City Council Special Meeting

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, and Jeff Phillips were present. Council Member Cross was absent. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, and Public Works Director Trevor Walter were present. PRESENTATIONS 1. Improvement Hearing on for the 2024 South Forestview Improvements Project Scott Hedlund, with SEH, presented the improvement hearing presentation. The street improvements include the following segments:  Forestview Drive – south of River Vista Drive  Maryland Road  River Vista Drive  River Vista Court  Medford Road  Riverwood Road  Parkview Circle The improvement project will provide municipal sewer and water services to neighborhoods currently using well and septic systems, improve deteriorated street surfaces, and improve non- motorized connectivity/complete streets within the city. The existing streets are 24 to 26 foot wide rural sections that are 26 to 37 years old. In 2022 the streets were rated 2 and 4 out of 10. Forestview Drive and Maryland Road will be built 32 feet wide to accommodate 5’ on-street bike paths on both sides. The remaining street segments will be built 26 feet wide. There will be a bituminous paved trailhead and parking area on the south end of Forestview Drive. A gravel trail alignment is planned through the wooded city parcel from the new trailhead north to Maryland Road. The trail will connect with the previously constructed gravel trail at Maryland Road. The proposed improvements include the extension of sanitary sewer mains and water mains throughout the neighborhood. Sewer and water services will be provided to every parcel at the right- of-way line. Due to the topography of the neighborhood, a sanitary sewer lift station will be required. Hydrants will be installed throughout the project for fire protection and flushing. 8/10/2023 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 The total estimated project cost is $8,901,900. All properties will be assessed on a per equivalent residential unit basis. Assessments will be amortized over a 15-year term. The special assessment amount for a single parcel with a home is $19,720. If the entire project costs were assessed, the assessment would be approximately $62,000 per developed ERU. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Olson opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. Karen Kronbeck, 11806 River Vista Drive, inquired what are the WAC and SAC charges and explained when the north project was completed it was not organized and asked if this project will be more organized. Public Works Director Walter explained the water and sewer availability charges are for property owners to buy into the city’s water and sewer system and explained the staging process for the project. Darin Dirkes, 6587 Riverwood Road, explained due to rain and erosion he would like the city to address the steep embankment located near his property. Mr. Dirkes asked if a generator will be placed at the lift station should power be lost and how the construction staging area will affect traffic flow. Public Works Director Walter explained he will review the embankment during design, staging is determined by the contractor, and there will not be a permanent generator on site as the city uses a portable generator during power outages. Kevin Kronbeck, 11806 River Vista Drive, inquired what is the city’s water pressure and when will the depth of the sewer be known. Public Works Director Walter explained the city’s water pressure is between 52 and 55 PSI and the depth of the sewer will be determined in November. Matt Neubert, 11686 Forestview Drive, inquired if the walkway will be removed and how is the interest rate determined. Public Works Director Walter explained the walkway will be removed as part of the project and the interest rate will be known once the bonds for the project are sold in the fall of 2024. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Olson closed the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. NEXT STEPS The council will consider ordering the improvement during the August 15, 2023 council meeting. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Lyscio, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to adjourn at 6:57 p.m. Motion unanimously carried. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, 8/10/2023 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator