Williams remarked about the number of asphalt highways in the State which do not have"curbs and gutters. 'Director replied'the' cross't:raffic'in alleys creates the problem in that respect, the paving breaks down on the 'edges. And there is considerable difference in depth of asphalt on the State highways. Also proper drainage caLls for a gutter which caimot be constructed in a l2-foot alley with standard paving machinery with a-minimum lO;"'foof:. spread. He said building asphalt to~thesame'specifications as 'concrete has been discussed with contractors many times' and it is financially impOssible"for-them'to do it with" the machinery they have. " Manager further explained difficulty in maintaining edges of asphaltic paving in alleys, an'd asked Lf the Council wanted staff to explore the problem in depth - investigating practices in other cities, cost involved, basis for'reconsideration, whether it merits that amount of staff time, 'and whether the City should be main- taining'asphaLt'alleys installed by property owners. Mr. Williams saLd hi's inquiry' is the result of a letter from a'constituent~ and' he (Williams) found it difficult to explain why the City would'not mai'ntilin a ' blacktop alley installed by the property owner whereas if he had left a gravel s~rip, ~he Ci~y would have main~ained it. Director said from,a public'relations standpoint it would seem best to firm up the City's policy requiring alleys ~o be permanently improved to City specifications. 95 Comm 4/5/72 ,Approve e Comm 4/5/72 Approve Comm 4/5/72 Approve . . . 4/7n/7? _ q