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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-1989 PSC Minutes1 C I T Y O F D U B L I N MINUTES PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING May 18, 1989 9:30 A.M. The Public Service Committee of the Dublin City Council met at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 18, 1989. Council members and staff present were: Mrs. King (Chairman), Mr. Sutphen, Ms. Maurer, Mr. Hansley, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Willis. Guests present were Mr. Steve Testa and Mr. Fritz Smith, representing Kurb Kut of Ohio. They had been invited to attend the Public Service Committee Meeting at Monday night's Council meeting to present additional information regarding their r proposal of an alternative method of curb construction. Kurb Kut of Ohio Mr. Willis said that he had suggested using the method on six or so locations and watch those locations, saying that the flow line of the gutter is a plus factor, and eliminates that problem. He noted also that he was apprehensive with regard to the exposure of the aggregate and what effect salt might have on it, especially as regards the pockets of air. Mr. Willis noted also that he would like to observe this particular type of curb throughout a winter season into the spring. Mr. Testa said that the machine has been in use in Canada for approximately 8-10 years and in various parts of the U.S. for 4-5 years (California, Arizona, the Chicago area, e.g.). It was noted that in the Montreal area that use is mandatory. Mr. Willis said, responding to a comment by Mrs. King, that several problems as regards driveways sinking, creating holes, etc. have been eliminated in large part in Dublin due to more careful inspections. Mr. F. Smith, commenting on his many years in the concrete and building businesses, said that there is probably a bigger vulnerability for the exterior of existing curbs to salt damage than there is for the exposed aggregate portion of the proposed curbs. 6665 Coffman Road • Dublin, Ohio 43017 • (614) 761-6500 Dublin . . . where yesterday meets tomorrow Minutes Public Service Committee Meeting May 18, 1989 Page Two It was noted that the charge would be $10.00/foot, and Mr. Willis noted that that was similar to the charge for installing long runs of continuous curb, but Mr. Testa said that that would be $5.00/foot. Mr. Smith commented that he could mention two possible negatives associated with the process - the aesthetics and the perceived potential problem with the aggregate. He noted that to repair the regular damaged curb cut requires the use of a jackhammer with probable resulting damage - the interface between the street and the curb will be changed; a potential of changing (negatively) the underdrain; potential damage to the street as well as to the gutter flow line. At the present time, it was pointed out, the curbs are being driven over under the assumption that the will be taken out and replaced. Mr. Testa said that his company has been requesting that the builders cut out and set up the forms for the driveway and then have Kurb Kut come out and cut out the curb which can be driven on immediately. He also noted that their company suggests leaving it as a formed curb until the driveway is ready to be poured. Mr. Smith noted that they are doing work in Hilliard, Westerville, Columbus, Grove City and Reynoldsburg with generally a positive response. Aesthetically it was noted that the cement in this method, when exposed to the sun bleaches out similarly to the way the cement bleaches out on a regular curb cut. Mr. Willis said that he would followup with letters written to communities in the Chicago area who had installed this particular type of curb cut. Mr. Hansley noted that to use this system in Dublin, an ordinance would need to be written, with the appropriate recommendation from the Public Service Committee. Mrs. King commented that she would hope that the slope of the "wings" on each side could be reduced to 12" to 14". It was agreed that a written standard would have to be developed with regard to the "wings" for the City of Dublin. Street Lighting Mr. Willis commented that O.D.O.T. is anxious to know whether Dublin would like to have lighting installed along U.S. 33 (shared cost) in conjunction with the approved overlay project. Mrs. King responded that Council had decided not to participate, waiting instead for the results of the Old Dublin Historic District consultants' report. Minutes Public Service Committee Meeting May 18, 1989 Page Three Planned Street Improvements and Maintenance of Traffic It was noted that there will be conflicts - O.D.O.T.'s overlay project of S.R. 745, the waterline construction along same. Mr. Willis said that the O.D.O.T. paving project will probably not begin before July or August, and that the waterline will go out for bid on June 9, 1989. Discussion followed regarding the waterline which will supply the booster station to be located on Brand Road and S.R. 745, elevating water pressure in the area north of Brand Road (Muirfield area included). Mr. Hansley raised a policy issue, noting that the City of Dublin has not been very aggressive until this year in doing public projects; most of the jobs having been done by the private sector. He noted that this has been a learning experience - the working through types of bureaucracies; the fact that factors in a project change; the time it takes to get things done, etc. Upcoming Bid Projects Mr. Willis reported that there will be the following bid openings on June 9, 1989 - Dublin Road Waterline, Booster Station, Frantz Road Widening, and perhaps the ditch enclosure on Martin Road. Street Signs Mr. Johnson reported that