Call Meeting to Order

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

Members Present

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

Safety Committee members Teresa Pendleton, Owen Fuglseth, Police Chief Virgil Gustafson

Members Absent

None

Four-Way Stop Sign at Highland & Leroy (Doak Davis)

Police Chief Gustafson stated that the traffic monitor had been placed near the intersection of Highland & Leroy for about a week and showed that Highland only averages approximately 130 cars per day. He added that the monitor also shows that at least 90% of the vehicles travel at or below the speed limit. He stated that these statistics are an indication that a 4-way stop sign is not justified at this intersection.

Paul Skrede recommended that a letter be sent to Mr. Doak Davis explaining the Committee’s recommendation that a 4-way stop should not be installed at the intersection of Highland & Leroy.

Monthly Accident Reports

There were no accidents to report for the month of April.

Pea Gravel

Teresa Pendleton reported that she had received a complaint from Phil Kellogg and at least a half dozen complaints from other residents regarding the use of pea gravel during snow clearing operations. She stated that the residents were not particularly happy with the substantial amount of cleanup that is needed to remove the gravel from their lawns.

Jerry Hudlow stated that the pea gravel was mixed with the sand and he found it to be very useful for traction and it also cuts down on the amount of sand that is needed. He stated that next year the City would be using treated salt, which will cut down substantially on the need for sand. He stated that Minnetonka has been using treated salt for several years and no longer even uses sand. Dana Young asked if we no longer intend to use pea gravel, should we ask the seal coating contractor to remove the pea gravel this year since we no longer have any need for this material? It was recommended that Dana Young contact Shorewood and Excelsior to see if they would like any excess quantities of pea gravel that would be left over from seal coating.

Other Safety Issues

Police Chief Gustafson stated that a resident plans to hold an estate sale on Parkway and wanted to know if the City would permit parking for the three-day event within the no parking zone along Parkway. Dana Young stated that he had no objections to permitting parking in this restricted area for a special event. Paul Skrede recommended that the resident notify the surrounding neighborhood of his or her intent to hold the three-day event, which would result in parking to be permitted within the no parking zone.

The Safety Committee meeting adjourned on a motion by Teresa Pendleton, seconded by Virgil Gustafson. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.

Prioritization of Storm Water Projects

The Committee reviewed the following list of storm water projects:

· 19860 Lakeview Avenue – Ken & Kathy Zimba, deteriorated water heater shells going from the street to the lake. Possible liner for repair.

· 19960 Bay Street – Three catch basins and water heater shells going south down fire alley to the lake. Street has been collapsing on Cottagewood Avenue near above address. Staff has been filling hole in street with winter mix.

· 19675 Vine Street / Culvert under Road – Road has been collapsing. Staff has been filling hole with winter mix.

· 18050 Honeysuckle Lane / Cul-de-sac – From beehive grate in cul-de-sac to open ravine behind 3840 Fairhomes Road. Water heater shells separating and/or collapsing.

· 18505 Minnetonka Blvd / 3922 Heathcote Road – The line from south of Minnetonka Blvd to the pond on the west side of Heathcote Lane cul-de-sac is badly in need of repair.

· 3430 Crest Avenue – John Nelson, water heater shells starting at Crest Avenue in John’s driveway going south of his house into Lake Louise is beginning to deteriorate causing sunken spots in his yard.

· Rutledge Road Line between Deephaven Avenue & Northome Avenue – The line was jetted out about 2 years ago due to slow flow. The contractor couldn’t make it through this line and stated that they believe the line to be separated or broken due to all the soil that they got out of the line. This line runs about ¼ pipe when Rutledge Road is flooded & sometimes takes 2 days to drain away.

· 3710 Northome Avenue West Down to 3725 Parkway – the line is hot water heater shells and has had numerous sunken spots above it. There is no easement for this line.

· Northern Road / Lakeview Avenue Intersection – Have received numerous complaints regarding the poor drainage at this intersection.

· Shuck Park Storm Grate – The grate is loose and should be sealed with concrete.

