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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/2006 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : January 25, 2006 TIME STARTED : : P.M. TIME ENDED : : P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Barbara Bor, Barbara Bauman, Constance Grundhofer, Teresa O’Connell, and Mary Jo O’Dea and Rod Kukonen MEMBERS ABSENT : Dennis Smith STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson, 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Mary Jo O’Dea called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of minutes postponed to next meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Board approved the agenda as amended to elect no approval of minutes and add 6C. With amendment of no minutes or any additions to agenda. Update as to applicants: Motion by Kukonen to amend seconded by O’Connell. 4. OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. Closed 6:34 p.m. 5. ACTION ITEMS No Action Items on Agenda. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Woods Edge Landscape Update/Comments Marty commented that the city will be advertising for bids in February for the Woods Edge streetscaping and lighting improvements. Bob Moberg, SEH Inc., was in attendance to discuss landscape and lighting along with his representatives. Mr. Moberg, introduced Julie Goller who is a landscape architect and Ken Tallion who is a lighting design specialist involved with lighting plan. 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 Mr. Moberg explained that the Phase 1 contract was started last fall consisting of the street & utility work. We are now moving forward with Phase 2 and Phase 3 which consists of landscaping, streetscaping and street lighting. Mr. Moberg reviewed the general layout of the development and the areas identified for landscaping and streetscaping. He explained that the street and utility construction will continue in April and be nearing completion in May or June. Due to the urban setting with no building setbacks the streetscape improvements will extend from the curb to the building line. The sidewalk areas will include two solider courses of paver brick adjacent to curbs and poured concrete sidewalks from that point back to building. The sidewalk areas will include trees with tree grates placed around them. The grates will be at surface or will have a barrier and cover grates. Mr. Asleson noted that Cornell University soil be used within the tree planting areas to improve the survivability of the trees. In the town home areas the streetscaping will revert to more of a typical residential suburban setting such as sidewalks with boulevards with tree plantings and so forth. The developer of the town homes is responsible for tree plantings on private property. In the round about area a number of evergreen plantings with up lighting will be planted to illuminate evergreens after dark. Mary Jo O’Dea asked if the red on maps represent pavement brick. Mr. Moberg responded that some of the lines represented scoring in the concrete. But the pavers were located behind curbs, at street corners and in the on-street parking bays. The parking bays were designed to capture runoff. Connie Grundhofer asked how wide the roundabout is. Mr. Moberg stated that typically the outside diameter is 120’. Colored concrete would be used adjacent to the curb to allow for wheel tracking of larger vehicles such as buses or semi trucks. Barbara Bor asked if the traffic is a one way system. Mr. Moberg stated that traffic around the community green would be one way to the east and one way to west. Mr. Moberg stated that the traffic study estimated traffic volumes along Town Center Parkway to reach approximately 15,000 trips per day. The roundabout was design to allow for these trips to move more efficiently and safely through the intersection. The roundabout area is going to have concrete planters adjacent to the curb line. This is intended to channel pedestrians to designated street crossings. Additionally, the landscaping within the roundabout is intended to focus vehicle attention on the roadway. Teresa O’Connell asked if there will be a sprinkler system in center. Mr. Moberg stated that they are planning to have irrigation throughout. For instance all street lights will be furnished with arms to support hanging baskets and flags. They will not have to be watered manually. There will be irrigation tubing to plants. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 Julie Goller provided an overview of the Community Green improvements. On the western end there will be red pines to provide an evergreen screen backdrop. A 10 foot wide walkway will extend around the perimeter of the green. . The east perimeter will have center perennial beds. The open areas would be sod and include wooden benches for seating areas. The darker red areas represent concrete. There are pathways across with added red pavers for accent. There will be trees and plantings on the outer edge of park. There will be texture and color all year round throughout. Continue to east there will be an interactive water feature with five spray jets and a depth of 6” at the center or deepest part of water pool. There will be picnic tables incorporated. Moving to the east further there will be areas for sitting with red maples and more. Pergola will be western red cedar and galvanized steel. Areas to the east open and a turf area is to be used as a gathering place or for large performances also able for smaller groups. Connie Grundhofer asked how large of a space this would be. Julie Goller answered 28’ across and 40’ to the south. Connie Grundhofer was wondering if they could incorporate more native plants in the park area. Julie stated that she does feel the selections are best for use in this particular situation. Items that are multi stemmed and dense hold up to maintenance. Specific plants are hardy to salt spray, liter, etc. Julie feels that combinations of plants are very important for year round color, texture and seasonal interest. Barbara Bor asked about the water system. She wanted to know if the water was recycled or how was water being served. For instance are dogs allowed in there? Mike Grochala said not necessarily. It is anticipated that the water could be duck and children magnet. It was asked how water will be filtered. Mr. Moberg explained that the water system was filtered and chlorinated. If kids, etc. run through it would be the same as say swimming pool water that needs to be cleaned out. Marty Asleson stated that it is a neat place to put a farmers market and could come in along northern entrance. It has potential for Christmas trees sales, pumpkins or whatever. Rod Kukonen asked if the Aspen’s will hold up over time in that environment. Julie Goller stated that yes, it should be just fine. They are set back off the road. Mary Jo O’Dea asked about the roundabout: Julie Goller said it will feature white pines in center and outside will be red pine dwarf honeysuckle. Marty Asleson said none of the trees will be 100 year trees and 60-70-80 foot. Realistically if they survive 20 years they are doing well. Mary Jo O’Dea asked if it was the City who does replacing. Marty Asleson answered yes. