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Home My WebLink About2003-05-12 MINUTESCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION May 12, 2003 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 May 12, 2003 at 7:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Boyden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. ROLL CALL Staff Present: Also Present: Absent: David Anderson, Ken Boyden, Randy Eckstein, Roger Finnegan, David Thiede Les Burshten, Public Works Director Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Jim Wolcott, City Council Liaison Bob Dornsbach, Prospective Commission Member Jan Wuorenma 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by David Anderson, and seconded by David Thiede, the April 14, 2003 minutes were approved unanimously. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS A. Appointment of Commission Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary Ken Boyden was nominated as Chair of the Public Works Commission. Motion was made by David Thiede, seconded by Randy Eckstein and unanimously carried. Randy Eckstein was nominated as Vice Chair of the Public Works Commission. Motion was made by David Anderson, seconded by David Thiede and unanimously carried. David Thiede was nominated as Secretary of the Public Works Commission. Motion was made by Ken Boyden, seconded by Randy Eckstein and unanimously carried. Public Works Commission May 12, 2003 — Page 2 5. NEW BUSINESS A. TECHNICAL REVIEW 6.1 CASE RS03-022 Tyrone Hubbard has applied for a simple lot division for a simple boundary adjustment between 10384 Kimberly Court South and 10398 Kimberly Court South Harry Taylor reported the property owner to the north is giving his neighbor a 27-foot piece of property so a driveway can be constructed for access to an additional building. 6.2 CASE V03-023 Lyle L. Rothmeyer has applied for a variance to Title 11-3-4E, Yards and Open Spaces of the City Code to allow a deck to encroach 1.6 feet onto an Xcel Energy power line easement at 8550 Jeffery Avenue South. Harry explained this is an easement owned by Xcel and the resident will be required to get permission from Xcel Energy in order to proceed. 6.3 CASE ICUP03-020 Eric Robbins, TNT Fireworks, has applied for an interim conditional use permit to allow the outdoor sale of fireworks in the Rainbow Foods parking lot at 7280 East Point Douglas. It is Harry's understanding that the applicant has not yet received permission from the property owner in order to proceed with this venture. It was also noted that as a result of a discussion at the last meeting, this commission recommended denial of this permit based on safety factors and storage issues. B. Solid Waste Ordinance/Advisory Committee Information. Burshten explained the Solid Waste Ordinance has not been addressed for a number of years and due to recent issues regarding municipal waste hauling, this commission has been asked for their input and recommendation. Burshten commented that the Solid Waste Ordinance was last discussed a few years ago due to concerns of having too many licensed waste haulers in the city, potentially causing excessive damage to area streets. As discussed at the April 14, 2003 meeting, it was suggested that Jeff Podoll, former member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, be involved in the ordinance review process. Commission Chair Ken Boyden requested that the latest copy of the ordinance be distributed to members for discussion at future meetings. C. LED Traffic Signals Burshten commented that LEDs were installed approximately five years ago on the red traffic signals throughout Cottage Grove. Most municipalities took advantage of this Public Works Commission May 12, 2003 — Page 3 state contract due to these particular type of lights being long-lasting. Today, LEDs are available for green traffic lights through a program with Xcel Energy and the state contract. Approximately $40.00 in energy savings, per red light unit, has been saved each month and iYs anticipated that the LED green lights will save approximately $35.00 in energy costs per month with ten signals affected by this program. • Total cost of the green LEDs is approximately $16,000 . The Xcel Energy rebate is $7,600 • Final cost: $8,400 Commission Member David Thiede questioned how the prices are arrived at in the case of the LEDs. Burshten responded the prices were received from either the City of St. Paul or the State of Minnesota based on quantity, however, noted the prices will be double checked for the best price available. MOTION MADE BY DAVID THIEDE, SECONDED BY KEN BOYDEN, SUPPORTING THE PURCHASE OF THE GREEN LED LIGHTS. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Pavement Management Program — Update • Mueller Pipeline has begun work in the area • Boulevard restoration issues from last year are being taken care of • The storage pile at the end of Hamlet Avenue is being reshaped for better dust control for nearby residents. Additionally, a gate will be installed to discourage intruders. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE . Northwest Asphalt started cracksealing city streets today • Sealcoating is scheduled to begin June 19 with the contractor, Pearson Brothers • The EDA has put up a"Welcome to Cottage Grove" banner in the front of City Hall . The Inwood Water Tower structural work and repainting project has begun — letters were sent to nearby residents • Woodchips have been installed on 80� Street landscaping areas . The SCADA Project for city wells and the booster station has started with anticipated completion in three months. • Spring Clean-Up was held last Saturday, May 3' The event was - once again- very successful and well attended. 8. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE . Pete Koerner was appointed sergeant replacing Sgt. Laurel Tollefson (scheduled to retire at the end of May) . Michael and Paul Bushilla were named Preservationists of the Year. Public Works Commission May 12, 2003 — Page 4 . The Recreation Department received a donation from 3M to be used towards Safety Camp . Final payment was made to Tower Asphalt on the 2002 Curb and Pavement Project • The trail was approved between Hidden Oaks and the Pulte Development • The City Employee Suggestion Plan was implemented • The City entered into an agreement with the YMCA to operate the pool. Fees will likely be increased • A grant was received from the U.S. Tennis Association. Funds will be used for court resurfacing. • Plans and specs for the Pine Arbor First Addition were approved • The Hinton-Tower Connection Project work will begin. Traffic problems will likely occur in the 70� StreeUHinton Avenue area shortly. The first phase of the project will be between 65�' and 70� Streets. Boyden questioned whether Officer Koerner's former position will be filled, to which Council Member Wolcott responded that yes, in the position of the City Council, it will be. 9. ENGINEER'S REPORT No discussion. 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Commission Thanks Chair Ken Boyden read aloud a note from Tom Peichel thanking PWC members for the time they devote towards this commission. Municipal Waste Haulinq Recently, the City of Cottage Grove obtained quotes for municipal waste haulers, with Waste Management being the apparent low bidder. Boyden questioned why the City Council referred the municipal waste hauler situation back to the Public Works Commission. Wolcott responded that a former council member had expressed concern that Waste Management was not hauling waste to the RDF plant in Newport. A discussion took place and it was discovered this was a bigger issue than just dollars and cents and became apparent the issue should be explored further. It was then the consensus of the Council to refer the waste hauling issue to the Public Works Commission for further discussion and a recommendation. When appropriate, both Tennis Sanitation and Waste Management representatives will be asked to attend a Public Works Commission meeting in order for both companies to ask questions and/or make presentations. Burshten stated current waste hauling costs for each city facility will be made available to be discussed at a future meeting. Public Works Commission May 12, 2003 — Page 5 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by David Thiede, seconded by Roger Finnegan. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjorned at 8:09 p.m. RespectFully submitted, Patricia Storby