Public Works Cte Minutes 07-13-1988 • Ro er J. Go witz Cha�r
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MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE �•
July 13, 1988 - Room 707 City Hall
PRESENT: Roger J. Goswitz. Chair
Councilperson Tom Dimond
Councilperson Janice Rettman
Councilperson James Scheibel .-�
Councilperson Bob Long
OTHERS PRESENT: Susan Marschalk, Triesta Brown, Dorothy Mann, Judith
Denzer. Reed Denzer, 5teve Wilson, Natalio Diaz. Kathryn DeSpiegelaere,
Katie Turnbull, Elliott Perovich, Bruce Hoheisel, Chris Nicosia, Dan
Dunford, Steve Grochala, Rudy Fadlovich, Dennis Barrett, Scott Heiderich.
John Hardwick, Dick McMillen, Dave Nelson, Peggy Reichert, John Dillery, �
John Finley, Peter White, John Saumweber, John McCormick, Katy Lindblad,
Tom Mogren.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS:
1. 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. - PRESENTATION: Review of Midway Light Rail
Transit (LRT) Studv.
• First speaker was John Finley, Ramsey County Commissioner from
District 3 and Chairman of the Ramsey County Rail Authority. He
gave a brief background of the process used and tisted the six
alternative sites that were considered. The University Midway
Corridor came out as the favorite and tk�e BN southern route came in
second place. he-said. The Committee has not taken a vote as to what
the preferred alignment should be at �his time because they are
waiting for the comment period to end. Presentations were made to
District 12 and 10. both communities recortmended the BN southern
line. He dispiayed cha�ts showing the two proposed lines which
showed the University corridor with 1/4 mile stops and one mile
stops. Included in their study were capital costs, cost of vehicies, -
ridership, etc. Ridership on University is 22,000 per day, the
highest bus ridership in the metropolitan area. Possibly tunneling
under main streets was also considered. In answer to Councilmember
Dimond's question, Mr. Finley said they don't anticipate this being
a high speed system.
He touched on the estimated cost and what it would mean in taxes for
� the property owner and said the County has put together Goals and �
Objectives for the light raii transit system which wouid be made
available to the Council today. The County is concerned about the
, cost and who is going to pay for it as well as who will operate it. �
The consensus is that it shouid not be operated by the County
government but rather a regional government such as MTC who already
• has a bus system operating. The bus feeder system is important to
make the system work and the total system has to be a metropolitan
system.
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It is extremely important that the City of St. Paul be lnvolved 1n •
the system. If Hennepin County builds the system and Ramsey County
doesn't that would be devastating, he said. Hennepin County has
been moving rapidly with light rail, but the County is taking a more
thoughtful and slow approach. He said he doesn't foresee any
Federal monies being available for this proJect. The other part of
any light rail system is economic development through the rail line.
he added.
9:30 - Elliott Perovich, Chairman, Regional Transit Board, was the •�
next speaker and he said in Jan. '85 the decision was made to
designate University Avenue corridor as number 1 priority for light
rail. The main reason was because it is one of the heaviest
travelled corridors with the heaviest ridership. Also I-94 is a
transportation corridor with a high volume congestion. The Midway
corridor is the backbone to any system. As far as the whole� issue
of economic development, he said, you don't build light rail for �
economic purposes but you don't ignore economic development either
because it has a direct impact. Our board stitl has the position
which it took in 1985 to use the University Avenue corridor for
light rail. The City of St. Paul has an important role in whatever
system , is built. He pointed out that the estimated cost of the
corridor does inciude one grade separation at Snelling and that was
always a possibility because of the heavy traffic volume and air
pollution.
Kathie Turnbull, staff person, was listed as the third speaker. She •
stated she was here 3ust to answer any questions.
Natalio Diaz, Metro Council Transportation and Planning, said in the
early 80's University Avenue or the Midway corridor was their
highest priority and they are still of that same opinion.
Ridership is a very important aspect to any system. He mentioned
that there was only 4 minutes-difference in ridership time on either '
the University Avenue line or the BN southern line. University
Avenue is clearly the area with potential for redev.elopment. It is
important for the City of St. Paul to be connected to the Hennepin
rail system, it Ss important to the County and everyone else. He
said he did not think Federal funding should be written off
completely at this time.
Fifth speaker was to have been Steve Keefe, Metro Council Chair,
however, he could not attend today.
John Dittery, MTC. was next speaker. He said he is a student of
light rail and has spent the last 8 years reading and studying
options. The one thing that struck him was the diversity of light .
