City Council

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 16, 2018 Mayor Jud Marshall convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. with Council members Timothy Deans, Jeff Ledermann, Richard Brainerd and Steve Wolgamot in attendance. City Administrator Scott Neilson, City Attorney Jay Karlovich, City Engineer John Sachi, Public Works Director Bob Goebel and City Clerk Mary Solie were also in attendance. OATH OF OFFICE City Attorney Jay Karlovich administered the Oath of Office to Council member Steve Wolgamot who was elected to a four-year term on November 7th, 2017. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA Council member Deans moved and Council member Brainerd seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Council member Ledermann moved and Council member Deans seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. 4. PRESENTATIONS 4a. Jerry Hromatka – Northeast Youth and Family Services Jerry Hromatka presented his annual update regarding the services offered by the Northeast Youth and Family Services to residents in this area. 5. DISCUSSION FROM THE AUDIENCE Jeff Kolstad was present to talk about the City of Mahtomedi endorsing the Citizens Climate Change organization. This request will be discussed at the next Environmental Commission meeting. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Council member Brainerd moved and Council member Wolgamot seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -2- JANUARY 16, 2018 6. CONSENT AGENDA-Continued. a. APPROVAL-Request from St. Jude of the Lake Church, 700 Mahtomedi Avenue, to hold a gambling activity and sell beer and wine at Turkey Bingo on Saturday, February 3, 2018. St. Jude of the Lake Church, 700 Mahtomedi Avenue requested and received Council permission to hold a gambling activity and sell beer and wine at Turkey Bingo on Saturday, February 3, 2018. b. APPROVAL-Schedule Joint Planning Commission and City Council Work Session for January 23, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss draft of 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A joint work session with the Planning Commission and City Council was scheduled for Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan. c. APPROVAL-Schedule Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting for April 11, 2018 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The 2018 Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting was scheduled for April 11, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. d. APPROVAL-2018 Pavement Management Work Plan for Roads and Trails. The budgeted 2018 Pavement Management Work Plan for Roads and Trails was approved. e. APPROVAL-2018 Partnership Agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services. The 2018 Partnership Agreement between the City of Mahtomedi and Northeast Youth and Family Services was approved. The 2018 budgeted amount for this service is $15,839. f. APPROVAL-Reschedule February 6, 2018 City Council Meeting to Monday, February 5, 2018 due to political caucuses. Due to the political caucuses to be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, the City Council meeting was rescheduled to Monday, February 5, 2018. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -3- JANUARY 16, 2018 6. CONSENT AGENDA-Continued. g. APPROVAL-Public Works 2018 Equipment Purchases. Public Works requested and received approval for the 2018 equipment purchases. This includes a 2018 Mack Single axle dump truck chassis from Nuss Truck and Equipment for a cost of $109,463.00 and equipment and accessories for the truck purchased from Towmaster, Inc. at a cost of $104,092.00 for a total cost of $213,555. In addition, Public Works requested and received approval to purchase a new 2018 Toro Grandstand 60 inch mower to be purchased from Tri-State Bobcat in the amount of $7,500 with a trade-in value of the old mower of $3,500 for a total of $4,000. Both items purchased are through the state contract. h. APPROVAL-Change Order for Hamline Lake Streetcar Trail Improvements. A construction change order in the amount of $21,360.50 for the Hamline Lake Streetcar Trail Improvements was approved. i. APPROVAL-Construction Pay Voucher No. 3 and Final in the amount of $55,564.61 for Park Construction for the Hamline Lake Streetcar Trail Improvements. A Construction Pay Voucher No. 3 and Final in the amount of $55,564.61 for the Hamline Lake Streetcar Trail Improvements for Park Construction was approved. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS-None 8. STAFF REPORTS 8a. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION -2017 Street Improvement Program (Dahlia, Hickory) and Glendale Park Detention Basin. City Engineer Sachi discussed with the City Council the impacts of Glendale Park due to upcoming 2017 Street Improvement Project, Hickory and Dahlia Streets from Warner Ave to TH 244. Due to the inability to obtain easements or right-of-entries from property owners on Dahlia Street over existing drainage areas, it has become necessary to find an alternative solution to handle storm water runoff from Dahila Street. He said WSB and Associates is recommending that storm sewer be routed on the east side of Warner Avenue (within the travelled lane) to the south from Dahlia Street and discharge into the existing storm water detention pond in Glendale Park. Staff has looked CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -4- JANUARY 16, 2018 8a. Continued. at numerous options to address drainage from Dahlia Street including utilizing the existing wetland north and south of Dahlia