The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009-02-09 MINUTES CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION February 9, 2009 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, February 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Robert Dornsbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Ken Boyden, Robert Dornsbach Gary Kjellberg, Christopher Lethgo, William Royce Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Also Present: Mark Grossklaus, City Council Member 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Christopher Lethgo, seconded by Ken Boyden, the November 10, 2008 minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Pavement Condition Survey Proposal City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated the area outlined in the proposal consists of approximately 42 miles of streets that are projected for future pavement management projects. She did note, however, that these pavement management projects have been since bumped out because of budget issues and the current economy. The areas will still be surveyed in early spring before sealcoating takes places. Sealcoating can mask true pavement distresses. The results will be available in early fall. Commission member Gary Kjellberg inquired when soil borings will be done to which Levitt responded that soil borings will only be done on streets that have distresses showing. Public Works Commission February 9, 2009 – Page 2 B. Proposed Nelson Mine Expansion – EAW/EIS Presentation Levitt explained the proposed Nelson Mine Expansion was presented before City st Council on January 21. She provided two colored graphics which illustrate the existing area mined and the area where they are proposing to dredge out the river. She noted a tremendous amount of evaluation must go into this type of project from an environmental standpoint. It is anticipated the environmental study will be completed this fall and would likely be approved in 2010. Kjellberg asked when the area is dredged; do they let the river fill up the holes? Levitt replied that for now the holes will remain but the Corps of Engineers have various ideas and in come cases may want to adjust the shipping channel noting many options are being reviewed during this process. Levitt added the aggregate tax will be a financial benefit for the City. C. Annual Storm Water Review Levitt stated that typically this time every year an update is provided on stormwater activities. The current rate approved in 2008 is $48.00 annually per residential property. Completed projects include sediment removal from both ponds in the pavement thth management district. Stormwater projects were also completed on Hyde, 75 and 90 Street across from Woodridge Park. All were large, labor-intensive projects. The magnitude of the amount of city-maintained ponds, just from a mowing angle, is a tremendous amount of utility. For the first time 13,000 lineal feet of televising and pipe cleaning were completed as part of pavement management. As part of the approval for the Surface Water Management Plan, the City has worked with 3M on requirements for a pond just north of 100th Street to control the flow rate. The final phase of the Hamlet Pond project was completed. The pond addition will serve to provide additional flood storage and water quality improvements for the area. st The contractor has until July 1 to remove the large piles of rock. The Surface Water Management Plan was approved in December of 2008. The City also received two grants from the South Washington Watershed District and one grant from the Washington County Department of Health. A fall leaf collection program was evaluated. After analysis, the project was given a thumbs down. Goals for 2009 include working on the Illicit Discharge Ordinance. The City also hopes to work with businesses that have private ponds and private stormwater systems to educate them on maintenance issues. The City will also work with the South Washington County Watershed District to explore the possibility of offsetting the cost for some of those businesses as we don’t wish the stormwater requirements to become a burden for local businesses. Public Works Commission February 9, 2009 – Page 3 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Response to Education Article Request Public Works Director Les Burshten indicated that back in November, there was a request to provide a number of articles to be added to the Cottage Grove Reports to inform residents of swimming pool/hot tub water discharge, lawn fertilizer and yard waste disposal. During the last three years, the Public Works Department published information regarding the following topics in the Cottage Grove Reports to inform residents of Best Management Practices: Numerous yard wastes Compost Site information Car washing Dog waste Burshten went on to state the City will continue this practice. If something becomes an issue, it will be addressed. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten reported: Pump house maintenance is being completed by the Water Department With the increase of foreclosed homes sitting vacant in the winter with no heat, water services for these homes will be turned off at the curb to avoid water damage problems th Tree trimming bids are out and will be opened February 11. Crack sealing, street striping and street sweeping quotes will be coming back within the next couple of weeks before council approval. Seal coating specifications will be sent out within the next month. Normally we wanted to be the first in the metro area to get our bids out; however, our philosophy has changed a bit on these this year as prices are now a bit on the high side. It is felt the prices will come down some. Council granted authorization to purchase a chipper and a replacement dump truck. It was originally thought to purchase a tandem truck, but with the increased prices, a single axle truck will be purchased Purchase of a used bucket truck, rather than new (to save on funds) is still under consideration. The pond on Indian Boulevard has been cleaned and is now maintaining the appropriate water level. Public Works Commission February 9, 2009 – Page 4 Possible Merging of Public Works and Public Safety Commissions Burshten explains there has been a suggestion made to merge the Public Works and Public Safety Commissions as there has been some difficulty in filling the commission positions. Commission Member Ken Boyden commented that this merge was suggested some time ago, but he feels both agencies have totally different functions and doesn’t feel it’s a good option at this time.Kjellberg inquired how the merger of these two commissions would affect the term a member served. For example, if a term was up on Public Works and you wanted to serve on the Public Safety Commission, how would that be handled? Burshten responded that this would have to be discussed; however, perhaps a term could be extended. Commission Chair Bob Dornsbach felt the merger may become more of a conflict. Gary Kjellberg commented that it may make more sense for the Public Works Commission to merge with the Parks Commission. 8. ENGINEERS REPORT Jennifer Levitt mentioned that Council approved the plans and specifications for the 2009 Final Street Construction Project. Also for approval is the realignment of Lehigh. Burshten mentioned it’s been approximately 12 years since the LED signal light program began and noted it’s been very successful. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Mark Grossklaus reported the Council has been reviewing budget issues along with the City Council and Departmental goals. The decrease in housing values will ultimately affect the budget bottom line. 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Gary Kjellberg made a request for the City Council to re-evaluate the leash law. He has noticed dogs on the loose and wanted a reminder for residents to have their dogs on a leash. Kjellberg also inquired that with budget constraints, what effect does that have on Public Works? Burshten responded that the department will carry on as they have in the past with the staff that is available. The budget cuts may affect some programs, however. The Engineering Department will not have an intern this summer and the summer maintenance staff will be reduced. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment was made by Gary Kjellberg, seconded by Chris Lethgo. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, íÜÉËÔÚÔÜêÉÎËÛÄ