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Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
1. Introductions/Roll Call
Commission members present: Ernie Willenbring, Joan Felice, Jim DeBenedet, and Jan Vanderwall
Commission members absent: Dwayne Stenlund
Staff present: Duane Schwartz, PW Director, Deb Bloom, City Engineer
Others present: None
2. Public Comments
None
3. Approval of February 24, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Member Vanderwall moved to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2009 meeting of the Public Works, Environment, and Transportation Commission. Member Felice seconded.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Motion carried
4. Communication Items
Rain Garden Workshop
Deb Bloom presented information on the Rain Garden Workshop which is being held on April 29, from 6 to 9 pm at Roseville City Hall Council Chambers. This workshop is to look at all aspects of water-smart landscaping including rain gardens and rain barrels to reduce run off and recycle water.
Cleanup Day
Duane Schwartz reminded about cleanup day which will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dale Street soccer field's parking lot, just south of County Road C and Dale Street. Information is on-line or you can call 651-792-7027 for pricing and other details.
Member DeBenedet asked if this is where people can get rid of stuff they don't need/want and if hazardous is included. Mr. Schwartz said yes, that electronics and large household items are included but no hazardous materials. Member DeBenedet asked if there was a charge for this service. Mr. Schwartz said yes.
Project Updates
Deb Bloom announced the 2009 Contract B is made up of mill and overlay projects, including Roselawn reconstruction. Pavement rehabilitation on the asphalt track at the Oval is scheduled. Finally, there is sanitary sewer being reconstructed along Cleveland which was included in this contract because of issues with the existing pipe because of depth and amount of road that will need to be repaired. Bid opening is at 11 a.m. on April 3, 2009, at Roseville City Hall.
There are two different utility projects. One is a water main on Churchill/Oxford. There is the Fairview pathway project and with a meeting to talk about design. Finally, the Walsh Lake watershed district. We are working on the final design of the rain garden retrofit project in the Midland Hills area. A mailing was sent regarding designing individual rain gardens which will be under construction in July and August.
A Member asked if there were individuals homes involved. Deb Bloom explained that 24 property owners have volunteered to install rain gardens in front of their house. We have applied for a grant through Rice Creek Water Shed District. This will help with the flooding at some intersections and backyards by reducing the amount of water going into the pipe and expanding some existing pond structures in that area.
Duane Schwartz announced the City received notification that the grant application for Safe Routes to School was unsuccessful again.
Member Vanderwall asked about asphalt charges and high prices with budget concerns. Where there curtailments because of the pricing and budgeting under what you wanted to do in terms of the standard maintenances practices you had?
Duane Schwartz said that it will be necessary to reduce the City's sealcoat program by 25%. As far as actual patching and that kind of maintenance, we are going to go back to bid in about three weeks. Currently, the St. Paul Public Works asphalt plant is open and we are able to buy at our January bid prices.
Deb Bloom talked about bid monitoring of other cities. Last season, the bid prices for asphalt had soared to $70 per ton. What we are seeing in adjacent cities bid openings asphalt prices are from $52 to $60. We have a good sized project and will be making decisions as budget allows.
Duane Schwartz said that the service stations in the area are under upward pressure of oil prices. Last fall we entered into a futures type contract for purchase of city fuel beginning April 1. We are locked in for the rest of the year for 75% of our fuel consumption. We are right where we should be because today the market prices exceeded what we are locked into for the rest of the year at a base price of $1.45 + state tax.
Member DeBenedet asked a question regarding the opining of bids on street projects coming up. Are all budgeted for and does a significant percentage comes out of the City general funds?
Duane Schwartz said the mill/overlay projects are funded from the interest bearing street infrastructure fund. Deb Bloom said the State Aid projects are coming from the Municipal State Aid fund and water, storm sewer, and sanitary are coming from enterprise funds. A portion of the Roselawn project is assessed.
Member DeBenedet asked where the seal coating funds came from and Duane answered the general fund. DeBenedet asked if bids came in lower than expected on street paving projects, it would not preempt more money. Duane said that it would not unless the council chose to fund it through the infrastructure fund.
Member DeBenedt asked about a mailing that came from an out-of-state company regarding insurance program on sewer and water services. Deb Bloom explained that a private company. There are inaccuracies in the mailing that say the service in the right of way is the City's responsibility. Member Debenedt asked that a report on this be in the next city newsletter and also get in touch with the company and ask that they send a corrected letter.
Member Vanderwall asked about checking permits issued for sewer work done in order to see the frequency of this happening. Deb said not often.
Member Willenbring asked if research had been done to find out how many gallons per s.y. an average rain garden would soak up. Deb Bloom said it depends on the soil in the area as different soils have different infiltration rates.
5. Highway 36 and Rice Street interchange Design
Member DeBenedt asked how pedestrians and bicycles will be handled. Deb has been meeting with the active Living Ramsey County bicycle group (LRC) which reviewed this last Thursday. There will be 6' sidewalks along each sides of the road. There is also a shoulder for the majority of Rice Street except from Minnesota to Co Road B. The design manual recommends an off street bicycle facility. It was recommended by the group to widen the 6' path to 8' on both sides, especially over the bridge for safety and maintenance purposes. The City will be responsible to maintain these sidewalks. The width and setback of sidewalks is also a concern, also. The desired width is 8'.
