Public Works Cte Minutes 07-27-1988 f � ~
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Roger J. oswitz, Chair
MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
July 27, 1.988 - Room 707
PRESENT: Roger J. Goswitz, Chair
Councilmember Tom Dimond '
' Councilmember Janice Rettman
OTHERS PRESENT: Kathy Sears Lindblad, Al LeFebvre. Marion Leuschner,
William J. Meehan, Sr., Evelyn Thoemke, George P. Carroll, Karl•
� ohnson, Bruce Hoheisel, Chris Nicosia, John McCormick, John
aumweber, Dick McCann.
1. The minutes of July 13 and July 20, 1968 were approved as submitted.
2. VACATION: Petition of the Port Authority to vacate ELLIS AVENUE .
from Curfew Street to University Avenue. Purpose: Assemble the
ad_ioininq propertv on both sides for redeveloAment.
Dick McCann, Finance Department, explained there are no objections
to this vacation from any departments or agencies. A fee of $500
• for administrative costs is being charged. The purpose of this
vacation is for additional parking. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was
unanimousty carried. ,
3. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: SIDNEY/STATE -ANNAPOLIS/KANSAS AREA
PAVING AND LIGHTING PROJECT.
Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, said this is one of the
street paving and lighting projects on the West Side. Although the
work is not completed, assessments are being ratified at this time
so that the City can start making payments on the bonds. The
purpose of doing this is to keep the interests rates of the bonds to
a minimum. If costs were not put through for another year, the cost
to the property owner would be greater. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
4. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For construction of water service
connections in conjunction with ARCADE/MINNEHAHA AREA STORM SEWER
' PROJECT.
AND
5. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For construction of water service
• connections in conjunction with OTIS AVENUE AREA STORM SEWER
PROJECT.
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6. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For construction of water service
connections in conjunction with MARYLAND/FURNESS/[VY AREA STORM
SEWER PROJECT.
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John Saumweber, Valuations Division, explained Items 4, 5 and 6 are •
all for water service connections installed at the request of these
people at the time the sewer construction was done and they are now
being charged for this service. They were all told what the cost
would be before the work was started. Thomas Ginnaty, 1291 White
Bear Avenue, was under the impression this work had not yet been
done� �nd was concerned about tearing up the street again. It was
explained to him work was already completed. No one else appeared.
� MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval of Items 4, 5
and 6 was unanimously carried.
7. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: EDGERTON/BUSH AREA STORM SEWER
PROJECT.
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8. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: EDGERTON/BUSH AREA STREET PAVING AND
LIGHTING PROJECT.
John Saumweber, Valuations Division, stated this is the same
situation as Item #3 above in that work is not completely finished
but assessments are being ratified to cut down on the interest
costs. The street paving and lighting is at 8�. interest for 20
years and the storm sewer is at 9�.. Valuations Department is not
aware of any problems with these two items. No one appeared.
Councilmember Rettman raised a concern about some areas where work •
is not getting done in a timely fashion and said there are a lot of
angry people out there. She suggested that Public Works come up
with some answers. Chris Nicosia, Public Works, explained they were
having problems with two very large projects. There have been some
delays with NSP because they haven't had enough crews to get in
and do their work. As a result of pressure from the Public Works
Department, more crews have been added and this should help to keep
things on track.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recormnend approvai of Items 7&
8 was unanimously carried.
9. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: SEVENTH PLACE MALL Operation and
Maintenance Costs for January thru December, 1987.
AND
10. FINAL ORDER: SEVENTH PLACE MALL Operation and Maintenance Costs for
1988.
No one appeared on these two issues and there were no questions from
the Committee.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval of Items 9�
l0 was unanimously carried.
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• 11. FINAL ORDER: Sidewalk construction and/or reconstruction at the
following locations:
SS-88-57 - Both sides E. ARLINGTON from Germain St. to Kennard St.;
SS-88-58 - Both sides HOYT AVENUE from White Bear Ave to
N. Hazel;
Tom Keefe, Sidewalk Engineer, said these two orders were based on
complaints and will be patch quilt in character. Staff recommends �
` approval. No one appeared.
SS-88-59 - North side JENKS AVENUE from Arcade St. to
� Mendota St. abutting 992 Arcade St. with Integral Curb.
