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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/1989 Council Minutes1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION 6 SEPTEMBER 11, 1989 Acting Mayor Reinert called the Council Work Session to order at 5:40 P.M., Monday, September 11, 1989. Council Members present: Neal, Bohjanen, Bisel. Mayor Benson was absent. City Engineers, Ron Stahlberg and Brian Bourassa; City Planner, John Miller; Public Works Director, Don Volk, City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk— Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. Mr. Stahlberg gave a brief history of the projects that either were in progress or began during his tenure as City Engineer. Mr. Stahlberg noted four items of concern: 1) issuance of building permits prior to the completion of the subdivision; 2) the policy regarding overall drainage plans and financing of this type of an improvement with regard to the City Charter. Mr. Schumacher explained that problem in the Sunrise Meadows /Sunnygate area regarding obtaining the necessary easements for drainage and funding of the construction of the drainage improvement. He noted that the Charter does not allow the City to use General Fund monies for this type of improvement and it would have been difficult if not impossible to assess the area benefiting from the improvement. However, now that the area is developing, there are people who are willing to pay this expense. At this time the City is behind schedule in obtaining easements, but the delay has been a matter of financing. Mr. Stahlberg explained that the City now faces the same situation north of 35W in the area of the Morehouse property. Currently there is a holding pond in the MarDon Acres subdivision. This pond does not have an outlet and two years ago during the heavy spring rains, this pond overflowed. As the area builds there will be more people /developers willing to pay for an area wide drainage plan. Acting Mayor Reinert expressed concern regarding a possible slow down in the housing market. He asked what would this do to the City in terms of meeting its bond obligations. Mr. Schumacher explained that there are letter of credits on file for all subdivisions currently being developed. There was further discussion on this matter. The third item of concern to Mr. Stahlberg was drainage easements in the area north of Main Street. He gave a brief background regarding the improvement to County Ditch #22 but noted that there is the potential for heavy development north of Main Street and there are no easements for the ditches that currently exist in that area. He felt this is the time to determine an area wide drainage pattern for this area, obtain the easements and have this improvement completed before the plats are presented to the Planning and Zoning Board. Acting Mayor Reinert suggested that dedication of drainage easements could be made a condition of the plat. 268 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 11, 1989 Mr. Stahlberg felt now is the time to plan drainage, before plats are considered. Acting Mayor Reinert referred to the Reshanau Lake Estates South subdivision and noted that Mr. Uhde did provide for drainage in his subdivision but noted that when the water left his subdivision on its way to Reshanau Lake, this drainage area was not improved. He felt that the City should have required that Mr. Uhde participate in the improvement of this area since it is vital to the proper flow from his subdivision. Mr. Stahlberg noted that the City did not have an easement over the Miller property so that this ditch could not be cleaned. Mr. Stahlberg explained that the drainage policy should address runoff and noted that most cities set up drainage districts. The problem with these districts is funding. Mr. Bisel said that funding should not determine the need for a drainage plan. Mr. Stahlberg noted that he had written a letter to the City Administrator detailing some drainage funding. Mr. Stahlberg suggested that a drainage plan for the area north of Main Street be studied starting with a draft policy. Mr. Stahlbergs fourth concern was the need for an elevated water storage facility. He explained the agreement with the City of Circle Pines and noted that this City will be required to construct the water tower within the next three to five years. He noted that Lino Lakes should now be planning a capital improvements program for this facility. Mr. Neal inquired about the water situation in regard to fire flow. He explained that he had heard that if there was a major fire, a fire hydrant could run dry within one half hour. Mr. Stahlberg explained that a hydrant could be cavitated. He felt that a water tower was needed to protect the new Outlet Mall planned for 35W and Lake Drive. He has talked to the builder about this matter. Lakeview Place - Mr. Stahlberg explained that because of poor soil conditions there was faulty compaction on the street in this subdivision. Braun Engineering has studied the situation and has given their recommendations as to how this situation can be corrected. Mr. Stahlberg explained that C. W. Houle will upgrade the s`_y-eets to Ci'v standards within a month. Mr. Bisel asked how this situation happened. Mr. Stahlberg explained that Meyer /Stuart Engineering was hired by the developer as their engineer. This firm did the construction staking and Jeff Skoog of TKDA did periodic inspections for the City of Lino Lakes. However, there were no compaction tests taken and as a result the street is breaking up. Mr. Bisel asked how this City could prevent this situation. Mr. Stahlberg said by requiring a full time inspector on the site during construction. Mr. Bisel asked if this City had any 1 269 269 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 11, 1989 recourse if the street had held up until the contractor had left the area. Mr. Schumacher explained that the contractor must warrantee the street for one year. Mr. Bisel asked what recourse would the City have if the contractor went bankrupt. Mr. Schumacher explained that the City still has the letter of credit. It was noted that as the City Engineer approves portions of the construction, the letter of credit is reduced. Mr. Bisel said this matter "scared" him. Mr. Schumacher felt that the policy for developer initiated projects should include a requirement that the City provide a full time inspector and the contractor will pay for this inspector. East Ash Street Improvement - Mr. Stahlberg explained that this improvement was initiated several years ago when the Otter Bay