Public Works Cte Minutes 06-29-1988 • M
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• Roge J. Goswitz. air
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
June Z9. 1988 - Room 707 City Hall
PRESENT: Roger J. Goswitz. Chair
Councilmember Tom Dimond
Councilmember Janice Rettman
OTHERS PRESENT: Anne Wetteland, Bob Young, Robert Priefer, Ray Monno,
Kermit McRae, Robert J. Benke. Leon Pearson, Dave Nelson, Ray
Bennett, Dan Dunford, Bart Bevins, Bob Piram, Bruce Hoheisel,
Mary Ann Hecht, Steve Grochala, Kathryn DeSpiegelaere, Stephen
C. Wilson, Natalio Diaz, Karen Swenson, Dave Thune, Elliott
Perkovich, Judith Hollander, Katie Turnbull, Howard Blin, Chris
Nicosia, Dick McCann, John McCormick, Councilmembers James
Scheibel, Kiki Sonnen, Bill Wilson, Jim Zdon, Chuck Towle,
Donna Datsko. Albert LeFebvre, Rick Casper.
1. 7he minutes of June 22. 1988 were approved as submitted.
2. VACATION: Petition of the Housing Redevelopment Authority and the
Port Authority for the vacation of ARUNDEL STREET from Selby Avenue
south to the platted alley in Block 10. Woodland Park. Purpose: To
be used for a parkinq lot.
• Dick McCann, Valuations Division, stated the neighborhood district
is opposed to this vacation. There are no objections from any city
departments or agencies and staff recommends approval.
Councilmember Wilson spoke on behalf of�this vacation and said there
has been a long history associated with the need for parking in this
district. The business people have a large investment in this area
and it is necessary for them to have adequate parking. At one time
the feasibility of constructing a parking ramp was looked at but
because of the investment needed that idea did not proceed. The
question of funding for parking ramps in neighborhoods is still
being looked at. This vacation, he continued, will bring two
parking lots together and provide more parking spaces. There is a
split in the neighborhood on this proposal but it was a close vote.
Oistrict 8 did not support it, and the Heritage Preservation
Commission is opposed. The Fire Department did have problems in the
beginning but plans presented actually gives them more access for
getting to the water than previously and there wili be an
additional fire hydrant provided.
Councilmember Dimond commented the concerns of the neighborhood are
very legitimate concerns as are those of the HPC, but it is
important to note this is reatly an interim solution. Councilmember
Rettman referred to the letter from the Asst. Fire Chief about snow
• removal and asked who would be responsible for that. Jim Zdon, PED.
responded and said the agreement is that the maintenance and
operation of the lots will be with the developers and they have
agreed to remove snow within 24 hours. Further discussion followed.
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MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was •
unanimously carried.
3. FINAL OROER: For the installation of approximately 42 single globe
style decorative lights on both sides of SMITH AVENUE from 50 feet
�orth of Annapolis Street to l00 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.
AND
4. F1NAL ORDER: For the operating costs for the Above Standard Street
Lighting System for the Smith Avenue Neighborhood (NPP)
L i qht i nq Pro,iect No. 2.
Donna Datsko, PED, explained this project was approved last year and
is funded through an NPP grant and the balance through assessments.
This proposal to continue the lighting system that was begun on the
High Bridge was worked out with and has the support of the
Smith/Dodd Business Association.
Councilmember Dimond stated he would not vote to support this
proposal because in his opinion non functional lighting systems
should not be installed. Councilmember Rettman remarked just
because they are decorative it doesn't mean they are non functional.
Albert LeFebvre, 670 So. Smith, said he and a number of other people •
are opposed to this project because there is not justification for
the cost and they feel the lighting on Smith Avenue is adequate.
There are a lot of low income people living there and no way can
they incur another $600 charge, he stated.
Joh� Saumweber, Valuations Division, pointed out assessments can be
spread over a period of 20 years at 9y. interest and these
assessments would probably not be ratified until 1989 or 1990. Mr.
LeFebvre stated he is already being assessed for the sewer system,
plus the $32.00 charge for 10 years and he just cannot handle
another assessment. Donna Datsko pointed out the entire lighting
project is estimated to cost $117,000 and of that amount the city is
picking up $39,000.
Answering Ms. Rettman's question as to whether the District Council
has taken a stand on this Donna Datsko said the NPP was actually
submitted by WESCO in conjunction with the Smith/Dodd Business
Association. It was also pointed out that there were public
informational meetings held in the neighborhood.
Rick Casper, President of the Smith/Dodd Business Association,
explained there was a lot of discussion about this project and at an
informational meeting they sponsored a couple of months ago there
were about 15 residents present and 14 were in favor and one was •
questionable. The business owners were supportive of this also and
were excited about seeing a continuation of the lighting system
which they felt would help attract and bring business to their
community. •
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• Mr. leFebvre remarked that he thought Councilmember Scheibel should
go door knocking and let the people know exactiy what the charge for
a 40 ft. lot wili be. Mr. Casper pointed out the 15 people at the
meeting were residents on the Avenue and they only sent out
literature to the homeowners and people living on the Avenue.
