Report from Public Works Committee meeting date July 16, 2013.
1) Consideration of Permitting Fence Encroachments across Private Property Lines: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to change the City policy allowing fences to be extended across property lines.  Full motion/report in case background.
2) Consider Partial Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement at 15069 Helium Street NW:  Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to approve Option 1 - Full motion/report in case background.
3) Approve Plans and Specifications, and Joint Powers Agreement for the Mississippi River Trail: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to approve the plans and specifications and the JPA for the Mississippi River Trail.
4) Cost Estimate for Pedestrian Crosswalk at Alpine Drive and Zirconium Street: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to install standard crosswalk signage 200 feet west of Zirconium Street to include 200 feet of aggregate trail on the north side of Alpine Drive and 225 feet of aggregate trail on the south side of Alpine Drive at a cost of $9,300.
5) Recommend Shelter and Restroom for Riverdale Park – 2013 Capital Improvement: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to approve a not-to-exceed amount of $84,000 from the Park Trust Fund for Riverdale Park’s shelter, restroom, and drinking fountain as presented within the 2013 Capital Improvement Plan.
Committee/Staff Input:  Discuss Request to Mow Portions of an Undeveloped Park – Shawn Acres: ratify the consensus of the Public Works Committee and direct staff to mow the front portions of Shawn Acres Park on as-needed basis.

The Public Works Committee held its regular meeting on July 16, 2013 and discussed the following cases.

5.01. Consideration of Permitting Fence Encroachments across Private Property Lines

City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report, noting the City’s policy requires landowners to install fences a foot or more inside their property line in areas where a potential infrastructure conflict exists. He advised of the City’s current policy and displayed pictures depicting this situation. As a result, within the Ramsey Town Center 10th Addition, fences are staggered along rear property lines to avoid damaging an existing underground storm sewer system, resulting in the unintended consequence of creating remnant strips of land two or more feet in width between rear fence lines in which property owners are not able to easily maintain their properties so there are blight and nuisance issues. It was noted the resident’s request is to extend their side lot line fencing across their rear property line to connect to their neighbor’s fence, thereby allowing a shared common rear fence line that would eliminate the remnant strips of property between fences. Staff’s recommends to change the policy to allow neighbors to extend fences across private property lines to connect to neighbor’s fences contingent on language being added to the building fence permit to ensure that: City infrastructure will be protected during fence construction activities; access to City infrastructure will be maintained on an on-going basis; property owners will not lose property rights as related to adverse possession laws; and, property owners are reminded to obtain permission from neighbors via a written agreement. 

Motion to recommend that the City Council change the City policy allowing fences to be extended across property lines, contingent on the draft (building) fence permit language being reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and subsequently added to all (building) fence permits issued in the future, and to add a requirement for a written agreement between the property owners that is recorded, at the property owner’s expense, for easements that include infrastructure.

5.02: Consider Partial Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement at 15069 Helium Street NW

City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and stated staff, as directed by the Public Works Committee, again contacted the property owner to discuss options. Because the property owners were not responsive, staff visited the site and found the property owner had constructed a retaining wall roughly five feet off the property line; however, the property owners never received formal approval from the City to construct the retaining wall within the existing easement. City Engineer Westby presented four options for the Public Works Committee’s consideration as detailed in the staff report. Staff recommends Option 1, direct staff to meet with the property owners on site to review the wall as constructed to confirm that it was constructed adequately and is located at least five feet off the property line. If staff finds that the wall was constructed adequately and is located at least five feet off the property line, direct staff to take no further action, in which event the City will retain a ten-foot drainage and utility easement along the south property line.

Motion to recommend City Council approve Option 1, direct staff to meet with the property owners on site to review the wall as constructed to confirm that it was constructed adequately and is located at least five feet off the property line. If staff finds that the wall was constructed adequately and is located at least five feet off the property line, direct staff to take no further action, in which event the City will retain a ten-foot drainage and utility easement along the south property line. In addition, the property owner will be required to pay for a building permit and construct the retaining wall to Code standards.

5.03: Approve Plans and Specifications, and Joint Powers Agreement for the Mississippi River Trail

Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and work with other units of government to promote and secure funding for regional trails including the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). He explained the purpose of this case is to approve both the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) and the plans and specifications for the construction of the MRT between Mississippi West Regional Park in Ramsey and Mississippi Community Park in Anoka. He stated the funding for this trail will be apportioned as indicated in the Financial Summary and JPA with Ramsey’s share being funded by the Park Trust Fund that has a present balance at year end 2012 in the amount of approximately $2.6 million. Ramsey’s total costs are anticipated to be about $620,000 and this total will be reduced following reimbursement by Anoka County of $153,000, bringing an amended total project cost to an estimated $467,000. It was noted staff recommends approval of the plans and specifications and the JPA.

Motion to recommend that the City Council approve the plans and specifications and the JPA for the Mississippi River Trail.

5.04: Cost Estimate for Pedestrian Crosswalk at Alpine Drive and Zirconium Street

Public Works Superintendent Riemer noted the Committee had directed staff to look at the option of constructing the trail to the west instead of toward the main entrance to the east. Staff staked a trail on the south side of Alpine leading into the park and terminating near the picnic pavilion and dog park. A crosswalk would still be installed at the point 200 feet west of Zirconium Street and connected by a ten-foot crushed aggregate trail (limited use trail and to reduce cost). The cost for the basic crosswalk and trail with standard crosswalk signage with striping, four ADA approved pedestrian ramps/curb cuts; 50 tons of recycled material; and, labor/equipment to install trail is $9,300. If approved, funding would be from the Public Works Operating Budget.

Motion to recommend that the City Council accept staff recommendation to install standard crosswalk signage 200 feet west of Zirconium Street to include 200 feet of aggregate trail on the north side of Alpine Drive and 225 feet of aggregate trail on the south side of Alpine Drive at a cost of $9,300.

5.05: Recommend Shelter and Restroom for Riverdale Park – 2013 Capital Improvement

Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and past consideration relating to a shelter and restroom for Riverdale Park. In addition, this project had been included in a Federal trail grant application to gain a higher score. He described the appearance of the shelter and presented the recommendation of staff and the Park and Recreation Commission to approve the 2013 Capital Improvement as presented within the budget detail. The cost would be $84,000 and be funded from the Park Trust Fund.

Motion to recommend that the City Council approve a not-to-exceed amount of $84,000 from the Park Trust Fund for Riverdale Park’s shelter, restroom, and drinking fountain as presented within the 2013 Capital Improvement Plan.

6.01: Discuss Request to Mow Portions of an Undeveloped Park – Shawn Acres

Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and described the impact from budget cuts, including reduction of areas to be mowed. He stated Shawn Acres gets little use; however, residents have asked the City to occasionally mow the front portion (near the street) of Shawn Acres Park. If approved, the funding source would be the Park Operating Budget. Staff recommends mowing on an as-needed basis.

The consensus of the Public Works Committee was to recommend that the City Council direct staff to mow the front portions of Shawn Acres Park on as-needed basis.

Staff recommends ratifying the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.