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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-09 MINUTESCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION July 9, 2007 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, July 9, 2007 at 7:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair David Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Ken Boyden, Robert Dornsbach, Gary Kjellberg, William Royce Excused: Roger Finnegan Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Also Present:Mark Grossklaus, City Council Member 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg, the May 14, 2007 minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Trail Stop Signs City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated at the last meeting there was a request to evaluate the placement of stop signs on trails. A map has been provided illustrating the Public Works Commission July 9, 2007 – Page 2 locations requiring stop signs should the City proceed with this plan. In all, 284 6”x8” stop signs would be required with a cost of approximately $75.00 per sign. It appears rather cost prohibitive at this time to proceed with the project. Commission Member William Royce asked if there were signs on any of the trails at this time. Levitt responded there are two areas she can recall: one on the trail that crosses th mid-block on Hinton and the other on 65 Street by North Hadley. Commission Chair David Anderson agreed that sign placement is cost prohibitive adding that nine times out of ten, motorists are aware of the upcoming trails. Commission Member Ken Boyden asked if there were any statistics relative to incidents that have taken place that signs would prevent from happening. Levitt responded that this research has not been done. Commission Member Gary Kjellberg inquired if the trails can be used by snowmobilers to which it was noted they cannot. Anderson asked if this is an “all or nothing” scenario. Levitt suggested a policy be developed in the case an incident should occur, an individual can be prevented from coming back and pointing out only certain locations were given signs. If an incident does occur, the City can legally say that a policy has been followed and avoid liability. Burshten added this policy would be similar to what was done regarding stop sign placement. Kjellberg asked if there would be any benefit to having the police department look into this issue. Levitt replied they will be asked to review the memo as well as the locations and bring forward any concerns. B. Atkinson Cemetery Plan Levitt noted a flagpole is being relocated to a safe location on the property and will be lighted. Additionally, wrought iron fencing will be installed adjacent to East Point Douglas Road and a gate will be accessible from the McDonalds parking area allowing city staff easy access to sanitary sewer manholes that run parallel to the chain link fence along Highway 61. It is anticipated the sidewalk and concrete work will be completed in two weeks. Fencing will likely be installed in that same time frame. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Solid Waste Hauler Fee Public Works Director Les Burstein requested the commission make a recommendation this evening whether or not they feel trash hauler fees should be increased in order to offset the costs of cleaning up Highway 61. Commission Member Robert Dornsbach feels a fee increase would be a mistake. He added the increased fees will be passed down to the customers. Commission Member Ken Boyden added it can’t be proven the trash on the highway comes from the local trash haulers. He feels the City may be trying to find a way to justify the expenditure of Public Works crews cleaning up the area.He agrees with Dornsbach stating the local customers should not have to cover these costs. Public Works Commission July 9, 2007 – Page 3 Recommendation made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg to not increase solid waste license fees to cover the cost of trash pick up on Highway 61. Motion was unanimously carried, 5-0. B. Roundabouts in Minnesota Levitt explained information has been provided responding to a request inquiring where roundabouts were in the state of Minnesota. She added the handout is a th comprehensive list as of December 6from the Department of Transportation. She noted the City of Cottage Grove provided them with a good deal of information about our intersection, however, other respondents didn’t provide as much detail or information. Boyden inquired of these roundabouts listed, how many are tied directly with exit ramps or a major highway? Levitt responded one roundabout with those characteristics is located in Maple Grove and the other one off of 610. Dornsbach inquired whether there would be a platform or sidewalk around our roundabout similar to the one on Elm Creek. Levitt responded a 14’ truck apron of colored concrete will be utilized in Cottage Grove adding this area will also be plowed when needed. th Levitt explained the project approval is on the July 11 Council agenda. Road closure will probably begin the first week in August with plans to reopen in October, a total of 60 days. The contract essentially stays open until spring because of plantings. Because the project is getting started so late, some of the plants and trees can’t be found this fall. Levitt went on to explain the county will be installing some stop signs on Innovation Road. Dornsbach inquired which route should be used by trucks and it was indicated th trucks should follow 100 Street to Innovation Road. 7. ENGINEERS REPORT Levitt indicated she wished to highlight that Military Road will be closed beginning this th Wednesday. She added a three way stop will now be at County Road 19 and 70 Street. Military Road will be closed for the rest of the summer. Dornsbach asked what contractor will be working on the project to which Levitt responded that Barbarossa was awarded the contract. Work on Pine Tree Valley Pond is beginning, along with the Ice Arena expansion site improvements. Kjellberg inquired where the Stefani Jean Adler playground will be relocated. It was stated the park will be located off Hinton Avenue behind Crestview Elementary. Public Works Commission July 9, 2007 –Page 4 8. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten reported: Sealcoating is complete noting the contractor did a nice job The Grange Water Tower Project was awarded Architect plans are being worked on for the Ice Arena th The streetlight poles are being replaced on 80 Street th The sidewalk on 80 Street between Jamaica Avenue and County Road 19, the th Booster Station Road and Geneva Avenue, south of 65 Street will be reclaimed. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Council Member Mark Grossklaus stated the East Ravine Trunk Utility Line was awarded so Phase 1 can go through. 10. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Gary Kjellberg commented he has attempted to obtain Comprehensive Plan Committee meeting minutes to be included in the Public Works Commission packets. He explained the committee reviewed areas of the city on land use. One interesting feature is a request of Crossroads Church to change their zoning to commercial from residential, which was denied. Levitt reported an upcoming meeting topic will include transportation, sewer and water. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Note – there will be no meeting in August. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted,   íÜÉËÔÚÔÜêÉÎËÛÄ