This �order is a rather unusual situation, Mr. Keefe said. We
require property owners to ma.intain bonding and insurance on trap
doors that are in the sidewaik area. ln this particular case, the
building owner was not in compliance with that insurance posting.
The opening abutting 992 Arcade Street will be eliminated and
covered up. No one appeared.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval of Sidewalk .
Orders SS-88-57, SS-88-58 and SS-8859 was unanimously
carried.
• 12. SS-88-60 - North side ANNAPOLIS ST. from Humboldt Ave. to
Gorman Ave.;
SS-88-61 - Both sides GORMAN AVENUE from Wyoming St. to Annapolis
St.;
SS-88-62 - West side JACKSON ST. from �inth St. to Tenth St.
These are all piecemeal replacements. The Jackson Street issue was
brought to our attention because of pending litigation. Staff
recommends approval of the above.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval of sidewalk
orders SS-88-60, SS-88-61 and SS-88-62 was unanimously
carried.
13. SS-88-63 - Both sides BEECHWOOD AVE. from Fairview Ave. to
Davern St.;
Tom Keefe, Sidewalk Engineer, explained that Councilmember Long had
requested a two-week layover on this item so that he could go out
with the inspector to check these walks.
• MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to lay this item over for two weeks
to August 10, 1988 was unanimously carried.
• 5S-88-64 - Both sides JAMES AVE. from Syndicate St. to Hamline Ave.;
55-88-65 - North side WELLESLEY AVE. from Fairview to Prior Ave.;
Mr. Keefe said staff rtecommends approval of the above two orders.
No one appeared.
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MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval of orders SS-
88-64 and SS-88-65 was unanimously carried. "
14. 'S5-88-66 - Both sides W. HOYT AVE. from Milton St. to
Chatsworth St.;
� SS-88-67 - Both sides W. IOWA AVE. from Victoria St. to Milton St.;
SS-88-68 - East side KENT ST. from Cottage Ave, to Arlington Ave.;
` Mr. Keefe explained the order for Noyt from Milton to Chatsworth is
for both.sides of the entire length and will be reconstructed with 5
ft. walks. Iowa from Victoria to Milton will also be 5 ft. walks.
Kent from Cottage to Arlington did not have sidewalks before. There
are �ialks both north and south of this area. Mr. Woodrow Kerr, 1394
Kent, inquired about doing this and has involved those that would be
effected and they appear to be willing to go along with it. Mr. Kerr
will be at Council meeting if it is necessary, Mr. Keefe added.
MOTION: by Counciimember Rettman to recommend approval of sidewalks
orders SS-88-66, SS-88-67 and SS-88-68 was unanimously
carried.
15. SS-88-69 - North side MIDWAY PARKWAY from Hamline to Bison Ave, at
1349 Midway Parkway only, and •
SS-88-70 - West side OTIS AVE. from Marshall Ave. to Pelham Blvd.
with Integral Curb.
John Saumweber, Valuations, asked that order SS-88-69 be withdrawn
at this time and said a new order would be brought in in September.
Mr. Keefe further explained that the sidewalk was installed without
benefit of a permit by an individual who lives there who happens to
be an attorney. Some of the things he did are in violation of our
specifications and standards and in addition are what I perceive to
be safety hazards. Answering Ms. Rettman's question, Mr. Keefe
said they would order the removal of this work and it would be
replaced by the city according to their specifications. Trees in
the area may become a problem. Curb was also put in without benefit
of a petition, Mr. Keefe said, and curb leans toward the street
instead of toward the property so that when plows come by they could
take off face of curb, it is not standard width and it hasn't been
finished properly. Expansion joints haven't been placed at proper
locations, didn't have benefit of city survey so curb is setting
higher than the sidewalk. Because of this water will drain on to
walk and freeze in winter which means city would have extreme
liability. We will be working with that particular district and
• Parks Department for whatever plan they come up, he added.
Councilmember Sonnen and George Carroll, representing Town 8
Country, want to expand the Otis order between now and the time the •
Final Order is adopted, Mr. Keefe explained, and recortxnended
approving the order with the expansion because it would still fall
within the limits of this order.
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• George Carroll, Town 8� Country Club, said they are not exactl sure
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what is to be done. A large part of their area has no curb at all.
