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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-12 MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION May 12, 2008 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at Cottage Grove Public Works, 8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair David Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: David Anderson, Ken Boyden, Robert Dornsbach, Gary Kjellberg, Christopher Lethgo, William Royce Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Allan Larson, Public Works Technician Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Jeff Podoll, Senior PSW – Streetlight Division Excused: Roger Finnegan Also Present: Fred Luden, City Council Member Matthew Strand, Luma Sales Peter Strand, Luma Sales Jim Jones, Cottage Grove Resident 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Gary Kjellberg, seconded by William Royce, the March 10, 2008 minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Jim Jones attended tonight’s meeting to discuss the City’s Sign Policy. 5. NEW BUSINESS Stop Sign Discussion – Added Agenda Item th Mr. Jim Jones indicated while traveling on 75 Street last Thursday afternoon Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 2 he noticed orange flags warning of a traffic change. He then noted the stop sign at th Isleton Avenue and 75 Street was gone and he wished to know why as he didn’t believe the sign was causing any problems. Jones stated there has been a problem of th speeding traffic on 75 which he reported to the police several times. Jones wants the stop sign back due to more small children living in the area and wished to know why the study was done in the first place. City Engineer Jennifer Levitt responded that a couple of years ago the City Council authorized a similar study of the Thompson Grove neighborhood, west of Highway 61. In that area, stop signs had been initially placed sporadically and haphazardly without judgment based on engineering warrants.The entire neighborhood was reevaluated for stop sign placement and the signs were successfully realigned to all meet engineering warrants in the City’s policy for stop sign placement. Chair David Anderson commented that the study was initially very controversial with residents concerned about stop signs being removed along with speeding issues which are very similar to Mr. Jones’ concerns. In the end, Anderson stated the changes came out very well and many of those initial concerns of residents haven’t surfaced. Levitt went on to state that Council saw the need to be consistent with our signage through the City so it was determined best to evaluate large areas rather than isolated intersections. Based on that direction, the next neighborhood selected for evaluation was the pavement management area. It was found that the signage was extremely inconsistent with a number of yield signs and various roads having 4-way stops that didn’t warrant them. Some intersections had visibility problems, some areas actually had their stop signs reversed and other areas simply didn’t warrant having a stop sign according to the Minnesota Manual of Uniform Traffic Control. Mr. Jones inquired why the signs were installed since they didn’t meet the warrants. Public Works Director Les Burshten responded that is part of the issue staff is trying to deal with. What happened for years is that stop signs were installed for a number of reasons and sometimes based on requests from citizens. The requests were reviewed by the Public Safety Committee who then passed on the installation request to Public Works. Guidelines had not been followed. After the completion of the Thompson Grove Traffic Study, all new city developments are in compliance. At this point, it was determined that the pavement management area be the next section evaluated for traffic control. Mr. Jones reiterated, “So, in some places you are adding and some you are taking away”. Anderson responded that the study is in its early stages with the Thompson Grove neighborhood being first to be evaluated. As the pavement management process files through each neighborhood, each area will be reviewed. It was noted the Commission will review Mr. Jones’ request and pass the recommendation to the Council. The Public Works Commission does not have the Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 3 authority to determine whether or not a stop sign goes in or out noting that decision is made by Council. Jones responded that as long as the signs are already there, they should just be left. Commission Member Gary Kjellberg commented this practice would be counterproductive since the City has state and federal guidelines to follow which the sign policy is based on. It is the goal to become uniform regarding traffic control. Mr. Jones added that his daughter’s bus stop is right across from where the stop sign was removed. He’s concerned about cars not stopping and possibly hitting or injuring kids waiting for the bus. Jones doesn’t think the study took into consideration the bus stops. Levitt responded that district officials stated there are 700 bus stops in the City of Cottage Grove. This intersection was not found to have unique characteristics than other parts of Cottage Grove. Levitt believed there was nothing that set this particular intersection apart from the other 699 stops the busses make. Burshten indicated there may be a visibility issue with the location of pine trees at that location and will recommend the trees be trimmed or removed. Mr. Jones thanked the