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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-13 MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION October 13, 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, October 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Robert Dornsbach called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Ken Boyden, Robert Dornsbach, Christopher Lethgo, William Royce Excused: Gary Kjellberg Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Howard Blin, Community Development Director Also Present: Fred Luden, City Council Member Ellen Edwards – Off-Leash Dog Park Presentation Dick Swanson – Off-Leash Dog Park Presentation 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Ken Boyden, seconded by Chris Lethgo, the July 14, 2008 minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Off Leash Dog Park Presentation Community Development Director Howard Blin introduced Ellen Edwards and Dick Swanson. Edwards and Swanson attended tonight’s meeting to inform the PWC members of a proposed off-leash dog park and to give a presentation that had first been given to the Parks Commission a few months ago. Their proposal is to find a location somewhere in Cottage Grove to build an off-leash dog park. These parks are becoming more common throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Public Works Commission October 13, 2008 – Page 2 Ellen Edwards indicated she and others have worked on the off-leash dog park concept since 2005. Initial meetings took place at the Washington County Library to gauge what sort of community interest there was and the turnout was quite good with many interested residents attending. Dick Swanson added the group wished to have this discussion with Public Works in order to provide a vision and conceptualize what the impact may be from a public works standpoint. The off-leash dog park group initially met with John Burbank and has had discussions with Washington County staff. Over 800 signatures have been obtained from interested dog-owners so the group is confident there is clearly an interest from citizens in this area. Edwards went on to state the mission statement of the group is to “provide an off-leash recreation area for people and their well-behaved dogs thereby improving the quality of life in the community, and also promoting environmental stewardship”. Edwards commented the off-leash dog park would not simply serve as a place for dogs to run around but provide a gathering place for dog owners and their pets in this community who wish to recreate outside. Edwards added these residents are paying taxes as well and desire to enjoy nature, be with other people that share the same interests as well as running their dogs for exercise and the proper socialization that goes with that. The second part is the environmental stewardship. This organization respects the outdoors and will take measures to protect the land and make sure everyone is responsible in cleanup. The Woodbury location of the off-leash dog park is located off Dale Road and County Road 19. Their only requirement for use is that the pet possess a Woodbury dog tag. The City of Coates in Dakota County also has an off-leash facility that began as an experiment but has successfully generated $36,000 of revenue in 2007 with $16,000 of expenses. Dog owners wishing to use this park purchase a permit. It was also mentioned that a new off-leash facility has opened in South St. Paul. Dick Swanson indicated the group is visualizing an area of approximately 10 acres as a good starting point with two entrances including a meet and greet area with a message board and cleaning sign-up area.Future plans may include a water station for cleaning dogs and an area with cleanup bags. Ms Edwards thought that the off-leash park in Burnsville started up at a cost of approximately $5,000.00. For now, the local group is asking for the bare minimum which would be the land, a fence and some signs. Improvements can be made along the way. It is envisioned the off-leash dog park would be located in a city park that’s already developed with a parking lot already in place. The question of permits was discussed. The dog user group would likely purchase an additional permit (classified as a volunteer tag) If the park was ultimately located in a county park, a park permit would need to be purchased. Swanson and Edwards felt the Public Works Commission October 13, 2008 – Page 3 park use would increase should there be an off-leash park option thereby increasing permit proceeds. Commission Member Ken Boyden asked Swanson and Edwards if this issue has been discussed by the Public Safety Commission and they indicated it had not. Additionally, there was a concern whether the City would be liable for any mishaps. Boyden added that if something happened in the parks such as someone being bit by a dog, it would be considered a public safety issue rather than a public works issue. Swanson responded that under Minnesota law, the dog owner would be responsible for any injuries their dogs cause. He added most parks have that statute coded on the sign as patrons enter so there’s no misunderstanding. Even though the parks are “off leash”, the dog owners must be in control of their dogs at all times. Boyden asked if anyone had checked with other cities to see if police has received calls relating to issues at the dog parks. Swanson and Edwards were not aware of any problems in the other metro dog parks with the exception of one area where a person may have had an aggressive dog and was told not to come back. Swanson commented the dog use park rules would be similar to those of other parks. Boyden inquired what the hours of the park would be and it was indicated the hours would be consistent with other city parks (sunrise to sunset). Public Works would be asked to mow the park trails perhaps twice a year. Other grasses would be kept longer as hunting or field dogs like to run through them. Boyden added that Public Works is short staffed now and doesn’t want to add more work to an already full workload. Swanson indicated volunteers would take care of the majority of maintenance such as trash removal and cleanup by placing trash at the gate to be picked up. It was stated that trash from city parks is brought to the Resource Recovery Plant in Newport where all trash is sorted. It will need to be determined whether it’s appropriate to place dog waste in the trash that ultimately ends up there. Howard Blin suggested Swanson and Edwards bring the issue before the Public Safety Commission