Call Meeting to Order

The meeting was called to order at 1:36 p.m.

Members Present

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

Safety Committee members Teresa Pendleton, Owen Fuglseth

Members Absent

Jon Monson, Police Chief Virgil Gustafson

Monthly Accident Reports

Jerry Hudlow stated that the Public Work Supervisor’s pickup truck was accidentally hit by the dump truck. He stated that it cost $1,800 to repair the bumper on the pickup truck.

Other Safety Issues

Paul Skrede stated that at the last Council meeting, Mayor Anderson had asked why the public works crew couldn’t plow closer to mailboxes to help residents clear the snow from around the mailboxes. Jerry Hudlow stated that it was very difficult to plow too closely around mailboxes due to the size of the plow trucks that are used during snow plowing operations. He added that he would also be concerned about possibly damaging the mailboxes, some of which were very expensive.

Snow Plowing Policy

Discussion was held regarding the current snow plowing policy that called for a 4 to 1 mixture of sand to salt. Jerry Hudlow stated that he had some interest in applying magnesium chloride to the salt as a way to use less salt and less sand and to more effectively clear snow from City streets. He stated that the City of Minnetonka almost exclusively uses this chemical instead of using a sand and salt mixture. He stated that the treatment allows salt to be used at much lower temperatures than is ordinarily the case (down to 15 degrees below zero) and allows less sand and sand to be used during the plowing season. He added this would also save in the cost of the annual street sweepings that is needed to clean sand from the streets. It was the consensus of the Committee to use magnesium chloride on a trail basis to see how well it worked to clear streets.

Paul Skrede stated that he would also like the crew to consider sealing the floor and walls of the Sand/Salt Shed to prevent the salt from eroding the concrete. Jerry Hudlow stated that he has always been concerned about potential erosion of the concrete and is the reason why he always wanted to have treated lumber installed in the sand/salt storage area. Paul Skrede suggested sealing the Sand/Salt Shed as soon as one of the bins opened up as a way to prevent the erosion of the concrete.

Dana Young moved to adjourn the Public Safety Committee meeting. Seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion carried 4-0. The Public Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Storm Water Project Schedule

Scott Harri and Zac Essig, engineers with Schoell & Madson, were present to present design options on the five separate projects that comprised the 2006 Storm Water Control Project. The proposed design options on Montgomerie & Hamilton, Rutledge & Park Avenue, the Main Beach, Monaltrie Avenue, and Amesbury Pond were reviewed. Following the review, it was decided that the engineers should return at the February 1 Public Works Committee meeting to present refined design options and cost estimates in anticipation of presenting the design options to the City Council at their February 20^th Work Session.

Eastwood Road Project

Dana Young and Paul Skrede provided an update on the 2006 Eastwood Road Project. The City of Minnetonka proposed to reconstruct Eastwood Road in 2006, which included storm water improvements, an expanded street, retaining walls and curb & gutter. The project as currently proposed would impact three Deephaven residents that lived on Eastwood Road. Dana Young added that Minnetonka held a public meeting on the project on November 14^th and on January 9^th and it was clear that a number of residents on Eastwood Road were not interested in the City of Minnetonka proceeding on the project if it included the proposed installation of curb & gutter, retaining walls, tree removal and an expanded street surface. Paul Skrede stated that the Minnetonka City Council would be reviewing their engineer’s recommendations on the preliminary design of Eastwood Road on January 23^rd.

Dana Young stated that he had contacted the Minnetonka City Engineer’s office to discuss the project and to find out the cost of the project that would be attributable to the City of Deephaven. He stated that he was told that the estimate would be provided after the preliminary project costs have been determined.

Padding for the Sliding Hill at Thorpe Park

Dana Young stated that Clm. Crockett had asked public works to provide padding around the ballfield backstop next to the sliding hill to protect kids sliding down the hill. He stated that Ms. Crockett was concerned that hay bales, which were used last year, had been used by kids as ski jumps. Jerry Hudlow stated that he had looked into the cost of purchasing mats used by the school district in their gymnasiums. He stated that the cost of purchasing two 4” mats would cost approximately $530. He stated that his primary concern about using the mats is that he didn’t know how well they would hold up under winter conditions and whether they would be suitable as protective padding. Paul Skrede suggested that hay bales be used as padding and tie them directly to the backstop. He added that they could be covered with a tarp. He stated that connecting the hay bales directly to the backstop would prevent the bales from being misused. The Committee felt that this would be a safer solution than using mats, which are designed for indoor and warm weather use.

2006 Project & Equipment Schedule

The Committee postponed discussion on the 2006 Project & Equipment Schedule until next month.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Dana Young, seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion 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, February 1, 2006.