The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2004-01-21 MINUTESREQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # � A i; DATE 01 /21 /04 � � 7 PREPARED BY Public Works Les Burshten ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR .,<.<�..<��<.,.�...,,,.,.«��...�.,�,,..,�.�.�.�....� COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST: Accept and place on file the minutes of the November 10, 2003 meeting of the Public Works Commission. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the November 10, 2003 minutes of the Public Works Commission. BUDGET IMPLICATION: $ $ BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION: ❑ PLANNING ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY � PUBLIC WORKS ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ DATE 1 /12/04 REVIEWED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ APPROVED ❑ ❑ � ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: ❑ MEMO/LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Approved minutes of Public Works Commission meeting on November 10, 2003 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: I i a ity Administrator Date ��..��,.�.,.�.<.., ........«.<...,�,,..�<,,...<.. COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: [�APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION November 10, 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 November 10, 2003 at 7:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Boyden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Ken Boyden, Randy Eckstein, Roger Finnegan, David Thiede, Jan Wuorenma Staff Present: Les Burshten, Director of Public Works Allan Larson, Public Works Technician Absent: (Excused) Robert Dornsbach 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Randy Eckstein, seconded by David Anderson, the October 13, 2003 minutes were approved unanimously. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Technical Review No meeting held in November. 6. OLD BUSINESS B. Stop Sign Request — 68� Street and Innsdale Avenue Allan Larson explained the city received a request for a stop sign at 68` Street and Innsdale Avenue. Criteria for stop sign placement was reviewed at the October Public Public Works Commission November 10, 2003 — Page 2 Works Commission meeting. The following considerations were reviewed regarding the above referenced location: ➢ No accidents ➢ No high speeds ➢ Some views are somewhat restricted Northbound Innsdale Good line of sight to the east Large pine tree in the front yard of 6840 Innsdale hampers sight distance to the west Southbound Innsdale: A group of pine trees in the yard at 8302 68� St. hampers sight distance to the east. Both the 8.5% descending grade of 68' Street and the elevated front yard of 6740 Innsdale Ave. hamper sight distance to the west. Eastbound 68th Street A 3-way stop exists at the intersection of Idsen Avenue and 68th Street. Therefore, traffic eastbound on 68� Street travels at speeds less than 30mph the majority of the time when it approaches Innsdale Avenue helping with both line of sight and reaction time. Westbound 68` Street Westbound 68� Street has a better view of the roadway with few or no restrictions. It was recommended that a yield sign be placed on Innsdale Avenue, both north and southbound. At this time the area does not meet the requirements for a stop sign. Commission Member Wuorenma inquired if the city has a precedent of putting up yield signs rather than stop signs. Larson responded there is no such precedent. Burshten stated that city staff recently met with Shelly Johnson, a traffic engineer with Bonestroo, adding that perhaps Johnson could speak to this group and commented that the city needs traffic engineers to make some of the decisions regarding sign placement. Additionally, it was learned that yield signs are becoming more commonplace. MOTION MADE BY JAN WUORENMA, SECONDED BY DAVID ANDERSON, THAT NO STOP SIGN BE PLACED AT THE INTERSECTION OF INNSDALE AVENUE AND 68 STREET PER THE WARRANTS AND CRITERIA OF MUTCD AND THE CITY'S SIGN POLICY. MOTION WAS CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY. Public Works Commission November 10, 2003 — Page 3 C. Pedestrian Ramp Specifications — Truncated Domes (the standard design requirement for detectable warnings used by people with vision impairment to determine the boundary between the sidewalk and the street) Burshten reported that truncated domes are a requirement regulation for MnDot roads. According to a document by David L. Kopacz, Safety Engineer of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, a modified design for truncated domes is now available consisting of a raised, dimpled surFace. City staff feels this new surface will be ineffective during winter months with snow and ice buildup. Currently, fully exposed aggregate is utilized by the City of Cottage Grove in the complete ramp area. The question is, should the revised truncated dome specs be incorporated into the City of Cottage Grove specifications? It was suggested to wait and see how the new revised truncated domes hold up. It was also stated that the new standards are for state aid projects only and exposed aggregate can continue to be used on other city streets. Commission Member Randy Eckstein stated that it may be a good idea to wait and see how the truncatated domes hold up on Hinton Avenue after this winter season. Perhaps it will be found that the city standards should remain unchanged. It was suggested that further research be done regarding these new ramp specifications and survey other cities to see how they are handling this issue. For now, city standards will be followed. D. Constructing a Roundabout —(Highway 61 and Jamaica) Roundabout: - a roadway configuration where tra�c travels counterclockwise around a center island. Burshten explained that roundabouts have been very successful in certain parts of the United States and Europe, noting there are roundabouts in Medford, Minnesota and on English/Frost Avenues in St. Paul. Burshten went on to state that a traffic problem exists at Highway 61 and Jamaica and a roundabout may be one of the solutions. Larson stated the problem with 80� and Jamaica, and Highway 61 and Jamaica, is that traffic warrants a signal only at certain peak times of the day. Burshten stated that at various times traffic is backed up onto highway 61 at the exit ramp to Jamaica. Steps to alleviate this problem need to be done soon, however, this can be a long process since Jamaica is a state aid road. Larson added that more traffic will continually be added to the Jamaica/Highway 61 area especially with the future Mississippi Dunes housing area along with other expansion in this portion of the city. Study will continue. Public Works Commission November 10, 2003 — Page 4 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Thompson Grove Pavement Management Area - Update Burshten explained the project is wrapping up for the season and work has gone well. He noted there is a valley gutter at 85� and Hale that has become somewhat of a problem. Signs have been posted warning motorists of the dip in the roadway. Some residents still have issues with the new driveways and boulevards, however, generally speaking, things are going well. Danner still needs to clean up the area off Highway 61 and 80 where they have been storing equipment and supplies. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE ➢ Work on Well #11 is starting by Highlands Park. A brick well house will be constructed as a result of recommendations made by residents. ➢ Street sweeping will continue as long as possible to keep the gutter lines clean. ➢ Environmental assessment work has been done for Grey Cloud Island Road to prevent future flooding. Work will begin next year. ➢ The MPCA has tested a below-ground tank located at the former waste oil site to the rear of the Public Works facility. Results of the test are expected in the near future. Hardwood Avenue ➢ Paving on Hardwood Avenue is still moving forward. ➢ Randy Eckstein reported that the wear course will be applied from 80 Street going north. ➢ The binder course has been applied ➢ A split rail fence is scheduled to be installed ➢ Trees are to be planted in the area. Cottaqe Grove Athletic Association Burshten mentioned that the City has received approximately $55,000 throughout the year in donations from the association to be used in park upgrades. 8. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE No Discussion. 9. ENGINEER'S REPORT No Discussion. Public Works Commission November 10, 2003 — Page 5 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by David Anderson, seconded by Randy Eckstein. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Storby