Report from Public Works Committee dated March 31, 2015
1.  Consider Options for Addressing Stormwater Drainage Issues in Low Lying, Land Locked Areas: No action taken. This item will be brought back on May 19^th.
2.  Consider the Surface Water Management Plan Update: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee for City Council to approve the Surface Water Management Plan.
3. Consider Use of Sunwood Drive as Official Detour Route During Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Construction: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee for City Council to approve leaving the official detour route along Bunker Lake Boulevard.
4. Business Signage for Armstrong Interchange Detour: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve Alternative #2, City to fabricate and install local business access signs.
5.  Consider Street and Pedestrian Facility Lighting Plans – Center Street and Riverdale Drive:  Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve the Public Works Committee’s preferred lighting system for Center Street including opposing lights between Sunwood Drive and 145^th Avenue, tall street lights at each corner of the intersection of Center Street and 145^th Avenue, and adding a light for the Center Street pedestrian crossing at Ramsey Parkway, and as proposed by staff for Riverdale Drive.
6. Request Installation of Priority Street Light at Nowthen Boulevard and Iodine Street: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve installation of a LED priority street light on the north side of Nowthen Boulevard near Iodine Street to the existing pole.
 

 







 

 

The Public Works Committee held it regular meeting on March 31, 2015 and discussed the following cases:

1.  Consider Options for Addressing Stormwater Drainage Issues in Low Lying, Land Locked Areas: Civil Engineer II Linton reviewed the staff report and identified the 2014 areas of flooding concern.  He identified the wetlands within the City, noting that approximately 20 to 25 percent of the City is wetland.  He identified areas of flooding concern from previous years beginning in 1985 and moving forward to 2011 for comparison purposes.  He explained the staff report focused on three primary areas of concern, and that the staff report lists these in order of priority based on magnitude and severity of property and structure impacts. The Gibbon Street area, rated the highest priority in the staff report, was discussed in detail first.  Civil Engineer II Linton reviewed several potential routes of relief for this land-locked wetland, including relative elevation differences and any easements that existed along the routes.  He discussed that ditch 66 was cleaned a few years prior and that weirs had been installed.  He explained that vegetation management can occur within a wetland but the elevation cannot be changed.  He noted that similar plans are available for discussion along the other two areas addressed within the case, but that residents from Gibbon Street are in attendance. No action taken. This item will be brought back on May 19^th.
2.  Consider the Surface Water Management Plan Update: Civil Engineer II Linton reviewed the staff report and briefly summarized the results of the pipe and pond summary. City Engineer Westby discussed any cost implications related to the updating of the Surface Water Management Plan.  He stated there are no new mandates that will increase costs significantly, but incorporating the Atlas 14 stormwater data will have an impact on future costs as projects will be designed to a higher standard. Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee for City Council to approve the Surface Water Management Plan.
3. Consider Use of Sunwood Drive as Official Detour Route During Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Construction: City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and stated that bids on the Armstrong Interchange project were opened and that construction will likely begin in early May and take one year to complete since Armstrong Boulevard will be closed between Sunwood Drive and Riverdale Drive.  He reviewed the detour plan as bid with the project, which identifies Bunker Lake Boulevard as the official detour route between Armstrong Boulevard and Ramsey Boulevard.  The purpose of this case is to determine if there is interest in requesting that the official detour be changed from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Sunwood Drive.  He explained that usually the County prefers to use County Roads for detours.  He stated that staff asked the County if they would consider changing the detour route and were advised that they might consider such a request if submitted in writing.  He noted that if approved by the County there may be additional conditions, such as a damage claim waiver.  Staff does not have a recommendation as they believe the vast majority of drivers will select their construction detour routes based on needs and preferences and not on signage, and given the low volume of pedestrian traffic crossing Sunwood Drive.  Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee for City Council to approve leaving the official detour route along Bunker Lake Boulevard.
4. Business Signage for Armstrong Interchange Detour: Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and displayed examples of signs used during construction to identify local businesses.  He advised that the banner type sign would have a time limitation, additional cost, and would require additional approval from the Council to be located in the right-of-way.  Public Works Superintendent Riemer confirmed that Alternative #2 the white sign could be made in house and could be produced in one to two days and identified the most effective placement of the business signs. Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve Alternative #2, City to fabricate and install local business access signs.
5.  Consider Street and Pedestrian Facility Lighting Plans – Center Street and Riverdale Drive: City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report, which includes lighting plans for the Center Street and Riverdale Drive projects.  He reviewed the purpose of the lighting improvements and the proposed lighting plans for the Center Street project noting that TOD grant funds are proposed to fund the lighting improvements which will match the lights throughout the COR.  Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve the Public Works Committee’s preferred lighting system for Center Street including opposing lights between Sunwood Drive and 145^th Avenue, tall street lights at each corner of the intersection of Center Street and 145^th Avenue, and adding a light for the Center Street pedestrian crossing at Ramsey Parkway, and as proposed by staff for Riverdale Drive.
6. Request Installation of Priority Street Light at Nowthen Boulevard and Iodine Street:  Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and stated that a streetlight is proposed for the intersection to provide a safety benefit, as there is currently only a pedestrian light.  Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve installation of a LED priority street light on the north side of Nowthen Boulevard near Iodine Street to the existing pole.













 





 

Ratify the recommendations of the Public Works Committee.

Motion to ratify the recommendations of the Public Works Committee.