HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin_08Apr2Falcon Heights City Council Workshop Minutes
April 2, 2008
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Parks and Public Works Director Pittman, City Engineer Bloom, and Assistant
City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser.
Mayor Lindstrom called the workshop to order at 6:30 p.m.
1. 2008 Infrastructure Repairs
Sidewalk repairs: Parks and Public Works Director Pittman explained we conducted a rating on the city’s sidewalk panels, and found 688 bad panels. He said the public works department
could repairs the panels at a cost to the city of $16,856, roughly $4,000 over four years, compared to hiring out the project at an estimated cost of around $50k. He said the city has
the tools from completing the Cleveland Ave. project, and the crew is eager to do the work. He thought they might start in Northome, the area with the most damaged panels. Administrator
Miller added that $5,000 was budgeted in 2008 for this.
Mayor Lindstrom asked about the impacts on neighborhoods. Pittman replied neighbors would be notified the day of or day before. He said he hoped not to have any panels out for more
than two days.
Sanitary Sewer: Parks and Public Works Director Pittman showed the council the footage of the sewer lines, and passed out maps of the location of blockages around the city. He said
the blockages could be treated with a root control chemical and the breakages lined. When the root control company comes into town, there would be no service disruption and streets
would still be passable. For the area of pipe that needs to be lined, where cracks have been found, there is a possibility of collaborating with Arden Hills and Roseville in order to
get a better price.
Trolley Path: Administrator Miller stated the University requires a 100% buy-in with Grove residents to convert the old trolley path to a more pedestrian-friendly path. Council member
Mercer-Taylor said there are three people dissenting, namely due to the possibility of wildlife disturbance with path construction. She said residents have thought of a way to build
support for a beautification of the woods surrounding the path, with a buckthorn bust or clean up, so people can see that the area is not a pristine spot for wildlife, but in actuality
needs to be tended to. Council member Long agreed, stating there are many misconceived notions surrounding the path, with comments made that were not based in fact. Mercer-Taylor said
regardless of the path the area needs to be cleaned up, and she sees many people using the old trolley path as a walkway already.
Administrator Miller said there is an opportunity for a grant if the city can show the path is used as a “shortcut.” Mercer-Taylor said she has heard from bike commuters who use the
path as a route to Como. She added another inspiration might be to invite Rebecca Montgomery to speak to the community.
Engineer Bloom said the new 280/Larpenteur bridge would have a pedestrian/bike lane. She then gave a summary on the road condition in Falcon Heights, stating the average rating is 80.9
out of 100. By 2012, without any maintenance, it would drop to 70.1, illustrating the importance of seal coating and overlays.
2. Larpenteur Avenue Streetscaping
Administrator Miller stated streetscaping along Larpenteur Avenue would calm traffic and beautify the city. In the budget for 2008 is $25,000 to create a study on what the possibilities
are for along the Avenue. After the study is complete, he added, the project could reach several hundred thousand dollars, but the city has TIF money to use or lose by the year 2013.
Council members agreed that it was something they would like to see, but want the project done correctly. Miller will work on an RFP and publish/post.
The workshop was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk