10-22-2009 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Project Updates and City Forestry Update 2/2 weather is a catalyst for road construction. Work in all phased areas is mostly complete with exception to Red Oak Drive and Sherwood Road. These are the last remaining roads in the project that need a final wearing course of asphalt. Restoration is substantially complete on all streets (except Red Oak Drive north of Sherwood) including resuming of mail service. Overall, the work is approximately 90% complete. Keep in mind that Area A was planned to have major construction over two summers. There will be some miscellaneous restoration and repair on Area A next year, and the City has a 2-year warranty/guarantee on all work. Hillview Park has a new angled parking lot and a new concrete sidewalk leading up to the park building. 2010 Street and Utility Improvement Project – Area B/C: Final design and preparation of plans/specifications for streets in Area B and C are currently in high gear. The City’s engineering consultant, Bonestroo, expects to have bidding documents (plans/specs) ready in the next couple months and we are still on track for a February bid opening. The City Council approved a 6-1/2 foot concrete sidewalk on the east side of Edgewood Drive from County Road H to H2. Several crosswalks are being proposed to safely accommodate pedestrian crossing of Edgewood Drive and County Roads H and H2. City staff is coordinating Edgewood Drive design elements with Edgewood Middle School (EWMS), including the possibility of including their bus turnaround/visitor parking improvements as part of our project. This would be similar to the agreement with Silver Lake Woods in Area A and EWMS would be responsible for all costs associated with their improvements. EWMS has also asked the City to assist them with several rain gardens. City staff will be meeting with EWMS staff in the next couple weeks to coordinate. Street and Utility Improvement Project – Area D: The City Council authorized Bonestroo to perform the preliminary survey in Area D. Bonestroo is anticipating beginning the survey work the week of October 19, 2009. Notices were sent to property owners in Area D to notify them of the activities that will be taking place in their neighborhoods with the survey. Construction for Area D is anticipated to occur in 2011. City Forestry Update: Rick Wriskey’s last day as City Forester was September 30, 2009. This position was a shared expense between New Brighton and Mounds View through a Joint Powers Agreement established in 1981. Staff from both cities have expressed interest in continuing the agreement and have placed the agreement “on-hold” until a new City Forester is hired or six months from Rick’s departure, whichever occurs first. Under the current agreement, the City Forester spends 1-1/2 days, or 30% of his time, on Mounds View’s forestry needs. Mounds View’s cost for this position is pro-rated to this amount. If the City Forester is to be rehired by New Brighton, it’s expected that this position will be filled by April 2010. In the interim, each city has been on their own with any forestry needs. The Public Works Department has taken on the city forestry services on behalf of Mounds View during this time. Some of these tasks have/will include the following: • Re-inspecting diseased oaks marked for removal (deadline is November 1); • Trimming trees in parks and right-of-way; • Contracting for trimming services (bucket truck and chipper); • Applying for Tree City USA Recertification; • Coordination for the spring tree sale; and • Initiating plans to deal with Emerald Ash Borer. The Commission will be kept informed of the status for rehiring the City Forester and activities taking place during the vacancy.