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Public
Works, Environment and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2007
- Introductions/Roll Call
- Commission members
present: Randy Neprash and Jim DeBenedet
- Commission members absent:
Joel Fischer and Ernie Willenbring
- Staff present:
Duane Schwartz, Public Works Director; Deb Bloom, City Engineer; Pat
Dolan, Facilities Supervisor
- Others present:
None
- As this was Member DeBenedet’s first meeting as chair,
he wanted to set the tone with some comments. He stated he was a
clock-watcher and wanted to keep the meetings moving and be out in a
reasonable amount of time. He also stated he would like to handle each
topic in two or three meetings at the most.
- Public Comments
- Chair DeBenedet announced that new member, Jan
Vanderwall, was appointed by the Council and would be at the April
meeting.
- Chair DeBenedet stated that he and Duane Schwartz had
attended the Rice Street Technical Advisory Committee representing Roseville. He updated the Commission on what had transpired.
- Carol Stellwagen, 3096 Ridgewood Road, stated that she
lives between Snelling and Northwestern College and that she’s
interested in getting the area developed with as much environmental
soundness as possible. She has previously communicated her ideas with
staff and the City Council. She would like the road repaved with
pervious pavement.
- Member Neprash offered some suggestions on resources
for some of her environmental questions and stated that pervious
pavement was not necessary a viable option for roads and that there are
many other options that would accomplish the same goal.
- Deb Bloom said that staff, Rice Creek Watershed and
residents all have the same goals, and they will work together to
achieve them.
- Approval of February 27, 2007, Meeting Minutes
- Tabled until next meeting because of lack of member
attendance
- Communication Items
- The Roseville Area High School Earth Group
Environmental Project was moved to the next meeting for discussion.
- The Grass Lake Water Management Organization survey was
discussed. Results will be presented at the May meeting.
- Roseville Cleanup Day was discussed.
- Storm Water Annual Meeting – Phase II
- Pat Dolan, Facilities Supervisor, presented the annual
report.
- Member Neprash asked how to determine where the
environmentally sensitive areas were. Mr. Schwartz said that we do have
a map showing them.
- Chair DeBenedet asked when the second street sweeping
would occur. Mr. Schwartz said there is a full sweeping now and again
in August, but there is intermittent sweeping during the year, which
depends on the weather or construction projects, etc.
- Chair DeBenedet asked what type of sweeper was used.
Mr. Schwartz said we have mechanical sweepers. Chair DeBenedet said he
had heard that additional sweepings after the spring don’t really have
any benefit.
- Chair DeBenedet said he sat in on the interviews for
the new commission member and that everyone stated storm water was one
of their main concerns.
- Chair DeBenedet asked if the city had a permit for the
maintenance facility. Mr. Schwartz said they weren’t required to have
an industrial permit.
- Member Neprash asked how many sump-manholes the city
has in the system. It was pointed out to him on the report.
- Chair DeBenedet said he had noticed a lot of dead
leaves in the rain gardens on W Owasso Blvd and asked if the leaf
vacuum should be used to clean them out. Mr. Schwartz said it’s never
been done in the past but would be something to think about.
- Member Neprash asked where the commercial hot spots
were. Ms. Bloom said the biggest concern in that area was quantity.
- Member Neprash asked about erosion control at active
construction sites. Ms. Bloom said we now have a permit and an
inspector to monitor compliance.
- Member Neprash asked about the leaf pickup program and
what percentage of households sign up. Mr. Schwartz said that in 2006
approximately 1,600 out of 9,000 single-family residences signed up.
- Member Neprash suggested some kind of advertising to
get people to stop raking their leaves and grass clipping into the street,
maybe a door hanger.
- Final Review of Pesticide Ordinance
- Chair DeBenedet said he had more suggestions regarding
number and spacing of signs. Member Neprash said the City Attorney had
already told them they couldn’t add that wording.
- This item was moved to the next meeting because of lack
of member attendance.
- Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program Grant Application
- Duane Schwartz presented information on this topic.
- County Road C Streetscape
- Deb Bloom presented information on this topic and requested
input from Commission members regarding landscaping. Their suggestions
were:
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To better assist in plant species discussion, staff should
provide pictures from other streetscapes.
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Native grasses should not be considered in small areas of the
streetscape.
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Street trees would provide the greatest impact for the
corridor. The streetscape should include trees wherever feasible.
- Both Chair DeBenedet and Member Neprash said they like
the overall plan a lot. Chair DeBenedet said the more the better where
trees are concerned. Member Neprash agreed.
- Future Agenda Topics for 2007
- Chair DeBenedet suggested getting information on the
Public Works Department budget and the level of service being given.
- Member Neprash said he was interested in better
structuring of the development review process and having a better feel
for how that unfolds. He thought that it might be worth sitting down
with the Planning Commission to smooth out the process.
- Agenda for Next Meeting – April 24, 2007
- Adjournment
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