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Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, August 22, 2008, at
6:30 p.m.
1. Introductions/Roll
Call
Commission
members present: Jan Vanderwall, Ernie Willenbring, Jim DeBenedet, and Joan
Felice; Dwayne Stenlund arrived after roll call
Commission
members absent: none
Staff
present: Deb Bloom, City Engineer
Others
present:
2. Swear in new
member Joan Felice
3. Public
Comments
None
Item
out of order
6. Adjourn
for Geothermal Tour at Skating Center
4. Approval
of June 22, 2008, Meeting Minutes
Member
Vanderwall moved to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2008, meeting of the
Public Works, Environment and Transportation Commission. Member Stenlund
seconded.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Motion
carried
5. Communication
Items
Budget
Impact Memo
Deb Bloom introduced a memo written by Public Works Director Duane Schwartz outlining the
proposed budget by the City Manager. The City Manager’s budget includes a
zero budget increase for 2009 for the items identified in the memo, which
would cause impacts to the scope of the 2009 pavement maintenance program.
Ms. Bloom said while cutting back on maintenance may not be noticeable within
the next two to three years, there will be long-term impacts. Member
Willenbring wondered how many problems would arise in four or five years.
Member Stenlund said once you let it go you never get caught up.
Ms.
Bloom added that the cost of paint also went up so the City will have to cut
back on painting crosswalks and arrows, etc. The energy cost for
streetlights is expected to go up 4% to 5%. Building maintenance costs are
rising as well.
Member
Vanderwall commented that he sees the budget presented as being short-sighted
and said that the Commission needs to make sure the City Council understands
the repercussions of cutting maintenance budgets. Member Vanderwall
suggested the Commission officially comment on a reduction in funding for the
maintenance process. Chair DeBenedet agreed and said he was very alarmed at
the maintenance needing to be cut because of lack of funding. Member
Stenlund also agreed and said once you let something go you can never get it
back. Member Willenbring said we just can’t let the streets go; they have to
be maintained somehow.
Chair
DeBenedet wondered about the schedule and if there was enough time to put an
official recommendation together before the council meeting. Ms. Bloom said
that there is time for public comments at the September 8 council meeting and
that the not-to-exceed levy limit will be set September 15.
Member
Vanderwall moved that the PWETC resolve that the City Council look at a
budget that will allow for the continuation of the maintenance standards that
are currently in place. Chair DeBenedet said we need to maintain the public
infrastructure in the most cost effective manner.
Member
Stenlund asked if budget cuts would affect street sweeping. Ms. Bloom said
street sweeping is part of the storm sewer budget, which is funded from that
utility fund. The budgets being cut are funded from the tax levy.
Member
Stenlund said we need to go back to the last year where maintenance was being
done at the optimum level and ask the City Council to continue funding
successive years at that level plus inflation.
Comprehensive
Plan Update
Chair
DeBenedet updated the Commission on the meeting progress.
Budget
Impact Memo – Revisited
Member
Vanderwall moved to resolve to the City Council as follows: the recent
energy cost increases coupled with levy limits for the next three years have
the potential to impact our ability to maintain public infrastructure. The
Public Works Commission requests that the City Council continue to support
public works programs by increasing funding to ensure that we continue to
maintain our infrastructure at current levels. Member Stenlund seconded.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Motion
carried
7. Pathway
Master Plan
Ms.
Bloom presented information on the Pathway Master Plan Committee process and
went over the final pathway master plan. Commission members made several
suggestions for changes.
Member
Felice moved to recommend to the City Council that they accept the Pathway
Master Plan. Member Stenlund seconded.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Motion
carried
8. Public
Process for Projects
Because
of comments made by a resident at the last meeting regarding Mn/DOT’s
notification process for projects, staff thought it best to present
information on Roseville’s process for projects. Ms. Bloom walked through
the process based on different scenarios.
Ms.
Bloom discussed the events surrounding the Snelling Avenue project, which has
recently caused some concern with residents. Mn/DOT did not notify residents
of the project as they should have. Member Vanderwall said he hoped the new management
of Mn/DOT would ensure that this type of situation didn’t happen again. Ms.
Bloom said she was drafting a letter to Mn/DOT outlining the City’s
expectations of their notification and information meeting procedures. She
said she would copy the Commission on the letter.
9. County
Road C Streetscape Project Review
Ms.
Bloom updated the Commission on the project, specifically addressing the
plantings. All plantings are under warranty with and in the care of the
contractor for two years. There are seven to eight different varieties of
trees, and all of them require different maintenance and have a different
look right now.
10. Agenda for Next Meeting –
September 23, 2008
Utility Rate Presentation by Chris Miller, Finance Director
2009 Public Works Work Plan
2009 Public Works Budget
Public Work Strategic Plan
Additional Cleanup Days
11. Adjournment
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