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32 4. Communication Items <br />33 Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Lowry provided a brief review and <br />34 update on projects and maintenance activities listed in the staff report dated <br />35 March 18, 2025. <br />36 <br />37 Ms. Lowry explained that the City Council had approved the contract for <br />38 consultants to explore options for the license, passport center, and dance studio. <br />39 She noted that several pathway projects, including Lexington Avenue and Wagner <br />40 Street pathways, were set to begin this year. A public meeting was tentatively <br />41 scheduled for May 1 regarding the Hamline Avenue project, and the County was <br />42 working on a stormwater project at Hamline Avenue and Clarmar Lane. Several <br />43 road, watermain, and trail projects were planned for next year. <br />44 <br />45 Ms. Lowry discussed the implementation of wayfinding signs along county <br />46 corridors, similar to Saint Paul park zones. The City was working with Xcel on a <br />47 new streetlight policy that was passed in 2024. The bike lane project, including the <br />48 Hamline Bike Lane Demonstration Project, was underway, with Dale Street <br />49 expected to be finished by the end of the year. She mentioned the application for a <br />50 new equity -based water efficiency grant and the ongoing work on the Green To Go <br />51 project with University of Minnesota students. <br />52 <br />53 Parks Superintendent Taylor explained the property boundary surveys in Reservoir <br />54 Woods, marking the property boundaries of the cemetery leased by the City. He <br />55 explained that the survey company placed the signs incorrectly, and the City was <br />56 working to correct them. <br />57 <br />58 Vice Chair Hodder discussed the impact of the signs on park users. <br />59 <br />60 Mr. Taylor discussed the process of correcting the signs. <br />61 <br />62 5. Winter Plowing Update <br />63 Public Works Director Jesse Freihammer provided a detailed update on winter <br />64 plowing operations, including the City's ordinance prohibiting parking on streets <br />65 after two inches of snow. The City's approach to plowing, including the use of brine <br />66 mixture for pre-treatment, was also discussed. <br />67 <br />68 Mr. Freihammer explained the challenges of plowing during heavy, wet snow <br />69 events and the impact of temperature changes on plowing operations. He reviewed <br />70 the City's routes and equipment, including the use of tandem axle plow trucks, <br />71 single axle plow trucks, and front-end loaders. <br />72 <br />73 Member Fergus inquired about the efficiency of brine solutions in reducing salt <br />74 usage. <br />75 <br />76 Mr. Freihammer confirmed that brine is more efficient at melting snow and ice than <br />77 traditional rock salt. <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />Page 4 of 57 <br />