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, Owen Fuglseth, Teresa Pendleton, Administrator Dana Young

Members Absent

Police Chief Virgil Gustafson

Boulevard Tree Removal Policy

Cheryl Throngard, 18970 Azure Road, was present to complain about a neighbor who had removed trees and bushes within the City right-of-way and had started the project without City permission but had later received permission to remove the trees and brush. She stated that she felt her neighbor should have been fined for initially removing the trees and brush without City permission and that the City should have checked with surrounding neighbors before granting permission to remove the remaining trees and brush.

Paul Skrede explained the City’s use of the boulevard and the maintenance issues the City has with the growth of trees and bushes that extend into the driving surface. Jerry Hudlow stated that the City has had to trim the bushes along that boulevard each year and stated that he is not disappointed that they have finally been removed.

Dana Young apologized for the removal of the trees and bushes and that the City’s principal concern is not with maintaining trees or bushes along the right-of-way because of the many maintenance issues associated with the growth of trees and bushes into the street. He stated that permission was granted to Ms. Throngard’s neighbor because the remaining trees were not concerned significant enough to keep.

Ms. Throngard stated that she is very disappointed that the trees and bushes have been removed, disappointed that her neighbor was not fined, and that the removal has altered the look of the neighborhood significantly.

Gus Karpas noted that her neighbor was not fined because the City granted him permission after he started the project and due to the fact that the City would have granted him permission if he had asked before he started to remove the trees and bush.

Paul Skrede asked Ms. Throngard what she would like to see happen to improve the situation? Ms. Throngard stated that she would like to see the trees and bushes replaced. The Committee thanked Cheryl Throngard for her comments and stated that they will they would not likely recommend the replanting of the bushes due to maintenance concerns, they would look into the possibility of replanting several trees along the boulevard in this area.

Paul Skrede stated that it is difficult to establish a general policy on the removal of boulevard trees and recommended that each request should be looked at on a case by case basis.

Update on Simulated OSHA Inspection

Jerry Hudlow provided a brief update on the progress made in complying with recommendations made in the OSHA Inspection report prepared by SafeAssure on August 29, 2006. He stated that the City is now in compliance with all the safety violations sited in the report. The Committee thanked Jerry for his work in bringing the City into compliance.

The Safety Committee adjourned on a motion by Dana Young, seconded by Paul Skrede. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m.

Installation of Barricades at Walden Beach

Dana Young stated that a request had been received from Alan Dale to install more permanent barricades than the snow fencing at Walden Beach to prevent snowmobiles and other vehicles from crossing the beach during the winter months. Paul Skrede recommended installing the snow fence at Walden Beach with periodic inspections to make sure the fencing is properly in place.

Street Sign on Mtka Blvd at Vine Hill Road

Dana Young stated that Councilmember John Wheaton had recommended the installation of a larger Minnetonka Blvd sign where Minnetonka Blvd turns at Vine Hill Bridge. Paul Skrede suggested relocating the sign to the east side of Minnetonka Blvd to enhance its visibility.

Storm Water Projects

The Committee finalized the design of the gate valve at Amesbury, discussed the progress of cleaning out the culvert on Honeysuckle, and televising the Bay Street, Water Street and Rutledge Avenue storm sewer.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Dana Young, seconded by Jerry Hudlow. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Public Works & Safety Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2007.