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 Julie Goller stated that the size going into the ground would be 2 ½ caliber maybe 20 feet height. The initial construction/planting warranty will be 1 year. The City will have the long term city upkeep and maintenance stated Mike Grochala. Mr. Moberg stated that the reason why evergreens serve as traffic function as well. We want a visual barrier for people to slow down. They felt it more effective than a deciduous tree. Marty Asleson asked about snow removal and the concern about salt onto soil. Mike Grochala stated that ultimately most of the snow will be removed from site. The issue we have created as much on street parking as possible to reduce off street parking. We are working with Hartford as to responsibility of the city and merchants. There is a timing issue when snow can be cleared. There needs to be some sort of an agreement worked out that business will clean off sidewalks and city will maintain roads. Merchants will clear first and city plow snows back on after. Teresa O’Connell asked if daffodils in grass will be eaten and if there was a trick to having them stay. Julie Goller said by lying netting on top of bulbs and essentially wrapping them will help to prevent rodents and other animals access. Connie Grundhofer said the daffodil foliage need about four weeks to turn brown so they will re-bloom the following year. Julie Goller said that you might keep a little bit taller but not so as to be inappropriate. Connie Grundhofer asked about what will be surrounding the water feature. Julie Goller said pavement. Slope with colored concrete, panels, cobbles, and aggregate. Rod Kukonen asked what plantings will be to the north, south, and east of Roundabout. It was stated that there will be dwarf honeysuckle, three types of spiraea, etc. 2’ area of space to add bushes, etc. Mary Jo O’Dea asked what the base lights around boulevard will be. Mr. Moberg stated low lights. Mike Grochala noted they tried to get low maintenance shrubs/trees/plants and still incorporate annual planting beds, and maybe we could get volunteers to maintain. Mary Jo O’Dea asked what type of trees were located west of the community green. Julie Goller said they are Redman Lindens. They use a greater street area and work well in urban settings. Ken Tallion discussed lighting. We will incorporate light fixtures with similar poles as seen throughout the city. Similar to light outside of city hall without the glare. Ken Tallion discussed the irrigation tubing within the street lights. He stated that while we don’t want the area to be lit up like a baseball field it is necessary to provide for a 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 secure feeling in an urban environment. The lighting in the residential areas will be more spaced out as in typical residential subdivisions. Mr. Tallion also noted that the existing light fixtures at City Hall would be replaced with the new street lights. The receptacles will be at the tree base to put in twinkle lights options with grates. Receptacles will be located near the opening in the grate with bricks on top. There will be one brick missing for the lights. Receptacles are short, about 1 foot high with lockable covers. Receptacles will come on at a certain time and go off at certain time. Whereas the pole lights are on all night. There will be tree up lights in a few areas by the entrance. This will minimize lighting by using wider distribution so the majority of light will be blocked. We want to provide a glow. Initially there will be a little more lighting, say 70 watt fixtures. We have thousands of options we can use for fixtures. Around the park area will be additional fixture receptacles for events. Machines will be able to be hooked up such as ice cream or pop corn machines from a 120 volt and up to 240 volt possibility. There will also be smaller receptacles for smaller events. Additionally there will be some not so attractive cabinets planted on the outside of the development for electrical. The will either be painted or left at their natural state. They will not rust. Mary Jo O’Dea asked if they will blend in to landscaping. Ken Tallion said that they could. There are ways of making the cabinets less inclusive. The lighting plan did not include large parking lot area. The Developer is handling this. Mary Jo O’Dea asked if the parking lot lightin was different than the lighting discussed here. Mike Grochala noted that they are basic shoe box, non-decorative cabinets. Ken Tallion noted that that we are getting more efficient fixtures than others available. Teresa O’Connell asked if the flood light fixtures shining into trees can have a green shad until the trees mature. Reason being is that it has less of a glare affect going into the sky. Less night pollution. Ken Tallion said no, the lights have to stay because of the type of fixture. Connie Grundhofer asked about the residential light poles being 20 feet tall and do they have a downward focus. Ken Tallion said yes they have a cut off style. Mike Grochala noted that the bulb sits in a saggy lense. He also noted that the tub is just above the outer edge. Ken Tallion said that it does not let light go out, it spreads it out along the ground. These are called cut off fixtures. If you compare cut off fixtures to non cut off fixtures, cut off fixtures are more efficient and give more reflected up light than generated from non cut off fixtures. Ken said that it looks nicer without the glare in your eyes. It enhances the entire experience not to be blinded. They are nice and comfortable. Mike Grochala noted that Ken Tallion has been very helpful to the city with any complications we have had regarding electrical and lighting. We anticipate using Ken Tallion’s expertise to address lighting city wide. