HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2020 Council Work Session Minutes2
3
4 DATE
s TIME STARTED
6 TIME ENDED
7 MEMBERS PRESENT
8
9 MEMBERS ABSENT
CITY OF LINO LAKES
MINUTES
February 3, 2020
. 69.00 p.m.
. 9:08 p.m.
Council Member Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland
and Mayor Rafferty
None
]0
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development
12 Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Diane Hankee; City Clerk Julie Bartell
13 1. CSAH 34 Birch Street Project Update —Community Development Director
14 Grochala introduced Anoka County and WSB staff present.
15
16 Community Development Director Grochala reviewed his written staff report. After the
17 first open house in October, the county came back with some changes to address feedback
18 on things like access. Adding a third roundabout was included. A subsequent open
19 house was held last week and an abundance of information was presented. As far as
20 comments from the open house, it was well attended and comments were across the
21 board.
22
23 Mayor Rafferty asked staff about the difference from the first open house to the second.
24 Mr. Grochala said he believed the difference was people were more informed at the
25 second.
26
27 Council Member Stoesz remarked that he'd like to have more information on how this
28 project would be financed.
29
3o Jason Orcutt. Anoka County Project Engineer, thanked the council for the opportunity to
31 have an additional open house. He reviewed the slides that were presented at the open
32 house that provided information on the following:
33
34 - History of project (address speed, keep rural nature of area, address safety);
35 - Consideration of roundabouts;
36 - Review of original proposal, option with three roundabouts;
37 - Trying to minimize the taking of private property;
38 - Safety and usability element that roundabouts provide;
39 - Roundabout allows right turn instead of left into heavy traffic;
40 - Current proposal that allows for future extension of the improvements;
41 - Municipal consent will be sought on the project;
42
43 Mayor Rafferty noted the second roundabout area. Is the City looking ahead on how that
44 will meet future needs? Community Development Director Grochala suggested that this
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45 area is set up well for future development. Mr. Orcutt spoke about the conversations had
46 to this point with property owners in that vicinity and how he would expect to plan with
47 them in the future.
48
49 The council reviewed the simulations of improvements (available on the Anoka County
50 website).
51
52 County staff explained that cost formulas will come back to the council at the time they
53 request consent. When asked if the project would be cheaper if done all at once, Mr.
54 Orcutt explained that there will be some additional cost to waiting but it's important to do
55 what's right for the community.
56
57 The council discussed how the third roundabout was received at the open house. County
58 staff remarked that it was well received and they suspect it will be sought. They are
59 looking to the council to decide what is acceptable now.
60
61 Council Member Lyden asked if the roundabouts are graded high in the middle for a
62 reason. Mr. Orcutt explained the curve slows traffic and he expects these will be done in
63 concrete to prevent sliding.
64
65 Council Lyden asked if there will still be parking on Birch Street for events and Mr.
66 Orcutt explained that they are working hard with the school to prevent any parking on
67 Birch for the school.
68
69 Council Member Lyden asked about now the roundabouts will provide safety for
70 pedestrians. Staff reviewed safety considerations as well as how the roundabouts will
71 work for very large vehicles. Mayor Rafferty added that the Public Safety Department
72 has reviewed the proposal in consideration of their vehicles as well.
73
74 Council Member Lyden asked why not a semaphore at the second roundabout. Mr.
75 Orcutt explained how the two roundabouts complement each other and that left turns
76 would be more difficult with a traffic signal; further, traffic signals are much more
77 expensive
78
79 Council Member Lyden asked why not have one project rather than stretching the
80 inconvenience of having a project underway. Mayor Rafferty suggested that it's about
81 getting the right mix of where people are comfortable and important needs are met..
82
83 Council Member Ruhland expressed support for a roundabout serving the school; he has
84 personal experience with the traffic problems there. He also asked about the design of
85 the median of the roundabout and staff explained that it is fully built to handle heavy
86 vehicles. He also asked about the time frame for a project; there are varying suggestions
87 of timing on the website. Mr. Orcutt said the time frame depends on when the project
88 moves forward and what is included; the goal is to build it in one construction year.
89
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90 Mr. Orcutt announced that more information on financing and costs will be put together
91 and provided to the council.
92
93 The council discussed the intersection east of the first roundabout and how it will serve
94 area traffic.
95
96 Mr. Orcutt explained the need to move forward in order to preserve a future construction
97 season while allowing time to impacted residents.
98
99 Staff requested that the council forward any questions while staff will proceed to put
100 together additional information such as on costs. The council anticipates hearing more at
101 the March work session.
102 2. Water Supply System —Manganese Update —Community Development
103 Director Grochala reviewed his written report. There was an open house to answer
104 resident question on the manganese situation. There was not a huge turnout. Currently
105 staff is looking at refining information needed for consideration of a feasibility study for
106 treatment and will be reporting that to the council in the future.
107
108 Mayor Rafferty thanked staff for the proactive approach taken to communicate the water
109 situation, with the understanding that the current situation meets requirements. He's
110 interested in understanding how future needs are being considered in planning.
111
112 Administrator Karlson noted that a full review of City finances will be included as part of
113 the strategic planning session. That will give the council needed background for future
114 decisions.
