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counties through the permitting process already in place and through maintaining <br />utility easements in a corridor to avoid conflicts. <br />6. Pathway Ice Control Discussion <br />Mr. Schwartz apologized that no staff from the City's Parks and Recreation <br />Department was available for tonight's meeting, but advised that he had discussed <br />this issue with them, including their current practices and challenges. Mr. <br />Schwartz noted that this past season was unusual, with the timing of a major ice <br />storm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, current overtime restrictions, and <br />inability to remove of slush before a major drop in temperature. Mr. Schwartz <br />noted that, when such a unique event happens early in the season, it is unfortunate <br />that it has ramifications for the remainder of the season. Mr. Schwartz further <br />reviewed the challenge for pathway ice control as it related to resources and <br />chemicals, as well as environmental issues associated with it, since excessive sale <br />use did extensive turf damage requiring replacement, and even the use of sand <br />resulted in that going into the storm sewers, becoming a contaminant itself and <br />creating additional clean up costs. Mr. Schwartz advised that the City's current <br />policy is to salt and sand when notified of an extremely hazardous situation, with <br />some routine ice control on hills and areas in parks with steeper trails; however, <br />noted that even that ice control had been impacted by recent cutbacks and budget <br />issues with reduced overtime mandates. <br />Chair DeBenedet noted that as more pathways were constructed, it would become <br />more of an issue; and with these additional amenities for citizens, there was a <br />higher maintenance cost. Chair DeBenedet noted that this year was exceptional, <br />and even with melting due to warmer weather, the pathways became hazardous <br />from the thawh-efreeze cycle, even with sanding practices, and the sand becoming <br />encased within the ice and no longer useful. <br />Member Vanderwall noted that the original construction location of a pathway is <br />an important consideration, whether on the south side of the road or not, and <br />opined that the best use of solar should be taken advantage o£ Member <br />Vanderwall further opined that the long-term maintenance of pathways and <br />sidewalks were not just a city responsibility, but should be a consideration of <br />residents as well, as part of their civic investment and causing less government <br />expense in the future and ultimate lower taxes. Member Vanderwall expressed <br />interest in the City initiating a community dialogue on personal responsibility of <br />sidewalks and/or pathways adjacent to their property; and that perhaps an <br />applicable policy or ordinance requiring their attention was indicated. <br />Discussion included the City's priority system for clearing sidewalks to schools <br />and other high-traffic areas, with Mr. Schwartz advising that it was the City's <br />intent to get through everything within atwenty-four-hour period, depending on <br />the amount of snowfall, usage and subsequent weather conditions. <br />Page 5 of 9 <br />