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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-15 MINUTESCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION March 15, 2006 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of th Cottage Grove was duly held at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 6:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair David Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Robert Dornsbach, Gary Kjellberg Excused: Roger Finnegan, Mackenzie Kelly, Mallory Kelly Staff Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Les Burshten, Public Works Director Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Also Present:Mark Grossklaus, City Council Member Rich Moen, Public Works Utility Department Ken Boyden, Prospective Member 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg, the February 13, 2006 minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS A.Reappointment – David Anderson and Roger Finnegan B.Appointment of Commission Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary David Anderson was nominated as chair of the Public Works Commission. Motion was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg and unanimously carried. Public Works Commission March 15, 2006 – Page 2 Robert Dornsbach was nominated as Vice Chair of the Public Works Commission. Motion was made by David Anderson, seconded by Gary Kjellberg and unanimously carried. Roger Finnegan was nominated as Secretary of the Public Works Commission. Motion was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg and unanimously carried. C.Recommendation for Street Naming (See Item 5C) 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Water Meters Public Works Supervisor Harry Taylor introduced Rich Moen of the Utility Department. Taylor explained that water meters no longer have to be read manually, but can be read by radio via a laptop computer automatically with a new type of receiving unit which mounts on the exterior of the home. Moen went on to state there were two styles of the new radio read unit: one type would be hardwired and involve staff to gain access to the residence, however, primarily be used in new construction. The other type would be a retrofit which mounts directly over the existing pad, taking approximately 15 minutes to install. Rich Moen indicated it’s relatively simple to make appointments to get into about 50% of the homes that need a radio installation, a bit more difficult to get into the next 20%, even more difficult to access the next 10%, etc., with the last group being almost impossible to contact. Those remaining residents receive letters, with phone calls also being made. Last year there were approximately 60 homes city staff were unable to gain access into for the radio installation. Commission Member Gary Kjellberg inquired what the benefits are for this new exterior model. Moen responded that the unit can be read from a van via a laptop computer. Moen went on to state that the aspect of the installation that concerns staff most is the location of the unit on the home exterior. There are two mounting holes and one where a wire comes through and sometimes cannot be installed in the most desirable location. The units can be painted the same color as the house, however, so they’re not quite so noticeable. Once they are mounted on the outside of the home, no further access will be needed for replacing a battery or other tasks by city staff. Moen explained that the new models can also be installed in the interior of the home if the homeowner does not desire it to be placed outside. Most residents would likely not have a problem with the unit being installed on the side of the home, however, may not desire it to be placed on the front. The key is to mount them exactly where the unit is now unless there is good access elsewhere on the home. Taylor added that if the unit is placed on the side of the home with other utilities or where an older unit was located, residents may not notice and would not have concerns. Public Works Commission March 15, 2006 – Page 3 Should Public Works send the homeowner a letter or other notification to inform them the receiving unit needs to be installed? and/or Offer residents an option as to where they wish the unit installed? Commission Chair Dave Anderson commented that in today’s world, people are very protective of their homes and they might question why the box is there, especially post- 9/11. Anytime they can be notified, either with a letter, or a notice - that should be done. Public Works Director Les Burshten stated that the residents will be notified of the installation and likely will have to be shown the installation location if there’s an issue. He agrees with Harry that if the unit is on the meter side of the house or by the side door, people will likely not have any concern. City Administrator Ryan Schroeder inquired whether the City can require residents to have the unit installed outside and isn’t there an operational cost of the decision to have it installed inside? Burshten responded it’s more expensive to have staff gain access to the house. He added that from a marketing standpoint, residents can be informed that if the unit is installed on the exterior of the home, staff will no longer need to access the house interior which may be more preferable. Regarding placement of the unit on the front of the home, there may be a reason why some have to be installed at that location, possibly due to a remodel or something of that type. Staff would rather not place them on the front if it can be avoided. Perhaps if people were charged a fee for interior installation, it would detract from that option for many. Ken Boyden suggested the information be published in the Cottage Grove Reports or sent with the water utility bills. Moen suggested that perhaps 500 letters be sent out at a time which would give people a 2-3 week time span in which to respond. Kjellberg added that if people don’t respond, staff could go ahead and install the unit. Dave Anderson concluded