04-28-2021 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 28, 2021 The Public Works Director stated the last issue is whether the Council wants to change the policy to make property owners responsible for removing and replacing anything they placed in the city's right -of --way. He explained that typically repairs do not cost much, but last year there was about $26,000 in repairs to the Pitrina Park sprinkler system during the improvement project. Torkelson stated his opinion is that if a resident places something in the right-of-way, then it is their responsibility to remove or repair it since it was not put on their property. Fischer noted that it was the City who chose to put the sidewalk in Pitrina Park, so the City should have the responsibility for those repairs, but he noted that a private invisible fence or irrigation in the right-of-way is a different story. The Public Works Director suggested creating a separate Right -of -Way Management policy. The City Administrator stated that policy could have some lee -way for specific case exceptions. The Public Works Director clarified that going forward, the Council wants to use the Minneapolis Construction Index to reset the cap each year, with the exception of the six designated remaining streets which would follow the current policy. There was Council consensus to use the Minneapolis Construction Index. The Public Works Director asked for Council direction on storm sewer costs. Torkelson asked if the City had any plans to add a storm sewer fee at some point since it seems to be getting to that point. The City Administrator stated that staff has been researching adding a stormwater utility fee and has brought up the subject to the Council a few times, but the Council opted not to go forward with the study from Bolton & Menk due to the cost. Torkelson clarified that utility fees are for the on -going use of the storm sewer system and the assessment would be for the actual improvement. Keis introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOL UTION NO. 2021-4-57 —ADOPT THE REVISED ASSESSMENT POLICYAS PRESENTED The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Fischer. Roll Call Vote: Keis/Fischer/Torkelson/McGraw/Miller Ayes (5). lays (0). Resolution declared adopted. REPLACEMENT OF SOUTH OWASSO RAILROAD CROSSING The Public Works Director explained that the at -grade railroad crossing surface at the South Owasso Boulevard railroad crossing needs to be replaced. He stated the metal that encases the concrete has broken in several places and has been hazardous to vehicles a couple of times and the concrete is eroding away. He stated that CP Rail owns the tracks and right-of-way and does all maintenance work on all of its own tracks and crossings, so the City is unable to obtain other quotes for the work. He reported that CP Rail has estimated the total cost to be $133,844.05, and the City's portion of it is $37,844.05. He noted the cost may change slightly based on what is discovered in the field, but it should be in the range estimated, although there will be some additional costs for the city to complete a little paving on either side of the tracks after CP Rail is 6