When he saw someone measuring out there he thought the street was
going to be upgraded. Mr. Keefe pointed out Molly 0'Rourke, Ms.
� Sonnen's Aide, is in the process of setting up a meeting between Mr.
� Carr.oll, himself and the District Inspector right out in field so
they •can nail down nuts and bolts of what will be done. He felt
there was a breakdown of what they were going to do and how it fits
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in with Mr. Carroll's plans. '
Councilmember Dimond suggested since there are unanswered questions
it would be better to tay this matter over for two weeks until
everything is worked out. Mr. Carroll said instead of putting in
side�valks and curbs now wait until sewer construction and other work
scheciuted for both ends is done. Further discussion followed.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to lay this matter over for two
weeks to August 10, 1988 was unanimously carried.
16. RESO�UTION - 88-1145 - Authorizing the Director of Public Works to
request a variance from MSA standards to reconstruct LEXINGTON
PARKWAY from Lincoln to University Avenues as proposed widths do not
conform.
• Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, said they anticipate as a
result of neighborhood meetings that some variances may be
requested. There are a couple of churches in this area that may ask
for a variance for parking and th�re may be some road width
variances asked for. Since this project is being funded by MSA
dollars, we will have to get approval from the State. This
resolution gives us permission to ask for the variances if, in fact,
they are needed. Public Works has scheduled this project for next
year's construction and wants to get this approved now so the
project doesn't get delayed. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
17. DISCUSSION: Process by which Preliminary Orders/Final Orders are
sent to the Public Works Cortunittee.
Peter White who was to make this presentation was attending a
seminar therefore, this matter was laid over for two weeks to August
10, 1988.
18. UPDATE REPORT: - Solid Waste Task Force.
Karen Swenson, staff person for the Solid Waste Task Force, gave a
brief expTanation of the reason for establishing the Solid Waste
• Task Force. She said they have been meeting to determine the kind
of policy and activity the city should be looking at to meet the
Ramsey County solid waste and landfill abatement goals. This is a
tough problem complicated by the fact there are so many government
jurisdictions involved and because there have been changes in the
State policy which have created some problems. Additional problems
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will be coming in 1990 because the State has passed a law that grass •
and leaves have to be separated from other waste.
Emphasis has been on residential curbside programs. The Task Force
� up until June has spent most of its time looking at landfill
abatement. Task Force reviewed recycling programs and
made . recommendatons such as public education and building code
changes to facilitate being abie to recycle in apartments and
commercial buildings. They looked at ways to make rental property "
' more tikely to recycle and to make curbside recycling more
convenient. We are moving towards twice a month pickup and possibly
furnishing containers. An intern is working on trying to see how to
increase recycling in areas where volumes are low.
Tas� Force recor�nended adoption of the scavanger ordinance and
agrees recycling should not be mandatory unless the city fails to
meet the goals. Task Force also believes there are a number of
issues considered in setting up mandatory program that are not
resolved as yet. The Task Force also believes there should be a
permanent household hazardous waste program estabtished. This needs
to be done with the county and if we ban hazardous waste before
the program is in place, then we will be creating a problem the same
as tire situation where we do not have a proper place to dispose of
them. without adequate proper place. Task Force also recommends
commercial industriai recycling and Counciiman Scheibel has an •
intern working on a paper recycling program in this building. This
program was formerly in place but discontinued because of storage
space. �
Task Force also believes licensed ha�lers should be required to
offer recycling to their accounts, and that the St. Paul schools
should be encourage to recycle. They suggested there should be more
than one drop off location. The Task Force feels service fee on
property taxes should not be deducted but should be used for other
waste management landfill abatement programs which do need a funding
source. Volume based pricing was also discussed. Composting
possibility was also considered. Other recorr�iendations were to have
the City purchase recyled products, encourage two-sided copying and
encourage both residential and businesses to buy recycled materials.
Task Force considered organized collection but has gotten bogged
down due to things happening in other cities. Task force members
are somewhat reluctant to discuss it. Maplewood is concerned about
the anti trust law for cities if they institute organized collection
and they have stopped their efforts to develop organized coilection.