. rail. He displayed and explained a model using light rail at a
typical intersection such as Snelling which he said took him 3 �
months to build. The Midway Corridor has a great potential for
development, he added. •
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• The next speaker was Rudy Fladovich, representing Ann Copeland,
MCCA, and businessmen along University Avenue. He read a letter into
the record and said the MCCA has taken no formal position, but did
have a number of concerns. He said the business people and members
. of their Association do want to encourage some planning before a
final decision is made.
Triesta Brown. Midway Coalition District I1� spoke next and said
they have no official position, but ask that no decision be �de
until more information is made available to the community residents -
because they have not had enough time to discuss the issue. The
community must be consulted in terms of what the system will do for
the residents of the area, she said. A high speed system would not
serve our needs and we may end up with a system not serving the
people who live on that line but who would have to put up with
problems such as parking on the streets, etc. Those things must be
addressed so the citizens get their money's worth.
Scott Heiderich, Merriam Park Cortxnunity Council, asked to speak,
however, the Chair stated an hour had been allotted for this
discusion and we have already run over that time. He told Mr.
Heidrich he would be heard at the meeting next week.
2. 10:00 - 10:30 A.M. - PRESENTATION: by Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MnDOT) for complete Highway I-94 renovation.
• Dan Dunford, Public Works Department, explained that two weeks ago
the process of reviewing the I-94 renovation was begun. Intent of
the presentation was to provide Council enough information so they
could approve the overall layout. Mr. Benke from MnDot provided
a general description of the project, he continued, and one area of
concern was the filling in over the abandoned railroad tracks under
the Sixth Street Bridge. At the last meeting MnDot was requested to
meet with Parks Department to try to resolve the trail issue in that
vicinity. MnDot did deliver plans to Parks Division and Parks did
design and develop plans of what they feei they need for that trail.
MnDot has not yet received that pian so they are not able to respond
on that issue today, therefore they ask that this issue be laid over
to a future meeting until they receive the plans.
Another concern of the Cortmittee. he said, was that they wanted
more detailed information in their hands so they could review that
work prior to future presentations. Also at the last meeting the
Cor�nittee did not feel comfortable in approving the overall layout.
Therefore, as each contract comes up it will come before you for
fuit review and approval. Mr. Dunford requested that MnDot be
scheduled on the Public Works agenda once a month so each contract
. can be discussed as it comes up.
The remainder of the time today, he continued, is to have MnDot
• discuss the contract soon be awarded. Th1s contrect provides for
traffic to be moved from present west bound and the ma�or effect is
that the ramp from Lafayette Road to eastbound I-94 will be closed
and require traffic to continue on to 7th and then up to Mounds
Boulevard then to I-94. Ramp won't be closed until bridge is open.
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Mr. Dunford then called on Bob Benke, MnDot, to further explain this •
project. He said he came p�epared today to present whichever format
the Committee desired on the East Junction - Mounds Blvd. area. A
short recess was taken so that Mr. Benke could set up the slide
� projector. He then proceeded to explain ,just what is proposed and
�answered questions of the Committee. The next contract, he said,
will involve work on 35-E - 1-94 - or the west junction.
10:50 A.M. - The regular agenda was then taken up.
3. The minutes of July 29, 1988 were approved as submitted. �
4. RATIFICATION OF AWARD OF DAMAGES: Condemning and taking an easement
in the land necessary for slopes. cuts and fills, including right of
removal of lateral support from sub,�ect land or remainder thereof
occasioned by excavations thereof or construction of slopes in the
grading and paving of the following avenue and streets. UPLAND
AVENUE from Burlington Road to Oakridge Street and OAKRIDGE STREET
from approximately 130 feet west of Upland Avenue to Howard Street
and in F1R STREET from Oakridge Street to approximately 500 feet
south of Oakridge Street and in HOWARD STREET from Burlington Road
to aRproximatelv 800 ft. south of BurlinQton-Road.
Peter White, Valuations Division, explained this is a housekeeping
matter in connection with the Upland/Oakridge project which was
approved last summer and then revised earlier thts year. One of the •
things that happen when there is new construction is that the grade
sometimes has to be raised or lowered and that requires going on to
�, private property to do the cutting or filling. The City restores
the property to its original condition. ln this case no damages are
\ being paid because it will be restored. There are 25 properties
that will be encroached on. No one app�ared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recomnend approval was
unanimously carried.
5. RATIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS: For the installation of a sanitary
sewer in FORESTER STREET from Canton Street to Bay Street (Laid over
from June 22nd)
Previous to this item coming up for discussion, Chris Nicosia,
Public Works Department, had met with the three peopie who came to
speak on the Forester issue. He was able to answer any questions
they had and explained to them what would take place so they did not
feel it was necessary to stay. He reported that these people are
happy with the results made in the field test. All homes were
looked at. Their original concern was they didn't want to pay the
. assessments if they weren't abie to get hooked up to the sewer line.
Some of the people, he continued, will qualify for loan in grant
loans through 1010 University and those desiring to do this were put
in touch with 1010. All people are satisfied and are in a hurry to •
get their septic systems disconnected and get hooked up to the
sewer. Public Works recommends that the ratification of assessments
be approved and all peopie have agreed to that.
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• ln answer to Ms. Rettman's question, Mr. Nicosia stated after the
people get an estimate from the contractor they will submit them to
1010 to see if their income levei qualifies them for a loan. It was '
mentioned that if they stay in their homes for 10 years the• loan
does not have to be repaid. It was also pointed out that someone
�from West Seventh Federation is working very ciosely with them
to give them whatever assistance they need.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was
unanimously carried. .
6. FINAL ORDER: Sidewalk construction and/or reconstruction at the
followina locations:
SS-88-36 - Both sides E. COTTAGE AVENUE from Kennard Street to
Flandrau Street (Laid over from June 29th).
and
SS-88-44 - West side NOKOMIS AVENUE from unimproved E. Geranium to
unimproved E. Maryland Avenue (Laid over from June 29th).
Tom Keefe, Sidewalk Engineer. explained that he and Councilman
Goswitz had inspected the Cottage and Nokomis sidewalks and had met
with some of the people affected and they seemed to be satisfied
with what was going to be done. It was his opinion that the people
• signing the petition might have been misled as to just what was
• going to be done. The order for Cottage will be revised to add the
corner of Kennard and Flandrau. Mr. Keefe stated his recommendation
is to go ahead with the two orders as originally issued. No one
appeared.
, In answer to Councilmember Rettman's question, Mr. Keefe said Val
Splichal, the person who submitted the petition, was not at home the
day he and the Chair inspected the sidewalks. He stated that she
would be contacted and advised of what had taken place.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval of Sidewalk
Order SS-88-36 and SS-88-44 was unanimously carried.
SS-88-56 - North side of E. SEVENTH STREET from E. Abutment of E.
Seventh Street Bridge to Maria Avenue and west side of MARIA AVENUE
from E. Seventh Street to approximately 12 feet north of E. Seventh
Street (Referred to Committee June 28th.)
Because this area is a gateway area Mr. Keefe said. Councilmember
Dimond has requested doing some boulevard planting or landscaping,
however, because of the cost involved this needs to be pursued
further. Consideration will be given to redoing the sidewalks from
. Mounds Boulevard to North Street. Mr. Keefe recommended a temporary
blacktop patching of the dangerous spots and then spending some time
looking at the three blocks and getting input from the community
before any decision is made. Mr. Keefe stated he would bring in a
• total package for consideration with some landscaping. Dennis
Barrett, representing Nobles Engineering, was p�esent but did not
speak. �
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MOT10N: by Councilmember Rettman to lay this matter over •
indefinitely was unanimously carried.
7. FINAL ORDER: For the installation of approximately 42 single globe
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 SMITH AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (NPP) LIGHTING
PROJECT N0. 2. (Laid over from June 29th).
and --
8. FINAL OROER: For the operating costs for the Above Standard Street
Lighting System for the SM1TH AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP
� PROGRAM (NPP) LIGHTING PROJECT N0. 2. (Laid over from June 29th)
Katy Lindblad, PED, stated at the last meeting the Cortxnittee had
asked that WESCO sponsor a meeting in the neighborhood. That
meeting was held and 20 people who live on the Avenue attended.
They were very divided on their feelings about this proJect. It
appeared the people weren't opposed to the principle but the cost.
The business association and WESCO are going to explore options
maybe scaling back the pro3ect to cover fewer biocks on the Avenue
so the burden won't be so great. Looking at starting at Baker and
going 3 blocks south or starting at Annapolis and going 3 blocks
north. A petition will be circulated in those areas to see where
they have the greatest support. She asked for a two week layover.