Member Vanderwall expressed that because of no driveway access to Rice Street from Capital View, this will be a definite safety hazard. Deb spoke of a turn around in this location. Member Vanderwall explained that school buses will not enter a cul-de-sac less than a ¼ mile long unless there is a handicapped child pickup. He suggested that more standing room for children might help the problem such as constructing a shelter or waiting area.
School bus pickup and emergency vehicle access is a major concern that needs to be dealt with.
The County Road B2 and Rice will have dual lefts, becoming a major intersection. There are 2 public streets that will not have full access. City staff has identified this as a concern.
Changing lane widths is something to be considered. Pedestrian crossings are also a concern.
On April 13 there is a review of these concepts and comments with the City Council and then sent to Ramsey County. Hopes are that it will be taken to City Council next month, finish the environmental review, and then move right into final design with the potential of construction in summer of 2010.
- Update on TH 280 project
Deb Bloom reports that Mn Dot is completing final plans and the bid opening will be May 15. There are two projects to be done this summer. One of them is the Larpenteur Ave bridge replacement as a separate contract by the State with a bid opening at the end of the month.
The Larpenteur Ave interchange is located in Lauderdale with the west side being in the City of Minneapolis . Utility work is being done now. The Broadway intersection to open access to the Minneapolis industrial/business park area. The signal will in place mid-May. The intersection will be reopened as a ¾ intersection. The Hwy 280 part itself will start in September. The Larpenteur portion will not be completed by State Fair.
The City of Roseville has a lift station in this area. This station only serves Paper Calmenson. We are proposing a gravity sewer which connects into the Lauderdale system. Sanitary sewer is being sized for redeveloped Paper Calmenson. Plans are being reviewed by the State. It is going out to bid in May and completed by September.
Member Willenbring asked if costs are shared by adjacent property owners for this sanitary sewer. Deb Bloom explained that the signal elimination severely compromised the lift station maintenance. Because of our easement on the right-of-way, Mn Dot agreed to relocate and pay costs of $350,000. To construct the line and fees associated with the Lauderdale connection.. An easement needs to be negotiated with the property owner which should be at no cost to the City. The frontage road will be completely reconstructed with a permanent barrier.
At the west end of County Road B, a center barrier will be constructed and a portion of the road up to the apartments will be removed. It will appear as a grassy area with knock-down barricades. There will be no berm or pond installed which allows emergency access if needed. Signage will also be installed.
The City needs a 110' diameter turn-around for fire apparatus which would be at the Eustis intersection. Fire and Police agree with these plans. There are no pedestrian crossings as the Larpenteur Ave bridge will have pedestrian crossings. Member Vanderwall requested 30-40' truck turnaround in case of a disabled child needing school bus pickup.
- Update on Twin Lakes Infrastructure Improvements and Storm Water Design
Deb Bloom gave an update on Phase I. The Council approved offer letters for the necessary easements to build Phase I of this project. Final plans that will be available by Friday by WSB for review. Phase I is Mount Ridge round-about and a segment of Twin Lakes Parkway, as well as building a storm water cistern. There was a utility meeting last week to talk about needs in the corridor and a public meeting/open house on February 26. Information is on the City web site.
We need a storm water master plan for the area. We have worked with WSB on the storm water reuse and capturing run off from the road, filtering it with rain gardens within planting areas. We have some areas with petroleum contamination which will need a filtering conveyance system to prevent groundwater contamination.
Member Felice asked where soil borings were taken. Deb explained they were taken along the center line of the road.
Member Vanderwall asked about putting a pond expansion into an area close to soil borings on the east end. Deb Bloom explained that a liner could be put in.
Member Willenbring asked about the location of planned cisterns. Deb explained they are all underground. Water will be coming off the street into rain gardens which will be used to water vegetation and can also be stored in the cistern for use in a dry period.
Member DeBenedt asked if the sediment trap basin is pre-cast or specially made. Duane explained that it is being made by adjusting an existing design. Member DeBenedt also requested that non-compacted soil be used around tree plantings.
Duane Schwartz added that some of the funding could come from the Federal stimulus money if we are successful after an application process.
A Member asked if the cisterns will be able to filter. Deb answered that all water will be filtered before entering the cisterns.
Member Felice asked about the streetscape plantings. Deb explained that all material will be low maintenance, salt tolerant, native species that can grow in a harsh environment. The filtering system has been tested for 10-15 years with no replanting needed. The cistern can also be flushed.
- Environmentally Sensitive Sweeping Areas
Duane Schwartz talked about the current spring cleanup map which is marked to identify areas that historically flow into lakes. The east end of Central Park adjacent to County Rd C needs to be expanded. Sweeping started last week around the lakes and then the rest of the City. The sweep is followed up by cleaning of the sumps and catch basins with the Vac All.
Member Vanderwall asked about Little Canada and Falcon Heights vacuum sweeper rebid process which won't be available until June. Duane Schwartz said that Roseville talked to them about renting and also names of private contractors.
- Commission Members
Member DeBenedt announced that Member Ernie Willenbring has served two full terms with this commission and would be leaving after tonight's meeting. His contributions were acknowledged. Duane Schwartz said that there would be a formal recognition at an April council meeting.
The City Council appointed Steve Gjerdingen to the commission and will be sworn in at the April meeting.
- Agenda for Next Meeting on
- 2008 Annual Public Storm Water Public Meeting
- 2008 Storm Water Report
- City Assessment Policy Discussion
- Adjournment
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