1986-05-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 1986 Council Business, continued Brandt believed the road should be left open and city hall's parking lot should be reduced to expand the ball diamond (additional parking would be available just south of city hall at the site just purchased); Brandt stated she is undecided as to whether or not it should be left in its present condition or redone as part of the proposed plan, which would take an additional 12 feet; believes it might be best to only maintain Third Avenue for the next few years, as it is in fairly good condition at this time, because closing or vacating it would be an irreversible decision. Gunderman stated he would also like to see Third Avenue left as it is for a year to see what the status of other projects are and how they all interrelate. Williams asked about liability occuring on the street while it is barricaded; LeFevere stated the City would be liable if it were in some way negligible, the church would be liable if it were negligible, and it could be a joint responsibility. Benke believed there had been a process and a procedure set up at the time the barricading went into affect, with the super- visors being responsible for the children whether or not the barricade was in place. Williams stated the more the road is improved, the more likely it is to invite traffic, which is more likely, then, that an accident may occur; would agree, until a final decision is made on the park, the road ought to stay and stay in its present condition without any further improvement and asked the city, if it's necessary, to look into the agreement with the church regarding liabilities and barricades. Williams agreed with the Police Chief's report, that children allowed to play in the street at school may think it's safe to play in any street. For the benefit of the audience, Benke reviewed Chief Kelley's report citing the children's false comfort of playing in the street as well as that because Third Avenue, south of Eighth Street to County Road E2, will be improved this summer may attract traffic from Tenth Street to County Road E2 which should be on Fifth and/or First Avenue; therefore, keeping the short piece of Third Avenue open might facilitate that type of a by- pass and increasing traffic along Third Avenue, and even more so with development on Tenth Street. Benke felt it would not be logical for the city to rebuild that piece of Third Avenue if there is a strong possibility that because of development and traffic management we may make the decision to close that street. Felt comfortable with closing that piece of Third Avenue, even though it would be inconvenient to a few people, but that there would be enough advantages to offset the inconvenience; stated it made sense to close that piece of road and have the land incorporated into landscaping for the park or the parking lot. Page Four