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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services Minutes 11-19-18 Minutes City of Cottage Grove Public Services Commission/Council Meeting November 19, 2018 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Public Services Commission Meeting was held on November 19, 2018. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL Members Present: Campbell, Robert Ingram, Steve Podoll, Jeff Dornsbach, Robert Griffith, Kent Members Absent: Rediske, Lise Staloch, Peter Serpico, William Staff Present: Burshten, Les – Director of Public Works Rinzel, Greg - Captain Taylor, Harry – Public Works Supervisor Redenius, Rick – Fire Chief Orloff, Gary – Street Foreman Others Present: Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda Approval of Minutes Approval of September 17, 2018 minutes Open Forum None Presentations None New Business EAB Update Palar presented a Forestry Department update: Emerald Ash Borer - The City received 197 responses in 2017 to a voluntary removal request sent to residents by the City resulting in 215 boulevard ash trees removed. These trees were replaced with 16 different species of trees promoting diversity goals the City has set. In 2018 the City sent out 1000 targeted mailings to residents with boulevard ash trees and received 200 requests for removal. Boulevard Tree Trimming – The City trimmed 1,737 boulevard trees in 2018. 1,030 were trimmed by City staff and 707 by an outside contractor hired by the City. First Confirmed EAB – The City had its first confirmed case of Emerald Ash Borer. The EAB was found on 2 private trees and were reported to the MN Dept. of Agriculture. A letter was sent and the trees have been removed by the resident. No other infestations have been found. Arbor Day – Arbor Day was celebrated on April 28, 2018 in Hamlet Park. There was a ceremonial tree planting, proper tree planting demonstration and a bare tree ornamental give away. Interns – Danny Nichols and Beau Molitor were our Forestry interns for 2018. They updated the inventory for the 2018 and 2019 tree trimming area, performed insecticide injections for preventative ash treatment, assisted with storm cleanup and trimming operations, and presented on EAB at the intern pop up event. Tree Injections – The City has injected 800 boulevard trees in 2018. The City has changed the chemical it is using to a newer formula that promises a faster uptake and increased efficiency. DNR Grant – The DNR gave away 4 grants for managing EAB in community forests. There were over 100 applicants and 4 grants were awarded. Cottage Grove received $30,000 to be used on EAB control. Campbell asked if Quinn is keeping track of residents that are refusing to have their ash trees removed. His concern is that new homeowners are given the right to decide to have the tree removed even if the previous owner chose not to. Palar stated the City would work with the homeowner and the removal of the tree. Ingram asked for clarification from a past meeting. He asked if a homeowner chose not to have their boulevard tree replaced after removal would they be responsible for the cost to replace at a later date? And, would a new homeowner be responsible if they purchased a home that a previous homeowner refused a boulevard tree. Burshten stated the City has not run into this issue yet. It is something we would have to check our policy for. Ingram asked if there is a way to track if the injections are working. Palar stated there are scientific studies that show this injection works and is being used nationwide. This injection will control all insects living in and on the tree. Ingram asked when does the City determine a boulevard tree is not worth the time and money to continue the injections. Palar responded it depends on the value and general health of the tree. Ingram asked if the City still has a goal to eliminate all the ash trees. Taylor responded the City’s intent is to save some of the trees and evaluate when the EAB arrives in Cottage Grove. Palar stated there is a life span of a boulevard tree and they are not being replaced with another ash tree. Palar added there will be no more ash trees planted in the future but we are not cutting them all down. Hero Center Update Captain Rinzel stated the excavating for the Hero Center is almost complete. Block work and poured foundation for the utility tunnel will begin next week. Bearing walls will begin in December and pre-cast in February 2019. It will be completely closed with a roof in April or May 2019 with a completion date in September. Dornsbach asked if the name will remain Hero Center. Rinzel responded there was a movement to try and get sponsorship for the project with naming rights given to the donor. That hasn’t happened yet. Next, there was a switch to try and rebrand the property to the “east metro public safety training facility”. However, there is a fire station on the east side of St. Paul with the same name or very close. Currently they are sticking with Hero Center but still have the naming rights available with a donation (amount not specified). Old Business None Response to Previously Raised Commission Requests None Commission Comments and Requests None Staff Reports and Educational Material Police Completed annual report video Completed inclement weather shoot Training on interview techniques to properly interview trauma victims Continue 3 year contract with Joe Taylor Preparing for detective Ueland retirement Started hiring. 40 applicants Pinning of the badge at City Hall Police explorers first away tournament Fire In the process of hiring part-time fighters. FD have 8 people going through the hiring process. Two have passed everything. One is waiting to do the psychological, 3 backgrounds have been completed and 2 are still being backgrounded. FD is working on a new recruitment flyer. Over the last two weeks, fire fighters have been doing rescue training at drill. The responding crews had to search for and extricate them from the building. This is valuable training. The fire staff was able to utilize members of our Police Explorer post and Reserves to be role players. The Explorers learned a lot about rescue training. HyVee provided free breakfasts for veterans on Monday morning. Fire brought the ladder truck and proudly flew the US Flag. FF Mike Wallace was there to represent and visit with our local veterans. In early December Station 4 will be having some cleaning and painting done in the bay areas. We are in the process of selling some old fire equipment that is no longer used or outdated. We will also be selling our oldest fire truck, a 1990 Peterbilt engine to start shrinking our fleet to make room for a future aerial truck purchase. On Dec 5th the FD will be delivering Santa for the tree lighting at City Hall. He should be arriving at 5:45pm via a firetruck. Public Works Streets Patching – 3500 tons of asphalt Sealcoating Striping – St. Paul Park and Newport Ash trees - treated 750 Storm ponds - cleaned Utilities Foaming Tree Roots Sewer Cleaning Well 12 punch list Street Light Repairs Water Meter Repairs Fleet Dot Vehicles Preparing trucks and plows for the winter months Engineering Council Comments None Commission Comments None Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 7:20pm.