Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-13 MINUTESREQI�EST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # � �I %! DATE 01/19/05 '� • � PREPARED BY: Public Works Les Burshten ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR ...«,.....,.,�..�.�...�..�....«.�.��.�..�....�.� COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST: Accept and place on file the minutes of the December 13, 2004 meeting of the Public Works Commission. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the December 13, 2004 minutes of the Public Works Commission. BUDGET IMPLICATION: $ $ BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION: DATE ❑ PLANNING ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY � PUBLIC WORKS ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: 1 /10/05 REVIEWED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ MEMO/LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Approved minutes of Public Works Commission APPROVED ❑ ❑ � ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ meeting on December 13, 2004 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: � City Administrator Date .�.��.�..�..�.�..� ..,�.,....�..�.��,.�......�.. COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: �Q APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION December 13, 2004 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at the Public Works Facility, 8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on December 13, 2004 at 7:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Boyden called the meeting to order at 6:56 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Ken Boyden , Robert Dornsbach, Randy Eckstein, Roger Finnegan, Gary Kjeliberg, David Thiede Staff Present: Les Burshten, Director of Public Works Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Brian Voelker, Public Works Management Analyst Also Present: Jim Wolcott, City Council Member Tennis Brothers Sanitation 3. APPROVE MINUTES - October 11, 2004 Upon a motion by David Anderson, seconded by Randy Eckstein, the October 11, 2004 minutes were approved unanimously. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS Words of Appreciation for Council Member Wolcott Randy Eckstein expressed appreciation to City Council Member and Public Works Commission Liaison Jim Wolcott. He stated "the City will lose a lot of experience and common sense when he leaves the Council". Commission Chair Ken Boyden agreed Public Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 2 and is aware of the good things Jim has stood for throughout the years. Wolcott stated iYs been his pleasure to serve the City and thanked the Commission for their commitment to make Cottage Grove better. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Hinton Speed Study Levitt stated that a speed study is being completed by the State of Minnesota for the new Hinton/Tower Drive connection. A number of years ago speed studies were done for Hinton Avenue between 70� and 80' Street and it was determined by the State the speed limit should be 40mph. This was opposed by citizens, a petition was prepared and the City Council agreed the speed would be 30 mph. A letter has been issued from the State of Minnesota indicating it was illegal to go against their wishes. Levitt went on to explain that this section will be combined with the section of road the county reconstructed and once again, the topic may be opened up regarding speed on that section of roadway. Levitt wanted to be aware that this issue will be on the council agenda in January. Boyden explained there can be a number of variables, including location of schools. He also felt this is an issue that should be dealt with by Public Safety rather than Public Works. Burshten explained that the Public Safety Commission will also review this item. B. Stormwater Utility Fees Levitt explained that major stormwater cleaning projects are now backlogged and the goal is to catch up by the year 2010, however, this does not take into account any future development maintenance. In order to address the need for sufficient dollars for repair and maintenance, staff's recommendation is to increase the stormwater utility fee to $42.00 then $2.00 per year. This item is potentially scheduled for the second council meeting in January and will be accompanied by a full report of background and history. Additionally, NPDES requirements will be outlined and Council will be brought up to speed on the issues raised in the CIP process. Kjellberg inquired whether the stormwater utility funds are used by anyone else to which Levitt responded they were not at this time. She noted that with the 481,000 feet of linear pipe in the City, this pipe, (unlike sanitary sewer which is videotaped and monitored on a regular basis), has never been inspected since installation. IYs time to step and up and maintain this utility. Boyden commented that with the development of the East Ravine, will the City be responsible in allowing a designated number of holding ponds? Levitt responded that in the surface water management plan, they are identified as regional ponds and the developer will also have to control the rate in which they run off their site which usually dictates the size of a pond. They also have to provide for water quality so that would also come into play at this location, however, ponds can't be eliminated completely. Public Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 3 Boyden asked if rip vate ponds can be eliminated and Levitt responded that they can, however, all ponds will be in the designated outlots built to City standards. Essentially there will be no private ponds other than on commercial sites. Boyden commented that the City start controlling these pond issues from the past and adopt more rigid standards. Levitt suggested these issues be discussed with Community Development Director Howard Blin who will be in attendance at the January Public Works Commission Meeting. Wolcott commented that prior to