Public Works Cte Minutes 08-24-1988 • C /�j���t
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Roger J. oswitz, Ch ir
MtNUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
August 24, 1988 - Room 707 City liall
PRESENT: Roger J. Goswitz, Chair
Councilmember Tom Dimond
Councilmember Janice Rettman
OTHERS PRESENT: Gloria B. Mancini, Mary Lou Evans, Roger Evans, James
Krey, Gerald Carufel, Paul St. Martin, Chris Nicosia, John
Saumweber, John McCormwick, Larry Lueth.
1. The minutes of August 10, 1988 were approved as submitted.
2. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For the FLANDRAU/IOAHO AREA STREET
PAVING AND LIGHTING PROJECT. Also, for the Flandrau/Idaho
Supplement.
John Saumweber, Valuation Division, explained a neighborhood meeting
was held on Monday and there seemed to be no problems with the
financing, however, there were a lot of questions and problems with
the construction. Pub�lic Works staff will check the streets to see
• what has to be done.
Larry Lueth, Public Works Department, said he did not attend this
meeting but understands there were a number of concerns. Notations
were made of the problem areas and those concerns are currently
being looked at. In answer to the Chair's question, Mr. Lueth stated
the area east of White Bear is pretty much completed, the area to
the west still has work to be done, and a few streets are just being
started. '
Jerry Carufel, 1701 E. ldaho, said he doesn't go along with the idea
that they have to pay before the work is completed. Some of the
sewers have been torn up again and neighbor's sidewalk hasn't been
� done yet. Mr. Carufel asked why the $14 Million taken from the
sewer funds couldn't be used for these projects. Councilmember
Dimond attempted to explain the difference in the types of bonding
and their appropriate uses. It was explained to Mr. Carufel that
only one-fourth of the total cost is being assessed on these
pro.jects and that if this bonding was not used their assessments
would t�e greatly increased. Also, the reason why they must be
ratified now is to aliow enough time to get them on the tax rolls
for next year. lt was further explained that the assessments can
be spread over a 20-year period.
Mr. Carufel also expressed his concern that the 3 empty lots next to '
• him are being used by the contractor to park his machinery, etc. and
they start in at 6 A.M. every morning which disturbs the neighbors.
He asked if they would use those lots as a commercial area once the
project was done. He was assured that the property would be used
oniy untit the project is completed. � •�
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Bill Delastrada, 1697 E. Montana, said since the sewer was put in •
the alley between Noyt and Montana ttiey have water sitting every
time it rains. There was only one drain before and now there are two
and tf�ey are experiencing more problems. He said he has called
Public Works and the Chair's office and doesn't.get any response.
Larry Lueth stated he would look at this to see what the problem was
and if it is something related to construction work, he would talk
to the consultant or if it is something the maintenance people
should be handling he would work with them. Mr. Delastrada said this
alley should be resurfaced with the proper pitch so it drains to the
drain. Larry Lueth took Mr. Delastrad's name and number and will be
contacting him.
Jim Krey, 1600 E. iowa Avenue, complained about the sloppiness of
the �work. He has two cracks in the curb on corner of Iowa and
Germain and chips in curbings. Wf�en sod was laid the black dirt
used was full of cans, rocks. asphalt chunks, etc. and he thought
the people installing the sod should use more care and not damage
the curbs with their bobcats. There are two trees he fears may
have been damaged because they cut so close to the roots and he is
not sure but one may be dying. Chris Nicosia said he would contact
Tom Carl, Forestry Division, and ask him to stop out and visit with
Mr. Krey. In answer to Mr. Krey's question regarding
policy of repair and/or replacement of damaged curbs Larry Lueth
explained that decision is made on an individual basis. •
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to reconxnend approval was
unanimously carried.
3. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For the construction of a sanitary
sewer in BRADLEY STREET from Whitall Street to 300 feet north of
Whitall Street.
John Saumweber, Valuations Division, said this project was estimated
at $24.00 a front ft. and came in at $17.52. Two property owners
requested the sewer. Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, added
that the reason they petitioned for the sewer is that they were
having problems with their septic system. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
4. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For the RANDOLPH/SNELLING AREA STREET
PAVING AND LIGHTING PROJECT.
