Loading...
Public Works Cte Minutes 03-09-1988 . • � ^y / � � z��� �/ /c�T�`G�`'tr� �yi� ��/`. Ro er J! G witz, Cha��'� RECEIVE� • MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE PRESENT: Roger J. Goswitz, Chair MAR 161988 Councilmember Tom Dimond Councilmember ,Tanice Rettman CITY CLERK OTHERS PRESENT: Jerry Segal, Tom Kuhfeld, Peggy Reichert, Jeff Sheridan, Chris Nicosia, John Maczko, Mary Ann Hecht, Tom Kuhfeld, Mary Miller, A1 Ziemanzeel, Margaret Firmand, Ann Cieslak, Councilmember Jim Scheibel, Council Bob Long. Mr. Goswitz called the meeting to order, asked that Peggy Reichert, from the PED, present an overview of the Shepard Road situation and the questions be held until after the presentation. Peggy Reichert said they have now the draft of the environmental impact statement and they want to give an overview and important information that will be needed. She stated a public meeting will be held April 28 and then a recommendation will be made to full City Council, said they anticipate some new information through the public meeting. She added discussions about Shepard have continued for a long time and it has been a safety problem for a long time, that it is one of the most dangerous roads in the city. She answered that we really need this road and that Shepard is a major access to downtown St. Paul. She noted they have been looking at various aspects like soil flood plan, noise, air quality, historic value and • visual impact, said they have had quite a bit of public involvement including property owners, neighborhood planning commissions, riverfront commission, state legislators and congressmen as well as other federal agencies. Ms. Reichert said in the scoping decision, they came up with a fundamental road design and there will be shoulders, bike and pedestrian paths. She added the city approach will have a multiple objective but the problem is that sometimes these objectives conflict so,ultimately the balance will be a judgment call based on a careful analysis. The real judgment is for the city council. She explained the three routes which were presented and added they all meet the air quality standards. She said right now safety is the biggest problem, that promoting riverfront, �►inimizing noise and enhancing the view are important. She compared the routes as to accessibility, price, bike routes, etc., said that in A-3, they would have to deal with the railroad but city would have the right of eminent domain. She commented that it is always bett�r to keep the traffic moving and that then A-3 would be best. She stated they are dealing with state and federal standards, said nightime standards are not met which is true throughout the metropolitan area. She added that A-1 route would be significantly quieter than A-3. She added that there is somewhat of a compromise with safety of A-1 and A-2 which have to have intersections, that A-3 there are no intersections and more room for pedestrians and bike paths. She said they need more impact from the public hearings. Peggy Reichert showed the models to the Committee and councilmen. She explained, in answer to questions, that the financing would be from a combination of federal • and state aid money and maybe some other source of money. She spoke of the train delays in B-lb and B-2 which could be up to 20 minutes. She spoke of the comparison as far as river view is concerned. She mentioned how existing road exceeds noise standards but said noise hasn't seemed to help pick a route in terms of neighborhood compatability. r - MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE March 9, 1988 • Ms. Reichert said that B-2 route seems to be safer, with better downtown access, better for housing and open space development. Councilman Scheibel stated that it is important that they all keep a very open mind at this time, said there is a lot of balancing to do. He said with the series of ineetings and public hearings, they are going to make a good decision as they all know the importance to the neighborhood, downtown and the city. He added a copy of the Task Force report that he worked with will be available next week. He said this report doesn't reach any conclusion, that it is a good grid with no recommendations but it will provide more information along with what they have heard today. Councilman Dimond agreed with Councilman Scheibel that a lot of good work has been done on this Shepard Road matter by a lot of different people, that there is still information coming in. He added it is important to get it all before them. Ms. Reichert said they thought they should give them some preliminary information, that in about 2� months they will be coming back to the committee. Since there were no questions from the audience, Mr. Goswitz announced they will go on with the agenda. l. Councilmember Janice Rettman moved for approval of the minutes of February 24, . and they were approved. 