One hauler has gone to District Court asking for clarification
� on whether they would have any liability. The Task Force has asked
for an extension to October 15th until this matter has been solved.
Some discussion followed.
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� 19. F1NAL ORDER: For the installation of approximatel 42 sin le lobe
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style decorative lights on both sides of SMITH AVENUE from 50 feet
. north of Annapolis Street to 100 feet south of Baker Street (West
side) and 75 feet south of Baker Street (East side) to be known as
the 5M1TH AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (NPP) LIGHTING
PROJECT N0. 2. (Laid over from June 29th)
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20. FINAL ORDER: For the operating costs for the Above Standard Street
Lighting System for the SMITH AVENUE NEIGHBORH000 (NPP) LIGHTING �
' PROJECT N0. 2. __(Laid over from June 29th).
Katy Li.ndblad, PED, exptained what had previously transpired on
this matter and said a meeting was held in the neighborhood and
people were concerned about the high level of assessments. WESCO
and �mith Dodd Association suggested reducing scope to include the 3
block stretch either going south closest to Annapolis or north from
Baker to Sidney. PED came up with some cost estimates on the high
side so people wouldn't be surprised later on. WESCO circulated a
petition on south end and there was overwhelming opposition to any
kind of decorative lighting. One signed in favor, everyone else was
opposed. Mr. Hickok circulated a petition for the north end.
Councilman Rettman informed the committee she had received a call
saying they had no notification of this new plan, and Ms. Lindblad
• answered they are not asking for approvai of the Final Order at this
time but are merely exploring a couple options. Recortxnendations
today would be to go forward with one of these options, redo
everything, and those involved would be renotified.
Bill Hickok, 690 Smith Avenue, said he did the north option survey
which was mostly residential. There is quite a bit of rental
property in this section but his survey was strictly with property
owners. 3l addresses were to be surveyed, of that only 3 were
commercial properties. For those he could not contact, he noted in
the lefthand column of the petition if they were opposed when the
originai petition was taken. 14 of the 28 residential properties
and 2 commercial owners were contacted. The only concern the people
had when shown the figures was the maintenance fee. A lot of people
had the impression this was a monthly instead of a yeariy fee. One
tady at 704 Smith was concerned because she was the only property on
Smith that doesn't have a maple tree on her boulevard.
Councilmember Dimond said he believes when decorative lighting is
put in that the community should pay, but if the lighting were
repiaced with functional but decorative style, then he would agree
the city should pay. Mr. Hickok said he doesn't necessarily agree
' with decorative lighting. Mr. LeFebvre said he thought it would
have been better to have an exact figure of the cost when talking to
the people. One woman commented she was a widow and there are many
• retired people on Smith Avenue. The initial charge she could
probably afford, she said, but the constant assessment she could
not handle as this probably would go up every year.
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Discussion followed on whether to send out two,three or one option, �
� the south end, north end, or the whole project. After further
discussion it was decided to go with just the north option and it
was also suggested this matter be laid over for 3-4 weeks so that
� it can be determined if there is support for this option,
MOT10N: by Councilmember Rettman to lay this matter over to August
31, 1988 was unanimously carried.
21'. ORDINANCE - 88-1136 - Amending Ordinance No. 13543 approved January
31, 1967 by adding BIGELOW LANE southbound from Kiainert Street to
Timberlake Road, and KLAINERT STREET from Ariington Avenue to
Bigelow Lane a one-way streets.
Karl� Johnson, Traffic Division, said this is a formality and is
routine in nature. These changes were requested by PHA and the
residents and will help busing of the children. No one appeared.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
22. RESOLUTION - 88-1158 - Approving revisions to the residential permit
parking area around St. Thomas College by removing restrictions on
the south side of SUMMIT from Fairview to Prior.
Karl Johnson, Traffic Division, explained this resolution is for •
removing restrictions on residential permit parking on south side of
Summit from Fairview to Prior. He said he would tike to propose an
amendment to this resolution by adding both sides of Goodrich
between Finn and Cleveland. Deadline to rernove these permit parking
areas expires August 31st. A petition was received for both areas
and they have met the requirements as far as 60� of property owners
signing the petitions. These people are definitely in agreement,
he added. A woman in the audience said she had initiated the
petition and definitely favors this action.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned: 10:40 A.M.
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