John Saumweber, Valuations Division, explained there are 23
property owners effected. Only two streets are involved - Brimhall
from Palace to Jefferson and Palace from Brimhall to Snelling. He -
said he was not sure where they are in the construction process. No '
one appeared. •
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
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• 5. FINAL ORDER: For the construction of a sanitary sewer in CLARK
STREET from Minnehaha Avenue to 250 feet north of Minnehaha Avenue.
Also, construction of sewer service connections.
Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, explained this was initiated
by petition. Cost is estimated at $29.00 front ft. He understands
the property owner on one side of the street is not in favor of this
improvement.
Roger Evans and his wife, 740 Clark Street. then spoke and said they
had petitioned for this improvement because last November their
septic system collapsed. Said he talked to gentleman across the
street and he is in favor of it. The owner of the four vacant lots
is opposed to it but the lots are up for sale. This is an ungraded.
unimproved street and they get no attention. When it rains street
is rutted, no plowing is done, they are being assessed for tree
trimming and street 8 alley maintenance where no alley exists. They
presented pictures of their street and asked when it is scheduled
for street improvement.
Chris Nicosia. Public Works Department, explained the street could
be paved through the sewer separation program, however,, this area is
not scheduled for some time. lt could be done through the NPP
program working through District 5 Comrnunity Council, or by petition
• of property owners and the property owners would be assessed. Mr.
Nicosia suggested that Mr. 8 Mrs. Evans wait until after the meeting
and meet with someone in the Valuations Division to find out for
certain whether or not they are actually being assessed for an
alley.
Councilmember Rettman remarked that the person owning these vacant
lots even though he is opposed to the petition will obviously .
benefit from the improvement, especially if they are up for sale.
It wili actually add to the ability for this person to be able to
sell the property as well as for potentiai development, she said.
Also there is an ordinance on the books requiring that before a
house number can be issued, these improvements have to be made
available. It is for the betterment of the neighborhood and does
add to the value of that property, she added. Further discussion
followed.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
6. RESOLUTION 88-1308 - Authorizing proper City officials to pay JOHN
D. WALL the sum of $96,500 for the purchase of certain real estate
for the work necessary to create ponding area for the
STILLWATER/NOKOMIS STORM SEWER SYSTEM PROJECT. (Referred to -
Committee S/9/68). '
. John Saumweber, Valuations Division, said Mr. Wall originally asked
for $105,000, the City offered $88,000 and they settled for $96,500.
Mr. Wall has agreed on this amount and approval of the City Council
is necessary so Mr. Wall can receive his money. No one appeared. � �
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MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recor�nend approvat was
unanimously carried.
7. RESOLUTION 88-1309 - Authorizing the Director of Public Works to
request a variance from Municipal State Aid Standards to reconstruct
PRIOR AVENUE from Summit Avenue to Marshall Avenue. (Referred to
Committee 8/9/88).
Paul St. Martin, Public Works staff, said this project is proposed
for 1989 as part of the sewer separation program. Prior Avenue is a
MSA route and the reason for the resolution is because it might be
necessary to request a variance for width standards on the street.
When initially negotiating with MnDOT they wanted 44 ft. with
parking on both sides; Public Works contends it should be 40 ft.
' with�parking on both sides. MnDOT has agreed to 40 ft. There will
be a neighborhood meeting, Mr. St. Martin continued, on August 31st.
Final Order will be October llth. If City Council decides width
should be less than 40 ft., we would have to ask for a variance.
This resolution gives Public Works Department permission to ask for
a variance and is being submitted now so we can go pr�oceed with the
variance should it be needed.
Councilmember Rettman asked if any indication had been received from
the neighborhood and Mr. St. Martin said he has heard some talk •
about 40 ft. being too wide. Present width of street is 32 ft.