subdivision was approved. The City pursued a Joint Powers Agreement with Ramsey County and White Bear Township and both entities were unwilling to participate in the improvement. Now there are a number of new homes at the end of this street and Mr. Stahlberg suggested that the City crews upgrade and overlay the street in the same manner as they did with the eastern portion of the street. This would be a quick, cheap but short term solution to the problem. Mr. Schumacher explained that a lot of time was spent trying to convince Ramsey County and White Bear Township that they should participate in the upgrading of this street so that it could be improved properly. The cost to the City of Lino Lakes would have been approximately $80,000.00. The developer of Otter Bay has paid his assessment in the amount of $35,000.00 and Mr. Bruggeman has two lots with assessments pending. Mr. Schumacher felt that the City owed the residents in this area a passable street and since a majority of the homes are now built the City cannot wait much longer to start an improvement project. This proposal will not result in a street that meets all of the City specifications but it will be built to the same standards as the eastern portion is built. Mr. Bisel noted that at one time the Council had talked about using a different access to _the Otter Bay subdivision. Mr. Schumacher explained that this would require obtaining an easement and this would probably disturb a number of people in the area who had purchased lots on a dead -ena street for privacy. Birch Park - This park in the D. Erickson subdivision has been completed by the developer. There are further improvements planned by the City such as a parking lots, play ground equipment, seeding, sodding and a hockey rink. Reshanau Lake Estates South - An easement is needed over the Miller property to Reshanau Lake to provide the outlet for the drainage in this subdivision. Mr. Uhde is willing to 2701 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 11, 1989 participate in the cleaning of the drainage ditch once easements are acquired. Woodridge Estates - The connection to the Shoreview utilities is in place and the paving is scheduled within two (2) weeks. The easements and the areas behind the curbs need to be graded. In addition, the McDougal property will need culverts installed. It was Mr. Stahlbergs opinion that this subdivision turned out well. Rohavic Oaks, Second Phase - Mr. Stahlberg explained that the revised grading plan takes water from the Laurene Avenue area to the low area for ponding. United Power was concerned about their power lines. The grading plan and drainage plan was revised and their concerns were alleviated. Grading is complete, curbs and gutters will be in place after all the developers agreements are completed. Mr. Bisel said that in the future this City cannot expedite construction to the point that the City loses control. Trunk Water and Sewer Mains - The trunk mains to the freeway are complete. The contractor is dewatering for the construction of the lift station and this installation is set for this week. Areas not completed are the crossing of the freeway, planning for the elevated tank, revision to accommodate Good Value Homes and the work on the north side of the freeway. Mr. Stahlberg noted that he keeps hearing about oil spills by the contractor. He is aware of one spill that was corrected by the contractor and PCA was notified of the accident. There have been few problems with this improvement. Mr. Neal asked Mr. Stahlberg if the contractor is still responsible for wells that are now going dry. Mr. Stahlberg noted that the contractor has not been dewatering for about two weeks. He also noted that he does not know about any verified well loses at this time. Mr. Neal noted that the ditch for the utility lines vary from five (5) feet to twenty five (25) or thirty (30) feet. He asked if this would have an effect on the shallow wells in the area. Mr. Stahlberg said he would check on this matter. Mr. Neal said he has heard of four wells t ;.at went dry and he asked Mr. Stahlberg to check to see what was done about these wells and if the residents are happy with the results. Sunrise Meadows - Mr. Stahlberg explained that he has revised some of the developers consultants grades on this subdivision. Currently there are about twenty two to twenty four building permits issued in this subdivision. The storm water drainage plan for this area is being revised to accommodate Sunnygate. The water samples did not pass the required test so that in the interim, TKDA and the contractor are providing drinking water to the residents who have 27t COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 11, 1989 occupied the new homes. Acting Mayor Reinert said he felt this discussion has been good because members of the Council keep hearing rumors from the field. He said he assumed that Mr. Stahlberg was on top of all these matters. He referred to Mr. Stahlberg's comments regarding prohibiting the issuing of building permits before all requirements are completed. He asked that Mr. Stahlberg and City Staff meet and draft a policy with all of the requirements outlined. Acting Mayor Reinert said he felt all requirements should be in place before the first building permit is issued. If this policy is handed to the potential developer he is then aware of all the requirements and should not argue for special considerations. Mr. Bisel said a better procedure is needed in dealing with new development. A check list was also suggested. Mr. Stahlberg explained that he and Mr. Schumacher have met and have prepared a checklist and procedure. Assignments also have been made. Second Avenue - Mr. Stahlberg explained that the soils data has been completed for the reconstruction of Second Avenue. He will have this matter on the next Council agenda. Reshanau Park Estates, Sunrise Park Estates and Sunnygate - Data for the letter of credit for each of these subdivisions is currently being established. Everything is moving ahead with all three subdivisions. Acting Mayor Reinert said another session like this one is needed. Mr. Bisel said that there should be coordination between the various boards such as the Economic Development Committee and the Planning and Zoning Board. This also could be discussed at the next session. Acting Mayor Reinert thanked Mr. Stahlberg for his update. Mr. Bisel moved to adjourn at 7:00 P.M. Mr. Bohjanen seconded the motion. Aye. These minutes were considere and approved at a regular Council meeting held on September 25, 1989. ar,lyn Anderson, Clerk - Treasurer