04-12-2006 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Develop Sidewalk Plan/Complete Trail System/Form Committee to Prioritize — Two key segments should be completed this summer. The Waterworks Trail by Frattalone Companies and along Country Drive to Little Canada Road. We will also be installing the trail around the pond along Market Place Drive. Beyond those, a plan does exist and trail /sidewalk projects have been prioritized. The Parks & Recreation Commission has this charge, subject to approval by the City Council. Staff then incorporates their recommendations into the capital improvement budget. Two key issues in completing the trails are available right -of- way and costs. Little Canada Fire Station Future Expansion — The Fire Department sees a future need for additional building space for offices and possibly an additional apparatus bay along with more parking. The Department fees the City should pursue obtaining a "First Right of Refusal" for the property east of the fire station in the event the property is put up for sale before a formal needs assessment can be conducted. Continue Inflow/Infiltration Improvements — The last report the city received from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services was favorable. We were below the threshold for excessive I & I. That included the two major rain events we had last September and October. MCES will begin surcharging cities that have excessive I & I flows in January 2007. As of the latest report, we will not be getting surcharged. However, we are still considered at risk and will continue to find ways to improve our system. We have installed the manhole covers without holes in some key areas around the city and will monitor the effects. If positive results can be substantiated then staff will pursue replacing more covers. This past winter, a contractor televised the private sewer services on Carla Lane and along County Road B2 east of Edgerton St. due to the suspicion that some of the services sitting below the water table may have cracks and could be leaking into our system. The contractor has found two services so far that were leaking at a rate of over 10 gallons per minute. (Staff estimates those two leaks are costing us about $16,225 per year.) There are a few more to televise and then a plan will be made as to how to repair those services. Study/Improve Water Quality in Lake Gervais — Ramsey/Washington Metro Watershed District has the principal charge in this area. They do extensive monitoring of water quality, including Lake Gervais. They are also in the process of revising their rules to impose more stringent runoff standards. The new rules are aimed at improving the water quality district - wide. One of the key additions to the rules is an infiltration standard. Municipal street projects and all private development over one acre will be required to infiltrate at least .5 inches of runoff. (The exact number hasn't been set but it is anticipated to be either .5 inches or 1 inch.) Infiltration is accomplished by using rainwater gardens and other similar practices. The key issue is going to be getting residents to accept these programs. Once the rules are set, we will work with the Watershed District to get information out to all residents. Make Improvements to Outdoor Siren Warning System — Our Emergency Services Director has submitted estimates for this work. Staff will incorporate them into the 2007 CEP Budget for consideration by the City Council. 4