HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/1986CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
August 25, 1986
5:00 P.M.
Large Conference Roan
Members present: Miller, Angel, Wright, Seeber, Lichty, Budak, and Dowie.
It was moved by Seeber, seconded by Angel that the Agenda, as proposed, be
approved. Motion carried.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, stated that Parker Street (frau East Fourth
Street to Logan Avenue) was to be included in this year's Overlay Program.
It was thought that there may be railroad ties under the street; however,
the soil borings did not bear this out. After work began on the street,
railroad ties were found. Their removal will require extensive work;
therefore, he recommended the street be milled and patched and that it be
placed in a future reconstruction program. Councilperson Wright objected to
the street being deleted from this year's program and that this was the
second street on the East side to be eliminated from the Overlay Program.
It was agreed that the money that would have been used on the overlay of
this street would be spent on street repair on the East side.
Eric Thorson also indicated that the Street Department was doing some patch
work at the intersection of Monticello and Ridgemont. Due to the extensive
repair that was needed at this intersection, more work than anticipated will
be necessary. The contractor that is completing this year's reconstruction
work has agreed to include this intersection with his work at the same
contract unit prices.
The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on the proposed
snow emergency ordinance and a snow and ice removal program. The Mayor
indicated that there are many issues to discuss including the possibility of
implementing odd/even parking on City streets or banning parking completely
on City streets during snow emergencies. During the draft of these
documents, ordinances from the cities of Des Moines, Sioux City, Eau Claire,
and Madison, Wisconsin, Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Fort Dodge were
obtained. Many of the comments contained in these ordinances were
incorporated into the proposed ordinance now before the Council. The snow
emergency route plan was reviewed. Several councilpersons indicated that
additional streets should be added to this emergency route. These will be
further investigated. There was considerable discussion about the equipment
that would be needed by City snowplows (bi-directional blades) if the City
were to institute odd/even parking. Currently the City has only two 2 -way
plows. An additional 24 2 -way plows would be needed at a cost of $6,000.00
per plow. Councilmembers expressed concern as to where residents would park
their cars if parking was banned during snow emergencies.
Councilperson Dowie now present.
Councilperson Miller indicated that the City could save large sums of money
if the City were clearing snow in an efficient manner.
Mayor McKinley suggested that the City gradually institute a snow policy.
Several cities have not instituted towing charges the first year or have
towed cars to a nearby City street that was not an emergency route.
Don Thorson, Street Superintendent, again reiterated his concern of the
problems that parking on City streets causes for his crews after a
significant snowfall. Mayor McKinley suggested that (1) the City staff
identify the dollars it would take for instituting the odd/even parking in
terms of signage and equipment costs and that (2) the costs be obtained for
banning street parking on Priority One and Priority Two areas as defined in
the Snow & Ice Control Program. Councilperson Wright stated that she would
support the establishment of emergency routes to hospitals.
It was also suggested that all City streets be identified that are heavily
populated and have very little off-street parking.