The Public Works Committee held its regular meeting on May 20th, 2014 and discussed the following cases:

1. Review Feasibility Report Updates for Andrie Street Reconstruction:    Staff stated they were directed to bring the reconstruction costs up to date without a five-foot sidewalk and to explore costs for widening the street and adding an on-road bike lane. The staff report contains cost estimates based on a 36-foot road width with on-road bike lane compared to a 32-foot road width plus a sidewalk.  City Engineer Westby stated there are no MSA funds available for this project so if moved forward, special assessments could come into play, which would delay the process beyond construction in 2014.  It was noted the franchise fee option remains under consideration and it had originally been considered to assess the equivalent of an overlay cost of $1,700 per parcel.  Staff requested direction whether staff should double check and verify the estimated costs for discussion at the June 17, 2014, Public Works Committee meeting. Motion to ratify the consensus of the Public Works Committee for no sidewalk and for staff to focus on a 36-foot street width with an on-road bicycle lane.

2. Consider Developing a Draft Special Assessment Policy: City Engineer Westby presented the staff report and described the alternatives for assessing as detailed in the sample policy, noting it is a good starting point.  He then referenced the Special Assessments Guide developed and distributed by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) that defined special assessments, addresses a City’s authority to levy special assessments for certain improvements, the process that must be followed, and other relevant information and website links that would aid in developing an Assessment Policy for Ramsey. Motion to ratify the consensus of the Public Works Committee to direct staff to draft a Special Assessment Policy that clearly defines how special assessments are to be levied against properties benefiting from various types of improvement projects for consideration at the July 15, 2014 meeting.

3. Consider Speed Zone Study Recommendation for Green Valley Road: Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and advised of a resident e-mail expressing concern with the speed limit on Green Valley Road/County Road 63 between Nowthen Boulevard and Highway 47.  The resident is asking that the speed limit be lowered from the current 55 mph to 40-45 mph because of the presence of pedestrians and pets.  Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the number of accidents in this area.  He explained that the current 55 mph speed limit on this section of Green Valley Road is a statutory speed limit based on the Basic Speed Law so the speed limit can only be changed through the provisions that are provided by that Law.  He reviewed language within the “Traffic Control Modification Policy” and staff’s recommendation that this Policy be followed that requires a petition from five property owners or residents in the affected area before sending the Speed Zone Study forward to Anoka County.  This is an Anoka County road; however, the City enforces the speed limit.  Motion to ratify the majority consensus of the Public Works Committee to require that the Traffic Control Modification Policy be followed and require a petition from five property owners or residents in the affected area before sending the Speed Zone Study forward to Anoka County.

4. Consider Crosswalk Installation Cost and Options 
 Public Works Superintendent Riemer displayed pictures and described three options for crosswalk signs equipped with flashing lights as detailed in the staff report.  He presented costs for each option, noting the flashing lights would alert motorists of the approaching crosswalk.  Public Works Superintendent Riemer recommended using the pedestrian activated crosswalk system if it is the Public Works Committee’s intent to install lighting systems at select crosswalk locations.  This recommendation is based on the reasoning that if the motorist continually sees the flashing lights, but never encounters pedestrians in the crosswalk, the effectiveness of the flashing lights will be lost.  He also recommended that this type of sign, if approved, be used consistently throughout Ramsey. Ratify the consensus of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve the use of a pedestrian activated crosswalk system at select crosswalk locations and for staff to draft a policy that includes parameters where flashing pedestrian crossing signs will be used.

COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT
 
1.    Update on Center Street – Sunwood Drive to Ramsey Parkway
 
City Engineer Westby provided an update on the construction of Center Street between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Parkway.  He noted the City had received a development grant in the amount of $650,369 through the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program to design and construct the segment of Center Street between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Parkway East.  He advised that the grant requires this construction to be completed by April 30, 2015, so staff is drafting an RFP to move this project forward.  The project would be bid in August; construction would start right after Happy Days; and, construction would be completed in the fall.
 
2.    Other
 
Mayor Strommen reported the Governor signed the bonding bill that contained Highway 10 funding so now it is a matter of working with Mn/DOT on the final amount.
 
Mayor Strommen stated the League of Minnesota Cities magazine includes a brief article about franchise fees.  She stated it contains some basic information and asked staff to provide copies for the Council’s review.
 
Mayor Strommen raised concerns related to the Sunwood Drive and County Road 5 intersection.  She stated County Road 5 is a steady stream of traffic, making it very difficult for turning movements from Sunwood Drive.  Because of that, traffic stacks up.  She asked staff to look at that intersection with Anoka County to determine if better intersection control is warranted.
 
Councilmember Riley asked for an update on the Riverdale Drive Extension project.
 
City Engineer Westby stated Mn/DOT is reviewing the plans but not yet approved them.  Staff is in daily contact with Mn/DOT and once the information is compiled, staff will meet with them to come to agreement on plan sheets that need to be revised.  That will be followed shortly by Mn/DOT approval.  City Engineer Westby stated Mn/DOT is aware of the grant deadlines and the ads have to be placed by next Friday in order for the project to be let by the end of June, which is the deadline relayed to staff by the MnDOT Cooperative Agreements Engineer.  He stated he is optimistic that the deadline will be met.