City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council Workshop While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for City Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. To participate in the meeting remotely join the Zoom Webinar at:https://blainemn.zoom.us/j/93077526252 Questions? Email - Communications@BlaineMN.gov Monday, October 19, 2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, city meetings will also be held as virtual meetings NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:10 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this hybrid meeting was held both virtually and in person. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Budget Analyst Ward Brown; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Engineer Dan Schluender; City Planner Lori Johnson; City Attorney Christopher Nelson; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Communications Manager Ben Hayle; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 7 - Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Jeppson, Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, and Councilmember Hovland 3 New Business 3-1 ANOKA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION OF 125TH AVENUE (CSAH 14) FROM HARPERS STREET TO LEXINGTON AVENUE City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes October 19, 2020 Attachments: CSAH 14 STP STP Layout_04-15-20 City Engineer Schluender stated the Anoka County Highway Department has recently started the preliminary design on a project that will reconstruct/expand a portion of 125th Avenue (CSAH 14) from Harpers Street to Lexington Avenue. This is intended to be a brief introduction to the proposed project so that the City Council can have an understanding of the project prior to the County beginning its public outreach. The County has prepared a map depicting the preliminary layout of the proposed project. The project would reconstruct the two lane, undivided, rural section roadway to a four lane, divided, urban section. The proposed project also includes all turn lanes and a signal at Legacy Creek Parkway/North Lakes Boulevard. The project also includes the extension of the bituminous trail on the south side of 125th Avenue. The county would like to have the City participate in the cost of the project, consistent with their cost participation policy. Nick Dabda, Anoka County Highway Department, provided a description of the proposed reconstruction project for CSAH 14 from Harpers Street to Lexington Avenue. He estimated 13,000 vehicles travel this corridor daily and this number was on the rise. Jorje Burnall, Anoka County Highway Department, indicated he was the project manager for this road project. He reported this segment of roadway would be expanded from two lanes to four lanes that would be divided with a raised concrete median. He noted a trail would be located on the south side of the road. The pond locations were reviewed with the Council. He explained a signal would be installed at North Lake Boulevard and Legacy Creek Parkway. Mr. Dabda discussed how the project would be funded. He noted the County did not have any cost share numbers available at this time. He estimated the project would take one year to complete and should begin in the spring of 2022. He explained public input would be taken on this project at a virtual open house. Councilmember Hovland asked if this roadway would have a trail. Mr. Dabda noted an eight foot wide bituminous trail would be located along the south side of this roadway. Councilmember Hovland expressed concern with the speed of traffic along this roadway and expressed concern that the rates of speed would increase once this roadway was widened. Mr. Dabda reported the County would not be adjusting the speed limit. Councilmember Garvais requested a right-in access point be granted by the County for the commercial properties at the corner of Lexington Avenue and Main Street. Mr. Dabda explained he could not design this into the project until a development City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes October 19, 2020 comes before the County for consideration. Councilmember Robertson asked if the signaled intersection at North Lake Boulevard and Legacy Parkway would be mostly funded by the City. She stated she would like to have further discussions with the County regarding the cost sharing for this intersection. She explained she would not be able to support the City paying for 75% of this intersection. Mr. Schluender indicated staff would be working with the County on a JPA over the next year and this would be presented to the Council upon completion. Councilmember Paul requested further information regarding the street lights. Mr. Dabda commented on the proposed street lights and noted all signalized intersections would have four street lights. He explained the corridor lights would be the responsibility of the City. Mr. Schluender stated on a corridor like this the City would entertain illumination at the intersections along with lighting at Zest Street. Mayor Ryan indicated he was looking forward to having this corridor completed. Discussed 15 Minute Discussion 3-2 2020 UPDATE TO THE CITY OF BLAINE SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY Attachments: Snow & Ice Control Policy Update - Oct 2020 Presentation 3.06 Snow and Ice Control Policy - October 2020 Update Snow Plow and Salting Routes 2020 map Cul-De-Sac Routes 2020 map Sidewalks and Trails Routes 2020 map Anti-Icing Routes 2020 