Call Meeting to Order

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m.

Members Present

Clm. Paul Skrede, Jon Monson, Public Works Supervisor Jerry Hudlow, Administrator Dana Young.

Safety Committee members Teresa Pendleton, Police Chief Virgil Gustafson and Doug Lawver were also in attendance.

Members Absent

None

Monthly Accident Reports

Jerry Hudlow stated that he was concerned that a number of firefighters were driving too fast when entering the driveway area of the public works maintenance yard to respond to fire calls. Virgil Gustafson added that a number of firefighters have also been clocked in excess of the posted speed limit when driving to the fire station. Paul Skrede recommended sending Fire Chief Mark DuCharme a memo requesting that the firefighters slow down to at least 10 MPH when entering the driveway to the fire station. Paul Skrede further recommended the purchase and installation of concave mirrors across from the maintenance building next to the driveway to enable public works and police personnel to better view traffic coming down the driveway.

Virgil Gustafson noted that Officer Cory Johnson injured his ribs while at a use of force training session. He stated that Officer Johnson is currently working on restricted duty.

Annual Safety Training Requirements

Dana Young presented the annual safety training requirements for the Public Works Department that is conducted by SafeAssure through their annual contract with the City.

Visibility Problems at Mtka Blvd & Vine Hill Bridge

Jerry Hudlow stated that he felt that the signage along the Vine Hill Bridge was high enough to enable drivers to see traffic heading north across the Vine Hill Bridge. He stated that he felt the visibility problem was largely owing to the fact that drivers were stopping too far into the intersection where their visibility of northbound traffic was hindered by the bridge railing. He stated that if traffic stopped before the stop sign they could see through the bridge railing at oncoming traffic. Teresa Pendleton disagreed and stated that she had problems seeing northbound traffic regardless of where she stopped at the intersection.

Jon Monson suggested installing a stop sign on the northbound lane of Vine Hill Road to help alleviate the visibility problem. Paul Skrede suggested that the bridge railing could be redesigned to provide for better visibility at this intersection. Dana Young stated that he would check with MnDOT and Hennepin County to see if there were different design alternatives for the bridge railing that would provide better visibility.

No Parking Signs around Elementary School

Jerry Hudlow presented a plan on the proposed location of No Parking Signs on both sides of Vine Hill Road next to the Elementary School. His plan proposed to remove a substantial number of the No Parking on Bike Path signs on both sides of Vine Hill Road and install additional No Parking Signs on each side of the Ridgewood Road and Vine Hill Road intersection. Jerry Hudlow stated that the removal of several No Parking signs, particularly those along the school on the west side of Vine Hill Road, would alleviate the Police Department’s concern that these no parking areas were not being enforced. He stated that the addition of the No Parking signs around the intersection of Ridgewood Road and Vine Hill Road would help to improve sight lines for those vehicles exiting from Ridgewood Road onto Vine Hill Road.

The Committee recommended approval of the no parking sign plan on Vine Hill Road next to the Elementary School as proposed by Jerry Hudlow on a motion by Dana Young, seconded by Jon Monson. Motion declared carried 4-0.

Ridgewood Road Stop Sign Requests

Dana Young stated that Harry Peters, 4315 Wyndhill Circle, submitted the following requests with the attempt to slow traffic on Ridgewood Road:

¨ Install 20 MPH speed limit signs on Ridgewood Road

¨ Install stop signs on Ridgewood and Vine Hill Road converting it into a 3-way stop.

¨ Install stop signs on Ridgewood and Eastwood converting it into a 3-way stop.

¨ Relocate the driveway exit at the Elementary School so it is no longer directly across from Ridgewood Road

Dana Young noted that a City cannot lower the speed limit on a public street without first obtaining approval from MnDOT. He suggested that the Police Dept. install the traffic monitor on Ridgewood Road to obtain better information on traffic counts and the speed of vehicles.

