04-12-2006 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Review Code Enforcement Ordinances — Staff is presently completing an extension review of zoning and subdivision ordinances. Many code enforcement topics are addressed in these areas. There are other issues addressed in the City Code such as nuisances and noise. Staff has also not hesitated to recommend changes to the code to clarify or strengthen certain provisions that are problematic. If there are specific areas of concern that any of you have, please let us know and we will take a look at them. Secure Additional Funding for Correction Workers - Our use of two days of correction workers has been a big benefit to the City. At a cost of $37,500, we get a crew of six to eight workers plus a paid supervisor for two days a week. This crew has enabled us to tackle projects we never previously had time for. Some examples are tree trimming along roadsides, buckthorn removal, painting projects, fence demolition, fence construction, maintenance of LC Road streetscape, planting of rainwater gardens, and general parks maintenance just to name a few. Adding another day may be beneficial, but it is a moot point at this time given the Department of Corrections has no more days available at this time. Reconfigure Old Fire Hall Skating Complex — The long -range goal for this complex would be to replace the existing warming house (built 1980) with a new one located near the south end of the existing hockey rink. The pleasure rink would then be moved to the area south of the hockey rink. This would solve the problem of having to skate up and down the hill to access the pleasure rink. It could also solve some parking needs for rink users and possibly the Old Fire Hall users. While the existing building will eventually need to be replaced, it currently meets our needs. Staff will be listing this on a future Capital Improvement Budget request. Appearance of 35E/LC Road ramp area and replace cyclone fence on LC Road Bridge — upgrade public property appearance. — The ICWC crew has helped to keep the ramp areas cleaned up and mowed. The bridge appearance has been more difficult to deal with. There has not been much cooperation from MN /DOT on improving the look of the bridge. I have not heard back from MN /DOT regarding more information on what funding options we have to clean up the appearance of the bridge. They turned us down when we asked for it to be included in the Unweave the Weave project so our next step is to find out if there is money available from other sources. Staff is continuing to pursue this issue. Community Survey Task Force — With the survey results now in and a workshop scheduled for April 26th, the Council and other attendees can discuss how they would like to use /disseminate this information. Monument for Fire Station — The Fire Department has discussed for several years their desire for a monument/sign similar to the one at the City Center. They are currently evaluating this project and have had discussions about incorporating an electronic message board that could be used for both fire - related information and other city and community messages. Fire Department funds from charitable gambling would likely be used for this project. 3