Public Works Committee (Meets 1st Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m.)

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING September 2, 2021 GOVERNMENT CENTER ROOM 204 Members Present: Ruth Ludwig, Nick Ledin, Jenny Van Sickle Members Absent: Keith Kern Also Present: Todd Janigo, Chris Carlson, Shelley Nelson, Ryan Gundstrom, Brent Fennessey, Councilor Van Sickle called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 1. Approval of the August 5, 2021 meeting minutes. MOTION by Ludwig, second by Ledin and carried to approve the minutes from the August 5, 2021 meeting. 2. Councilor Ludwig a. Discussion about Community Composting Two years ago the City went through the green infrastructure audit that triggered us to make some changes in our composting ordinance. This started thoughts of starting a City wide program. Councilor Ludwig reached out to WLSSD to do a tour of their composting program in Duluth. Due to COVID, it could not be done this last year. Our landfill is coming to a close within several years. Ludwig believes it is time for us as a City to become more proactive and get our citizens involved in this. Yard waste could be composted instead of going into the landfill. A tour of WLSSD will be a good start to see how they operate their facilities. A tentative date of September 17th around 9am has been set to tour their facility. Lindsey Graskey joined virtually at 5:02pm Ludwig just read that San Francisco just started a compost system and 80% of their organic material is now composted. There are different ways to do this, including incentives for citizens.. Lt. Trone joined virtually at 5:10pm 3. Councilor Ledin a. Continued discussion regarding traffic calming efforts at 58th Street and Baxter Avenue. Lt. Trone stated that traffic counts for that area were upwards of 3500 cars per day, depending on the day, traffic, and traffic speeds. There are concerns about vehicle speeds due to no stop signs until John Avenue, heading westbound. Installing a stop sign to break the traffic pattern would be appropriate in this area. Councilor Van Sickle asked if the Police Department has any ideas of what increased enforcement has and could look 1 Pubic Works Committee Meeting September 2, 2021  like. While Lt Trone does not yet have data for the traffic stops, there were area squads assigned. He did not see a an increase in citations. Although the presence of officers has likely slowed people down. Councilor Ledin spent time going door to door chatting with residents along 58th St. The main feedback was that speeders seem to be coming from Tower Avenue towards the golf course. There were also concerns that cars are passing in this stretch. Numerous residents talked about seeing this happen along the double yellow lines. Residents do not seem open to other traffic calming methods besides stop signs. Ledin would support a 4- way stop in that area. He would also like to see fog lines on 58th from Tower to Weeks and any other traffic calming methods that might help. The Public Safety Committee met and discussed raising awareness through social media. Lt. Trone will work on making that happen. MOTION by Ledin, second by Ludwig and carried to hold this item in committee until the next Public Works Committee meeting. b. Consider adding a 4-way stop at North 58th Street and Baxter Avenue. MOTION by Ledin, second by Ludwig and carried to approve adding a 4-way stop at N 58th Street and Baxter. 4. Councilor Fennessey a. Remove Calendar Parking on B Hayes Court between Elm Avenue and Hill Avenue from April 1 to October 31. Councilor Fennessey discussed the area around Court B in Hayes Court. It is significantly wider than the other courts. It ends up being a through way for drivers. The Police Department is going to work on extra enforcement. One of the suggestions that could make the road feel smaller is to remove calendar parking. It would only be for the summer months to still give Public Works crews the opportunity to clear both sides of the street. Even with cars parked on both sides, there is still a wide lane. This would help make it seem more residential to help drivers be aware and slow down. MOTION Ledin, second by Ludwig and carried to approve removing Calendar Parking from B Hayes Court between Elm Avenue and Hill Avenue from April 1 to October 31 each year. b. Support Resolution compelling the railroad to repair the crossings at East 5th Street and Hill Avenue. Councilor Fennessey discussed the rough state of this railroad crossing. Public Works has reached out to the railroad multiple times to have this repaired. The Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) can compel the railroad to undertake the repair. A resolution passed by the City Council is a required step in the OCR process. Councilor Fennessey supports this next step to get the railroad to repair the crossing. MOTION by Ledin, second by Ludwig and carried to approve a Resolution 2 Pubic Works Committee Meeting September 2, 2021  compelling the railroad to repair the crossings at East 5th Street and Hill Avenue. 