Commission for their time before he left. Burshten added that Mr. Jones can call him anytime if he has any questions about what steps to take or what the next process could be. A. Commission Elections. Robert Dornsbach was nominated as chair of the Public Works Commission. Motion Ken Boyden was made by Gary Kjellberg. was also nominated with motion made by William Royce. Robert Dornsbach was elected by a 3-2 vote with chair David Anderson abstaining. Ken Boyden was nominated as vice chair of the Public Works Commission. By a 4-1 vote, he was elected. William Royce was nominated by Gary Kjellberg to serve as Secretary of the Public Gary Kjellberg Works Commission. was also nominated, however, withdrew his name. Chris Lethgo was also nominated. William Royce was elected by a 3-2 vote with Chair David Anderson abstaining. Summary Bob Dornsbach – Chair Ken Boyden – Vice Chair William Royce - Secretary Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 4 B. LED Pilot Program Public Works Engineering Technician Allan Larson explained an LED Pilot Program has been created for the City. Matt and Pete Strand of Luma Sales were invited to attend tonight’s meeting to give a demo of how LED lights are energized and how they work. Strand indicated that the Beta LED fixture is manufactured in Raleigh, NC, distributed out of Racine, WI and is a 100% USA-manufactured product adding the company has been in business for 50 years. The Beta fixture is built to the specifics of architectural engineering communities and is rated for 100,000 hours (expected to be increased to 150,000 hours this summer) which translates into 27 years before needing replacement. There is a 10-year warranty on the finish and a 5-year warranty on the LEDs and the driver. Strand also noted when an LED light fails, there is a redundancy, (with light still in place) similar to traffic signals. Kjellberg inquired how long the pilot program would take to which Larson responded that there is no specific timeline, however, the area for the trial has been selected to be on East Point Douglas Road between Wells Fargo Bank and the VFW because of the connection to one feed point. Senior Public Service Worker Jeff Podoll indicated that commercial streetlights are very high maintenance and the City has 81 of them. As an average, they last about 5 years without having to replace all internal components because of heat/meltdown. Without labor, these costs would run close to $300.00. We’re looking to replace these commercial fixtures with LEDs that will last 25 years with little maintenance plus the savings in energy to offset the costs. It is not planned to install the LEDs in residential neighborhoods. Residential LED fixtures are not particularly desirable because the light spectrum is so bright. Podoll noted that from his experience, the bulbs currently being utilized are not lasting as long as the manufacturers indicated. For example, bulbs that are said to last 6.75 years are perhaps lasting for 3-4 years. MOTION MADE BY WILLIAM ROYCE, SECONDED BY DAVID ANDERSON, TO PROCEED WITH THE LED PILOT PROGRAM IN 2009. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. C. Bridge Inspection Report Levitt indicated that the commission may not be aware the City has seven bridges that are required to be inspected annually or biannually. It has been discovered the Grey Cloud Bridge has pack rust forming on the painted surface and scour was noted at the ends of pier 1. These issues should be addressed within the next 3 to 5 years. There are currently no dollars budgeted in the CIP to cover these expenses and this group is being asked for their opinion regarding the CIP request of $50,000 in the year 2011 to cover these repairs. Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 5 After a brief discussion of the needed repairs, the following motion was made: MOTION MADE BY WILLIAM ROYCE, SECONDED BY DAVID ANDERSON RECOMMENDING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 BE ADDED TO THE 2011 CIP FOR THE MAINTENANCE/REPAIR OF THE GREY CLOUD BRIDGE. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. 6. OLD BUSINESS None 7. ENGINEER’S REPORT Jennifer Levitt reported: Work on the Hamlet Pond has been taking place just north of Werner Electric with blasting underway for the past week. The project has been going well with good progress being made. Hopefully blasting will be complete by Wednesday. th The water main project just north of the 80 Street exit off Highway 61 is moving along as scheduled. Belden Boulevard will be closed this week as the water main is brought across. It is anticipated the work will be done by Friday. Sidewalk will be installed for the new senior housing project off Highway 61 (White Pines) 2008 Pavement Management Project Reclamation is taking place, however, many issues being seen are related to Xcel Energy (gas main work) and the restoration work. Kjellberg inquired from the time they grind up the roadway, how long is the process before the first lift is put on? Levitt responded that contractually from start to finish they have 28 days in the contract. This is weather dependent and there’s been a lot of rainy days. Water main replacement is going well with Hydram Avenue being completed and work thrd is now being done on 74. Another crew is working on 73 and Iden. A large bit of cobble was found adjacent to the pipe. A water main break was encountered during excavation when some of the rocks fell into the trench. There have been no other issues. Kjellberg asked if anything could be done to make the new curb match the existing curb. Levitt responded that Council was warned at a workshop session that this was an issue that had presented itself in previous areas where there was spot patching. Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 6 Valley is the paving contractor for the project and Lametti completed all the slip lining last week which turned out really well. Insulating of water services and spot repairs have been completed. Additional Projects: th A jacking operation on 80 Street near St. Rita’s Church will begin shortly. th Crews will work their way up 79 Street and work will subside until school is out for the year before work is started on Ideal. Two more trails have been cut out in the Highlands area. Reclamation and reconstruction of the parking lot area will also be done. 8. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten reported: The Street Department is patching in preparation for the sealcoating project st which will begin on July 21. The Parks Department acquired a top dresser which will be used on some of the fields making a nice dirt blend. AAA Striping is the contractor for street striping this year and will begin work in a week. Spring Clean Up was last Saturday. The day went pretty well (907 cars). The 1MG tank (behind Fire Station 2) is scheduled to be inspected. th Commission Member Ken Boyden reported there are a number of areas on 90 Street th in need of patching. David Anderson added there are also some areas on 80 Street needing attention. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Fred Luden reported some interesting figures regarding foreclosures throughout Washington County: YearCity Number of Foreclosures 2006Cottage Grove 94 2007148 2006Newport9 200718 2006St. Paul Park 18 200736 2006Stillwater29 200772 2006Woodbury86 2007200 Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 7 th A conditional use permit was granted on April 16 for the liquor store located just off th 70 Street. This is the seventh liquor store in the City of Cottage Grove The final plat was approved for Culvers at the Kohls location creating 2 additional lots. Materials are scheduled to go up on site just about any day. th Presbyterian Homes (Norris Square) will have a ribbon cutting on April 13 at 3:00. The first building in the senior housing (Frattalone) property is nearly done with the second building in the design phase. In 2007 there were 67 residential building permits and to date we’re at 23. There was a recent meeting held with the South Washington County District 833 board. Items discussed included work being done at Park High with a cost of $23 million, (more than the value of any building they now have in the district). The football field curb/track replacement was done at a cost of $2 million dollars. Cottage Grove Jr. High has a $3 million dollar project going that’s scheduled to be completed in July of ‘08. Grey Cloud Elementary has a $4 million dollar project which will be completed in the fall of ‘09. Pine Hill Elementary has a $5 million dollar mechanical system upgrade that will be done this year. The district is also putting in a transitional school at the former MGM Liquor site where they will rent approximately 3,000 square feet of space. East Ridge High School is on track with the 330,000 square foot building expected to be enclosed this year. nd There will not be a main National Night Out Celebration this year. On May 22 a recruitment picnic is planned to take place from 6:00-8:00pm at Kingston Park for residents interested in forming a neighborhood watch group to organize individual neighborhood N.N.O. gatherings. 10. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPATE Gary Kjellberg reported the group met in April to finalize items in the comprehensive plan and will meet with the City Council this week to go over their findings. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS This being Commission Chair David Anderson’s last meeting, he wanted to take the opportunity to express his gratitude to the commission for all their hard work. He also thanked the Public Works staff saying they were a highly professional, top notch group who helped the group steer through many avenues and pathways. Les Burshten expressed his appreciation to Dave for serving as chairman, running the show, doing a great job and noted he will be missed. Ken Boyden also thanked Dave for his service and the manner in which he ran the meetings wishing him good luck. Public Works Commission May 12, 2008 – Page 8 Roger Finnegan was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, however, the entire group thanked him for all his dedicated service. Citizen Survey The citizens of Cottage Grove were recently surveyed regarding their feelings about living in the City of Cottage Grove. Many mentioned the “small town feel” they’ve experienced living here. Jeff Podoll mentioned he’s lived in the same neighborhood where he grew up and knows his neighbors well noting they all watch out for one another. Some of that appeal has gotten lost in many of the new areas. William Royce noted he was on the Fire Department for 23 years and saw the transition from a part-time to a full-time fire department. He commented when he first moved here, the area where Cub now stands was a cornfield. He feels Cottage Grove is growing and is not a small town however, noted this is progress and a fact of life. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by David Anderson, seconded by Robert Dornsbach. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted,  íÜÉËÔÚÔÜêÉÎËÛÄ