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City Council Minutes <br />July 15, 2019 <br />Page 9 <br />----------------------------- <br />Councilmember Westgaard commented that cutting the number of miles of sidewalk <br />maintained would make even more residents frustrated. <br />Councilmember Wagner stated that reducing the miles the city maintains would put <br />the burden on residents and businesses. Another option would be to purchase more <br />equipment and hire more staff. <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated sidewalk snow plowing is a recurring topic of <br />discussion. <br />Mayor Dietz asked why the city couldn't adjust the ordinance to allow more time for <br />residents to -clear their sidewalks. <br />Councilmember Wagner addressed the new path that is being added, how will that <br />be maintained? <br />Mr. Sevcik said, since the new path is a trail rather than a sidewalk, it would be <br />maintained by a different type of equipment that doesn't have as much demand on it. <br />Mr. Femrite added every additional piece of trail, sidewalk, and road is incremental to <br />needing additional plow routes. <br />Councilmember Ovall said that, with the aging population and the promotion of a <br />walkable community, having cleared sidewalks is a public safety issue. When it comes <br />to tax dollar to attract businesses and new residents, it is an expectation to have <br />sidewalks plowed. <br />Councilmember Christianson asked about the expense to plow all city sidewalks. <br />Mr. Sevcik estimated the city would need to finance three additional sidewalk plow <br />machines as well as three additional operators. <br />Councilmember Ovall would be interested in looking at the additional cost of the <br />equipment and staff. <br />Mr. Femrite agreed there are countless calls from aging residents saying they are not <br />able to do certain things to maintain their property. <br />Councilmember Ovall felt it was more of an expectation that all sidewalks are <br />plowed. <br />Mayor Dietz asked about the cost of additional staff including benefits. <br />Mr. Femrite will pull together some budget information for the council to review. <br />Councilmember Christianson asked about keeping the ordinance at 24 hours or <br />extending it. <br />POA'EAEA ly <br />INATUREI <br />