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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 8, 2010 Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION November 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, November 8, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Bill Royce called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Gary Kjellberg, Alex Chernyaev, Jason Field, Bill Royce Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Absent: Chris Lethgo Excused: Robert Dornsbach, Ken Boyden 3. APPROVE MINUTES Upon a motion by Gary Kjellberg, seconded by Jason Field, the August 9, 2010, minutes were unanimously approved. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None. 5. NEW BUSINESS “No Outlet” Sign Request, 6515 Hadley Court City Engineer Jennifer Levitt indicated the City Sign Policy states a “no outlet” sign is not warranted if the end of a cul-de-sac can be seen where it terminates. The individual requesting the no outlet sign does not agree with staff’s recommendation that the sign not be installed. The resident has the opportunity at this time to have the request brought before the Public Works Commission for their recommendation on the matter. If the sign request is also denied by this commission, the resident will be notified and should they wish to carry the issue further, the matter can be taken up before the City Council. Public Works Commission November 8, 2010 – Page 2 Commission Member Gary Kjellberg stated he drove to this Hadley Court cul-de-sac before tonight’s meeting and agreed that the sign request be denied since the end of the cul-de-sac can be distinguished from the entry point. Commission Member Alex Chernyaev inquired what the cost would be for a sign installation of this type to which Public Works Director Les Burshten responded “about $120 dollars.” Levitt added on top of that cost would be the long term maintenance of the sign and potential replacement costs. She went on to state the major reason for the sign policy was to minimize the amount of signs placed in neighborhoods, the long term costs and the overall aesthetics of the neighborhoods which are affected by too much sign clutter. Chernyaev further inquired whether there was a light pole in the area where the sign could be affixed. There doesn’t appear to be a light pole to fit this need and it was indicated that the sign may need to be placed in another resident’s yard who may not desire a sign on their property. MOTION MADE BY GARY KJELLBERG, SECONDED BY JASON FIELD TO DENY THE REQUEST FOR A “NO OUTLET” SIGN AT 6515 HADLEY COURT. THE REQUEST DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE CITY SIGN POLICY. Motion was unanimously carried. 2011 Pavement Management Project Levitt stated a neighborhood meeting regarding this project will take place tomorrow evening with the residents in the 2011 Pavement Management Area (Howard’s Addition, Pine Coulee and Countrywood areas). Howards’s Addition work will involve reconstruction using the same method utilized in 2008’s Pavement Management Project with reclamation and some spot curb replacement. There are 12 blocks as part of this project to be assessed. Right now the proposed assessment is $6,150.00. Benefit appraisals will come in next week to verify whether or not the assessment amount can be sustained. Moving in to Pine Coulee, the area becomes a bit more challenging. A number of test holes were made to determine soil characteristics. It was discovered there is an overabundance of organic clay-type soil underneath a very thin gravel base which in some cases is only 2 inches thick. We’re proposing to add 2 inches of gravel on top of the asphalt and then run the reclaimer over that to work it in. This will result in an elevation of the road by about 5 inches upon completion. The reason we need to put that 2 inches of class 5 on top of the bituminous is because of the reclaiming process. We want to avoid the reclaimer grabbing the porous soil, carrying it up into the base material and contaminating it. Other minor storm sewer areas will be repaired to facilitate drainage in that area. At Pine Coulee, we’re looking at assessments ranging to nearly $7,000, similar to Howard’s Addition. You will note that if the benefit appraisal says it will only benefit the property by $6,000, we are capped by our IMTF Policy to only assess $6,000 rather than $7,000. Public Works Commission November 8, 2010 – Page 3 Gary Kjellberg had a question about the West Point Douglas Road Extension. Will the residents be assessed for this or just the commercial property owners? Levitt responded that due to West Point Douglas having Department of Transportation funds, there are specifications with work being done to a bit higher standard with more testing, etc., For economic reasons, they have been broken apart into two projects which also gives the Council the option to order one and maybe not the other. Our goal is, however, to order them both. The residents in the area will not be assessed for the West Point Douglas Road extension. Kjellberg inquired how wide the average lots are in the Pine Coulee area as the assessment amount is larger than previous projects. Levitt replied the lots in the proposed area are 1.4 to 1.5- acre lots. The linear feet on the street is likely wider than lots in the River Acres area. Levitt went on to state that the City Council has directed, similar to our other pavement management projects, to make improvements to parks in the areas. It is proposed to curb and gutter the parking lot, install a rain garden to accommodate the increase in pervious surface, replace the swing set, install a shade structure similar to what we have at Hardwood Park (with one picnic table under it), add benches, and a basketball court, (30’ by 30’ foot concrete slab). Additional tree planting will be done and maintenance strips will be added under the fence which will ultimately reduce the amount of edging to be done (mowers can get closer). The Council will be ordering a public hearing December 1st. The businesses in the area are facing a potentially high assessment, however, as noted earlier, we are still awaiting benefit appraisals. Chernyaev inquired about construction costs of the project. Levitt replied she didn’t see anything out of line, pricewise in the linear foot cost comparison. They are also being very conservative at this point as the price of asphalt is not yet known. 