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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, August 09, 2010 Page 6 a. Request to Approve Noise Variance to Extend Working Hours for Rice Street Project A revised Request for Council Action (RCA) dated August 9, 2010, was provided as a bench handout, attached hereto and made a part thereof. City Engineer Debra Bloom reviewed the request as detailed in the RCA, specifi- cally noting provisions of City Code restricting certain hourly operations necessi- tating the requested variance. Discussion included rationale for the request being extended so late in the fall with staff noting the subcontractor's desire to work as long into the fall as possi- ble depending on weather-related conditions until they need to shut down for win- ter; any potential cost savings to participating agencies on the overall project by adding an additional shift and accelerating the schedule. Ms. Bloom noted that the subcontractor, Arndt Construction, had not yet arrived at tonight's meeting with agenda items being ahead of schedule. Mayor Klausing opened the Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of hear- ing public comment on the proposed request for a noise variance to extend work- ing hours for the MnDOT/Ramsey County/City Rice Street Project Public Comment Written comments from Ray S. and Frances M. McDonald, 2241 Marion Street in support of the variance were included as a bench handout, attached hereto and made a part thereof. Marcene Atkins, 162 West County. Road B Ms. Atkins spoke to repeated assurances by the contractor(s) when seeking an easement for her property, that she would not be subjected to any additional nois- es before 7:00 a.m. or on weekend; and expressed concern that she had been misled by the contractor. Mayor Klausing clarified that these were two separate issues: the easement and the request for a noise variance before the Council at this time. Ms. Atkins expressed her concerns with noise pollution and hazards to her health from her sleep being disturbed at 5:00 a.m.; and suggested that she receive finan- cial compensation for being subjected to this additional construction time. Ms. Atkins alleged that she had been misled by the contractor(s) from the beginning; and expressed her wholehearted opposition to the City granting such a noise va- riance.