PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
September 6,
2006
Minutes
The
meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m.
Clm. Paul Skrede, Jon Monson, Public Works Supervisor Jerry Hudlow, Owen Fuglseth, Administrator Dana Young
The Safety Committee meeting was cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.
Drainage Problem at 19155
Highland Avenue (Nina Shepard)
Dana Young described a drainage problem at 19155 Highland Avenue, in which runoff would collect in the driveway and run into the garage. He stated that Nina Shepard proposed to install a new driveway that would drain the water from the garage to the storm drain that is located in her driveway by the street. He stated that the problem is that in order to install the proper grade in the driveway, the storm drain would have to be lowered.
Owen
Fuglseth and Paul Skrede noted that there appears to be enough difference in
elevation between the garage and storm drain to accommodate a new driveway and
to have the driveway drain properly to the storm drain. Dana Young stated that this did not seem to
be the opinion of the City Engineer who felt that there might not be enough
grade to accommodate a new driveway without lowering the storm drain. It was decided to meet with the City Engineer
to review this problem next week.
The Committee reviewed a request from Michael and Karol Zegarac, 3608 Therese Street, to vacate that portion of Highland Drive, which lies west of Therese Street, in order to accommodate an addition to their home. The Committee generally voiced concern about vacating a street in order to permit the construction of an addition without the need to acquire a variance. It was generally felt that the City should retain ownership of this unimproved portion of Highland Drive due to the sewer main underneath this street and to control pedestrian walkway across the street.
Paul Skrede moved to maintain ownership of this portion of Highland Drive and to recommend that the City Council look favorably to the granting of a variance for a reduced setback from an unimproved street. Seconded by Dana Young. Motion carried 5-0.
Dana Young stated that bids have been requested from four contractors for the repair of the Lakeview Avenue storm sewer. He stated that the bids should be received in about a week.
Dana Young stated that the pre-construction meeting for the 2006 Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 13th at 10:00 a.m.
Dana Young stated that the cost estimates for the repair of the bridges would be received on September 15th.
Dana Young stated that the City Engineer reviewed Manor Road and recommended a 3” mill and overlay. He stated that the engineer had estimated the cost at $87,994.50 and further recommended that soil borings and a soil report be prepared prior to any work done on Manor Road. He stated that the soil report would help determine whether there are portions of the street that need subsoil work or new base.
Jon Monson stated that he felt that 2” bituminous wear course would be more appropriate for Manor Road than 3”. Jerry Hudlow agreed and stated that Minnetonka Blvd was only overlaid with 2” bituminous wear course.
Paul Skrede stated that he would not be averse to recommending a soil report if it would provide better information on the condition of the subsoil and provide a better estimate on the cost of the project.
The
Committee resolved to make a decision regarding the soil boring report and the
extent of the improvements to Manor Road once the estimates for the improvement
of the bridges has been received.
Dana Young stated that he had received a request today from Steve Soplzak, 17995 Highland Avenue, for the installation of a crosswalk at Highland & Minnetonka Blvd. The Committee postponed a decision until they could personally review the area and the proximity to the nearest crosswalk.
Paul Skrede reported that the City Council would be discussing a potential reduction to the Parks Department Budget by reducing Contracting Services from $3,650 to $1,500. He stated that the three items that comprise Contracting Services are:
·
Tree trimming & removal - $800
·
Weed removal - $1,650
·
Aquatic weed removal - $1,200
Jon
Monson stated that $800 is not a lot of money to remove trees as the removal of
one large tree can often cost more than $800 all by itself.
Dana
Young stated that weed removal is for contracting for weed removal services at
City Hall and at other parks as needed.
He stated that this request had originated from the Garden Club who
wanted the Village Hall gardens to be better maintained.
Paul
Skrede added that aquatic weed removal had been budgeted to remove excessively
large quantities of aquatic weeds at the city beaches.
Motion
by Paul Skrede to recommend the Council support the
proposed 2007 Parks Contracting Services budget of $3,650 as an adequate amount
necessary to maintain city parks and beaches.
Seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion
carried 5-0.
Jon Monson expressed his concern regarding the recent mowing of some wild flowers along the boulevard on Linwood Lane. He stated that he felt that the mowing was totally unnecessary and advocated that the City should not be involved with mowing along City boulevards and that they should be the responsibility of the property owner. He added that roadside mowing should only be done when there is clearly a threat to the public safety such as the lilacs that are growing too closely to the road at Mark Thompson’s residence.
Jerry
Hudlow agreed that the lilacs did pose a visibility problem but disagreed that
there was any value in not properly mowing the boulevard.
The
discussion concluded with the decision to not mow the wild flowers on Linwood
Lane unless they posed a public safety problem.
Motion to adjourn by Dana Young, seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Public Works & Safety Committee is scheduled for October 4, 2006.