Posted: 10/5/04
Developers to maintain streets until dedicated
by Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Road maintenance issues as they relate to new housing developments were discussed at the September 27 meeting of the city council.
Mike Gerardy, street department supervisor, told the council that the practice in the past has been for the developer to provide road maintenance until the street is dedicated, which generally occurs after the first layer of blacktop is applied.
ìWe need to have this written down so every developer knows the policy,î said Councilman Paul Fisch.
Council disallows
car port railing
After a lengthy discussion, the council agreed that a railing around the roof of a car port being constructed by Walter and Rosine Macomber must be removed.
The Macombers appeared before the council to explain that their intention was not to use the roof as a deck, but as a fire escape route. The railing would be for safety purposes, they said.
City clerk administrator Robert Nelson said that a variance was approved for a carport, but special issues arise with a deck. With the handrail and door from the second story of their home, the roof has the appearance of being a deck, he observed. Also, there has been a complaint received from a neighbor.
The Macombers said they would remove the handrail.
Creamery project irks mayor
In other business, Mayor Robert Burns unequivocally stated his viewed on the apparent lack of progress at the site of the old creamery on Old Highway Drive. The roof of the building has been removed.
ìMy last official act as mayor might be to order him to tear the son of a b--- down,î said Burns, whose term is up at the end of the year.
Councilman Fisch said that he has been in contact with owner Jeff Sheehan, and reported that none of the trusses could be saved and new ones had to be ordered. Burns responded that he thinks there will always be an excuse for why the project canít be completed and believes that action should be taken.
In another matter, the council heard from Jack Taylor, who reported that his dog, Dakota, who had been the subject of discussion at the previous council meeting, has been destroyed.
The dog was the subject of another complaint and an officer who responded to the scene reported that he was unable to exit his squad car because of the dog. Taylor was not home at the time.
The council also accepted the bid from Bonanza Grain for snow removal. The bid was $5.48 per cubic yard hour for the truck, $94 per hour for blade or grader, and $99 per hour for a track dozer.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com