Anne Wetteland, owner of property at 849 Sv. Smith Avenue, was
extremely upset and wanted to know why the lighting system they have
isn't good enough. She is already paying $8100 a year for taxes and
she can't even rent the top part of her building. She said she is
trying to sell the building but no one wants to buy it because the
taxes are too high. Sewer and water rates have gone up 100y.� trash
has gone up 90�., and plus the $300 a year for upkeep is just getting
� to be too much. They already have a problem with lights and windows
being broken and if you add the globe lighting they will be broke
all the time.
Councilmember Rettman commented although she is extremely supportive
of NPP projects she is a little concerned about the lack of a letter
from the District Council and the confiicting reports she is hearing
from the residents. She suggested this matter be laid over to see if
these concerns could be worked out, and to find out just who is in
favor of the project.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to lay this matter over to July 13,
• 1988 was unanimously carried.
5. RESOLUTION 88-949 - Authorizing proper City officials to execute a
three-year lease 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 by Budqet Towinq.
Dave Nelson, Finance Department, explained Budget Towing has
requested a three-year lease of the property under the Earl Street
Bridge to operate their towing operation and storage of vehicles in
conjunction with their towing. The issues raised at City Council
was the dismantling of cars and granting a license for that
operation. A license was granted to the new owner of Budget Towing
providing they would not be able to dismantle any cars there, he
said.
Councilmember Rettman pointed out Mr. Nelson's statement about the
license transfer was incorrect and said that matter had been laid
over and no license has been granted at this point. Mr. Nelson
retracted that statement.
Roy Carlson, Sr., said the previous owner was Foley Construction and
they reneged on their lease and much of the trash, etc. was left by
them. That property is now cleaned up, grass cut and ground raked.
• Several loads of tires have been hauled out, but those in neat piles
are tires for resale. He mentioned there is an area down there
where the public is dumping couches, garbage, etc. and he has called
the Police to kick them out. He suggested 5ome signs and a fence be
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put up to prevent them from driving back there. •
Councilmember Dimond spoke about the efforts being made to upgrade
and improve the East Side and told Mr. Carlson his operation was an
absolute pig sty. Mr. Carlson again said much of the mess in the
area was teft by Foley Construction, his property has been cleaned
up, and those tires piled neatly are for resale. Councilmember
Dimond questioned whether Mr. Carlson has a license to sell tires.
Discussion then followed on just what activities are covered under a
salvage license. It was suggested this matter be laid over for two
weeks and that the License Division and/or Zoning staff be present
to answer questions relating to the licensing of this operation.
MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to lay this item over for two weeks
to July 13, 1988 was unanimously carried.
6. RESOLUTION 88-986 - Amending the 1988, 1987 and 1986 CIB budgets by
increasing and decreasing various Public Works Improvement
Pro_iects.
Dan Dunford, Public Works Department, explained a number of CIB
projects were included to be funded from MSA revenue bonds
contingent upon recommendation from the CIB Committee. Instead of
gong through the process of selling MSA revenue bonds, Public Works
has identified sufficient balances in past projects and another
project that will not have to be financed in 1988 to finance all of •
these projects. This resolution transfers those balances to cover
the cost of those projects so the MSA bonds will not have to be
sold. Answering Councilmember Rettman's question, Mr. Dunford said
these have been reviewed and approved by the CIB cortmittee.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman� to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
7. RESOLUTION 88-987 - Amending the 1988 CIB budget by adding
�184,000 to the STILLWATER/NOKOMIS SEWER PROJECT.
This item should not have appeared on the agenda as it had already
been acted on by the Council. Matter was withdrawn.
8. FINAL ORDER: Sidewalk construction and/or reconstruction at the
followin4 locations:
A. 5-88-21 - East side N. HAMLINE AVENUE from W. Hoyt Avenue to W.
Idaho Avenue (Referred to Committee 6-14)
Tom Keefe, Sidewalk Engineer, explained there will be total
reconstruction in this area and sidewalk will be replaced at 5 ft.
instead of 6 ft. to reduce the cost to property owners. 75% of
sidewalks needed some work. Councilmember Rettman stated her reason
for referring this to Committee was to make sure people had a chance •
to make their choice of 6 ft. or 5 ft. replacement. No one
appeared.
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• MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
B. S-88-35 - West side of BURNQUIST STREET from E. Jessamine Avenue
to E. Marytand Avenue (Referred to Cornnittee 6-16).
Ray Bennett, 1159 Burnquist, said he was appearing in behaif of the
other property owners involved. There has been a lot of discussion,
he said, and his purpose for being at the meeting today was to get
some definite answers.
Tom Keefe, Sidewalk Engineer, said his recortmendation is to do the
entire block at 5 ft wide. This order was originally initiated by a
petition signed by t5 out of 16 people. Mr. Bennett said he would
convey this message to the people and added - we have a beautiful
street aiready and should have sidewalks to go along with it.