115
116 Council Member Stoesz asked if the City should halt irrigation in city parks this summer
117 to set a good example. Mayor Rafferty remarked that the City just authorized an
118 investment in irrigation monitors for park areas. Council Member Ruhland suggested
119 that the new technology may help the City reach a maximum water use reduction. Mr.
120 Grochala remarked that the Environmental Board is looking at a plan to communicate
121 with residents that will encourage and assist with reducing water consumption.
122 3. Presentation from Dean Quimby, Anoka Co. -Blaine Airport Advisory
123 Council — Mr. Quimby addressed the council. He spoke about the history of the
124 advisory council. It was created by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to
125 allow for discussing how Anoka County airport could be expanded. The advisory group
126 dealt with that issue and he explained the results. The group still meets quarterly to deal
127 with such things are noise, monitoring use of the airport, etc. The original concept of the
128 Anoka airport being utilized for smaller plans has been maintained.
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129 4. West Shadow Lake Drive Project Change Order No. 2 — Jim Stremel, WSB &
130 Associates, reviewed the written report. He provided a brief project update and then
131 reviewed the requested change order.
132
133 The council discussed with staff now the changes in the schedule have impacted the
134 project. City Engineer Hankee shared photographs taken during the project, showing
135 challenges as well as specific elements of the project.
136
137 Community Development Director Grochala remarked that he has worked to get the cost
138 change down and that resulted in reduction. He added that this project was one of the
139 most challenging the City has faced.
140
141 Council Member Lyden remarked that the overall budget cost is below budget. Staff
142 explained that the savings are mainly related to savings in quantities.
143
144 Council Member Stoesz asked if the council were to decline the change order, would the
145 contractor still be required to finish the project. Mr. Stremel said there are performance
146 and payment metrics that that require completion of the project.
147
148 The nature of the work remaining was briefly reviewed by Mr. Stremel. They will be
149 working to keep the remainder of the costs low but they will also make sure questions are
150 answered and concerns addressed.
151 5. Well No. 7 (509 Birch) Review Update —Community Development Director
152 Grochala reviewed his written update on the project. There are some increase in costs
153 predicted. The results of a structural review show nothing profound. He is at the point
154 now that, for what it will cost, it isn't a good investment at $150,000 to $200,000 in
155 added cost.
156
157 Mayor Rafferty remarked that he has concerns about any extra cost.
158
159 Council Member Lyden said personally enjoys restorations but he is concerned about a
160 restoration cost like this. He wonders if perhaps some bricks from the historic structure
161 could be reused in an honorable and appropriate fashion to recognize history.
162
163 Council Member Stoesz asked how long the building will be available, when does the
164 well need to be in place and how does the manganese situation play in?
165
166 Mr. Grochala said the county is probably looking at their cost and associated liability of
167 holding the building and would probably like to see the property gone if the City isn't
168 interested. The location of a well on the property is still feasible because it's a good
169 location near main system and the test well shows good quality of water. He added that
170 looking ahead, if treatment is in the future, then treatment at wells will no longer be done
171 and that raises questions.
172
L, I
173 Mayor Rafferty remarked that the council may benefit from a tour of treatment facilities
174 in the future.
175
176 Council Member Stoesz suggested that if the City builds a water tower, the project should
177 be visually documented perhaps by drone (at no cost to the city) to memorialize the
178 project. Mayor Rafferty said he thinks that's a great idea. The council discussed
179 possibilities — time lapsed, occasional photos, WSB's regular documenting process, etc.
180 The council concurred that Council Member Stoesz should explore possibilities.
181 Council Member Stoesz suggested that the residents be offered the opportunity to photo
182 the building before it is down.
183 6. WoodsEdge (Civic Center) Monument Sign —Community Development
184 Director Grochala noted the YMCA's interest in posting a sign or participating with the
185 City financially on one. Staff s been involved in a process looking at possibilities. Mr.
186 Grochala reviewed the options included in the written report. They have located a good
187 spot that provides optimal visibility. The report includes concepts that staff could refine
188 further. The cost is estimated at about $50,000 to $60,000.
189
190 Council Member Lyden remarked that his preference would be for the final option.
191
192 Council Member Stoesz asked about Shoreview's signs (larger and one sided). Mr.
193 Grochala explained what he believes are the negatives of that type of sign.
194
195 Mayor Rafferty suggested that this may not be the time to make a decision on the sign.
196 The council will discuss the matter again in the future.
197 7. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions — No report.
198 8. Monthly Progress Report — No oral report.
199 9. Review Regular Agenda —The agenda for the February 1 Ott' Council Meeting
200 was reviewed and there were no changes.
201
202 The council indicated the following members will serve as Economic Development
203 Authority (EDA) officers in 2020:
204
205 -Dale Stoesz, President;
206 - Christopher Lyden, Vice President,
207 - Michael Ruhland, Treasurer
208
209 The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
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211 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting
212 held on February 24, 2020.
213
214
215 ,
216 �-
217 Jul' Bartell, City Clerk
218
ti
ob Rafferty, Mayor
C