MOTiON: by Councilmember Rettman to lay this matter over for two •
weeks to July 27th was unanimously carried.
9. RESOLUTION 88-949 - Authorizing proper City officials to execute a
� three-year le�se agreement with BUDGET TOWING OF ST. PAUL, INC. from
June 1, 1988 to June 1. 1991 for 7,667 sq. ft. of vacant land under
the Earl Street Bridge for storage of non-toxic and non-combustible
material bv Bud4et Towina (Laid over from June 29th)
and
10. APPLICATION: For transfer of Motor Vehicle Salvage Dealer, Tow Truck
Operator-A and 8 Tow Truck Licenses from Roy R. Carlson, Sr., DBA:
Andi's Towing, Inc. at 846 Earl Street to Roy R. Carlson, Jr., DBA:
BUDGET TOWING. INC.
Dave Nelson, Valuations Division, explained the agreement has been
�evised to prohibit any type of Junk car operation. In other words,
the property will not be used for purchase, sale, exchange, storage,
packaging, disassembly, assembly or handling of used or second hand
materials, including but not limited to scrap iron or other metals,
automobiles, automobile parts, paper, rags, tires and bottles, or
for the keeping or abandonment of Junk.
Councilmember Rettman asked if he had a copy of the new agreement
and also asked if the lease had been changed from a three year lease
to one year. She said she would like to see a clean resolution •
citing things he previously read in addition to what Councilmember
fliinond had passed out. Councilmember Dimond's handout suggested
making this a 1 year lease, no sale of auto parts, repair, or
dismantling on site, must be kept in clean and orderly manner, only
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. temporary storage of motor vehicles that are towed there by Budget
Towing awaiting transfer to another site for final disposition and
no vehicles will be stored over six months.
Ms. Rettman asked if it would be legal to vote on this item without
� corrected resolution and John McCormick, City Attorney, stated
this would be legal as long as the Committee votes on it. She asked
about how the provision that no vehicles be stored over 6 months
would be checked. Some discussion followed on this point. Mr.
Carlson, Jr. pointed out that some cars they pick up for the Police •
have holds on them for more than 6 months. !t was stated these
could be identified and noted as exceptions. Councilmember Dimond
• said he wanted this written in the agreement so if there is any
problem they have something to back it up.
Mr. Hardwick, from Code Enforcement, was asked if these restrictions
would be hard to enforce and he cortmented that in 1983 after
discussing this with Budget Towing, License Inspector and Zoning
Administrator the nature of business according to what M�. Carchedi
said was this was a contractor's shop but in order to insure it
didn't expand into other uses, conditional approval was given for
his operation. Since that time we haven't had any complaints about
his operation but when the license transfer came up we wanted to be
sure these conditions are clearly understood before the transfer
occurs.
• Roy Carlson, Jr. was asked if he agreed to whatever was agreed to by
Roy Carlson, Sr. and he said he would agree to that. Joe Carchedi
said copy of letter dated March 4. 1983 from Wendy Lane did not
include stipulations, but stated the �ity did not want it to become
a junk yard but remain a salvage use. , If applicant is willing to
agree to that, those stipulations can be added to his license. Mr.
Carchedi asked that copy of stipulations be sent down to him so they
could be attached to the license. Mr. Carlson, Jr. said he would
agree.
MOTION: by Counciimember Rettman to recortmend approval of Items 9
and 10, with stipulations being attached was unanimously
carried.
Because Tom Mogren, General Manager of the Water Department, had to be at
another meeting shortly Item #14 was taken as the next item on the
agenda.
14. FINAL ADOPTION 88-827 - An ordinance amending Chapter 87 of the
Legisiative Code pertaining to the Water Code and Water Service
connections (referred from Council on 6-30-88).
Mr. Mogren said he had just received the memo from Councilmember
Dimond regarding the lead service connection program and had several
� comments he wanted to make. Referring to the survey done at the
request of the Council as to what other cities are doing, he said,
to our knowledge none of the cities surveyed had a health related
concern for repiacing connections. Mr. Dimond has compared South
St. Paul with St. Paul because the two are doing CSSP proJects and
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that South St. Paul is replacing all their lead pipes when replacing .
streets. The significant difference, Mr. Mogren, stated is that
South St. Paul is assessing the property owners involved. ,
When the Water Board came to the Council with this proposal, he
� continued, they pointed out it was prudent to replace connections
for people having a problem with their water service or if they were -
dissatisifed with their flow of water through their connections. lf
the property owner has an undersized lead service and is willing to
replace their portion, the Board would repiace the portion in the
public right-of-way. It is a good program and out of the 200 - 300 '
people that have been notified, only 28 (or lOx) of them have
applied to participate. A good number of people called and said
they were satisfied with their level of service, he added.