the Stormwater Utility Fee being established a couple of years ago, funds were taken from the general fund as part of the Public Works Budget. Each year during the budget process, council would look at the easiest places to reduce expenses and historically over the years, stormwater pond maintenance dollars were cut. When it was realized that dollars were essential for this process, the stormwater utility fee was established. At that time it was unknown how many dollars would be needed. Commission Member David Thiede inquired which backlogged projects are the most critical. Levitt responded the most major issue is the Hamlet Park Pond which is costing up to approximately $500,000. Boyden asked why the Hamlet Pond was such an expensive problem. Levitt replied that the City has been required by the State to lower Hamlet Pond by four feet and that takes into account the stormwater coming form the Kohls site and that developing area making this area highly critical. The Watershed District is watching this area very closely to make sure changes are made so the City isn't in violation of discharge to the Mississippi. Kjellberg wished to know if he was correct in understanding that the City must come into compliance with a federal or state mandate with pond maintenance and water quality issues. Levitt stated this was correct and Kjellberg wished to be certain of this requirement should citizens ask for the rationale of the fee increase. Eckstein inquired why the Gateway Development was not required to put in a pond. Levitt responded that they must pay an off-site stormwater fee which would include a development cost. In addition, they would pay the quarterly fee. Boyden wanted to be assured that the stormwater utility dollars were not used for any other projects. Thiede wished at some point to see some sort of timetable of stormwater maintenance projects, if the backlogged projects are getting completed and what fee should be set for sustaining maintenance. Levitt responded if the East Ravine develops and the system grows immensely, iYs difficult to determine what the catch up point is Eckstein commented that since this issue has been addressed before, why is it being discussed again? He does not feel this Commission is in the position to determine a dollar amount for the citizens of Cottage Grove. Boyden stated that the last time an increase was approved, it was increased so the City could keep in compliance with mandates. Eckstein asked what will happen in 2011 when the City will have possibly caught up with stormwater maintenance and at that point, will the fee be decreased? It P�blic Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 4 is anticipated that with the improved maintenance, there will be a time when the work is caught up, however, there is no guarantee. Thiede stated based on what he's heard, he's willing to make a motion that the Public Works Commission recommends and agrees with the fact that something has to happen to reduce the maintenance backlog and work should be done in the next five years without a recommendation of dollar amount. MOTION MADE BY DAVID THIEDE, SECONDED BY KEN BOYDEN TO ADDRESS THE BACKLOG OF STORMWATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE, ELIMINATING THOSE BACKLOGGED PROJECTS BY 2010, WITH RATES CHARGED TO CITIZENS BASED ON CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION. Motion was carried unanimously. C. Public Works Commission 2004 Accomplishments Brian Voelker explained that a list of the accomplishments was placed in the packet. City staff is in the process of putting together a council item listing goals and accomplishments for each department and commission for 2004. After a brief discussion, commission members agreed on the following top three accomplishments: 1. Curb and Sidewalk Construction Policy. 2. Stormwater Maintenance and Erosion Control Analysis Issues 3. Trash Hauling Ordinance (Adding a 4� Hauler)/Single Sort Recycling Goals: Wolcott suggested that the issue of the compost site location begin to be evaluated as it won't be located at the current site indefinitely. D. Receive Information Regarding the Washington County 2005-2009 CIP Levitt stated the City is petitioning Washington County to include some of Cottage Grove's infrastructure and capital improvement projects in the plan. A meeting between City and County staff is scheduled for January 26, 2005 in order to discuss this request. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Single Sort Recycling Management Analyst Brian Voelker explained that Tennis Sanitation and Tennis Brothers Sanitation requested the consideration of the Public Works Commission to allow them to offer the service of single sort recycling with a change from weekly pickup to bi-weekly pickup. Recycling containers will be purchased by Tennis Sanitation for distribution to residents and it will be requested that Tennis Sanitation follow the Public Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 5 same recycling pickup schedule as Waste Management to avoid confusion to customers. Voelker questioned whether iYs worth looking into changing the Solid Waste Ordinance rather than doing a one-year trial of single-sort recycling. Both companies have invested considerable dollars in getting this process going and iYs unlikely they will be going back to weekly pickup. It may be difficult to determine the success of the one-year trial with the only measurable item being tonnage reports. Boyden asked if iYs the feeling of Tennis Sanitation, the City and Public Works that this makes recycling easier? Voelker responded that from a City standpoint, the trend is going towards single-sort and is currently being used in other cities. Commission Member Gary Kjeliberg asked if there would be an increase in cost for consumers if single-sort is implemented to which Tennis Sanitation stated there would not. Kjellberg also questioned how the recyclables will be handled once Tennis collects them. Representatives from Tennis explained