5. Public Works a. Sidewalks 101 (Ryan G) A goal of the committee is to provide education on Public Works’ programs and processes. The intention of this presentation was to address FAQs regarding the sidewalk program. Councilor Van Sickle asked that this portion of the meeting be recorded so it can be shared with others. Carlson introduced Ryan Gundstrom. Gundstrom manages the sidewalk program. He helps set the priorities each year, works with the contractors, and performs inspections during construction. Carlson shared the importance of sidewalks within a City. If you travel anywhere, at some point you use a sidewalk. They provide an essential transportation network within a City. Currently, we have 895,754 feet of sidewalks within the City. This equates to 170 miles of sidewalk or 2,559 blocks (at 350’ per block). Fennessey left the meeting at 5:32 For every resident in the City, there is roughly 33 feet of sidewalk. Every 2 years, our sidewalks are rated on a scale of 1 – 4 with 4 being the best and 1 being the worst condition. An excellent sidewalk will be smooth, have no hazards, and is ADA compliant. Even a good sidewalk will sometimes drop down in ratings it if is not ADA compliant. There are several criteria used when determining what sidewalks are prioritized for construction each year. 1. Ratings. Currently there are roughly 30% rated excellent, 21% good, 34% fair, and 15% poor. 2. Importance of the sidewalk – what function does it serve? Some tools used are Safe Routes to School (put together in 2003 by the MIC), the Active Transportation Plan (ATP), City Clearing Routes for snow, and available funding. We have two types of funding – Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which can be used anywhere and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) which are state dollars allocated to benefit low to moderate income households. These dollars can only be used in certain areas (largely census based, Planning Department manages those dollars). CDGB dollars are approximately $240K each year. We are unique in that we don’t assess for sidewalks/street repairs/sewers. All funding comes from CIP, CDBG, Grants, etc. In the last 10 years, the City has spent $7.3M on sidewalks through various funding sources. That is around 21% of our sidewalk network. The City is on an approximately 50-year replacement cycle and spends roughly $13-14K per block. All requests for sidewalk replacement in different parts of the City are put on a list. Some are very urgent and are completely immediately. Others are less urgent and are deferred. This list is another consideration of what sidewalks are completed each year. If contracting will be in the area, we try to take care of all requests in that area. Some areas are patched to take care of trip hazards until a sidewalk can be replaced. There is more area to cover with CIP funding than CDBG. The city tries to follow a rotation around the city to ensure that all areas of the city are being addressed. This year was Billings Park, 3 Pubic Works Committee Meeting September 2, 2021  last year South end, next year will be East End. The last 3 years the city was able to take advantage of the expansions in the CDBG eligible areas to complete more work in the UWS area. The process to have a sidewalk removed is similar to the city’s alley petitions. Residents have to petition all neighbors and have a majority agree before it will be considered. The city then has a checklist that has to be completed to ensure it meets removal criteria. Resident’s that will be affected by new sidewalks are notified by letter to let them know that it will be happening and when. Lindsey Graskey left the meeting around 6pm. If the City were to replace the entire sidewalk network, it would cost around $34.6M. Current funding puts the city replacement cycle at approximately 55-65 years. When sidewalks are redone, finishing/seeding is also included. It will take a couple of years to fully grow in. In the seedbank and soil, weeds will grow first so have to get those cut back to allow grass to grow. Councilor Ludwig suggested educating residents on how to take care of the new sidewalks and grass plantings. This information could potentially be added to the letters residents receive