HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspAgen_08Apr02Falcon Heights City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave Falcon Heights MN 55113 Workshop Agenda April 2, 2008 6:30 p.m. 1) 2008 Infrastructure Repairs 2) Larpenteur Avenue
Streetscape RFP 3) Banner Designs ?????????
WKSP 1 4/2/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Tim Pittman, Director of Parks and Public Works Re: 2008 Infrastructure Repairs Explanation:
The public works department has established a comprehensive repair and maintenance plan for our city’s infrastructure. Key areas we will be focusing on this year include: SidewalksThe
city recently enlisted the help of Roseville’s engineering department to evaluate our entire city sidewalk system. Based on their inspections, a total of 688 sidewalk panels were found
to be in need of replacement. Traditionally, the city has taken on the responsibility of these repairs. Public works staff has come up with a four-year plan where we will remove and
replace these panels in-house, saving thousands of dollars over the four-year project. The 2008 Capital Improvements Plan includes $5,000 for sidewalk repairs, which will allow the city
to replace about ¼ of the panels each of the next four years. Sanitary SewerIn 2007, the city televised the entire sanitary sewer system to search for problem areas such as root invasion
and broken lines. Staff has reviewed the tapes provided by the contractor, and has determined the following: 19,722 lineal feet of pipe where chemical root treatment is needed 309 lineal
feet of pipe where lining of the pipe is needed 160 lineal feet of pipe where reconstruction is needed The 2008 CIP includes $10,000 for chemical root treatment. This will allow us to
treat approximately 6,300 lineal feet of pipe this year. $23,200 is also budgeted for sanitary sewer repairs, which will be used to address the highest priority areas where cracks and
sags could potentially create larger problems. Much of this work will be done by the public works staff with the assistance of a contractor who will actually perform the digging of the
trenches. We will have detailed maps of the affected areas available for the council and public at Wednesday’s workshop.
University Grove Trolley PathEarlier this year the city council asked staff to look at the feasibility of reviving the trolley path project. On March 24th, a neighborhood meeting was
held with the property owners who abut the proposed path to gauge their interest. Since the university is requiring that 100% of the adjoining property owners agree to the project, significant
resident support is needed before time and money can be spent on drawing new plans. Roughly 15 people attending the meeting, and support was mixed. Key concerns were preservation of
the natural area and an increase in pedestrian activity in the area. Along with myself, Council members Long and Mercer-Taylor were in attendance and can update the rest of the council
on their impression of the meeting.
WKSP 2 4/2/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape RFP Explanation:
Included in the 2008 Capital Improvements Plan is $25,000 for a Larpenteur Avenue streetscape study. As you are aware, Larpenteur Avenue is a Ramsey County highway that includes several
wide concrete medians and is bordered by entities such as the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the University of Minnesota golf course and research plots, as well as private businesses,
homes, and apartments. Staff believes that improvements to the highway could beautify the area and make it a more welcoming corridor through our city. Attached to this report is a draft
request for proposals which could be sent to area consultants. Staff would like to receive input before sending it out to ensure that it meets the thoughts and vision of the city council
for this project.
Falcon Heights Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape Request for Proposals The City of Falcon Heights is interested in enhancing the Larpenteur Avenue streetscape within our city borders (Fulham
Avenue on the west, Hamline Avenue on the east). The current conditions include wide concrete medians (some places reaching approximately ten feet in width), and sidewalks on both sides
of the street. Larpenteur Avenue is one of the two major arterial streets that run through Falcon Heights, and large events such as the Minnesota State Fair bring thousands of visitors
along this corridor each year. Primary goals of the project would be to beautify the corridor as well as to create a sense of identity that would distinguish the city from our neighboring
communities. Enhancing the sidewalks and medians would also make the corridor more inviting for pedestrians, thus encouraging more walking, jogging and bicycling, which is a goal of
the city. Known barriers to the concept include available funding, University of Minnesota cooperation (due to the sensitive nature of the research fields), and approval from Ramsey
County since Larpenteur Avenue is a county road. The city is seeking proposals from qualified firms to initiate this project. Key tasks will include: 1) Preliminary meeting with staff
and city council to discuss desired outcomes, as well as mid-project “check-in” updates and a final report presentation to city council. 2) Facilitate discussions with appropriate University
of Minnesota personnel on impacts to research fields and develop options to meet their needs. 3) Hold stakeholder meetings with affected property owners along Larpenteur Avenue (includes
approximately 90 parcels made up of single family homes, apartment buildings, commercial properties, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and the University of Minnesota golf course). 4) Facilitate
discussions with appropriate Ramsey County officials. 5) Provide a feasibility report that includes: a. Concept plans b. Compilation of input from various stakeholders c. Various streetscape
enhancement options including, but not limited to, trees, flowers, grasses, benches, streetlights, fencing, retaining walls, and decorative paving d. Estimated construction cost e. Estimated
maintenance costs f. Estimated construction schedule
6) Outline of follow-up steps needed to implement proposed project If you are interested in providing design services for this project, please prepare a short proposal that includes
the following and submit six copies by Friday, May 2nd: • Description of your understanding of the project • Description of your approach to this project including a preliminary work
plan • The project team, clearly identifying the Project Manager and the relevant experience and role of each team member • Consultant’s experience on similar projects with descriptions
and references • Description of fees including a preliminary fee estimate • The city’s timeframe is fairly flexible, but we would envision this process beginning in 2008 with results
being completed by the end of the year so that design and construction cost estimates can be included in the 2009 budget. City of Falcon Heights Attn: Justin Miller 2077 W. Larpenteur
Ave. Falcon Heights, MN 55113 Questions can be directed to Justin Miller, City Administrator, at justin.miller@falconheights.org or by calling (651) 792-7611.
WKSP 3 4/2/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: Banner Designs Explanation: At previous city council
meetings, several designs for potential streetlight banners have been presented. Below are the latest versions, which staff hopes captures the direction council gave during our last
discussion. If a design can be tentatively agreed upon, staff will bring a proposal back during a regular council meeting with prices for the banners and brackets for formal approval.