Further discussion was held on the possibility of working jointly with the City of Minnetonka to install a three-way stop at the intersection of Eastwood Road and Ridgewood Road. The Committee felt that the installation of additional stop signs at this intersection would help to slow down the significant amount of traffic on this road and would be similar in design to the existing three-way stop further east on Ridgewood Road at Sparrow Road.

The Committee recommended working with the City of Minnetonka on the installation of a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Ridgewood Road and Eastwood Road and to relocate the existing 20 MPH curve sign from the southeast corner of Ridgewood Road to Chickadee Lane on a motion by Paul Skrede, seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion declared carried 4-0.

Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance

Zoning Coordinator Gus Karpas was present to discuss the Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance. He stated that the proposed ordinance is required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as part of the Phase II Permit requirements. Jon Monson stated that the primary purpose of the ordinance is to control or eliminate storm water pollution along with soil erosion and sedimentation within the City. He added that the ordinance establishes standards and specifications for conservation practices and planning activities that minimize storm water pollution, soil erosion and sedimentation. Dana Young stated that these controls on storm water pollution would go into effect for any disturbance of land in excess of one acre.

Paul Skrede asked if there wouldn’t be a way to simply this rather large ordinance by making it more specific to the City of Deephaven. Dana Young stated that Staff could check with other smaller cities to see what type of Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance they have adopted. Paul Skrede further suggested that the ordinance could be simplified even further by stating that any disturbance of land in excess of one acre would have to adhere to those standards adopted by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and any disturbance of land less than one acre would have to adhere to the standards of the City’s Construction Management Ordinance. Gus Karpas stated that he would return to the Public Works Committee next month with a more simplified and customized version of the ordinance.

2005 Seal Coating Engineering Inspection Quotes

Dana Young stated that both Bolton & Menk and Schoell & Madson have stated that they could provide inspection services on the 2005 Seal Coating project at a cost of $60.00 per hour. The Committee recommended contracting with Schoell & Madson to provide inspection services on the 2005 Seal Coating project at a cost not to exceed $1,000.00 on a motion by Dana Young, seconded by Jon Monson. Motion declared carried 4-0.

Pothole Repair Policy

The Committee recommended approval of the Pothole Repair Policy on a motion by Jon Monson, seconded by Paul Skrede. Motion declared carried 4-0.

Wi-Fi System

Dana Young stated that he has been approached by Tom Pokonosky, 20100 Minnetonka Blvd, who expressed an interest in having the City Council purse the installation of a Wi-Fi system in Deephaven.

The Committee reviewed information on the installation of a Wi-Fi high speed internet system in Chaska.

Paul Skrede noted that the City of Chaska has several advantages over Deephaven with the installation of a Wi-Fi system. He noted that Chaska has five times the number of residential homes and also owns the electrical system, which allows the City to have their electrical lineman install the system components on their own utility poles.

Paul Skrede stated that he wouldn’t object to a further discussion of the Wi-Fi system and asked Dana Young to invite Tom Pokonosky to the upcoming Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, April 12^th.

Stormwater Projects / Grants

Dana Young stated that the Committee has discussed the following stormwater projects since last fall:

· Rutledge/Park Avenue Storm Sewer Corridor

· Montgomerie/Hamilton Drainage Correction

· Monaltrie Retention Pond

· Main Beach Erosion

· Amesbury Retention Pond

He stated that engineering services are now needed to determine the potential cost of these projects and to provide recommendations on how to resolve these storm water runoff problems. He stated that these cost estimates and recommendations will serve as the framework for future planning and budgeting efforts. He added that cost estimates are essential for the submission of potential grant applications.

The Committee recommended obtaining engineering services to provide cost estimates and recommendations on the five stormwater projects listed above on a motion by Paul Skrede, seconded by Jon Monson. Motion declared carried 4-0.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Paul Skrede, seconded by Jon Monson. Motion declared carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Public Works & Safety Committee will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2005.