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 It was asked how the signage was lit near city hall. It was noted that the signage currently operates from the lighting system. It was asked if it could tie into tree receptacle systems. Mike Grochala noted that ultimately there could be something on the Fairview lot across from off ramp and coming into Legacy at Woods Edge. We have not really addressed this yet. We are just looking at concepts. There will be some lighting of a sign. It doesn’t need to be on all the time. Mr. Moberg said that the only destination on Town Center Parkway now has many facilities and there is a stronger need to have city hall distinguished around the clock. It was asked if the police station was manned all night. It was remarked that the police department sign would need to be on all night. Ken Tallion said that the medallions will be placed at every other fixture and in commercial areas. They will be right inside the area of lighting. Connie Grundhofer wanted to go back to the plantings and retaining walls. Connie asked if we knew what was planted. Marty Asleson planted native seed mix below. Julie Goller said that on the tier are black-eyed susan’s and bush honeysuckle. Mike Grochala noted that the other pond area is part of the city hall construction. Seed has been thrown down to establish something as of now. We wanted to spruce up the city’s existing seed mix and native seed mix. It should cycle throughout the year. Marty Asleson was able to transplant seed further back in the development. Most of the area was bulldozed. We were able to salvage most of the plants. Mary Jo O’Dea asked if there were any other questions. There were none. Mr. Moberg said that all light poles and fixtures come fabricated with the ability to put arms or flags on for baskets in the future. Connie Grundhofer asked Marty Asleson if he had any concerns he would like to shed light on. Marty Asleson said that he had one concern. He said that he had concerns of how to get the trees out if one dies in the soil because it’s all rock. He said that when we come across the situation we will have to figure it out. Mike Grochala noted that will experience all kinds of new things. The key is to provide a pedestrian environment and soften the environment with materials that we can. Theresa O’Connell was concerned with the cobblestone because of seniors, etc. Mr. Moberg said that we need to keep in mind the paver brick is right behind the curb. It will not be attractive for pedestrian to be walking. There will be no mortar in-between bricks. It was noted that there was a worry of the texture of bricks becoming slick in winter. Mr. Moberg said that a paver was chosen that will not have a slick surface. 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 B. Other Discussion Items Mary Jo O’Dea emailed Gordon Heitke about the city survey. Gordon Heitke’s response was attached for review by the board. The survey’s questions were based upon questions from a previous survey. There was a discussion about the Blue Herons. Marty Asleson talked about Steve Kittelson. Marty said Steve was transferred to Mankato. Marty will see if he can meet with council members to update them. Council should be updated on what is going on with Herons. Steve Kittelson will be giving a talk on the Blue Heron’s somewhere local, Connie Grundhofer said. It was asked if Steve was done with the project. Marty Asleson said that he was not sure. Steve Kittelson has done significant work and made many discoveries. Marty Asleson said that it was hoped that Steve can make it to a council meeting. Barbara Bor asked if the city has every considered helping with money for the project. Barbara Bor asked if there is something that raccoons are afraid of that we can use, such as decoy. Marty Asleson said that it sounds like the coyotes are in a certain range and the raccoons stay away from them. The raccoons tend to stay in closer to where people are. Raccoons that Andy has been tracking are back and forth meandering around the shore all the way up to the freeway. It is no secret that they are harvesting some of the raccoons right now. Marty said there was a newspaper article about the 40 nests. Some are really falling apart. There are probably between 30-40 nests left out there. Glen Fuchs and his people from the county, along with the city are putting additional flashing up to protect the Blue Herons. Marty said that the Raccoons are really smart when climbing trees. Barbara Bor wanted to understand about both funding and flashing and do we let nature take it’s course or address the problem with decoys and flashing, understanding the cost and looking for contributions. Marty Asleson asked Jeff to bring along a copy of the grant on how it was funded. Barbara Bor said that when this is presented to council the information needs to be accurate. They need to understand the grant and it’s duration. Marty Asleson noted he thinks it is January 1. C. Board Applications Update: Marty Asleson talked to Dan Tesch and Dan said he had received some environmental board applications. Marty Asleson can think of other people that might apply that would be good as well. We will be loosing Barbara Bauman after the February meeting. Mary Jo O’Dea said that Barbara Bauman has been a great asset to the board. 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 There is a work session meeting February 8th to present goals. Any board members who can be there would be appreciated. The goals will be presented to council on February 13 and Marty Asleson will do that then. Mary Jo O’Dea said the date of the council update of the Blue Herons is unclear at this time. 7. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on February 22, 2006. There being no further business, Connie Grundhofer moved to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Barbara Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Lisa Hogstad Community Development Secretary 8 APPROVED MINUTES