that they are constructing their own single-sort facility that will be complete in late February or early March. Kjellberg stated his concern that this method will work to increase recycling rather than reduce it. He does not suggest changing the ordinance prematurely until iYs certain this procedure works the way it should. One reason single-sort recycling was approved was because of the trial period that would be done. Public Works Director Les Burshten stated tonnage amounts should be available and based on those figures, it should be able to be determined whether there's an increase or decrease in recycling. Tipping fees should be less and recycling should hopefully increase. It was discussed it may be easier for residents to recycle with the single container and agreed the trial basis is a good idea. Kjellberg also expressed the importance of citizen education so they are aware of the changes including the pickup schedule and how important it is to continue with the recycling effort. Tennis officials explained that a brochure will be distributed to residents that will explain about the single-sort recycling. A calendar will also be available listing pickup dates. In order to give residents sufficient notice before this process begins, it was suggested that information be included in city utility bills. Additionally, it was thought that there may be an article in the Pioneer Press. Tennis explained they intend on placing a large ad in the Bulletin to publicize the new single-sort process. Commission Member Bob Dornsbach asked if the Tennis Sanitation Trial Basis would start with the new year or retroactive to Waste ManagemenYs trial? Should the Council desire to change the ordinance after a year's time, they would be able to do so. Commission Member David Thiede stated that he didn't feel a new year would have to be started with Tennis, After the one-year trial is completed with Waste Management, the process can be evaluated. Public Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 6 Kjellberg wondered when Tennis anticipated they would implement the single sort. They responded that it would likely be in March and stated the new recycling containers would be available during the last few weeks in January. Wolcott encouraged the commission to begin working on possible changes to the Solid Waste Ordinance so it will be ready to by spring if necessary since ordinance changes can be a lengthy process. MOTION MADE BY GARY KJELLBERG, SECONDED BY ROBERT DORNSBACH, TO ALLOW TENNIS SANITATION TO IMPLEMENT SINGLE SORT RECYCLING FOR A TRIAL PERIOD ENDING WITH THE CONCLUSION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT'S SINGLE SORT RECYCLING TRIAL. MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Wolcott commented that if Tennis doesn't begin single sort until February or March, they will be tied to Waste ManagemenYs timetable and will only have six months compared to WM's year. He wants to make sure Tennis will be given sufficient time to get the new process up and running. At this point, City Engineer Jennifer Levitt questioned the commission whether they were assessing the process or the company? It was determined that the ordinance would not be changed for one company and not the other. Kjellberg asked Tennis Sanitation staff if six months would be an appropriate time frame for them. Tennis responded that this should be determined within a couple of months and do not believe they will be going back to the former way of recycling. Boyden agreed stating they would have the year with Waste Management along with Tennis' trial which should determine which way the City should go. Tennis Brothers were thanked for attending tonighYs meeting. B. TRAFFIC SIGNAL - 80 and Jamaica. Jennifer Levitt stated this issue surfaced in October when Mayor Shiely requested City staff review this intersection. It was found that in actually going through records, the intersection has been addressed a number of times both in 2002 and 2004. It was indicated a study should be done of the intersection to see whether a traffic light was necessary. As the report indicates, only two warrants for a traffic light were met. An interesting note from a safety aspect is that the amount of crashes and accidents that occurred at the intersection is less than other areas. Additionally, because of the type of accidents that did occur, a traffic light would not improve the safety of the intersection. Because of this information, staff is recommending to not proceed with a traffic signal at 80� and Jamaica. Kjellberg inquired how the lights at Jamaica and 90 were approved? When the traffic pattern at 90`" and Jamaica is compared to 80` and Jamaica, 80` Street is much worse. Public Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 7 Thiede commented that the light was likely put in because of deliveries to Cub Foods. Wolcott added it was also due to the tax increment financing of that particular area. Kjellberg asked if there is sufficient infrastructure underneath the street to accommodate the lights and Burshten responded he believed conduit is in place. Commission Member Randy Eckstein commented that he has noticed more people than ever going through red lights and feels a stop sign is more effective. Boyden stated this is likely an enforcement problem and concurred with Eckstein that motorists are more likely to stop for a sign than a traffic light. MOTION WAS MADE BY DAVID THIEDE, SECONDED BY ROBERT DORNSBACH, TO DENY THE INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT 80 STREET AND JAMAICA AVENUE. MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. C. Stop Sign Traffic Control — Thompson Grove Area Levitt indicated there were more open forum comments included in the report and wished to make this Commission aware of the additional information. The Commission agreed unanimously that they will adhere to their original decision of approving the Thompson Grove Traffic Analysis Report. D. Receive Information—Pavement Condition Survey from GoodPointe Technology Levitt explained that the results from the survey were placed in the packets. GoodPointe Technology has completed the pavement condition index (PCI) and has determined the average pavement condition for the City was 86.5 (Local Streets = 86.9, Collector Streets =84.4 and Minor Arterial =86.8). These very good values show that the efforts of the past pavement management practices have been implemented well. A goal for the Infrastructure Management Task Force is to ensure that the process will continue strong and keep this good trend. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE . Well Number 11 has had the initial start up and things are going well . Snowplowing equipment is all prepared — now we just need some snow. . Sanitary sewer work by Barbarossa was done on 70 Street near Meadowgrass Avenue. . The new mechanic will start on January 3, 2005 . Over 150 applications have been received for the Street Department Employee. Interviews will be done in January . Rinks are being flooded . Street Department has completed street patching Public Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 8 8. EAST RAVINE UPDATE Commission Member David Thiede commented the East Ravine Open House held on November 15� was well attended. Items of discussion included the proposed site for the county government center and changes to the parkway. There were initial plans for homes to be built along the parkway and alleys being placed to the rear of the home sites. Currently it is proposed that buildings will be housed on small roadways to be built alongside the parkway. Boyden wondered if those small roadways will be wide enough to be plowable. Levitt explained that critical East Ravine issues at this time include: . Phasing of the project to determine exactly how many acres should be opened up for development: . How the City should allow development to occur • Ensure the quality of the development being considered. H. R Green is still in the process of providing the numbers for infrastructure and what amount of housing is necessary to support the infrastructure as the area changes. If the City constructs a sanitary sewer and a trunk water line, it must be determined how many houses and how large an area is needed to do this to prevent the City from having to cover these fees in the future. Boyden stated a major issue would also involve the scale of development (multi-family and single-family housing), and questioned whether one developer or a series of developers will be involved with the project? Levitt responded a 60-40 split between single-family and multi-family housing is being considered. As far as developers are concerned, she explained that Cottage Grove Community Development Director Howard Blin has learned different metro cities are using point scale systems to determine which developments and developers may be allowed to build in the City. Points are based on the quality and style of the homebuilding. Hypothetically, the Council may only allow builders with the highest point systems to develop in the East Ravine. Thiede also commented since there is a good idea of the East Ravine design concept, the City is actually creating some shortcuts for the developers. Perhaps these initial costs should be recovered through building permits and such. Levitt felt this was a good point to discuss with Howard Blin when he attends next month's commission meeting. Levitt explained the City is also looking at a feasibility study that was done for the first section of the parkway near the location of the proposed government center. Different options for the road have been explored and H.R Green will supply a price estimate. RFPs will be requested in March with construction starting in late 2005 or early 2006 when the first phase of the East Ravine will come into reality. Boyden wondered if any traffic studies or projections have been done for the area due to the increased traffic the government center will likely bring to the site. Levitt Rublic Works Commission December 13, 2004 — Page 9 responded that a typical section of roadway was included and was designed for a 30 mph speed limit with 8-foot shoulders adequate for on-street parking. The commission may also wish to discuss this issue with Mr. Blin as to what the typical roadway section will look like, specifically the parkway that will serve as the main collector. Boyden inquired whether traffic would significantly increase on County Road 19 with all the various roads now tying into it. Levitt responded that traffic counts have been anticipated at 10,000 vehicles per day. She also commented that this area has not been addressed in the Washington County Capital Improvement Program and will be discussed with County staff in January. It is also hoped to meet with Woodbury City Staff to discuss the meshing of the border area between Cottage Grove and Woodbury, including which utilities we would be supplying, if any. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE No further information. 10. ENGINEER'S REPORT . Levitt reported the contract with Bonestroo and Associates is on the council agenda. For the past 16 years, Bonestroo has not had an updated contract. . In November, the 65` Street Water Main Project was awarded to Barbarossa. Members are being sought for the Infrastructure Task Force. Gary Kjellberg stated he has already filled out an application Burshten noted that the compost site contract is up this year. It is being suggested to Council that the current contract be extended for two years and not go out for bids at this time. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Kjellberg requested a map listing current Ciry projects. Eckstein commented he recently read an article in the Pioneer Press discussing the new housing and development trend of front porches, sidewalks, narrow streets, etc. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by David Thiede. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, t at��'i.ci.a�Storlry