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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-13 MINUTES� _ � . �' � � � � � � � •' ' • ' �' � • Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at the Cottage Grove Public Works Facility, 8635 West Point Douglas Road South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 7:00 pm. � ; • •:• : Chair David Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Ken Boyden, Robert Dornsbach, Roger Finnegan, Gary Kjellberg, Mackenzie Kelly, Mallory Kelly, William Royce Staff Present: Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Also Present: Mark Grossklaus, City Council Member Pat McGraw, Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates (Project Manager for the Jamaica Avenue Roundabout) 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg, the October 9, 2006 minutes were unanimously approved. : _�� •.�___ ��• 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Technical Review 6.1 Walden Woods — Cases ZA06-067 and PP06-068 Platinum Development has applied for a zoning amendment to change the zoning from R-1, Rurai Residential, and R-2, Residential Estate, to R-2C, Detached Single Family District, and R-2.5, Residential; and a preliminary piat for Walden Woods, which would be located on property north of 65 Street and east of Hadley Avenue. This proposed subdivision would consist of 209 lots for single family homes and 11 outlots. (continued from 10/23/06). Public Works Commission November 13, 2006 — Page 2 6.2 Liqhthouse Baptist Church — Case CUP06-078 Lighthouse Baptist Church has applied for an amendment to their conditional use permit to allow construction af a 32-faot by 24-foot garage at 9979 80 t " Street South. 6.3 Cinqular Wireless Antenna — CUP06-076 New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC has applied for a conditional use permit to allow the installation of antennas on the water tower at 8520 81 Street South. 6. OL.D BUSINESS A. Jamaica Avenue Roundabout Project A video of the above-referenced project was viewed by members with a discussion afterwards. The following are questions from the commission with responses from Mr. McGraw (in italics). Can ramps be heated for de-icinq? PM: Strictly speaking yes. However, fhe cost would be prohibitive and it is too late in the process for incorporation of such an item in this project. Commission comment: Irrigation is very important and should be expanded if necessary to make sure plants survive and look nice. Is irrigation part of the plan? PM: Originally only the medians were irrigated, however, irrigation has been expanded to all of the most intensively landscaped area. FYI, MnDOT has given a preliminary acceptance of the notion of having City-owned and maintained irrigation systems in the MnDOT right-of-way. One roundabout is a larqer diameter than the other. Can semi trucks, manuever throuqh the smaller diameter roundabout? Why are they different? PM: Yes, semi trucks as well as the City's emergency vehicles can navigate both roundabouts. The larger diameter for the southwestern roundabout is due to the number of /egs and the multiple circulating lanes. What is the difference between a roundabout and a traffic circle? PM: In a traffic circle higher speeds were a goal. In a modern roundabout, speeds are kept in the neighborhood of 20 to 25 mph. In a traffic circle the entering vehicles have the right-of-way. fn a modern roundabout the entering vehicles yield. Some traffic circles allowed pedestrian traffic to or through the center of the circle Pedestrians are not allowed in the center of the roundabouts. One commissioner reiterated a comment that has been made in locat editoria! pages. Aren't roundabouts being removed out east, especiaNy in New Jersey? The intersection control features being removed are actually traffic circles, not modern roundabouts. In fact, in some cases these traffic crrcles are actually being replaced with modern roundabouts. Public Works Commission November 13, 2006 — Page 3 Pedestrian concerns: Carr some kind of flashinq lights be added at pedestrian crossinq? PM: Strictly speaking they probably could, however, due to driver distraction, pedestrian abuse, cost liability and the desire to avoid setting an ill-assessed precedent, it is recommend that this not be done. Furthermore, there is no compelling data showing that pedestrian/vehicle conflicts have been an issue with these facilit+es. Will the distance between Jamaica Ave. and the pedestrian pathway located under the Hiqhwav 61 overpass change so that the pedestrians are not right next to the roadwav? PM: Yes. Who will be desiqninq the landscape? PM: Bonestroo Rosene Anderlik and Associates Commission Comment: Do not over plant. Be practical. Landscaping should be designed so that it can be easily maintained. �andscaping needs to be salt tolerant - landscaping should be designed to allow for snow storage and not interfere with snow plowing operations. PM: The cautionary comment regarding over planting has been made previousty and has been noted and incorporated in the design. Meetings have been held with city maintenance personnel and ease of maintenance, salt tolerance and impact of snow storage have been addressed in detail and dealt with in the design. Who is responsible for maintenance (plowinq mowing, etc.Z PM: MnDOT owns all of the project in the right of way. MnDOT will maintain areas left as mowable turf. The City will maintain all landscaped area including irrigation. MnDOT will maintain MnDOT light standards to be left along the ramps. The City will maintain all other lights. The MnDOT and City lighting systems will be kept separate. MnDOT will plow the ramps and the roundabouts. The City will plow Jamaica Ave. and West Point Douglas Road. The Cify will also plow the trails. MnDOT will maintain signs and pavemenf markings integral to the function oi the roundabout. The City witl be responsible for routine maintenance of Jamaica Avenue pavement including the roundabout and West Point Douglas Road. MnDOT will participate in major rehabilitations Is there a street liqht design for the rarnps and roundabouts? PM: Yes, the designer has met with MnDOT on this and the design is pretty well set. Commission comment: Area should be well lit for safety and visibility. PM: The standards are relatively aggressive. The area will be well lit. Pedestrian crossings will be specifically illuminated. Commission comment: Public education is very important. Utilize City website and other websites. Computer and visual aids would be very helpful. How are we educatinc tI he public? PM: The City Engineer has worked to establish an aggressive compressive public involvemenbeducation plan. Key features include: engaging this commission, Public Safety staff, Public Works staff, a project web site with contact information and informational materials including View Point articles, flyers, brochures, newsletters, Public Works Commission November 13, 