MOTION: by Councilmember Rettman to recommend approval was
unanimously carried.
C. 5-88-36 - Both sides E. COTTAGE AVENUE from Kennard Street to
Flandrau Street (Referred to Committee 6-16).
Ray Monno, 1660 E. Cottage, said he was in agreement to have
sidewalks replaced. He suggested rather than replacing some of the
• panels where trees have raised them that they try to do something to
fix them. Tom Keefe stated the Sidewalk Division doesn't have the
equipment to do this and doing this wouid only make matters worse.
This order. he said, was initiated on the basis of 4 complaints
received.
The reason this matter was sent to Cor�riittee, Ms. Rettman said, was
because a petition was presented stating most of the panels marked
for reconstruction were unnecessary and they wanted someone to go
out with them and look at it. After further discussion, Mr. Keefe
said he would review the order and bring it back with his
recorrmendat i on .
MOT10N: by Councilmember Dimond to lay this item over for 2 weeks to
July 13th, so that Sidewalk Division can reinspect and bring
back recommendation was unanimously carried.
0. S-88-44 - West side NOKOMIS AVENUE f�om unimproved E. Geranium to
unimproved E. Maryland Avenue (Referred to Committee 6-16).
Robert Priefer. 2417 Nokomis Avenue, referred to the petition they
had submitted where 12 out of 18 property owners were against this
project. The original complaint was made by a gentleman whose tree
roots have raised the sidewalk, but when he found out what the cost
would be he signed the petition against it. He mentioned he has one
panels that is raised about an inch and would not obJect if that was
• replaced. As far as replacing panels with hairline cracks, he said.
every panel in front of City Hall as well as other places he
listed need replacing. Because several panels need replacing is no
reason to replace them all, he added. •
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Tom Keefe reported this order was initiated by 4 complaints and 4 •
requests for repair all at same address. He further stated that
once they are put on notice of an existing problem it is the city's
responsibility to do something to correct that situation. Mr.
McCormick, City Attorney pointed out that if at some future date
someone trips or falls, the city is liabie if they had failed to act
after being notified. After further discussion, it was suggested
this matter be laid over for two weeks for reinspection and report.
MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to lay this item over for two weeks
for reinspection and report back to the Committee was
unanimously carried.
At this point (10:25 A.M.) a short recess was taken.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS:
9. PRESENTATION: by Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
for complete Hiqhway I-94 renovation.
Councilmembers Sonnen, Scheibel, and Wilson were present for this
discussion.
Dan Dunford, Public Works Department, explained they have been
meeting with representatives of the Department of Transportation
over the last 9 months regarding the reconstruction of I-94 all the •
way from Mounds Boulevard in St. Paul to the Lowry Tunnel in Mpls.
A lot of design and coordinating has been going on to fit each
piece of the puzzte into place. There are 20 different contracts
being let by the Highway Oept. to reconstruct I-94, 13 of those will
be within the City of St. Paul. The normal procedure is that the
Council approves each contract separately; however, by aliowing the
Council to be aware of the total project plan rather than receiving
it on a piece by piece basis, we are hopeful that approval could be
given on the total project thus eliminating a lot of ineetings and
staff's time.
MnDot representatives are here today. he continued, to show you
which projects will be done, the schedule of those projects and
answer any questions you might have. Included in the information
provided you is a Resolution which the Department of Public Works
wili be submitting to the Council in the near future that would
allow this to happen. This does not eliminate bringing up any
specific contract later and provides that any changes made from the
time approval is given until it goes to contract must come back to
the Council for approval.
Councilmember Sonnen said she is interested in learning why the land
under the Sixth Street Bridge is being filled in and the status of
the noise variance. She also said she is uncomfortable in approving
this project in its entirety. Councilmember Rettman expressed the
same views and said she is very upset because the filling being done •
did not have Council approval and she is also upset because they did
not have more written material before them to follow along on what
is being proposed. A lot more information is needed .before any
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� action can be taken, she added.
Some discussion took p)ace on why an E1S wasn't being done on this
project the same as was done on Shepard Road and why the
neighborhoods weren't more involved in the process.
Robert Benke and Kermit McRae made the presentation of the proposed
projects and answered questions of the Committee. Bob Piram, Parks
Department, said they are very concerned about the filling in under
the Sixth Street Bridge and said requests to MnDot for information
needed by Parks Dept. for the trail system has not been provided.
A great deal of discussion followed and Mr. Piram and MnDot people
were asked to get together to try to work out an agreeable solution
by the next meeting on July 13th.
ltem laid over to July 13th meeting.
10. MIDWAY LRT STUDY REVIEW - INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
Presentation by the RTB and RCRRA followed by questions
and answer period.
Presentations by regional agencies:
MTC
Metro Council
Ramsey County Citizen Advisory Committees for the
Midway Study
• The Chair had earlier told the people present for this matter that there
would not be time enough to hear thern today. They were advised that this
item would be scheduled first on the meeting of July 13th.
Meeting adjourned: 12:15 P.M.
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