CC 02-09-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 9 1998 5 Mr. Brown explained curbing is an important aspect of a road reconstruction project to assist with drainage, to protect the edge of the asphalt from erosion, and to provide a better environment for maintenance. Vince Linders 1945 Glenpaul Avenue, inquired regarding the life expectancy for a reconstructed roadway. Mr. Brown stated it is 20 years according to MnDOT standards but that many roads, with minor maintenance, can last 30 to 35 years. He explained the layers of construction which are put into place under a reconstructed roadway. Mr. Linders reviewed how roadways are constructed in North Oaks which do not contain curb and gutter. Mr. Brown noted those roadways often contains ditches which provide for drainage away from the roadways. In Arden Hills, there are no ditch areas to address storm drainage. Mr. Linders asked if it is possible to construct Glenpaul A venue without storm sewer. Mr. Brown stated it may be possible but he would not recommend it. Mr. Linders asked how much notice residents will receive and if they could be given four to five years notice. Mayor Probst stated since Glenpaul A venue was pulled from the project this year due to the soil boring information, he expects it will be added to the project for next year. Mr. Linders asked if the City can leave it as it is for five years to allow residents to start saving for this improvement. Mr. Brown explained that they will reevaluate all of the City's roadways, including Glenpaul Avenue, to determine which roadways need to be addressed first. Mr. Linders asserted there are other roadways in Arden Hills that are in worse shape than Glenpaul Avenue. Ms. Rem stated the issues involved with curb and gutter will not go away. She reported on her conversation with the Watershed District about the benefit of curb and gutter. Ms. Rem noted most of the runoff in Arden Hills goes into ponds or wetlands. She stated the Watershed District had indicated to her they would prefer an urban design with a grass edge to filter runoff before it enters the wetlands. Ms. Rem asked if it is really cost effective to require curb and gutter which may not benefit drainage into wetlands. She asked whether it may be better to invest these funds into getting more roadways completed. Mayor Probst stated the City does believe it is cost effective. Also, Arden Hills does not have a storm drainage system so curb and gutter helps to direct drainage. Mayor Probst noted the City has been installing grit chambers at the request of the Watershed District. Mr. Brown clarified that Arden Hills does not have many urban section streets but, rather, streets with grass curbs where water runoff collects sediment more than if concrete curbs were present. He stated the solution is to install ponding, where appropriate, and grit chambers. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).