6. ENGINEER’S UPDATE Ravine Parkway and Ravine Parkway Bridge With the proposed construction of the new City Hall/Public Safety facility on Ravine Parkway, plans and specifications have been ordered for a bridge to serve this facility. There are a couple bridge options to consider and the differences may appear very subtle. Different rail styles are also being evaluated. Right now we are considering a 94- foot bridge to span that ravine with a pedestrian crossing underneath. It should be noted these plans are being done in conjunction with Washington County who must approve the design because of aesthetics and how this would affect their park entrance. A public meeting was held on October 28 where residents were given the opportunity to comment on our site plan. The Council will be given an update on November 17th and the schematic will be formally adopted on December 15th. Public Works Commission November 8, 2010 – Page 4 Another key issue to consider is the possibility of a civic campus along with provisions for a potential community center which may be in partnership with the YMCA. Grey Cloud Bridge On approximately September 8th, the DOT inspected the Grey Cloud Bridge. It was discovered deterioration had occurred under one of the gusset plates and approximately 25% of the steel was missing. Due to this, we had to post a load restriction on the bridge temporarily until it could be repaired. In 2011 a pack rust and painting project must be done, this being critical to stop the deterioration. 7. OLD BUSINESS None. 8. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Les Burshten reported: All street lighting and lighting in the parks is scheduled to be reviewed with some areas being updated to LED lighting. Irrigation systems have all been winterized. Vandalism has increased and it was noted all targets were burned down at the Archery Range. Rebuilding of the targets is now complete and the folks that use this facility are very appreciative that it’s up and running once again Fall street sweeping is taking place now. The snowplows are being calibrated in preparation for winter and we’re decreasing the amount of material placed on the roadways, now using all salt. (no more sand/salt). Road patching projects are being completed. Commission members were asked to report any areas in need of patching Snowplow equipment is being installed. Burshten added that predictions have been made for a colder-than-normal winter along with more snow. Last year we were below average in annual snowfall. The Water Department is wrapping up work on Well #7 converting it from diesel to electric. A water shutoff had to be dug up and replaced in the Jamaica/80th Street area. Holiday banners and decorations will be going up on Wednesday, November 10th and illuminated the day before Thanksgiving. There are a total of 102 decorations to display, but not all will be illuminated as some of the streetlight poles are not wired with receptacles. To convert them is too cost prohibitive. Public Works Commission November 8, 2010 – Page 5 Koch Pipeline completed some repair work at 85th and Granada, Scott Boulevard and Hadley Avenue on a 16-inch gas main that is under the road. The work was done quickly and efficiently. The Holiday Train will come into town on December 11th from 5:30-6:30 pm on Belden Boulevard (same location as in the past) The Annual Tree Lighting in front of City Hall will take place on December 1st just prior to the Council Meeting. 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE The feasibility report for the West Point Douglas Road Extension was adopted. The resolution approving the feasibility report establishing a December 1st Public Improvement Hearing for the 2011 Pavement Management Project was adopted. There will be two new signs constructed at two locations: River Oaks Golf Course and the Cottage Grove Ice Arena. The 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plan was adopted at the last meeting. 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Highway 61 Project Gary Kjellberg inquired about the cable-type fence on Highway 61. From Jamaica going northbound the wall seems to be intact but it’s been a little while since he’s traveled southbound. He did notice there were areas where there wasn’t any fence and he hoped this could be taken care of before winter arrives. Burshten responded the state is reinstalling most of this and work will be completed this season. Storm Sewer Concerns Another issue of concern was the matter of grass, leaves and other items getting into the storm sewers and creating problems. Kjellberg was wondering if there was any type of information that could be made available for citizens to inform them of the importance of keeping storm sewers clear. Burshten responded that perhaps an article pertaining to this issue can be prepared for the South Washington County Bulletin. This topic could be mentioned during the local cable TV update as well. Residents are becoming a bit more educated on this issue, however, there is still somewhat of a problem. LED Lights on East Point Douglas. Kjellberg also requested an update on the LED streetlights that were installed on East Point Douglas Road by Menards. Burshten indicated that an update will be prepared for a future meeting. Public Works Commission November 8, 2010 – Page 6 Bulbs in the traffic light signals have all been changed over to LED starting with the red, continuing with the green and finally, the yellow lights being done this year. In the past the bulbs had to be changed annually, but it’s been nearly 11 years and the bulbs remain lit. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Jason Field, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Storby