to see whether that group has any concerns. Eventually a proposal can be made and then brought before the City Council Les Burshten also suggested Swanson and Edwards re-evaluate what start-up costs may be including fence prices and things of that nature. Commission Chair Bob Dornsbach inquired whether a recommendation should be made from this commission or if this is just the initial process. Swanson indicated that tonight’s presentation was to serve as an informational session for questions and concerns of this commission. Ken Boyden stated he would like more information regarding the City’s liability should this dog park come into existence. Swanson and Edwards thanked the commission for listening tonight. They will gather more information and also make arrangements to meet with the Public Safety Commission. Public Works Commission October 13, 2008 – Page 4 B. 2008 Pavement Management Update City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated the project at this time is systematically complete. th The final sections including 66 Street Court, Hyde and Homestead have been paved. More restoration has been completed, however, four driveways in the Highlands area need to be touched up. Staff is in the process of generating the punch list for the project and work is expected to be complete at the end of this week. th Xcel Energy has been working on 74 Street and city staff will meet with them to ascertain the new mat is not damaged. th The assessment hearing is Wednesday night, October 15. Levitt also indicated that residents in the pavement management area had concerns about the lack of communication throughout the project. Neighborhood meetings were held, however, the turnout didn’t include everyone. Many residents used the hotline and door hangers were used but residents still had concerns about communication. Some possible ways to better communicate with residents during these large projects may include: Newsletters attached with a tube to mailboxes (notices affixed to front doors were not seen by the homeowners that don’t utilize their front doors) Develop an E-mail list Hold more neighborhood meetings Recruit a neighborhood liaison Prepare an automated dialing system for messages/updates Assemble a pavement management handbook Yard signs 6. OLD BUSINESS None. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten reported: Parks crews are blowing out all the irrigation lines Hydrant flushing is complete after adjusting the dates to coincide with the completion of the pavement management area. Next year we may try a different procedure of informing residents. Perhaps as crews move through an area, signs can be posted “Water lines flushed today” or something of that nature so folks who don’t use the Internet will also be kept up to date. th Manholes are being fixed on 80 Street Front yard tree planting will take place within the next 10 days The tree planting by employees at Kingston Park went very well with 90 trees being put in place which enhanced the park immensely. Public Works Commission October 13, 2008 – Page 5 Household Hazardous Waste Day was held October 4, however, the turnout was not large, perhaps 200 cars or so.This may be due to the fact residents are using the spring clean up day or taking their items directly to the Oakdale location. Burshten added that next year a site will be available in Woodbury so perhaps a fall collection will not be needed. Harry Taylor noted: Modifications to the wading pool drains are complete. The City has been working on regulatory issues with the Health Department. 8. ENGINEERS REPORT Pond Projects th Jennifer Levitt reported on the pond project in the Hinton Avenue/74 Street area. When the trail was constructed there, it caused one of the homeowners to become concerned, not because of the trail but because of the opening to the structure and how it related to the high water of the pond. After an investigation, it was discovered the house is not up to the standard of today’s height. The City will excavate out approximately 1,500 cubic yards of material and remove a pipe section allowing the area to become more usable and provide additional flood storage so the structure isn’t compromised. The other project involves a large storm water easement on Woodridge Park. A meeting took place with those neighboring residents to inform them of the project. In most cases attempts are made to preserve trees but in this case, residents wished to see the trees go. By taking the trees down, the flow of water will be more appropriate. Additionally, most of the trees are of the cottonwood variety and drop much lint and leaves. Levitt explained that ponds are in place to provide flood storage along with water quality but do build up with sediment. Staff is working to find more economical ways to clean the ponds. By placing basins at both ends of the outlets/inlets, ponds can be cleaned out more effectively and contain the sediment to smaller area rather than allowing it to spread out. Council Member Fred Luden inquired whether the sediment would be analyzed to which Levitt replied analysis is not required in this instance. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE The White Pines Senior Home Project is wrapping up for the season. During the Open Forum portion of the last meeting, a community member stepped up to complain about some safety issues, one of which concerned the concrete enhancements on the roundabout and whether they met state requirements. The speed of Jamaica in the roundabout is fine and based on speed, MnDOT approved all of this upon construction. Public Works Commission October 13, 2008 – Page 6 th Culvers opened October 6 th 95 Street Auto Body is preparing to open soon White Pine Senior Housing will have their opening in October The Ice Arena will hold their grand opening November 18th Housing permits in 2004 had a high count of 308. In 2007 there were just 67 and now in 2008, there are 78 to date so they’re up a bit and that’s good news, however, the value of the houses has dropped from $327,000 to $290,000. There will be an environmental review of the Langdon Area Phase 1, in conjunction with some discussion on storm water bonding 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS There was a concern that the City of Cottage Grove website did not have updated Public Works Commission Minutes. This issue will be addressed. 11. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment was made by William Royce, seconded by Chris Lethgo. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, íÜÉËÔÚÔÜêÉÎËÛÄ .