notifying them of the work. Gundstrom let Committee members and Councilors know that if they get requests, let him know, especially if it is big hazard. He can at least get some patches done right away. Homeowners can also let us know. Gundstrom can be reached via phone: (715) 395-7300 or email gundstromr@ci.superior.wi.us. b. Freightliner/Aerial Boom - Recommendation to Purchase The City has been working on this for 4-5 years trying to figure out what exactly we need. This is what our tree crew uses when trimming and putting up lights, etc. It requires annual inspection and has safety ratings that go along with it. Twenty three years is getting up there in age and it requires more to keep it going. With age and requirements to keep operable we believe it is time to replace it. MOTION by Ludwig, second by Ledin and carried to approve the purchase of the Freightliner/Aerial Boom. 6. ESD Director’s Report Received and filed 7. Public Works Director’s Report a. Janigo yielded to Chair to give a report on the Blatnik Bridge. Councilor Van Sickle serves on the Project Advisory Committee for the Blatnik Bridge. Their first meeting was September 2020. There are around 100 stakeholders with 8 subcommittees. The Bridge was constructed in 1958 and opened in 1961, so 60 years ago. In 2008 was the first emergency gusset repair and then in 2016 another emergency 4 Pubic Works Committee Meeting September 2, 2021  gusset and cable repair took place. The load rating was reduced in 2016 and again in 2019. The Blatnik Bridge is largely operated and overseen by Minnesota with Wisconsin as a supporting partner and the opposite is true of the Bong Bridge. The Committee has held a couple of public virtual input meetings and in May, the public participate in alignment screening based on a couple of options that the Committee had come up with. Options were everything from do not build all the way to tunnels and more. This shows the public that all options are being considered. As a result of the alignment screening, there was a 41 page tech memo with the results. In terms of the timeline, 2020-2024 a lot of environmental evaluations will be done, making determinations based on the preferred alternative. In 2024-2026 they will be working on the preliminary design, 2026-2028 the final design will be created with construction happening 2028-2031. Director Janigo shared that since May people have been working on a lot of utilities – drawings, water lines, electric, etc. They are already digging to see what the piers look like. There are 3 primary structures – MN Approach, WI Approach, and the main span. The critical link is the main span. The cost will be different depending on what is done. They will be looking at what the life cycle is of the WI span and MN span as opposed to the main span and is there justification to do the whole thing. The MIC role in passing that resolution was to greenlight federal funding. You can see all of the meetings and documents. There is a lot of information there on bridge building and all that entails. Our two Public Safety Chiefs are part of the Advisory Council because of the safety factor and the amount of time police and fire spend on bridge. People can go to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website under the Blatnik Bridge project to give feedback on areas of the bridge. b. Director Janigo has been working on the odor issue at Parkland. Parkland has been getting better. We are still seeing spikes occasionally. We are getting to point where we will need to lean on them harder to get them to do what they need to do. c. Finished up sidewalk program for 2021. d. Currently working on our annual alley pave petitions. A Public Hearing will be set at the next Council meeting for September 21, 2021. e. Scope for Hammond Avenue – have received pricing and are negotiating. f. Opening for an Engineering Tech as Dave Pollock moved to a new position at ESD. Councilor Van Sickle adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m. The next Public Works Committee meeting will be held October 7, 2021 at 5 p.m. in room 204 of the Government Center. Minutes submitted to the Council Meeting of September 21, 2021. 5 Pubic Works Committee Meeting September 2, 2021  Central Equipment Division Public Works Department 2301 Hill Avenue Phone: (715) 394-0585 Superior, WI 54880 Fax: (715) 394-0401 Web site: www.ci.superior.wi.us TTY: (715) 395-7521 Date: August 12, 2021 City Council Agenda Date:______________ Memorandum TO: Mayor Jim Paine and Common Council FROM: Todd Janigo, Public Works Director RE: Freightliner/Aerial Boom - Recommendation to Purchase 1. Introduction: It has been requested by the Public Works Parks Department to purchase one (1) Versalift 55’ aerial boom bucket truck installed on a 2023 Freightliner M2 106 chassis. 