Mr. Flaherty presented the item noting that the problem is more prevalent during the summer and on holidays. Staff recommendations included: adding roofs, establishing direct slow-flow floor drainage into the sewer system and the installation of additional structures. Commission needs to reassess whether the City should consider public trash enclosures in addition to the private business enclosures.
Mr. Morgan stated that the roofs and drains are a good solution. Staff is still looking for user-friendly trash compactors to contain odors, grease, etc., due to higher volume of trash.
Discussion of the item highlighted the following:
- Discussion of compactors has taken place for years; however, there is a fear of injury to lay persons in addition to vandalism issues.
- Encouraging more recycling would be helpful, however, additional space would be needed for businesses to improve recycling measures.
- The City and/or businesses must effectively handle the additional costs associated with the recycling options.
- Can additional assessments be made to private business owners?
- Could appropriate assessments be made for public use?
- Possible options include adding more receptacles and signage.
MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to make this issue an action item for a future meeting with options and recommendations to be presented by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.
Ayes: Applebaum, Beste, Cheatham, Lombardo, Winnek
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion passed.
Mr. Morgan presented the item noting that that all affected residents have been notified. He presented a summary of the capital improvement project including, the intent to replace curbs, sidewalk areas and driveways with an asphalt overlay over the concrete on 5th Street between Ardmore Avenue and Prospect Avenue.
Mr. Carreon of DMR Team, Inc., presented the details of the work to be completed and the estimated timeline for the project. Work on this project will include: building new curbs and gutters, restructuring utility manholes, building wheelchair ramps and repairing basic street improvements as necessary.
Mr. Carreon explained that working with concrete is problematic and costly. Grinding and establishing a clean edge is extremely difficult.
Mr. Morgan explained the concept of an affordable approach that entails saw-cutting the exiting concrete curb. He further explained that the City might want to investigate establishing an 8-10 year plan of how the City intends to handle the issues with our concrete streets, noting that a consistent approach should be adopted.
Discussion highlighted the following:
- It is problematic and costly when working with concrete.
- We will work with businesses to minimize impacts of the project.
- Only the driveways affected by large-scale capital improvement projects are financed by the City for replacement and/or repair for the public benefit.
- There are not any noticeable street failures along the stretch of this project.
- Estimated duration of the project is three months.
- Efforts will be made to minimize the out of use time of driveways for residents.
- Roadways require approximately 5 days to cure.
- Parking on streets after 5:00 p.m. will be available throughout duration of project.
- Asphalt overlay approach is a reasonable economic approach for repair.
- Hidden costs associated with utilities are possible.
- Only 15% of the driveways are sub-standard, and the majority of them are commercial.
- Currently, we do not know of any pending major utility projects.
- Staff will look up previous sub-committee report presented to the City Council on recommendations of infrastructure standards.
Mel Leshowicz, 1022 5th Street
Mr. Leshowicz stated that he was happy about the 5th Street repairs. However, he noted that other issues would need to be addressed on 5th Street, before the project is underway. Issues include: the excessive speeds used by motorists, traffic congestion, the commercial trucks that service the 7-11 store, blocking the traffic lane.
Jan Norris, 931 5th Street
Ms. Norris agreed with the previous speaker, adding that the 7-11 traffic is problematic and that the bumpy concrete actually slows down the motorists.
Roy Webb, 5th Street
Mr. Webb noted that most of the homes between PCH and Prospect are new; therefore, the driveways are suitable. He also stated that there are three places on 5th Street that require repair and that much of the damage is due to overloaded commercial vehicles. He also said that the work done previously on 3rd Street is a mess.
Commissioner Cheatham noted that the work done on 3rd Street was a slurry seal, not a repaving project.
Greg Surowski, 837 5th Street
Mr. Surowski asked the Commission for the motivation behind this project, thanking the Commission for the detailed explanation this evening and noting that he was sorry to see the concrete streets go.
Commissioner Cheatham explained that 5th Street is one of the capital improvement projects on the list recommended by a pavement management study conducted every 5 years.
Bob Thornton, 1034 5th Street
Mr. Thornton wanted to clarify that there is not an expense or assessment to homeowners for this capital improvement project and that the issue pertaining to the driveways is really an apron vs. driveway repair.
Commissioner Lombardo requested that staff investigate the issue of commercial traffic on 5th Street, adding that safety and traffic issues should be addressed on a future agenda.
Mr. Morgan suggested that additional signage for non-commercial traffic on residential streets might be in order.
Commissioner Winnek mentioned that the Department of Public Works might need to notify the police department to monitor commercial traffic violations on residential streets. He also suggested that staff contemplate notification/reminders to local businesses of commercial restrictions. Mr. Winnek also questioned the November start date of the project, as contractors' equipment may take up much needed space over the holiday season.
Commissioner Beste asked if an earlier start date for this project could be considered.
Commissioner Applebaum stated that another traffic flow study might be in order for this area.
Commissioner Cheatham stated that the traffic concerns raised this evening are separate from the item under consideration. Proper public notice will be given to address the traffic concerns at a future meeting. Staff was given the go ahead to proceed with this affordable and robust project after receiving public comments.
MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to address the issues presented by the public this evening regarding traffic concerns on 5th Street, including, excessive speeds and commercial problems at a future meeting with additional issues, options and recommendations to be presented by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.
Ayes: Applebaum, Beste, Cheatham, Lombardo, Winnek
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion passed.