2. VACATION: Petition of Dale Edward Ailport, Jr. for the vacation of the alley ; in Watson's Division "D" for the purpose of combining into one parcel (bounded by Edgerton, Reaney, Payne and Minnehaha). Jeff Sheridan, attorney representing Dale Edward Ailport, Jr., said the vacation was imposed upon Mr. Ailport as a condition for obtaining a conditional use permit. He said Mr. Ailport was out of business for about six months because he couldn't conduct any business, on account of this, and incurred quite a lot of cost. Mr. Sheridan asked that the Council recommend a modification, that the decision represents a significant hardship on his client. He asked that the order be reduced or eliminated. Councilman Dimond pointed out that it is a policy of the city to charge, that the important part is that this individual did not have a permit to operate in this facility. He added it is improper to change the rules now, that it was part of the agreement, said they should approve the vacation. Mr. Goswitz asked for some comment from staff. Mr. Dick McCann, from Valuations, said the price was like previous ones established by Ramsey County. Councilmember Rettman said she agreed with Mr. Dimond. • Mr. Sheridan asked is there would be a way of facilitating the payment or extending the payment. Mr. McCann said they may want to amend it but that the period is normally 60 days. Mr. Goswitz called for a vote on the resolution. -2- MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE March 9, 1988 • MOTION: By Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was unanimously carried. 3. FINAL ORDER: Improving SHEPARD ROAD FROM Gannon Road to Elway Street by constructing a bituminous overlay and doing all other work necessary and _incidental_to_comQlete said improvement. Chris Nicosia, Public Works, said this is just an overlay from the end of Shepard down to Elway. He added the work will be done this year and done with state dollars. In answer to Mr. Goswitz, he said this project would be accomplished this summer. Tom Kuhfeld, Public Works, explained that the Minnesota DOT had questioned their method, but they feel it is their work and their decision and they will press that with the DOT. He added if it is not a feasible decision, they will so advise the committee. Councilmember Rettman asked if they might be coming back with a budget amendment. Mr. Kuhfeld replied they don't think they are going to have to do that. MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was unanimously carried. 4. RESOLUTION; Amending the 1988 budget by adding $15,900 to the Financing and Spending Plans-�Traffic�, Si�nal, Lig Maintenance Fund. • Mr. John Maczko explained that the purpose is to better monitor, to facilitate management and to determine when things should be purchased and should lead to a lower inventory on hand. MOTION: Councilmember Rettman moved to recommend approval which was carried unanimously. S. RESOLUTION; Amending the 1988 budget by adding $80,950 to the Financing and �n.andine Plans for Public Works--EnQinee Dennis Grittner, Public Works, said this would have been in front of the council in 1987 but during administrative review, they had to wait. He said it has been reviewed by their staff and administration. MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was unanimously carried. 6. RESOLUTION: Approving Ramsey County plans for the construction, reconstruction __or im�rovement of MC KNIGHT ROAD from Lower A�ton Rnad to North Park Dr�ve Chris Nicosia, Public Works, noted that the county wants to do McKnight Road, that it would be on county dollars. MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was unanimously carried. • -3- ... MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE March 9, 1988 • 7. RESOLUTION: Approving the appointments by the Mayor of Charles Cathcart and Mary Alvarado to serve as alternates on the Metropolitan Aircraft Sound Abatement Council, terms to expire August 16, -- ---�----- 1990. Mary Ann Hecht, Councilmember Bob Long's Aide, stated that both persons had� received a notice. She added that they both work and so they contacted her office and asked to be represented by her. She said both individuals have volunteered to participate, that the meetings are in the evening which they could attend. MOTION: by Councilmember Dimond to recommend approval was unanimously carried. 8. RESOLUTION: Rescinding C.F. 87-1165, C.F. 87-1166 and C.F. 87-1167 (adopted August 11, 1987) for the improvement of parts of UPLAND, OAKRIDGE, FIR AND HOWARD STREETS, and directing the Departments of Public Works, Water Utility and Finance & Management Services to discontinue any activities relating to above Council Files until further notified, requesting District 1 Community Council with the Highwood Area community to develop a master development plan for the Highwood area and to report back to Council upon completion of said .P.lan...•-_ .�w .....W..,w_.,.� .............��..... ____.�_____----- Councilman Dimond noted this is strictly an issue of citizen participation. . Tom Kuhfeld, Public Works Department, stated that the council did approve final orders and they began preparing plans, said the council directed that he meet with residents and work out the details. He said he had met with ' residents on a number of occasions, that he was able to get near resolution. Answering Councilmember Dimond's question as to whether there would be any problem occurring if the work were not done this season, Mr. Kuhfeld said he was not aware of any except there are �eoplF who want to build. Councilmember Goswitz asked if there was someone in the audience who would like to speak. He asked them to come up to the microphone. Mary Miller, from First Street, said the residents ask them to rescind, that you look at the whole matter. She added that they are happy to work along with the city and the Public Works Department but want a say in what goes on. She objected to the unions having a say. A1 Zlimen, agent, said he would urge that the resolution be approved. He added that all the people are asked is the opportunity to work with a plan that will be compatible. He said this is a unique area, that the residents should have some say. Councilman Dimond noted that he had understood that Mr. Zlimen was very willing to work with the city and the watershed, etc. Mr. Zlimen replied that the residents have been heard but not listened to. Answering Councilman Dimond, he said he was more than willing to commit his time and resources to the plan. • Mr.