that the combination of a notice in the water bill, a notice in the paper and an item in the Cottage Grove Reports regarding the new receiving units would saturate the market pretty well.It is unlikely most people would be irate, but obviously, there will a handful that will be upset with the reader unit installed on the front of the house. B. Technical Review 6.1 Holiday Station City Engineer Jennifer Levitt indicated a conditional use permit has been requested for the Holiday Gas Station to be located at 8101 Hadley Avenue South. The City is working with the Department of Transportation on a section of land that we’re hoping they will vacate in order to have the site expanded and set back more towards the Public Works Commission March 15, 2006 – Page 4 railroad tracks. The City has also been working with Washington County on access issues. In addition, staff has been working with the Department of Transportation regarding the installation of the Cottage Grove Rock on the west side of the highway. 6.2 Health East PUD Amendment Levitt reported there has been discussion to construct a HealthEast Clinic in the th Summerhill Crossing Development located at 70 Street and Hinton. A neighborhood meeting will be taking place and parking issues will be reviewed. 6.3 East Ravine Zoning Amendments No further discussion. 6.4 Auto Dealership Ordinance – Case TA05-053 No further discussion. C. Street Names Les Burshten indicated that the Planning Division has some concerns as to how the streets will continue to be named in Cottage Grove. Currently east and west streets are numerical with north and south streets primarily alphabetical. A different street naming system has been used in the Highland Hill and Pine Summit developments. An issue at hand is the extension of 97th Street off Jamaica in the Industrial Park area. th 97 starts off as an east/west roadway, however when it veers south, will intersect with th 100 Street. It would be undesirable for the two numerical streets to intersect. MOTION MADE BY GARY KJELLBERG, SECONDED BY ROBERT DORNSBACH, THAT NORTH/SOUTH STREETS SHALL BE ALPHABETICAL, EAST/WEST STREETS SHALL BE NUMERICAL, AS ORIGINALLY IMPLEMENTED, FOR ALL FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Right of Way Ordinance Update and Modifications Levitt initially stated this item was incorrectly placed on the Agenda under “Old Business”. The item should be placed in “New Business”. Levitt noted this year the City is primarily responding to Minnesota Rules 7819.11100 (Office of Pipeline Safety) requiring the City Code for Right of Way Management Chapter 6; Section 7 be modified – essentially how we locate our laterals. We now have to locate to the right of way. As an example, if the water main or sewer main runs down the center of the street, services that stub off of those, we now have to locate to the property line and be responsible for that. Public Works Commission March 15, 2006 – Page 5 It is being proposed to supply a data sheet for the contractors to fill out so we get the exact coordinates and locations of those service laterals. The present City Code should be modified by adding provisions enforcing private utilities to abide by the same sort of standards to identify their laterals as part of the Right of Way permit process. The League of Minnesota Cities drafted some modifications to the ordinance. We have incorporated what the League of Minnesota Cities has recommended. Since the original ordinance was written by them, the modifications were able to fit in very nicely. Levitt asked if anyone had any questions. Commission Member Gary Kjellberg wondered if the City was considering utilizing a locating wire. Levitt responded that the locating wires were found at various steps to be ineffective. Locating balls placed in the ground were also considered, however these have also been found to be inaccurate and unable to locate at certain depths. Levitt also stated trenchless technology is so popular, she’s attempting to make those private utilities pothole more often for locating purposes adding that we should be a bit stricter on trenchless technology guidelines. Anderson inquired if there were any further questions. There were none. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Citywide Street Sweeping begins April 10. The Pioneer Press has been notified of the sweeping schedule. th Arbor Day is April 29. Informational brochures were distributed to commission members. They were also invited to help out with the event if they are available. May 6 is Spring Clean Up and Household Hazardous Waste Day at Public Works. Hours are from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 8. EAST RAVINE UPDATE No report this month. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE st Agenda of March 1 was included in the packet. 10. ENGINEER’S REPORT Jennifer Levitt reported: th Ravine Parkway bid opening is March 30 Bids have been received for the Washington County Southern Service Center thth 97 Street bid opening will be April 19 A feasibility report is being prepared for the CP Rail Site rd Pine Arbor 3 (by new Holiday Gas Station) is on the council agenda tonight Public Works Commission March 15, 2006 – Page 6 The Highlands Pond project work has begun, but is temporarily stalled until the snow is gone. Mass site grading will begin soon at Silverwood – private utilities should go in nd approximately May 22. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Gary Kjellberg inquired whether there has been any resolution with Presbyterian Homes in regards to two remaining Cottage Square businesses. Schroeder responded that Snyders and Presbyterian Homes have a tentative agreement. Chair Dave Anderson stated the Public Works Commission is currently three commission members short. He noted there has been some correspondence with one person interested and she will be invited to the April meeting. The appointment of Ken Boyden to the Public Works Commission is on the April 5, 2006 council agenda. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, íÜÉËÔÚÔÜêÉÎËÛÄ