map Public Works Director Haukaas stated the Snow and Ice Control Policy establishes goals of the City in managing winter storms. It clarifies areas of responsibility for levels of service to our infrastructure and when we start or stop operations. Routes, equipment, and priorities are described as well as the responsibilities of residents. It explains the process for residents to mark areas of concern as well as reporting and resolving damage complaints. Finally, it includes the updates to the City’s Parking Ordinances approved by the City Council in 2019. The City’s original Snow and Ice Policy was last updated by City Council adoption of Resolution No. 17-172 in December 2017. Updating the policy is warranted due to the increase in mileage of streets, sidewalks, trails and number of cul-de-sacs. Additionally, updating the policy is necessary to reflect changes in City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes October 19, 2020 operational routes, equipment, and technology usage. Staff commented on how Blaine’s streets, cul-de-sacs and sidewalks were expanding and how staff was adjusting to meet the needs of the City. Mayor Ryan commended the Public Works team for the fine job they do to keep the City free and clear of snow. Councilmember Robertson stated she received feedback from residents last winter that the Public Works crew does a great job. She thanked the Public Works department for their great work on behalf of the community. Councilmember Paul thanked the Public Works Department for their great work. Discussed 30 Minute Discussion 3-3 PROPOSED 2021 SEWER UTILITY FUND BUDGET Attachments: 2021 Sewer Fund Overview 2021 Proposed Sewer Budget Presentation Budget/Fiscal Analyst Brown stated as part of the City's comprehensive budgeting process, staff will be presenting preliminary budgets for the Sewer Utility Fund. The City’s Sewer Utility Enterprise Fund accounts for the operations of the City's sanitary sewer system. As an enterprise fund, the utility is designed to recover the cost of collecting, treating and disposing of wastewater of its customers through user fees. The system serves about 20,775 accounts, 95% of which are residential. Properties that maintain a private septic system and those not in the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) are not required to subscribe to the City's sewer service. Overall, Blaine provides sanitary sewer service to over 96% of City residents. The City's sewer operation functions as a division of the Public Works Department under the direction of the Public Works Director, with 3.75 FTE staff currently allocated to the division. For 2021 a request to add the position of Assistant Public Works Director (APWD) has been discussed with the Council. The proposal is to charge 25% of that position to the General Fund and each of the three utility funds. If approved, that would bring to 4.00 the number of FTE in the Sewer Fund. Staff reviewed the proposed 2021 revenues and expenses in further detail with the Council and requested comments or questions. Mayor Ryan appreciated the fact that Metropolitan Council fees had remained consistent. Councilmember Hovland questioned how long the slip lining project would take place. Mr. Haukaas discussed the slip lining projects that have occurred in the City of Blaine Page 4 City Council Workshop Minutes October 19, 2020 City. He reported video inspections and a long range plan was in development. Councilmember Jeppson requested further information regarding the proposed lift station work. Mr. Haukaas explained the City of Blaine has 30 lift stations. He reported work was completed on three to six lift stations each year. He noted pumps and motors were the items that failed within lift stations. He indicated staff had a very good idea of the maintenance and expenses that were required for the City’s lift stations. Mayor Ryan asked if the City owned its own sewer video system. Mr. Haukaas stated the City owned its own system. Discussed 30 Minute Discussion 3-4 CARES FUNDING/COVID IMPACTS/OTHER City Manager Wolfe stated staff was placing orders and conducting the work that was approved as part of the CARES spending plan. She indicated staff was working to meet the prescribed deadline for the Round 3 grants. Councilmember Garvais questioned how many applications staff had received for Round 3. Mr. Thorvig reported the City had received 8 or 9 applications to date. Councilmember Garvais asked when the deadline was for Round 3. Mr. Thorvig explained the deadline was Wednesday, October 21. Mayor Ryan thanked staff for all of their efforts to promote, review and approve the small business grants. Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Podany provided the Council with an update on how the police department was monitoring threats at the polls for the upcoming general election. He reported the City has 24 polling locations and staffing would be increased on election day. City Clerk Sorensen explained staff was working in partnership with the police department and would be sharing information with head judges to ensure they are prepared to handle any situation that may arise. She reported the City has had a large number of voters at the Mary Ann Young Center already. Mayor Ryan stated he was proud of how the City of Blaine managed its elections. City of Blaine Page 5 City Council Workshop Minutes October 19, 2020 Discussed 15 Minute Discussion ADJOURN The Workshop was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 6