Motion to elect Council member McGlone as Chairperson of the Public Works Committee for 2011.

 

Motion to elect Council member Elvig as Vice-Chairperson for the Public Works Committee for 2011.

 

Case #5.1A Review Annual Snow Activities

 

Background:

 

Street Supervisor Riemer reviewed this year’s snow activities and procedures.

 

Discussion developed as to whether staff should be doing sidewalks versus the residents doing their own sidewalks and if a policy should be developed.

 

As part of the discussion Director of Public Works/Principal City Engineer Olson wanted to differentiate between trails and sidewalks.

 

Committee direction is for staff to draft a sidewalk maintenance policy and bring it back for discussion in April.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

Case #5.2 Proposal to Retrofits Lighting at Public Works Campus

 

Background:

 

Street Supervisor Riemer reviewed in the staff report that quotes were received for energy efficient lighting at the public works facility.

 

Discussion developed for receiving quotes on LED lighting.

 

The Committee recommended to staff to get quotes on LED lighting and bring back to Public Works.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

Case #5.6 moved to Case #5.3 Consider Request to Purchase a Drainage and Utility Easement at 7319 162nd Lane NW

 

Background:

 

City Engineer Himmer stated Mr. Belschner is present to request the purchase of a drainage and utility easement on his property located at 7319 162nd Lane NW.  As part of the NW sewer and water extension project to serve development proposals at the north end of the City, ditch cleaning was necessary.  In addition to acquiring easements for the utility lines it was Council direction to also secure drainage and utility easements over the existing ditch so that we could adequately maintain it in the future.  Even though state ditch laws would allow the City the right to maintain the ditch, it was Council's feeling that those individuals that have a ditch on their property should be compensated for the inconvenience of potential access and other impacts associated with maintenance.  Mr. Belschner, along with many other residents along the ditch, were sent letters in 2006 requesting consideration to sell the City drainage and utility easements.  Approximately 90% of the impacted property owners consented to the easements, but for those that did not respond state ditch laws were used for the ditch cleaning project.

 

Mr. Belschner is now requesting that the City follow through with the purchase, as there was no sunset date on the correspondence.  There was discussion from the Committee that this project dates back six years and would like to seek the City Attorney’s opinion.

 

Motion to recommend to City Council to deny acquisition of the easement, subject to the City Attorney’s opinion.  It was further discussed that this item should be presented on the regular agenda of the February 8, 2011 City Council meeting, and Mr. Belschner should be contacted.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

5.10 moved to Case 5.4 Consider Plan for Potential Soil Import to the COR

 

City Engineer Himmer reviewed that staff has received a letter from Mr. Peterson of Oakwood Land Development requesting the City's interest in purchasing 50,000 to 80,000 cubic yards if soil.

 

The Committee discussed making a recommendation to the HRA to hire a consultant to develop a mass grading plan; including a plan for distribution of soils so land in the COR could be marketed in sequence where soils would be dropped first. The HRA should also develop a policy or strategy on how to test import soils, what do we do when such potential import sources are discovered, and a process to incorporate into the development and marketing of the COR.  At this time it is too premature to act on this specific request from Oakwood, but we should keep it in the back of our mind and advance the grading analysis as quickly as possible in an effort to possibly take advantage of this potential source in the near future.

 

Motion to recommend to City Council that the HRA consider a proposal from Landform to undertake the mass grading analysis.  This item was considered and approved by the HRA on January 25, 2011.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

5.3 moved to case 5.6 Consider Change Order of IP08-34 151st Avenue, 152nd Avenue and Fluorine Street Improvements

 

Background

 

This was brought to City Council on January 25, 2011 as a consent item.

 

5.4. Consider Priority Street Lighting along County Road 116 (Bunker Lake Boulevard)

 

City Engineer Himmer reviewed the staff report and staff is recommending moving forward with proposals for lights at Town Center Drive and Bunker Lave Boulevard and Zeolite Street and Bunker Lake Boulevard at a cost of $7,600.

 

Motion to recommend City Council approve installation of priority street light at Bunker Lake Boulevard north of the COR and Bunker Lake Boulevard and Zeolite Street.

 

Consensus is to wait until the ground thaws for installation.  Staff has requested revised proposals from Connexus based upon this direction and is anticipating a spring installation, is ratified by the Council.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

5.5 Review of Potential Pond Cleaning Project near 155th Lane NW and Armstrong Boulevard

 

City Engineer Himmer reviewed in the staff report that a resident at 8070 155th Lane contacted City staff to express concern related to the water levels dropping over the years in the stormwater pond located in their backyard.

 

The consensus of the Committee was to have staff instruct the resident on the City's petition process for public improvements, and have them perform the leg work to see if there is consensus in the neighborhood on the need for such a project.

 

Action:

 

No action taken, for discussion only.

 

5.7 Consider Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Grant for Wellhead Protection Implementation

 

Background:

 

This was brought to City Council on January 25, 2011 as a separate case.

 

Action:

 

5.8. Consider Offer to Purchase a Drainage & Utility Easement for the Chameleon Street NW Paving Project

 

Background:

 

City Engineer Himmer reviewed the staff report and requested consideration to acquire an easement that would assist in making the necessary drainage improvements associated with City project 10-25; the bituminous paving of Chameleon Street NW.  Drainage improvements were outlined in the feasibility study for the project and the impacted resident made an offer to the City in an amount consistent with other similar acquisitions, therefore it was staff's recommendation to accept the offer.

 

Motion to recommend to City Council the acquisition of the drainage and utility easement across the property located at 17331 Chameleon Street in the amount of $1500 and staff conduct the necessary field surveys to prepare the easement legal descriptions.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

5.9 Consider Request for the Installation of a 4-Way Stop at the Intersection of Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive

 

Background:

 

City Engineer Himmer reviewed in the staff report a survey was posted on a local resident’s blog site as to whether a 4-way stop should be installed at the intersection of Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive and staff is asking if we want to ask Anoka County to do this.  Accident history data was reviewed and it was discussed whether the intersection would meet any thresholds for modifications.

 

Based upon discussions, and taking into account the planned Armstrong/Bunker improvement project, the Committee motioned to recommend to the City Council that staff work with Anoka County to consider options to enhance the safety of Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive intersection during the trail construction component to the project.

 

Action:

 

Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

 

5.11 Consider Award of a Contract for Engineering Services to Perform the City's Required Annual Bridge Inspections and Reporting.

 

Background:

 

This was brought to City Council on January 25, 2011 as a separate case.

 

COMMITTEE INPUT

 

None