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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-08-10 PWC Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION March 8, 2010 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at Cottage Grove Public Works, 8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Ken Boyden called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Ken Boyden, Gary Kjellberg, Alex Chernyaev, Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Absent: Christopher Lethgo Excused: William Royce Also Present: Council Member Pat Rice Jason Field – Prospective Commission Member 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Gary Kjellberg, seconded by Alex Chernyaev, the January 11, 2010, minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Traffic Control Analysis Report (Pine Glen, Pinehill, Meadow Acres and DeGardners Additions) City Engineer Jennifer Levitt explained in the northern area of the traffic control analysis (encompassed by Hadley Avenue to the west, 95th Street to the south), some four-leg intersections have no traffic control, while some three-leg intersections do. There are also sharp curve ahead signs (with 10 mph speed limit signs affixed) posted in this area. The southern portion of the study is a bit more complicated due to the presence of a park with a trail leading from it in addition to a park entrance on 97th Street. Some three-leg intersections are not marked and other places, such as Heath around the eastern edge are stopped. Public Works Commission March 8, 2010 – Page 2 Beginning in the north section, it is recommended to remove the stop sign at the three-leg intersections of Hamlet/94th, Hamlet/Hames and Hamlet/Harkness. 94th Street is the major dominant movement and traffic shall be stopped in the north/south direction in the neighborhood. It is also recommended to remove the turn arrow and speed limit signs on 94th Street at Hale and Hallmark. Many residents are concerned with removing the stop sign at 97th and Hamlet. In the analysis, this was considered a three-leg intersection. In reality, even though the entrance to the park is skewed a little bit, this area would act as a four-leg intersection. In light of the comments received, it is proposed to keep the stop sign at Hamlet and 97th. Levitt went on to state as discussed in the past, pedestrian signs will be placed at Hamlet/Hallmark, 97th/Hames and Hamlet//98th to alert motorists they are entering a pedestrian area. As we work our way down to 98th Street, it was noted there are no stop signs at the cul-de-sacs. It is proposed to add stop signs to north and south 98th Street Courts to make 98th Street free flowing in this area. The signs that initiated the traffic control study are the stop signs at 97th and Heath. Because the signs were not placed according to City policy, there was a request to have them removed. Staff felt it was not appropriate to remove these signs without analyzing the rest of the area. As we move along Heath to 98th Street, a resident reported a visibility issue. The stop sign will be kept in place until the obstruction is eliminated. Moving further north along Heath to 97th Street, there are no more obstructions, therefore, that stop sign is proposed to be removed. The other modification that’s made to the plan is the inconsistency of speed limit sign placement in the neighborhood. Speed limit signing is to be installed on local residential roadways if the speed limit is other than 30 mph, or where the 30 mph speed limit is not apparent. Jennifer Levitt indicated that Public Safety can enforce the 30 mph speed limit without posting the signs in the residential area. Tonight’s meeting was attended by one resident, Angela Moriarty (9739 Heath) along with her daughter, Amanda. Angela voiced her concerns with the traffic study as follows: On 100th Street, (at Heath Avenue) , the speed limit on 100th Street is 50 miles per hour. Ms. Moriarty indicated there’s no divider between the road and the dirt on the shoulder. Especially in spring, the intersection is extremely sandy. She noted even when driving lower speeds, motorists are sliding. Commission Member Gary Kjellberg inquired if 100th Street was sanded in the winter, to which Public Works Director Les Burshten responded it was not. Public Works Commission March 8, 2010 – Page 3 Ms. Moriarty also noted: There’s a visibility problem at 98th and Heath. A tree with a large, overhanging branch is planted near the roadway. Motorists have to inch up to the corner to see oncoming traffic. Les Burshten indicated that if the tree is causing a site obstruction, the city can address the problem and have the tree trimmed. Lastly, Ms. Moriarty stated: There’s a bus stop at 97th and Hamlet. The area is muddy with no sidewalks. If the stop sign is removed, there is a safety concern. She added there’s an abundance of teenage