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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-09 MINUTES CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION January 9, 2006 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at the Public Works Garage, 8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on January 9, 2006 at 7:02 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair David Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Roger Finnegan, Gary Kjellberg, Mackenzie Kelly, Mallory Kelly, Robert Dornsbach Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Brian Voelker, Management Analyst Also Present: Mark Grossklaus, City Council Member 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Gary David Anderson, seconded by Robert Dornsbach, the November 14, 2005 minutes were approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Technical Review 6.1 Quittem/Dubisar Lot Split – Case RS06-001 Scott and Eileen Quittem have applied for a simple lot division to subdivide a one-acre parcel of land at 7010 Iverson Court South into two lots. Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 2 Jennifer Levitt noted this is a simple lot split. 6.2 Bonngard’s Family Meats – Case SP06-003 Bonngard-Broil, LLC has applied for a site plan review of a retail building to be located th at Almar Village, 70 Street and Keats Avenue (County Road 19). The size of the sanitary sewer is being reviewed. rd 6.3 Glengrove Industrial Park 3 Addition – Case PP05-062 The City of Cottage Grove has applied for a preliminary plat for Glengrove Industrial rd Park 3 Addition, which would create one industrial lot and two outlots located in the th Industrial Park north of 100 Street. 6.4 Temporary Sign Ordinance – Case TA05-054 The City of Cottage Grove has applied for a zoning text amendment to City Code Title 9-8-7, Temporary Signs. 6.5 Auto Dealership Ordinance – Case TA05-053 The City of Cottage Grove has applied for a zoning text amendment relating to automobile dealerships. Aggregate Industries, Case MP06-002 7.1 Aggregate Industries has applied for their 2006 mining permit to continue mining operations on Lower Grey Cloud Island B. Solid Waste Survey Management Analyst Brian Voelker explained that the survey analyzes cost differences between other cities throughout the metro area while determining cost differences between each of Cottage Grove’s solid waste haulers. Finance Director Ron Hedberg gathered information from other metro cities in February 2005. Additional data was collected in October 2005. During November and December of 2005, information from five major cities in Washington were compared. The biggest difference between this year and last is the increase in fuel price surcharges. Every solid waste hauler is required to collect the 9.75% state solid waste tax, however, many counties have their own taxing structure. Anoka County charges a $36.00 single- family property tax and Dakota County gathers some of their money from landfills so they don’t tax on the solid waste bills. Hennepin County charges a 9% tax that is added Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 3 to the solid waste bills. Ramsey County charges 28% with Washington County charging 39.% with a $3 per improved parcel on the property tax. The majority of the solid waste taxes for Ramsey and Washington Counties finance the Resource Recovery Plant. The next portion of the survey illustrates the lowest priced solid waste container prices per city (February and October 2005) for 30, 60 and 88+ gallon containers. Voelker found the majority of the lowest price waste haulers are typically municipal haulers/contractors. Options to Consider: No Change from current operation Consider a change in the process Reduce number of haulers (reducing infrastructure impacts) o Increase number of haulers (increasing competition) o Consider one-hauler recycling contract (perhaps with corresponding end o user price reduction Consider a one-hauler waste contract (perhaps with corresponding end o user price reduction) Consider district or neighborhood hauler contract (reduce infrastructure o impacts and perhaps corresponding end user price reduction) Consider municipal hauler operation (city staff) (Perhaps with a o corresponding end user price reduction but with corresponding operational liability issues) Propose solid waste municipal billing (ensures solid waste contact for o every household with potential for end user price reduction) Commission Member Gary Kjellberg commented that $300,000 savings in annual tax indicated on the report may be misleading. Actually, savings per residential household would be $30.00 per year. The $300,000 figure was arrived at when 10,000 households were taken into consideration. He added that the local hauler invested quite a bit in single sort recycling equipment. He added the city has been well served by the current haulers and doesn’t’ see a reason to change. He wondered if staff has heard complaints from residents? It was noted there were very few, if any, complaints. Commission Chair David Anderson indicated he would like the citizens to have the final say and inquired about the cost of a survey. Burshten responded a survey would likely cost a few thousand dollars, depending on the survey. Kjellberg suggested a survey may be done through the Cottage Grove Reports or included on a utility bill. The Commission expressed their appreciation for this survey and concluded they just want to make a decision that’s best for Cottage Grove residents. Burshten commented he’s understanding that the feelings of the Commission are that they are satisfied with the prices and services as they are, and if a survey is cost effective, they would be in favor of seeing how residents feel about solid waste services. Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 4 C. Water Conservation Plan Update Jennifer explained that the packets contain an executive summary of the water conservation plan, noting the last update was done in 1995. She stated the city is being proactive in the sense staff wished to have the water plan done before the East Ravine improvements and so the budget could be adjusted accordingly in the CIP. The service area has been extended up into Woodbury and Denmark Township. Grey Cloud Island will also be addressed along with land for water treatment plants. On the th immediate horizon is Well 12 to be possibly located in the area of 65 Street and Ideal. It is also anticipated that before the year 2020 the City will be in need of three more wells, hence the proactive path for getting our sites for wells and water towers. Bob Dornsbach inquired whether there has been discussion what we would do if our water became contaminated? Levitt responded the biggest issue has been nitrates in the water. Burshten indicated there is a well protection plan in place and there is only one well that has the slightest chance of being contaminated, which is Well #10 near the Industrial Park. Precautionary measures are being taken to avoid that. In addition, the other wells are in good shape and are continuously being tested. Cottage Grove is very fortunate to have some of the better quality wells. D. Hadley Interim Speed Report City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated that a transitional speed limit is proposed for Hadley ththth Avenue between 90 Street and 97Street. Hadley Avenue and 95 Street are proposed as ultimate multiple lane roadways and staff is looking at how they want the lane structure to work in that area. Currently there is a misalignment of the intersection at Hadley Avenue and it’s anticipated that construction of the ultimate street section will be completed in 2006. th In addition to the misalignment of Hadley and 95, there are sight line and pedestrian safety issues. That, compiled with the recent development of the Mississippi Dunes Project, staff is recommending the reduction of the speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph th from the end of the school zone to 97 Street. After construction of the ultimate street th section for both 95 Street and Hadley, the City can then make a formal request to MnDOT for an engineering and traffic investigation of the final posted speed limits appropriate to this area. Staff would like the Commission thoughts and comments on this issue. Commission Chair David Anderson inquired whether there are any legal concerns to adopting an interim speed limit. Levitt responded that the state statute allows the City to issue a 30 mph speed limit in a residential area. It was noted that the City would not be allowed to bring it back to 35 mph, however. Gary Kjellberg, Commission Member, commented that after he read through the document, and if reducing the speed limit comes down to safety, he totally supports the Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 5 change. Commission Member Robert Dornsbach indicated the speed should probably be 30 mph anyway, especially since the area is near Pine Hill Elementary. Les Burshten summarized that the City Council will ultimately make the final decision regarding the speed limit, however, comments from the Public Works and Public Safety Commissions are welcomed and considered. MOTION MADE BY ROBERT DORNSBACH, SECONDED BY GARY KJELLBERG, TO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 35MPH TO 30MPH ON HADLEY AVENUE BETWEEN 90TH AND 97TH STREETS DUE TO AN ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC, LACK OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND LINE OF SIGHT ISSUES. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. E. Stormwater Policy Levitt repoted that the City of Cottage Grove is required under the Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to develop an environmental management ordinance. A draft was put together and comments and/or questions from the Commission are welcome. Kjellberg inquired whether it’s legal for residents to drain their pools into the street? Burshten responded that at this point, it’s not illegal and Levitt stated there is not currently an ordinance that deals with that issue. Kjellberg also asked if the City knows which residents own pools. Burshten stated that Public Works doesn’t have knowledge of this, but Planning may due to permits that were pulled. Levitt stated the difficult aspect in dealing with ordinances is educating the public and how to make them aware of the rules. Commission Member Roger Finnegan wondered whether the city knows who has an individual septic system? Levitt responded that Washington County keeps track of those. Kjellberg expressed concern on how the City will enforce the rules of the ordinance, and damage could be done before an action is stopped. Levitt thanked the commission for their comments 6. OLD BUSINESS A. CIP Jennifer Levitt indicated the current packet contained another revised draft of the CIP that was reviewed by Council at their last workshop. There has been recent discussion regarding stormwater ordinances along with good housekeeping practices and proper stormwater discharge. Regarding this Public Works facility, it was hoped a wash bay expansion and storm sewer improvements would be approved as part of the CIP in 2007, however, both items have been moved to 2010. Feedback and comments are welcome from the Public Works Commission to give Council direction on this matter. Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 6 Commission Member Gary Kjellberg indicated he can understand the need for appropriate discharge from the wash bay due to sand, oil and other contaminants that may be washed off equipment. He noted the importance of containing this potentially contaminated discharge from entering the city’s sanitary sewer. Levitt added that the exterior wash area where equipment is sprayed down does not have a stormwater system to capture those discharges. Staff is concerned that citizens and developers are expected to be in compliance with stormwater issues and the City must be a good example. Kjellberg inquired whether research could be done as to what kind of contaminants are currently being washed down into the system in order for this Commission to make a recommendation to Council about this issue. Management Analyst Brian Voelker commented the City should abide by their own rules and Commission Chair David Anderson agreed that the City wouldn’t want to be a bad example.Kjellberg inquired why the wash bay and stormwater improvements were moved to 2010 to which Council Member Mark Grossklaus responded that the Council didn’t move it to 2010 and added the item was moved to a later year on the staff level. MOTION MADE BY GARY KJELLBERG, SECONDED BY BOB DORNSBACH TO APPROVE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS FOR WASH BAY AND EXTERIOR WASH AREA STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2007. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH N.P.D.E.S. REQUIREMENTS. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten reported: New trucks have arrived Staff is working on sealcoating specs for this year. th The first water main break of the year occurred at 76 and Hyde. Crews did a great job in making the repair in just five hours. Rinks are difficult to maintain in the warm winter weather, however they were the among the first in the metro area to open. th An Arbor Day Event will take place on April 29 th Spring Clean Up is scheduled for May 6 There will be an internal staff discussion on street widths on January 20 (Public Works, Planning and Public Safety 8. ENGINEERS REPORT A.Lyman Lumber/C/P. Rail Development Council is looking at creating a District Five for open storage. A track would come in and the facility would be able to unload lumber onto the site. The company is proposing Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 7 to give the city a water tower site.This item will be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting in January. Silverwood Addition. th This development is located next to the Pinecliff First Addition north of 65 Street, West of Hinton. The feasibility report, plans and specifications are on the council agenda for February 1. nd Pinecliff 2 Addition The developer, Orrin Thompson, had to redo the developer’s agreement. This agreement is scheduled to be on the February 1 council meeting agenda and a March bid date is anticipated with construction beginning in May. Graphic Resources has applied for their building permit with their site being located on th 97 Street. This item is expected to be on the January 18 council agenda. Bidding is expected for late February and bid should be awarded in March. Jamaica Roundabout The first discussion with the Department of Transportation was very positive. th Jamaica Avenue 70 Street to Military Road The County owns Military Road from Jamaica to County Road 19 and the City would be looking into jurisdiction to take over that portion of Military. There are some alignment rd issues. A meeting will take place on February 3 with staff from Washington County and the City of Woodbury to look at the alignment of that road. Ravine Parkway/County Agreement Discussions are continuing with Washington County regarding jurisdiction of the Ravine th Parkway along with discussions for improvements to 70 Street from Highway 61 to the east. 9. EAST RAVINE UPDATE Plans are moving forward. A great number of proposals have been received by the city. The Washington County Service Center will begin construction in mid-April 10. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Council Member Grossklaus stated that: the City received a $10,000 grant from Xcel Energy for the prairie o restoration along the Xcel Energy corridor. Mayor Shiely made appointments for the council liaisons for the various city o Commissions (Mark Grossklaus will continue to the be representative for the Public Works Commission) Public Works Commission January 9, 2006 – Page 8 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Storby