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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-05 CC MIN CITY OF STILLWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING NO. 03-24 November 5, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING 4:30 P.M. Mayor Kimble called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Present: Absent: Councilmembers Kriesel, Milbrandt, Junker and Mayor Kimble Councilmember Rheinberger Others Present: City Administrator Hansen Director of Administration Knauss Police Chief Dauffenbach Public Works Director Eckles City Attorney Magnuson Fire Chief Kallestad Community Development Director Russell City Clerk Ward OTHER BUSINESS Joint City Council meetinq with City of Oak Park Heiqhts reqardinq placement of buttonhook intersections T.H. 36. - Minutes provided by the City of Oak Park Heiqhts Present: Oak Park Heights Mayor David Beaudet, Councilmembers Abrahamson and McComber; Stillwater Mayor Jay Kimble, Councilmembers Kriesel, Junker and Milbrandt. Staff present: Oak Park Heights Administrator Eric Johnson, Stillwater City Administrator Hansen, City Clerk Diane Ward, Public Works Director Eckles, Community Development Director Russell, Police Chief Dauffenbach, Fire Chief Kallestad, and City Attorney Dave Magnuson. MNDOT representatives provided an overview of the TH 36 project, explaining that the proposed corridor improvements from County Road 5 to Osgood Avenue have been developed by MNDOT and the Technical Advisory Committee to complement the river- crossing project. Todd Cia rkows ki explained that the Stakeholders Group consists of 28 agencies and groups that began meeting in June to look at safety, congestion and environmental issues associated with the river crossing project to develop a list of criteria to consider which has resulted in the identification of four potential locations for a river crossing. A scoping document will be available November 10, 2003 that will be distributed to local libraries, state and local agencies, individuals and stakeholders. In all, 275 copies of the scoping document will be distributed for review during the public comment period, November 10 - December 10, 2003. In addition, MNDOT will hold two public hearings: December 2, 2003 at Houlton Elementary School from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and December 3, 2003 at the Washington County Government Center from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. In City Council Meeting (Special) - 03-24 November 5, 2003 addition, a newsletter will be sent to 17,000 local residents. A scoping decision document will be prepared with input from the public comment process. Mayor Beaudet inquired on funding for the corridor project. Mr. Clarkowski indicated that funding sources are being pursued. Beth Bartz of SRF Consulting provided an overview of the process used to develop the concept design for the project. Ms. Bartz explained that MNDOT is utilizing a Technical Advisory Committee to identify issues of concern and provide input on the design for the TH 36 corridor. The T AC has focused on Alternative F, which was identified by the Stillwater and Oak Park Heights City Councils as the preferred alternative. Using concept plans for Alternative F, the T AC has worked to position button hooks and frontage roads to minimize impact to businesses. MNDOT will be asking cities for a Resolution of support for the conceptual design in December or January, followed by municipal consent late next fall. Ken Holte of SRF Consulting presented an updated layout for the proposed TH 36 improvements. Mr. Holte noted that the T AC has reviewed the layout in depth and will continue to work on details while trying to take current development into account. Possible locations for buttonhooks, frontage roads and ponding were reviewed and specific business impacts were noted. The north end side of the intersection at Osgood has received the most comment and is the most challenging. Several different options for that intersection were presented, including possibilities for improving access to the Washington County Government Center. Discussion was held concerning the appropriate timing of notification to affected property owners. Ms. Bartz suggested that it would be beneficial to wait until options are narrowed down. Ms. Bartz also stated that the scoping document is a blueprint for the Environmental Impact Study, not a detailed document for identifying impact to specific businesses. Mayor Beaudet asked about funding for the project, expressing concern that the corridor project be funded along with the river-crossing project. Beaudet requested a letter from MNDOT stating that the corridor project will be constructed at the same time as the bridge project. Rick Arnebeck of MNDOT responded that it is too premature at this time to make a statement about funding. Mayor Kimble stated that the 62nd Street connection to the frontage road that would allow access to the Washington County Government Center was a design wish of Stillwater's a few years ago. Stillwater has worked to provide more east/west connections in an effort to alleviate traffic on the frontage roads. Mayor Kimble also stated that Shelton Road was designed to continue as a through street rather than a cul-de-sac to provide additional east/west traffic flow. Dan Symanaz of SRF reviewed graphical illustrations to demonstrate the possible appearance of the roadway and overpasses. Several opportunities were presented that would provide a parkway effect and keep aesthetics in mind. Mayor Kimble stated that aesthetic elements are very important, as this section is a welcome to the state and to Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting (Special) - 03-24 November 5, 2003 the area to visitors arriving from across the bridge. Mayor Kimble recessed the meeting at 5:41 p.m. Mayor Kimble reconvened the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Acceptina bids and awardina contract for North Hill Improvements Public Works Director Eckles provided the bids for the North Hill Improvements. He stated that the lowest responsible bidder is Viet Companies of Rogers, Minnesota in the amount of $515,484.50. Mayor Kimble expressed concern on the contractor because of problems with a downtown project. City Attorney Magnuson stated that the company did not work for the City and that there was some confusion on the City's role in the project downtown, but that this project would be under the control of the City. Motion by Council member Milbrandt, seconded by Council member Junker to adopt Resolution 2003-233, accepting bid and awarding contract for North Hill Sewer Project - Phase 1, (Project 2000-15). All in favor. Ayes: Nays: Absent: Councilmember Kriesel, Milbrandt, Junker and Mayor Kimble None Council member Rheinberger Leaislative Associates Update - Ed Cain Mr. Ed Cain, Legislative Associates provided an update on the Stillwater Levee/Flood Control Stage 3 Developments. He stated that the State has appropriated $750,000 matching funds for State 3 in the 1996 Bonding Bill, which were transferred to an escrow account for the project and that the Minnesota DNR have agreed that the funds in the escrow account could be used for the preconstruction work for Stage 3. He stated that the City Engineer and staff have suggested that SEH would be the logical firm to do the work since they did the engineering work for Stages 1 and 2 and that it was important that SEH prepare a proposal, submit it to the Council, and the City and work begin prior to the passage of the FY 2004 appropriations bill, and signing by the President and requested Council action on this proposal at the November 18, 2003 meeting. Motion by Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Kriesel directing the City Administrator to look for the necessary matching monies within the City for the project and directing the Public Works Director, City Attorney, City Administrator and Mr. Cain to work with SEH for the proposal for the design and implementation of Phase 1 of three phases for this issue to save the park grant and move the project forward. All in favor. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting (Special) - 03-24 November 5,2003 Possible approval of proposal for snow removal services for recreation center Public Works Director Eckles reviewed the proposal for snow removal services from Concrete Masonry (formerly Lehmicke Construction) for the St. Croix Recreation Center. He stated that the price is the same as the original proposal and this company has provided snow plowing for the recreation center since it was completed. Motion by Council member Kriesel, seconded by Council member Junker to adopt Resolution 2003-234, approval of agreement for snow removal services 2003-2004. All in favor. Ayes: Nays: Absent: Council member Kriesel, Milbrandt, Junker and Mayor Kimble None Councilmember Rheinberger Council member Junker asked when the railings would be installed on the stairs to the ravine. Public Works Director Eckles stated that the railings were installed today. He stated that some Eagle Scouts have done some work in the ravine and requested that they be recognized at a future meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council member Junker, seconded by Council member Milbrandt to adjourn the meeting at 6: 15 p.m. All in favor. ATTEST: ~~(/P~d Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2003-233, accepting bid and awarding contract for North Hill Sewer Project - Phase 1, (Project 2000-15) Resolution 2003-234, approval of agreement for snow removal services 2003-2004 Page 4 of 4