· Montgomerie / Hamilton Drainage Correction

· Monaltrie Retention Pond

· Rutledge / Park Avenue Storm Sewer Corridor

· Amesbury Retention Pond

· Deephaven Beach

David Gross, 19700 Lakeview Avenue, was present to discuss drainage problems at and around the intersection of Northern Road and Lakeview Avenue and recommended that the City consider having a hydrological engineer review the area for his or her recommendations. Further discussion was held on the reoccurring drainage problems in this area and the difficulty of developing a year-round solution due to grade issues in neighboring properties, grade problems with Northern Road, the lack of sufficient right-of-way along Lakeview Avenue, and the excessive water level of Lake Minnetonka.

The Committee recommended continuing to proceed with the lining of the storm sewer at 19860 Lakeview Avenue, televising the storm sewer line at 19960 Bay Street & 19675 Vine Street, and conducting a visual inspection of the remaining projects in order to prioritize each project. Dana Young stated that he would like to schedule a visual inspection next week.

2006 Water Truck / Seal Coating Costs

Dana Young stated that the 2006 seal coating bid came in at $113,769.04, approximately $38,769.04 higher than the 2006 budget for this item. The cost overrun was addressed by postponing the purchase of a pickup truck in the amount of $30,000. He stated that Supervisor Jerry Hudlow is recommending that two streets be added to the 2006 seal coating at an additional cost of $5,464.80. The two streets are Ramsey (607 S.Y.) and Manor Road (5,333 S.Y.).

Discussion was held on the overall condition of Manor Road and whether the condition of the road warrants seal coating or some other type of improvement. The Committee recommended inspecting Manor Road before a final determination would be made on the type of improvement needed.

Dana Young stated that the 2006 Capital Improvement Fund included $65,000 for a new water truck and the actual price for a new water truck that included a tank and apparatus is closer to $100,000. Discussion was held on whether to recommend the purchase of a new truck at an estimated cost of $50,000 with a retrofitted tank & pump for an additional $27,749 or to purchase a new water truck for $100,000, which would be $35,000 over budget.

Jerry Hudlow stated that he had received two quotes from Engle and Stepp Manufacturing on the changeover costs to install the existing tank and apparatus on a new truck.

Engle Stepp

Stick Shift with existing tank & apparatus $16,749 $22,900

Automatic transmission with existing tank & apparatus $27,749 $27,900

Paul Skrede stated that the existing tank & apparatus should last another 20 years and the City would be better off by purchasing a new truck for $50,000 and have our existing equipment installed on the new truck. He stated that the total cost of this option would be $77,749 versus $100,000 for a new truck and tank. He stated that any cost above the $65,000 that had been budgeted in the Capital Improvement Fund should be spent equally from the Storm Water Fund and Sewer Fund since the truck is also used by both departments.

Paul Skrede recommended that Jerry Hudlow move forward with the purchase of a new truck with an automatic transmission from state contract. Seconded by Dana Young. Motion carried 4-0.

Further discussion was held on how best to schedule the changeover of the water truck since it might take as long as a month to install the existing tank and apparatus on the new truck.

Other

The Committee authorized Jerry Hudlow to obtain three quotes on a new tractor, flail side arm and mower. The Committee noted that these three items are also scheduled to be purchased this year from the Capital Equipment Fund.

Dana Young stated that had received a request from Harry Peters, who lives at 4315 Wyndhill Circle, that the City should repair the bituminous curb along his portion of the street that has been shaved down during the plowing of this street. The Committee recommended informing Mr. Peters that the City would be willing to repair the bituminous curb but the homeowner would be billed for the cost.

Dana Young stated that he had also received a request from Tyler Middleton, who lives at 4320 Cottonwood Lane, for the City to consider widening Cottonwood by 2-4 feet or so to better accommodate two-way traffic. Dana Young added that Mr. Middleton has also requested that the City consider improving the drainage on Cottonwood by alleviating the ponding of water next to his driveway. Dana Young stated that Mr. Middleton wanted to bring these matters to the City’s attention prior to the seal coating of Cottonwood Lane that is planned later this summer. The Committee recommended reviewing Cottonwood Lane during their review of the storm water projects next week.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Paul Skrede, seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Public Works & Safety Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006