Public Improvement and Transportation Committee

MINUTES PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT/TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING April 12, 2022 1:30 PM On Main, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Schafer, Labat, Lozinski MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jason Anderson Assistant City Engineer Jessie Dehn City Administrator Sharon Hanson OTHERS PRESENT: Reinhold Mathiowetz 1. Call to Order. Schafer called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. 2. Approval of the Minutes. MOTION BY LOZINSKI, SECONDED BY LABAT to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2022 Public Improvement/Transportation Committee meeting. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED 3:0. 3. Request for Curb Alignment Change at Westwood/Cumberland (near Country Club Drive. Background: Reinhold Mathiowetz has requested the City to consider curb adjustment on Westwood Drive, shown in the attached drawing. He would like the City to pay to move the curb to make it easier for cars to drive around the corner and better “cut” the corner. The Director of Public Works/City Engineer has informed him that we do not believe this to be a prudent use of public funds because the road operates acceptably as it is, and the cost for such a minor adjustment is prohibitive. Because he is familiar with construction as owner of R&G Construction Co., Mr. Mathiowetz dropped off a “cost estimate” for us to continue to consider his request. The cost estimate provided does not consider the costs of bituminous surfacing removal and replacement, nor does it consider if the storm manhole/catch basin is in a condition to be moved and reinstalled. Further, staff is not entirely sure that 30-FT of curb and gutter replacement is adequate to give the full intended benefit. Anderson presented the item. Mr. Mathiowetz was present at the meeting. Request is to put some effort into realigning the curb and flatten that curve out to allow vehicles to move more quickly and efficiently around curve. At present, City staff has not followed through with this request due to significant cost to relocating curb and gutter, streetlight and landscaping and extending storm sewer. It is not associated with an improvement project. Mill and overlay will be done this year on this street. Cost estimate was provided with various options. Anderson reviewed costs estimates provided by R&G. Anderson stated City does receives a lot of requests and bringing to Committee if this is a project to be using public dollars. Schaefer inquired on relocation of lamp posts. Anderson indicated City has been in contact with MMU. discussions have been in contact with MMU. Mathiowetz noted problems with snow removal in the area and problems with piles on catch basins. Project scope was discussed. Lozinski asked if then this would increase the speed of traffic in this corner. Anderson commented that with the straightening curve would increase speed. Labat asked if Mathiowetz has talked to any of the neighbors. Location of landscaping would be discussed. Location of light pole relocation discussed. -1- LOZINSKI MADE A MOTION to approve if the neighbor Brownlee is talked to. Discussion was held on the motion. Schafer indicated room in the costs. Anderson and Dehn will look at the 2022 budget line item. Mr. Mathiowetz commented on history of the area, and Anderson commented on future development in the area. LOZINSKI MADE A REVISED MOTION to approve if project can fit into budget. LABAT SECONDED THE MOTION for Option B. Mr. Mathiowetz to discuss with neighbor. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED 3:0. 4. Review Layout Options for 3rd/Lyon Project and Update on DBA Conversation. Background: A presentation was provided to the Downtown Business Association (DBA) on April 5, 2022. The purpose of the meeting was to begin the process of seeking downtown business input regarding the future layout and use of 3rd Street. Following an opportunity to give ideas on future street use, staff reviewed the included layout options for use of space on the block. The intent of the review was to give the downtown business owners something to help visualize how the space could be used while also considering impacts to on-street parking. City Councilman Craig Schafer was present at the meeting to help ensure that the City Council has a presence in this process. Bolton & Menk will be present at a future DBA meeting in May to discuss options and opportunities with the downtown group. Staff was very clear with the group that we desire to seek our downtown input through this group to help ensure that everyone is being given the same message and that everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to offer input. Schafer presented the item. DBA talked about process and importance of DBA in the project. Parking major priority, but greenspace also discussed. Dr. Affolter said the biggest parking problem on 3rd Street is because business employees park on street. Hanson inquired if we could put parking restrictions on parking. Anderson indicated that he has suggested DBA come up with unified request from group and request would be brought to the Council. Parking layouts, ADA requirements and sidewalk options discussed. Schafer commented on DBA opposition to greenery. Anderson indicated parking was the original desire. Discussion was held regarding one-way streets. Anderson commented on studies which have shown that signals can actually drive speed up compared to taking signal out, installation of push-button crossing putting in median in center to constrain traffic. Anderson commented on the interest of the upcoming ICE Report and its findings. Striping discussions held on various streets in handouts. This item is informational, and no voting was conducted. 5. Review Proposed Striping for North 4th Street Between Main Street and Lyon Street. Background: The intersection of N 4th Street and Lyon Street allows for three lanes of traffic on North 4th Street in its current configuration. Each side is striped to accommodate thru/right and left turn lanes. City staff would propose to adjust this striping at our earliest convenience to allow for only two lanes of traffic, as shown in the included drawing. Staff believes that the extra lanes are not required to allow for adequate traffic movement and the extra lanes simply make the space too constrained. Committee was in approval of the striping. No voting was conducted on this item. 6. Other Business. No other business. 7. Adjourn. MOTION BY LOZINSKI, SECONDED BY LABAT to adjourn the meeting. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED 3:0. Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lona Rae Konold -2-