The important thing to decide, Mr. Mogren said, is does the city
want to take the position whereby they are going to replace all of
these connections and assess it to the property owners. If the
city does choose to go this way, it will take a significant amount
of money to pay out. Mr. Dimond expressed his concern about
standards today maybe not being standards in the future and said he
was concerned about potential problems. He said he was not
suggesting assessing property owners but felt there would be a
substantial savings if this work is done all at once instead of
piecemeal. Another thing when streets and utilities are
reconstructed peopie get aggravated when shortiy after their street
is completed it is cut up and patched for one reason or another. •
� Councilmember Rettman said she is convinced by everything presented
to this body that St. Paul does not have a heaith problem. The Chair
� added that- the purpose of this resolution was that it be on a
voluntary basis so only those people who wanted to improve their
pressure could have it done and not make it mandatory - cost wouid
be horrendous. He said he didn't want to make people pay more in
addition to the street, sewer, curbs. assessments.
Councilmember Dimond talked about spreading the cost throughout the
system, however. Mr. Mogren pointed out it would not be fair to the
homeowner who has aiready paid for theirs to have to share in that
cost and this would mean a major change in policy to do that. ldea
of replacing them is good, he added, but it comes to the point of
where or how much do you want to pass on to the homeowner at one
time. lf this program becomes mandatory it will cut back the amount
of paving work that could be done.
- Chris Nicosia, Public Works Dept., said they have already
experienced streets in town where doing this would have interferred
with ail those systems. To do this wouid increase the cost of our
work, would slow our work down 207:+ we would be able to do less per
year, and we would not be able to keep our 10-year program on track.
He added he did not think it was feasible to lay another charge onto
the property owners, on top of the sidewalks, sewers, and other •
"assessments. Councilmember Dimond commented that the gas companies
are replacing their lines in street to which Mr. Nicosia responded,
their lines are onty 3 ft. deep and are a rather quick process.
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• Councilmember Rettman commented there has been extensive discussion
in Committee and this matter was referred back to Committee because
Counciiperson Wilson wanted to know if the communities compared
had the same amount or lack of lead coming out of their pipes. - She
said. she has heard nothing different and she would move for
approval.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was passed on
• a 2-1 vote, Councilmember Dimond voting "NO".
I1. RESOLUTION 88-1001 - Authorizing proper City officials to execute an '
agreement for consultant engineering services with BRW, Inc. for
traffic management system on SNELLING AVENUE from Lexington Parkway
, to Prior Avenue to correct air qualitv problems.
and
12. RESOLUTION 88-1002 - Authorizing proper City officials to execute an
agreement with the State Department of Transportation which covers
the cost, maintenance and operation of the air quality traffic
ontrol siqnal work on SNELLING AVENUE and Universitv Avenues
Chris Nicosia, Public Works Department, explained these relate to
consultant study of traffic at University and Snelling and traffic
lights. No one appeared.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval of Items 11 8
• 12 was unanimously carried.
13. RESOLUTION 88-1041 - Approving the reappointment by the Mayor of
Raymond Eyler to the Water Board of Commissioners, term to expire
June 22, 1992. �
No one appeared and there was no discussion or objections.
MOTION: by Councilmember - Dimond to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
15. DISCUSSION: Process by which Preliminary Orders/Final Orders are
sent to the Public Works Committee.
and
16. UPDATE REPORT - Solid Waste Task Force.
These two items were laid over for two weeks to July 27th.
17. RESOLUTION: Acquisition for acquiring ponding area at Seventh and
Hazel Streets.
Peter White. Valuations Division, answered Councilmember Dimond's
. question as to whether this was a wet or dry pond and said it is a
dry pond. This matter is coming before the Council tomorrow and he
said he would have the consultant present to answer any questions as
to landscaping, etc. John McCormick, City Attorney, said this
• matter is in court on condemnation and that is the reason it is
being pushed because access is needed immediately to get in with
equipment to prepare ponding site and keep up with construction.
This would move the money in a trust account but the decision on
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what wiil be paid for this property will ultimately end up in court. •
No one appeared.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval . was
unanimously carried.
Meeting ad,�ourned: 11:45 A.M.
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