HomeMy WebLinkAboutStreet & Alley Committee Minutes 05.21.1998.1
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STREET & ALLEY/SOLID WASTE COXLNIITTEE
MAY 21, 1998 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAXIBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gav Easton Gary Temple
Larrv McCann Janet LaFountain
Ed Steffans
OTHERS PRESENT T: Jean Carroll Thompson Merle Cherry
Donna Kilpatrick Charlie Fischer
Gay Easton opened the meeting with a letter from Woodcrafters concerning bus
parking on West Main. (See letter). The letter addressed concern regarding the
lack of bathroom facilities and telephone access when the Bus Depot is closed.
Another concern is that people are throwing cigarettes and trash on the sidewalk.
Jean Carroll said that the city would have to contact the appropriate bus
companies if there is a concern about traffic. Those companies are Greyhound,
Powder River and Coach U.S.A. Jean Carroll said that the patrons use the
restrooms and phone in the depot. It is not a 24-hour bus depot and they just meet
the buses for customers and freight. She stated that the concerns addressed in the
letter are just not true.
Gay said the committee would address the traffic issue on the state highway.
Larry will contact the appropriate people. Jean Carroll received a copy of the
letter from Gay Easton.
Larry McCann addressed the street cuts by contractors. The city does not want to
be in the asphalt restoration business. Merle Cherry said that the city used to do it
for contractors in the past. Larry said that there are contractors who will do the
work and he suggested that the contractors in Laurel work together and have them
put back in. Larry recommends that the city does not get into the contractors
restoration.
Motion by Gary that the city not put the contractors service cuts back in, seconded
by Gay. Motion carried.
There was discussion on having ten-minute parking in front of Orchid Cleaners.
.,
Motion by Gary to grant a loading zoj;l,e to Orchid Cleaners. Gary amended the
motion to state that Orchid Gleaners would pay for signing. Janet seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
Charlie Fischer was present to indicate a concern that Community Hope is
required to pay for dumping at the container site. After some discussion, Gay
suggested talking to the city attorney for clarification.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
0"'Y'j-"Xc
Andy Loebe
11 May 17, 1998
To whom it may concern:
This letter is in regards to the bus depot on West Main. Ever since the depot was moved to this location
we have had many problems. We own the business next door.
Being a public transportation facility, they should provide bathrooms, telephone, seating and garbage
receptacles. This is not the case.
The people who run the depot do not open the door until the bus comes. 'T'herefore the people waiting
for the bus have no where to go. We have people come into our business daily wanting to use the bathroom,
telephone or they are cold and want to be inside. This is VERY disruptive to our business. We also have had
people sleeping in front of our building weekly. This does not look very professional to our customers.
Last week a bus rider came in and wanted to use the telephone and I told him that we do not have a
public telephone, please go next door. He said, " She (Jean Carol) was very ride to me and told me T could not
use the phone". Is it our responsibility to provide these anemities for there customers?
Another time there was a man waiting and came into my office. He sat in the chair and would not leave.
I was very scared, I called the Thompson's at home and asked if they could please come open the door to the
depot. I-le said the bus was not scheduled to arrive until 11:00 P.M. and that is when he would be there. It was
5:00 P. M. I finally called my husband to come back to the shop to get the man out of there!
Another problem is the garbage. We have asked them to put out ash trays and garbage cans but they do
not.
In addition to the above, there is a great: traffic hazard when the buses are sitting out in the street. The
buses block the view, creating a blind curve. Ifa pedestrian were crossing the street in front of the bus ( that is
in the middle of the street) a driver from behind would not see them. If it was enforced that no one passed the
buses until they move, traffic would be backed up for blocks! I am very surprised there has not been an
accident!
This bus depot has created many undesirable situations in this area. It is managed improperly for a
public transportation building. We feel that the depot should be in an area where the buses can pull in off the
street. Also restrooms and telephone should be provided 24 hours for these people.
As business owners, we are very frustrated with this situation. We own two business's in that building
and pay property taxes on both. We deal with the problem of the depot ( of whom do riot pay taxes!) dailya
Please consider removing them from this location:
If you have any questions, please call 628-7914.
Thank YOU,
PGerald and Kathy Barta