Street, running the storm sewer north to an existing pond and routing the storm sewer to the east which would go directly to White Bear Lake. However, the only feasible option is to run the storm sewer south down Warner Ave and utilize the existing detention pond at Glendale Park. The detention basin in Glendale Park was built in 1994 as part of overall storm water treatment approach for storm water in this area. The original plans for the pond back in 1994 show the pond being 3 times the size of its current shape. The existing more compact design was a result of the modest needs at that time. Two options at Glendale Park were analyzed. Option 1 would require expansion of the detention pond to accommodate the additional drainage. The expansion of the pond and storm sewer alignment through the park will be designed to limit tree impacts as much as possible. The large existing cottonwood trees on the east and west ends of the pond will not be impacted. The City Forester has evaluated the area and determined that 4 box elder trees in the flat area of the park should be removed due to their health and to accommodate the expansion and storm pipe routing. The expansion of the existing detention pond was also identified in the storm water management section of the Historic District Study prepared by WSB and Associates in May 2012 as a Best Management Practice (BMP) that will help to reduce the sediment and phosphorus load directed to White Bear Lake. As part of the expansion of the pond, the construction would remove the volunteer tree growth that has occurred on the north slope of the existing pond. These trees are a mixture of buckthorn and box elder. These are recommended by the City Forester to also be removed. By removing these trees and expanding the pond the effectiveness and overall aesthetic appearance of this BMP. Another benefit to this pond expansion option is that WSB and Associates, on behalf of the City, has applied for a grant to the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) to send drainage to an expanded, enhanced Glendale Park pond. The grant is in the amount of $50,000 and there is a strong possibility that the City will receive the grant. Option 2 is to discharge storm sewer directly into the existing detention pond without expanding it. If the volume is sufficient and allowed by the RCWD this would be the preferred option. However, it is uncertain whether the RCWD will approve this alignment without pond expansion. This option would not allow the City to take advantage of the possible $50,000 grant from the RCWD. Also, this option would not allow the City to meet one of the BMP goals set forth in the 2012 Historic District drainage study. The tree removal in the flat portion of the park would remain as part of this option. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -5- JANUARY 16, 2018 8a. Continued. A concern was raised that the existing pond, and moreover the entire park, may have been a previous site of dumping. An Environmental Test Pit investigation was done and buried debris was encountered at the 4 test locations near the existing pond. The debris was present from approximately 0.5 to 6 feet below grade and was underlain by a dark layer of organic peat soil. The debris is considered miscellaneous solid waste and included glass bottles, glassware, roofing materials, metal, wood/lumber, pieces of asphalt, and miscellaneous garbage. Soil samples and asbestos samples of select suspect materials were taken for laboratory analysis. Lab results will come back in approximately 2 weeks. The debris encountered will require the removal and disposal at a certified landfill site. Engineer Sachi said Staff is seeking City Council approval for Option 1, which includes the routing of storm sewer along the east side of Warner Avenue from Dahlia Street to Glendale Park. Then once at Glendale Park to route the storm sewer through the park to a point where it would drain into an expanded pond within the park. Some tree removal and debris disposal will be required as part of this option. The City Council approval can be contingent upon the review and approval by the City Parks Commission, which will be reviewing this same proposal at their January 17th meeting. Council member Brainerd said he is uncomfortable with this project going down Warner Avenue. He asked if staff could try to contact the residents again. He said he is also concerned about the trash that was found when the soil testing was done. Engineer Sachi said phone calls were made to them, messages left, letters were sent and even went to the homes to try to get a response and only one responded. Council member Wolgamot also said we need to do more with the residents to try to get a response. Council member Brainerd suggested a Town hall meeting for them, which could be a better way to reach them. Engineer Sachi said the Council could consider moving ahead with doing just the Hickory Street portion of the project. There was considerable discussion about trying to get easements from the residents affected by this project. Denny Schmidt, a resident that lives south of Glendale Park, had concerns about this project as the water table is already high in the area. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -6- JANUARY 16, 2018 8a. Continued. Mayor Marshall suggested tabling this issue and discussing it again after Staff tries talking to the residents again. Council member Brainerd said we have spent a lot of money and met with the residents, but asked if we could try again to meet with them and get the easements. And if that fails, then have Staff come back and then determine the next step. He would also like WSB”s hydrologist to come and give some kind of assurance that if this project is done, it won’t create a bigger water issue. Mayor Marshall asked if the Council is in agreement to just proceed with the Hickory Street portion of the project. There was general consensus to proceed with the Hickory Street portion of the project. 8b. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION-Pedestrian Access and Briarwood/Quail Street Improvements. Engineer Sachi said staff is looking for direction to address comments received at the Public Improvement Hearing held in December 2017 for the Briarwood Area Improvements Project and Quail Street Utility Extension Project. Regarding the Briarwood Area Improvements, a request was received regarding the installation of Advisory Lanes on Briarwood as opposed to the Share the Road concept that was recommended by WSB & Associates and approved by the City Council in the Feasibility Report. Staff presented various trail options to the public at both neighborhood meetings and there was no opposition to the Share the Road concept at either of those meetings. Currently there are no approved design standards for Advisory Lanes only recommended standards. Advisory Lanes have only been implemented, on an experimental basis, in a few areas in Minnesota. Although Advisory Lanes are a viable option that meets suggested roadway characteristics, it is our recommendation that the Share the Road concept be implemented due to the roadway geometry and low traffic volumes. The cost difference between either option is negligible. WSB and Associates is requesting City Council direction on which option to include in final design documents. Since the Share the Road option was already directed by the City Council, there would be no action required. If the Advisory Lane option is selected then the City Council should so direct the staff. Regarding the Quail Street Utility Extension Project, a request was made to improve pedestrian access by either providing a sidewalk or trail on one side of Quail Street. Although this is really a request to be dealt within the Briarwood Streets improvement project it was brought up at the public hearing for the Quail Street Utility Extension CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -7- JANUARY 16, 2018 8b. Continued. meeting. WSB and Associates has analyzed the request for a pedestrian/trail extension and either option would be cost prohibitive due to topography, wetland impacts, utility conflicts, and required watershed mitigation due to an increase in impervious surface. In addition, a significant amount of tree removal and grading would be required to accommodate either a trail or sidewalk. At the December 2017 City Council meeting, WSB was directed to increase the width of Quail Street to match the width that exists on Quail Street from Dwinnell Avenue to TH 96, within the City of Dellwood. This section of Quail Street was rehabilitated in 2013 by the City of Dellwood to 12-foot paved travel lanes with a 1-foot gravel shoulder. There is an opportunity to provide a 3-foot paved shoulder on the west side of Quail Street from Dwinnell Avenue to Briarwood Avenue. A white edge stripe would delineate the travelled way from the shoulder. This would require the traveled lanes to be reduced from 12-foot lanes to 11-foot lanes. A 1-foot gravel shoulder would be provided on the east side. This will not be designated as an official bikeway or sidewalk, as it does not meet minimum engineering design standards. The total paved roadway width with this option would increase from the currently proposed 24 feet to 25 feet. The additional cost associated with an additional 1-foot of paving would be relatively minor ($4000). This would not trigger additional watershed requirements. WSB is seeking direction from the Council on which option to include in the final design documents. Council member Wolgamot said he was comfortable with 11-foot lanes with a 4 foot shoulder. Council member Brainerd asked if we could delay the trail and look for money to help with the construction of the trail. Council member Wolgamot said he was willing to wait if that is what the rest of the council thinks should be done. Council member Ledermann commented that we should look at opportunities like this sooner than later. There was consensus to proceed with the project having 11-foot lanes and a 4-foot shoulder. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -8- JANUARY 16, 2018 . 8c. CONSIDER APPROVAL-Bill List Council member Deans moved and Council member Wolgamot seconded the motion to approve the bills as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. 9. REPORT FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR Administrator Neilson said the contract with Waste Management expires on April 30, 2018 and asked if other vendors should be looked at. There was discussion about organics recycling and other forms of recycling. It was decided to look further into other vendors. Administrator Neilson reminded the council about the Planning Session on January 23rd at 5:30. Engineer Sachi provided an update on other projects in the City. 10. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL There were no comments from the Council. 11. CLOSED SESSION – None Scheduled 12. ADJOURNMENT Council member Brainerd moved and Council member Wolgamot seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved. ATTESTED: APPROVED: ___________________________ ___________________________ MARY SOLIE, CITY CLERK JUD MARSHALL, MAYOR