HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-09-08 Beautication CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Session I - Regular Meeting
September 8, 1975 - 4:00 P.M.
Present: members - Matheson, Roberts, Rankin, Wilhelmsen, Conger
ex officio - Williams
Pioneer Irrigation representatives - Fred Houston, Art Norland,
Harold Whittig, Wayne Naugle
Methodist Church representative - Nancy Baxter
other - Mel Lewis
In the absence of Chi.. Bauman, the meeting was called to order in the Methodist
Church parking lot by Bikeway Chairperson Matheson.
Dixie Drain Project - Purpose of the meeting was to survey and discuss the
proposed Dixie Drain Bikeway.. Following are points of discussion and observations:
Art Norland proposed cleaning the ditch at the same time construction of the path
begins.
Fred Houston believes ditch may not need further maintenance after construction
if the City will remove little trees as they appear.
Ditch maintenance equipment could not straddle an eight foot path. However, it is
possible that the only work that would be necessary could be done with the truck
mounted dragline which could run one wheel on the path and one off to the side.
A varying elevation of the path would not hamper Pioneer work as long as a twelve
foot wide level were maintained throughout.
Any fence or barrier constructed between the path and ditch would have to be
removed by the City if ditch maintenance work became mecessary.
Ropes placed in the ditch to aid the escape of anyone falling into the ditch
would probably not be necessary as ditch banks are irregular giving many opportun-
ities for handholds. It was further felt that such ropes could prove an attractive
nuisance as they could encourage children to play in the ditch.
Pioneer Irrigation has no objections to the construction of a bridge as long as
a few easily followed specifications are met.
Cost of the fence moving which will be necessary to..accommodate the bikeway behind
the Methodist Church will probably not be borne by that church.
Erosion from water runoff was obderved in several areas. It was noted that
landowners are legally responsible for wastewater and that it cannot legally be
allowed to run into the ditch if it erodes the ditch bank.
Fill dirt needed to repair eroded areas will probably be available from leveling
other areas during path construction. More fill may also come from the ditch
cleaning as it was felt most of the material taken from the ditch would not be the
"goopy" type which would take a full summer to dry enough to be useable.
Art Norland said that because it would be necessary to clear a path prior to
ditch cleaning, they could run their bulldozer along the proposed path, thus
partially preparing the construction site. He mentioned that for their needs,
the path should be kept as near the ditch as possible.
CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Session I - Regular Meeting - September 8, 1975
Page 2
Dixie Drain Project (continued) - The best time for Pioneer to do work along the
el') ditch is from now until early spring.
Pioneer asked if the City would allow burning of the trash cleaned out along the
ditch thus saving a great deal of labor in loading and hauling. No definite
answer could be given.
There being no further-business the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P,M.
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Session II - Regular Meeting - September 15, 1975
Present: members - Bauman, Matheson, Wilhelmsen, Roberts, Wallace, Rankin,
Reed, Conger
ex officio - Williams
City representatives - Pasley, Tunnicliff, Lewis
visitors - Boy Scouts of Troop 276, property owners, interested
citizens (see attached list)
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers by Chr. Bauman.
The secretary was instructed that this meeting is to be considered the regular
September meeting of the Commission and that the minutes are to be combined with
the minutes of the special meeting with Pioneer Irrigation Board members on
September 8, 1975.
' 7 Dixie Drain Project - Public Hearing - It was stated that business at this
regular meeting was to be confined to the public hearing on the Dixie Drain
Project. Format of the meeting was announced as a presentation of Commission
plans to be followed by citizen questions and input.
Bikeway Committee members, Charleen Matheson and Mel Wilhelmsen, were introduced.
Mick Matheson, Boy Scout from Troop 276, was introduced. He stated that he was
working on the Dixie Drain Project as his Eagle Scout service project, that he
had sent invitations to landowners to attend this meeting, and that he had
invited Troop 276 to be present at this meeting to represent youth feelings
toward pathways.
Charleen Matheson explained Class I, II, and III Bikeways. (See minutes of
November 12, 1974.) Mel Wilhelmsen showed the map of the total Bikeway System
as approved by this Commission on July 29, 1975 and amended on August 11 , 1975.
This' system would connect recreational facilities, schools, library, downtown,
and so forth. He stated that eventually the Commission would like to see the
system extended to Ustick and farther to tie in with the system being developed
by Treasure Valley extending from Lucky Peak to Lake Lowell. He further stated
that most paths would be Class III Bikeways.
The Dixie Drain project, as the beginning section and heart of the system, would
be a Class I Bikeway with no pedestrian or vehicular traffic except for
maintenance a couple of times a year. Design of the Bikeway calls for an
eight foot wide asphalt strip with landscaping planned for minimal maintenance
el and low weed problems. He said the Commission is currently in the process of
obtaining funds for minimal landscaping. The path would necessarily be adjacent
to backyards but proper landscaping by property owners and the City could make
bicycle traffic unnoticible and property owners would have easy access to a
traffic system connected to all parts of the City. Plans for possible varying