There also was a concern about loss of trees. The street could be
built 34 ft. wide with parking on one side and no trees would be
lost, he said. Ms. Rettman asked that Councilmember Sonnen be made
aware of this action and Mr. St. Martin said he has had discussion
with Moliy 0'Rourke, her Aide. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
8. RESOLUTION 88-1261 - Authorizing and directing the Director of
Public Works to remove the public stairway in ELIZABETH STREET
adjacent to and west of State Street and that an adequate barrier be
erected at the western access to prevent public travel.
Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, explained this staircase
used to come down from �op of Elizabeth Street to South Robert and
State Street. It has constantly been vandalized and it is too
costly to keep it repaired. The adjacent wall is toppling and it is
aimost impossible to rebuild the stairway without the homeowner
doing something with the wail which would be quite expensive for
him. The stairway south of Morton and King street can be used for
access from State up to Robert. A survey taken by WESCO indicated
only 3 people requested it be left open, he added. .
Councilmember Rettman raised some question about whether District •
Council was aware of this and it was pointed out all District
councils receive a copy of the agendas. The Cliair said he would
request the District Council to give their answer in writing.
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• Councilmember Dimond said he is not opposed to having . stairwa
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removed because shouldn't be using something that is dangerous, but
the City still owns the right-of-way and at some point in future
money may have to be allocated to rebuild it. Mr. Nicosia said if
it is ever rebuilt at some future date it will be replaced with
steel or concrete so it would be a permanent structure.
Councilmember Rettman asked if the stairway was being removed
because it was dangerous or because the owner is not fixing his
wall. Mr. Nicosia said part of problem is because he is not fixing
the wall and in order for that wall to be fixed the City would have
to bring suit against the property owner. It would cost thousands
of dollars to get a contractor in there and make the necessary
repairs and Public Works doesn't feel they are in a position to
force them to do it.
Councilmember Dimond said since it is still our right of way he is
concerned that someone could get killed if this wall were to
collapse. Councilmember Rettman remarked she is not against taking
stairs down but feels only a partial correction is being made when
the wall is not also be corrected. Councilmember Dimond commented
that the City makes people tear down garages and even houses because
they are dangerous and this situation is a lot more dangerous. It
was agreed the liability should be looked at by an inspector before
. it comes back to the Council. Mr. Nicosia said he would contact
Frank Staffenson and have him request a legal opinion from the City
' Attorney's office.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
9. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: Improving the East-WFst alley in Bl��r:k
28, Syndicate #5 Addition (bounded by Sherburne, Charles, Pascal and
Albert. lLaid over from 8/10/88).
This matter had been laid over from last meeting because Mr. Hilary
Haupt had some concerns about the construction of the alley.
Mr. Nicosia submitted a letter from Larry Lueth stating he had
spoken with Mr. Haupt and after investigation of the situation Mr.
Lueth advised Mr. Haupt that he would contact the contractor and
require him to rectify the situation. He was satisified with that
solution. With this understanding, Mr. Nicosia stated, he felt the
assessments could now be ratified. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recornmend approval was
unanimously carried.
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10. RESOLUTION 88-1232 - Amending the 1988 budget by adding $75,000 to
the Financing and Spending Plans for Public Works-Engineering Fund.
(Laid ovei� from 8/10/88).
Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, explained at the last
meeting there was concern expressed about exchanging the money from
this fund for a project that had been discussed earlier.
Councilmember Dimond noted that the project referred to was the
Point Douglas/Burns/Clai intersection which was proposed to be
financed with CIB funds, however, because there was a problem with
the design beiny cl�anged and it had not gone through the process, it
was not OK'd by the CIB Committee. Since the discussion of last
week, Public Wor Department indicates there is money enough in
the � Public Works-Engineering Fund to fund this project as well as
the Point Oouglas/Burns/Clarence pro,ject which has been on the books
for three or four years.
Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, noted the above resolution
is for overtime paid to Public Works staff to do a destination study
and traffic count of Ayd Mili Road which must be done in early
m�rning hours and later in the evening. Money for these two
projects will come from contingent reserve and is money already in
Public Works-Traffic Division budget. No one appeared. •
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recorrxnend approval was
unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned: 10:15 A.M.
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