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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-19 PACKET 01B PSHWC Minutes 2012-03-20PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING March 20, 2012 1. Pursuant to due notice, a meeting of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was held at the City Hall Council Chambers and was telecast on local Government Cable Channel 12. CALL TO ORDER: The March 20, 2012 meeting of the Cottage Grove Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Brian Hagen, Nick Maciejewski, Jodi Lewis, AJ Janssen, Jim Neuenfeldt, Lori Hedican, Dave Barkow MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Deputy Director of Public Safety Pete Koerner, Fire Chief Bob Byerly, City Engineer Jennifer Levitt 01. Approval of minutes: Chairperson Brian Hagen presented the February 21, 2012 minutes of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Commission member Jim Neuenfeldt, seconded by Commission member Lori Hedican, the February 21, 2012 minutes were accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried. 02. Approval of agenda: Chairperson Brian Hagen presented the March 20, 2012 agenda of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Commission member Dave Barkow, seconded by Commission member Jim Neuenfeldt, the March 20, 2012 agenda was accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried. 2. OPEN FORUM Chairperson Hagen invited citizens present to address the Commission regarding any matters that were not on the approved agenda. There being no added items, Chairperson Hagen closed the Open Forum segment of the meeting. 3. ADMINISTRATION Recommendation for 2012 Commission Vice Chair 03.A The Commission nominated Jim Neuenfeldt to serve as Vice Chair of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for the 2012 year. Motion by Chair Hagen, seconded by Commission member Hedican. Motion carried. Page 2 PSHWC Meeting March 20, 2012 03B. 70 Street /Keats Avenue Realignment Power Point Presentation — City Engineer Jennifer Levitt Ms. Levitt provided the Commission with a Project Overview of the realignment which included the following: $2.5M Improvement Project — Existing Conditions — Closely spaced intersections — Deteriorated pavement conditions Non - continuous route Project will improve safety and better serve existing and future traffic patterns Third phase of improvements in area She then went on to explain the process as follows: Proposed Improvements • Realign 70 Street (County Road 22) to make continuous east -west route • Eliminate one all -way stop intersection • Reconstruct portions of County Road 19 and County Road 22 • Prepare County Road 19 and 22 intersection for future traffic control • Address drainage issues South Washington Watershed District • South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) will be constructing regional drainage facilities in the project area • Opportunity to share services and construct a joint project — Cooperate on land acquisition costs Land Acquisition • Working with landowners • Opportunity to combine land acquisition costs with SWWD Project Schedule • Early 2012 Identify Preferred Alternative — Open House March 2012 • Fall 2012 Complete Plan Preparation • Spring 2013 Begin Construction — Open House Prior to Construction • Fall 2013 Complete Construction Public Involvement • Open Houses • Project Website Page 3 PSHWC Meeting March 20, 2012 • Potential Twitter feed for construction update • The project website will include background information, the latest updates and contract information. She concluded the presentation with the following. • Select an alternative Begin plan preparation and land acquisition process Hold Open House in March Ms. Levitt opened the discussion for questions and /or comments from the Commission. Commission Chair Hagen said he preferred the straighter roadway alignment over the slight curved one in the presentation. Ms. Levitt stated that it may be dependent on what they are able to negotiate with landowners for acquisition of property. Another concern was how many homeowners will this impact. Ms. Levitt stated that three will have the most impact. However, residents on Military may also have a different scenario than in the past when traveling westbound, but will not be impacted when coming eastbound from 494. Another question asked was if any consideration was taken with regards to the natural gas station there. Ms. Levitt said that the Watershed District will have to contend with this development and will need to take into consideration the easement. With there being no further discussion or comment, the Commission thanked Ms. Levitt for her presentation. 03.0 Member Training on how to handle an Administrative Appeal of a potentially dangerous dog or dangerous dog classification — City Attorney Corrine Heine Tabled to Special Training Meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers 4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT No items submitted at this time. 5. OLD BUSINESS None at this time. 6. NEW BUSINESS None at this time. 7. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None at this time. Page 4 PSHWC Meeting March 20, 2012 8. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None at this time. 9. STAFF REPORTS 09.A POLICE - Captain Koerner advised the Commission that Council member Justin Olsen could not be at the meeting tonight as he had a conflict tonight. He went on to say that the Police Department recently had a Reserve Academy which is formal training with officers. Six candidates in the academy graduated and received certificates at the March 7 th City Council meeting. Last year, Cottage Grove Reserves volunteered over 2,400 hours. The Police Department really appreciates the hard work of these men and women. The Police department is authorized for 20 Reserves and we are up 18. Captain Koerner advised the Commission that the Youth Service Bureau contract was renewed. He added that they do so much with the department with the Juvenile Diversion programs. Jennifer Rockhill will be speaking at one of the upcoming Commission meetings on the YSB's new diversion program regarding bullying in schools. Public Safety /City Hall building project update — Captain Koerner reminded the Commission that there is a camera that is monitoring the progress of the building and this can be accessed by going to the city web site and viewing it. He also stated that a city team meets weekly with the builder at the site to view the progress. By all accounts, it is on schedule. He went on to say that at the last meeting, the Commission reviewed the summaries and packet information provided by Captain Rinzel and the educational component. He said it will be on the Council's March 21 agenda and thanked the Commission for their input and recommendation. 09.B FIRE -He informed the Commission that the City just hired two part time .6 paramedics to help in the night hours from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. and interviewing another .6 position these positions will work 24 hours per week to help at night to assist the police /paramedics in quick response and getting the ambulance out to the scene quicker. He went on to say that they will be holding another EMT /IV Tech course in April. This course trains the fire fighter to a higher level when they assist on calls or provide advanced life support skills to the hospital and assisting the police /paramedics. Page 5 PSHWC Meeting March 20, 2012 Fire Chief Byerly also commented on the new ambulance design and refurbished ambulance. The city saved $50,000 by remounting the ambulance and we now have four ambulance rigs and two are stationed at our main station at 8641 80 Street South. There was a large fire at Hamlet Park and also on Saturday several hundred acres burned between the 3M complex and the river. They are still investigating along with the DNR, the cause of the fire. It took about 6 hours to contain the fire as it was windy and very difficult terrain. Help came from St. Paul Park, Newport, DNR helicopter, 3M along with our own fire department. Calls for service up for 2012. Fire Chief Byerly informed the Commission that Severe Weather Awareness week begins April 16 through the 20 2012 and on Thursday April 19, at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m., test sirens will sound and encourage families to practice their severe weather shelter plans during the 6:55 p.m. siren test. He also added during severe weather, citizens should turn their radios or television sets on to hear of the weather or to purchase a NOA weather radio which will alert when severe weather is approaching. 09.0 COUNCIL - More information at next Commission meeting Presentation - Director of Public Safety Craig Woolery welcomed the Commission and new Commission members and gave a short presentation to the Commission regarding their purpose, value and role to the city and citizens of Cottage Grove. He went on to advise them of the Good to Great initiative that the city as a whole, has been involved in for the past year and a half and how it will affect the city. It's about efficiencies, finding better ways of doing things. How we went to all employees and asked each of them questions on how we are doing, what we can do better, what we need to stop doing. He went on to say there was a weekend Retreat, held at Warner Electric in Cottage Grove, which covered all the areas covered in the interviews. Some Public Safety areas we could addressed right away, others will be handled throughout the next year or two. He went on to inform the Commission that one of his goals is to use the Commission to help provide City Council with direction or recommendations on an Emergency Medical Services service delivery model.