2. Background: Fleet Manager Len Moen reports this unit is available for purchase under the Minnesota Net State Bid Contract #184013. 3. Analysis/Discussion: This unit is available for purchase on the Minnesota Net State Bid contract from ABM Equipment & Supply in Hopkins, MN in the amount of $222,714.50. This purchase would replace the Holan/Ford aerial boom/bucket truck that has been in service for 23 years. This unit has rust damage and body structural supports that will require major repairs to keep in service and pass its yearly aerial man lift required safety inspections. 4. Budget Source: Funding is in place through the Public Works CIP Fund. 5. Recommendation: Fleet Manager Len Moen is requesting that we waive the bidding requirements for the purchase of the above unit from ABM Equipment & Supply via the Minnesota Net State Bid contract and I concur. Recommended:______________________________ Mayor Jim Paine TJ/cn c: Linda Cadotte, Parks Director Russell Behlings, Parks Superintendent Len Moen, Fleet Manager  Environmental Services Division Public Works Department Phone: (715) 394-0392 Ext. 1034 ES Director Fax: (715) 394-0406 Steve Roberts E-mail: robertss@ci.superior.wi.us 51 E 1st Street Website: www.ci.superior.wi.us Superior, WI 54880 Memorandum DATE: September 10, 2021 TO: Members of the Public Works Committee FROM: Steve Roberts RE: ESD Director’s Report for September 2021 PWC 1) Wastewater Treatment Operations a) 91.9 million gallons of treated effluent were discharged from the main wastewater treatment facility in August. No discharges from combined sewer treatment facilities occurred. b) Discharged effluent has been compliant with 100% of permit limits since November, 2019. The longest previous period of continuous effluent compliance of 410 days was surpassed on January 4th. 2) Collection System Operations a) No Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), or Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) year-to- date. The most recent SSO occurred in April of 2020 and the most recent wet weather SSO occurred in October of 2018. 3) Upcoming public education, outreach, and involvement events: a) Friday, September 3rd (11 AM – 12 PM): Twin Ports Coastal Cleanup @ Arrowhead Boat Launch b) Tuesday, September 14th (3 - 6 PM): Barker’s Island GI Walking Tour @ Barker’s Island c) Saturday, September 18th (8 AM - 11 PM): Cause for Paws @ lot inland of Barker’s SR/sr C: Jodi Saylor, Todd Janigo, Chris Carlson, ESD Managers  JLVS PW/PAC REPORT SEPT 2, 2021 Bong Bridge: WI is the primary stakeholder with MN sharing a supporting role. Blatnik is the opposite, MN primary operator and WI supporting. Blatnik Project Advisory Committee 8 subcommittees: Transportation (Van Sickle), Tourism/Rec, WI GOV (Paine, Janigo, Serck, both Chiefs), MN GOV, WI Industry, MN Industry, WI Business, Special Interest  1958-1961: The High Bridge (later known as the Blatnik Bridge) is constructed  1961: Blatnik Bridge opens to traffic (60 years ago) o Designed for a max vehicle weight of 154,000 pounds  1973: Median change from curb to median barrier  1994: Widening project  1995: Painting and repair project  2008: Emergency gusset repair and spot o First load restriction to 80,000 pounds  2010: Suspender rope placement project  2012-2013: Repaint truss in splash zone, perform truss strengthening and install new lighting system o Changed max vehicle weight back to 154,000 pounds  2016: Repair project (emergency gussets and cable) o Load rating reduced again to 104,000 pounds  2019: Inspection o Load rating further reduced to 80,000 pounds (legal loads only)  2021/2022: Planned maintenance work Past meeting recordings and PowerPoints available at the project website https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/blatnik-bridge/index.html Our first PAC meeting was in Sept 2020 MN DOT AND WISDOT has co-hosted two virtual public input meetings. In May, the public participated in an alignment screening based a handful of pre-selected options to offer input on approach and landing options with various crossing options, including tunnels and no build.  JLVS PW/PAC REPORT SEPT 2, 2021 In July, results of the alignment screening were published in a 41 pg. tech memo.  2020-2024 Environmental evaluation and preferred alternative  2024-2026 Prelim Design  2026-2028 Final Design  2028-2031 Construction Sept 2021 The MIC Policy Board passed a Resolution supporting a “crossing” to signal support for federal funds that was first reviewed and amended by the TAC and BPAC.