� .Goble said he lives slightly south of Highwood, that he would like to speax tor Mr. Dimond's resolution. He added it affirms the whole St. Paul principle in involving the neighborhood in planning, said the -4- 1 r MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE March 9, 1988 • Highway Plan 10 or 12, years ago, pointed out that this planning should be done and this resolution helps to carry out this principle. Margaret Firmand stated the people of Oakridge are not against having the streets improved,but they would like further study so as not to leave the neighbors in turmoil. Ann Cieslak, a community organizer, said the previous plan did not address the different factors, that they would ask the city staff to help with these things. Councilman Dimond said there is a real caring concern in the neighborhood, that Public Works has raised some issues they would like addressed and the neighborhood has raised some issues to be addressed. He added it is important to have a positive attitude to develop a comprehensive plan, that they should not be afraid to take a little extra time to get the citizens' input. There is nothing overriding if they do the work this season or next but it is well worth taking a little extra time in order to do it right. Councilmember Rettman remarked she was on the council when this vote was taken. She reiterated that this neighborhood is unique, citizen participation has been very active and involved in this process. She stated she could not support the rescinding of the resolution, that she is prepared to reidentify the moratorium for the rest of the highway area--a 4-month review period. • Councilman Dimond replied he appreciated her concern. He said the reason for the rescinding is an important psychological one for the community. He added if the council wants to (at a later date) say the community is not acting in good faith, then the council can pass the resolution to have the work done. He stated it is important to have the rescinding at this time so as to work with the community but that council will have the ultimate authority. He added that everybody in good faith is willing to go back to the table, work out a plan and come back to the council with it. He said he thinks it is more important to get it off the table, get the study done and come back to the council. Mr. Kuhfeld said he has the final orders, that this is part of the grading and paving and other work--a part of the overall work. Councilmember Rettman asked if he was recommending deleting if they do not rescind. Mr. Kuhfeld replied that is one of the things they agreed with the neighborhood could be done. Councilmember Rettman suggested that maybe they should just vote on Councilman Dimond's resolution entirely and if it is not passed, maybe vote a different one. Councilman Dimond noted it is much better to send it back and have the community make the recommendation, that it would be better if they had that before them. Mr. Kuhfeld made a final point that anyone who sold property will get out of paying the final assessment, and Councilman Dimond said he was not aware any property has changed hands. Councilman Goswitz noted that they have worked and spent a lot of time on • this particular subject. He announced they would take a vote on Councilman Dimond's resolution. -5- � . -+� MOTION by Councilman Dimond to recommend approval, lost by a vote of 2 to 1. � Councilman Goswitz said he would entertain a substitute motion. Councilmember Rettman read her resolution which has not come to the city council yet. She explained the resolution including the 120-day moratorium period. Councilman Dimond replied he did not think this time is adequate, that it would take a year to accomplish this process, that he did not think they could get it done before the end of the summer. Mr. Kuhfeld replied that there ought to be some sort of time period involved, said a one-year study is not that big a deal. He added there is no way to do it in 1988. Councilmember Rettman brought out that a study was desired before any other construction is done in that area, not to rescind the work already in effect. Councilman Dimond said he thinks it would be unfair to exclude the Oakridge area, that they should be included in the study. He said he did not understand why the study could not be made since the citizens would like it and the council would work with them and that a delay in construction would not make any significant difference. He said there was probably some confusion here with CSO and said it never will have anything to do with CSO. Councilman Goswitz announced they would refer the two resolutions to the full council. Meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m. • � -6-