2006 — Page 4 cable television pieces, and open houses. Additional tools can also be used such as scale models for visitors to traverse by various means while asking questions of the experts and so on. Will the East Point Douqlas and Jamaica Ave. traffic siqnal liqhts have anv affect on the roundabouts such as traffic backups? PM: As the signat at East Poinf Douglas exists now, `back of the napkin" anaiysis shows that queues from the East Point Douglas intersection may be near the northeastem roundabout by the end of the next twenty years. However, there are signal confrol options that could alleviate this. It should also be noted that these approximations assume no other improvements at the East Point Douglas intersection. In short, we don't anticipate a dire situation, Furthermore, the East Point Douglas intersection will likely begin to fail in the future if improvements are not made regardless of this project. Therefore, this is somewhat of a mute point. Where are other existinq roundabouts located in the metro area? Are there any similar to our proposed roundabout (dual lane)? Commission comment: They would like a list of the locations. PM: There are no other multi-lane roundabouts in the metro area. The City Engineer can provide a spreadsheet developed by the State which shows the general status (planned, in-design, in-construction or built) along with a few other parameters for all roundabouts of which they are familiar. When will construction beqin? PM: Bid letting is scheduled forApril. Therefore, consfruction should begin in May. What is the anticipated completion date? PM: Early fall. We want drivers to have time before inclement weather hits. Are you anticipatinq anv maior road closures or traffic delays during the construction phase? How will it be phased? Will vou build one at a time? PM: We will likely take a north half/south half approach rather than a one roundabout and then the other approach. We do not anticipate long road c%sures. We are aware of the CP Rait project, Auto Marsha(6ng Yard, Public Works, Bus Garage, Fire Station and other key traffic factors. We wili perform traffic analysis of each major construction phasing stage in order to identify and address issues. Our first priority will be to avoid backups onto the TH 61 mainline given the deadly nature of such situations. We will then address speci�c user's impacts and needs. That said, we must be reasonable and acknowledge that there will be delays on the local roads that are part of this project. On the bright side we will maintain all movements with the exception of short term closures and the project will be substantiafly completed in less than one full construction season. How do we make sure the travelinq public navigates through the roundabout properl� What stops them from aoing the wronq way? (The left turn arrow siqns seem to be confusin PM: I can't necessarily argue with you regarding the arrows on a few of the signs; however, this is the approach to signage the Feds and State have chosen. Additionaily, consider that the design literally leads the driver by the nose. The approach legs align the driver precisely wifh the proper lane, the curb lines and pavement markings within Public Works Commission November 13, 2006 — Page 5 the roundabout give the driver further queues. There are also "one way" signs in the center of the circle directly across from the driver as well as "one way" signs on fhe yield signs giving the driver direction as he/she approaches the roundabout. Given all these items giving the driver property direction 1 am not too concerned with the potential for misdirection from the usage of the standard left turn arrow on some signs. Mr. Pat McGraw was thanked by the commission for his attendance at tonighYs meeting. B. Response to Previously-Raised Concern — Ravine Parkway/90� Street and CSAH 19 Median Visibilities Commission member Kjeliberg commented he reviewed the response and he likes what is being done regarding improvements to that area. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Public Works Supervisor Harry Taylor reported: • City street sweeping has been completed • Staff is awaiting results of the float test on the Grange Water Tower • The Pine Hili Water Tower has been cleaned • City irrigation lines have been winterized • Paths in the Highlands Park Pond area have been blacktopped and an irrigation system has been installed. 8. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Council Member Mark Grossklaus reported an agreement has been reached with the contractor regarding the warranty repiacement of the streetlight poles on 80 Street. Traffic study has been completed at 80� Street and Jamaica for a possible traffic signal. Since the 70 Street overpass has opened, one of the warrants in place for the signal has been eliminated. At this point iYs less likely that signals wiil be installed in the immediate future. Councii Member Bigham was elected to the State House which will result in an open seat on the City Council. Applications for this position will be accepted until December 16� 9. ENGINEER'S REPORT Cottaqe Square Demolition/Presbyterian Homes Project Harry Taylor indicated he meets with the contractor regarding the demolition of Cottage Square each week and noted the project is nearly complete. Kjellberg inquired when construction of the facility will begin. Building plans are still in the review process at this time. Public Works Commission November 13, 2006 - Page 6 Noliday Station on Grange The builder is hoping for a quick completion of the project. 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Road Configuration on East Point Douglas near Merchant's Bank and Cub Foods Kjellberg inquired about the status of a proposed road configuration improvement for the above noted area. The commission was previously presented with various options for improvement. Harry Taylor will check on the status. Irriqation for Median Areas on 80 Street and Jamaica Avenue Areas Kjellberg asked if it would be feasible to get an idea of the cost to install irrigation to the median areas on 80 Street and possibly Jamaica Avenue. He commented he has noticed trees on Jamaica are lost from lack of water. He beiieves that if the City is going to plant trees and shrubs, part of the maintenance is to water them and if that's impossible, there should be no plants installed in those areas. Harry Taylor stated that when 80 Street was reconstructed, it was recommended to install irrigation to the medians, but the cost was prohibitive. Much effort is put through by Public Works staff to keep the trees and plant life watered throughout the summer. With the tree mitigation project, it's been a challenge to keep everything irrigated. Kjellberg believes it to be very important for the yards of City Facilities inciuding City Hall, Public Works and the Fire Station to be well maintained. 11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, i''a�ri,cf,w StorlTy