he had spoken with Mr. Jim Hyde of the City of Columbus and that their project of using thermoplastics, with Scotchlight, on Sawmill Road, noting that it had been done before but had not worked. Mr. Hansley said that the thermoplastic is more expensive initially, but that it is supposed to last longer. Mr. Johnson said that they will be watching it closely to see if it will last; that Dublin might want to use it on portions of Frantz Road. Regarding street signage, Mr. Johnson had some different types of signs at the meeting - an original sign that was in Dublin when Dublin first became Dublin; a proposed -type -of -sign (with Scotchlight) making it easier to see and read the signs, especially for the police and fire departments. Mr. Johnson said that the Maintenance Department is suggesting a 10" sign for the main thoroughfares (High Street, etc.). Columbus already has them along Sawmill Road, and then a secondary -type sign to be used on secondary roads, cul-de-sacs, etc. Minutes Public Service Committee Meeting May 18, 1989 Page Four Mr. Hansley said that he agreed with Mrs. King - that he also likes the brown, wooden signs that are unique to Dublin. Mr. Johnson said that the City needs to determine a specific color code. Mrs. King said that if Muirfield or Waterford, etc. wants to continue to use unique signs which have been previously approved during the development process, that that group should pay for the signs. She noted that she had not realized that the Maintenance Department had been putting up the signs, and Mr. Johnson said that the City also pays for the signs. Mr. Sutphen did point out that Muirfield does pay for their street signs and that Waterford pays for the posts for their signs. Mrs. King said that should not be the responsibility of the Maintenance Department; that the City should adopt the type of signage that they will be supplying; if a particular subdivision wants something different, they pay for it. Mr. Johnson said that he agreed; that the City informs the citizens that the City will supply green and white reflecting streets signs (for example). If a group of citizens wants something different, that they find it and pay for it. Mr. Hansley noted that Mr. Johnson was asking the Committee whether there would be four votes of Council as to whether or not to write an Ordinance that requires the larger size signs on the major streets and the second size on the secondary streets, and that if River Forest, Waterford or Muirfield wants a different type of street signage that they provide and pay for said signage. Mrs. King said she agreed as long as the non-standard signs had been approved at the time of the initial development. Mr. Hansley asked members of the Committee what type of suggestion would they make to a request from any new subdivision, and pointed out that the street signs in Muirfield are hard to see, hard to find, etc. Mr. Sutphen said that the Committee was trying to find a standard for the rest of Dublin and new development. Mr. Johnson pointed out that the older signs were more susceptible to the elements, particularly the wind, and said that the new type of signs could be seen in River- side Green, Olde Sawmill, etc. and noted that Dublin would be making their own signs when the City gets its new sign shop. It was suggested that perhaps brown and white signs might be used, rather than green and white, but Mr. Johnson did not know if brown and white was available in Scotchlight. He said that he would inquire regarding same. Minutes Public Service Committee Meeting May 18, 1989 Page Five Ms. Maurer said that the initial cost as well as replacements costs need to be seriously reviewed and considered. There was agreement that the signs should be made with Scotchlight, whatever the color decided upon. Mr. Hansley said that they put in writing a few of the options, cost figures, photos, etc., and commented that he thought that the issue ultimately will be aesthetics versus safety. Mrs. King suggested that Mr. Johnson prepare in writing a recommendation, give it to all members of Council, and said that then she and Mr. Sutphen would discuss the situation and make a recommendation to the Council from the Public Service Committee and then the issue can be placed on Council's agenda. It was agreed that videotaping examples of different types of signage around the City might be a plus and, in addition, the appropriate specifications regarding signs and posts would be passed on to the various community civic associations. 29 South High Street Mr. Johnson said that the structure at 20 S. High Street has been razed and that they are now awaiting approval from the Architectural Review Board to put the parking lot in. There was further discussion on advisability of a parking lot at this location. Lift Station Mr. Hansley reported that there had been a meeting in the Attorney General's office the previous day with the City's two attorneys present, who reported that the meeting went well and that they were hopeful. He also noted that the temporary solution to the problem should be completed by June 15, 1989. General Comments Ms. Maurer said that, in general, the suburbs are dissatisfied with the Solid Waste Management Authority and that they also desire to have a suburban member on said authority, and that there would be a meeting held this evening regarding same. Ms. Maurer also announced that the same group would be meeting on May 23, 1989 in Minutes Public Service Committee Meeting May 18, 1989 the Bexley Mayor's office to discuss the water contract with Columbus and a possible unified position that the suburban mayors might take regarding these same water contracts. Mrs. King adjourned the meeting. Frances M. Urban