drivers who travel at a high rate of speed in the morning on the way to school and also in the afternoon. Gary Kjellberg urged Ms. Moriarty to contact the Police Department so the area can be patrolled for speeding drivers. Ms. Levitt asked Amanda Moriarty what time the bus stopped in the morning, to which Amanda responded, “7:14”. Levitt stated she could contact Public Safety to follow up on the speeding problem in the area. Apparently, the high speeds worsen in the afternoon. It was also indicated a school bus is parked on 100th Street for approximately one hour per day, likely as the driver waits before beginning a bus route. Apparently by parking in this area, the bus is causing some visibility issues. The Transportation Office can be notified to remedy this situation. Les Burshten stated he would look into Ms. Moriarty’s concerns and get back to her. MOTION MADE BY GARY KJELLBERG, SECONDED BY ALEX CHERNYAEV, TO ACCEPT THE 2010 TRAFFIC CONTROL ANALYSIS REPORT (PINE GLEN, PINE HILL, MEADOW ACRES & DE GARDNERS ADDITIONS) NOTING THERE IS A VISIBILITY ISSUE AT 98TH AND HEATH TO BE ADDRESSED. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. 6. OLD BUSINESS None 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten provided the following updates: Remodeling work continues at the Pine Tree Valley Park Building. Outdoor rinks closed this past weekend. Emerald Ash Borer informational brochures for residents are being completed. Public Works Commission March 8, 2010 – Page 4 The Tree Trimming Contract was awarded to S&S Tree Specialists this year. Much of the work has been completed with approximately 1,200 trees trimmed. In-house tree trimming is also taking place Pothole patching is in progress. If anyone notices any pothole problems, they can call Public Works Spring Road Restrictions began today, March 8th and will likely last for approximately one month. Signs have been posted. Street sweeping will tentatively begin April 5th. A hydroseeder has been purchased so the City can do this work in-house which will result in cost savings Quotes for the new dump trucks are being finalized. The trucks were ordered in 2009 for delivery this year. By ordering them last year, the City saved approximately $10,000 per truck. After evaluating various mowers, Public Works crews will make a decision which one to purchase and forward their recommendation to Council Summer maintenance equipment is being worked on in the Shop. There were two water main breaks recently: 73rd and Homestead on February 14th and at 80th and Innsdale this morning, March 8th. 8. ENGINEER’S REPORT Highway 61 Project. Jennifer Levitt reported the bid date for the concrete overlay project is March 26th with work to begin approximately June 1st. On March 23rd, there will be an informational open house from 8:30am-10:30am for businesses that will be affected by the project. MnDOT and City staff will be on hand to respond to questions and concerns. An open house for residents will take place from 4:30pm-7:30pm on April 29th at the Washington County Service Center on Ravine Parkway. Extend West Point Douglas Frontage Road – Pine Coulee Funding in the amount of $594,000 was awarded to complete the extension of the West Pt. Douglas Frontage Road to the Highway 95 signal in the Pine Coulee area. River Acres Pavement Management Project The City Council will hold a public hearing on March 17th regarding the River Acres Pavement Management Project. It is unknown whether or not the project will proceed until after that meeting. Environmental Commission This commission now meets the second Wednesday each month. Shared City Services The City of Cottage Grove is providing shared contractual services for street sweeping and street striping with the City of Newport. Public Works Commission March 8, 2010 – Page 5 Well #7 We are in the planning and preparation stage for converting Well #7 from diesel to electric. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE City Council Member Pat Rice reported some items from the March 3rd meeting: Council accepted the proposal from Progressive Consulting Engineers for consulting services related to PFC groundwater analysis by the Environmental Commission. The annual mining permit was approved for Aggregate Industries to continue their mining operations on Lower Grey Cloud Island. A new Ice Arena sign design is being considered From the February 17th Meeting: Public Works is involved with abatement violations at 8542 Grospoint Avenue South 10. COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Jason Field, a prospective Public Works Commission member is present at tonight’s meeting. Les Burshten reminded the Commission they will be meeting with the City Council at City Hall prior to the regular council meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Alex Chernyaev, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Storby