Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-18 CC MINCITY OF STILLWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING NO. 07-22 September 18, 2007 REGULAR MEETING Vice Mayor Milbrandt called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Gag, Milbrandt, Nyberg and Polehna Absent: Mayor Harycki Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Public Works Director Sanders City Clerk Ward PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:00 P.M. Vice Mayor Milbrandt led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Gag, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to approve the special meeting minutes of August 28, 2007 and regular and recessed minutes of September 4, 2007. All in favor. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS & COMMENDATIONS Proclamation: Family Appreciation Month Vice Mayor Milbrandt read a proclamation designating the month of October as Family Appreciation Month in the City of Stillwater. Stage 3 Flood Control -Tom Novak Tom Novak, project manager from the Corps of Engineers, provided an update on the Stillwater flood control project. He noted that when Congress authorized the project in 1996, it increased the allocation to $11.6 million; the original authorization was $3.2 million. Stages 1 and 2 of the project were completed in 2007-2000. He stated that the Corps did an economic feasibility study for stage 3 in 2000, and he pointed out that the administration did not support the project due to the benefits/cost ratio. In 2002, Congressman Luther was successful in obtaining a $2 million appropriation for the Stillwater flood control project, but the money was reallocated to other projects because of confusion regarding the language in the original authorization for the project. In 2004, he said Congressman Kennedy obtained language in the appropriations act, ordering City Council Meeting - 07-22 September 18, 2007 the Corps to proceed with the project using previously allocated funds. In the interim, he noted the City obtained some additional real estate and suggested that rather than a floodwall, the Corps consider construction of an earthen levee, awalkway/bike trail. Mr. Novak said the Corps has $1.8 million of the original $2 million (from 2002) and the City has contributed an additional $200,000. The first step that needs to be completed now, he said, is an engineering documentation report. Because the project has sat for so long, costs have gone up, the real estate has changed, and the structure itself has changed from a floodwall to a levee, the engineering report will look at what is being _ built and what it will cost. The report, an update of a document completed in 1995, will be done by a consulting firm, he said, rather than in-house and will take about two months to complete. He noted this is an implementation document, not a decision document -the levee will be built. The second step, he said, is preparation of plans and specs, followed by the first phase of the levee construction contract. If additional federal funding is received, he said there likely would be a second phase of the levee construction. He pointed out the authorization for the project is $11.6 million, $13 million given the time lapse, a figure that cannot be exceeded unless authorized by Congress. To date, $6,923,000 has been expended. In 2000, the cost for the floodwall was estimated at $4,515,000. Councilmember Gag asked what the already appropriated $2 million would buy, should no more federal funds be appropriated for the project. Mr. Novak said that money would cover the engineering documentation report, plans and specs and a portion of the levee or perhaps the relocation of utilities in anticipation of completion of the project. Councilmember Nyberg asked if the engineering documentation would have to be redone should there be another five-year time lag before additional funds are appropriated. Mr. Novak responded that would not be necessary, the new report is required primarily because of the change in the project scope from a floodwall to an earthen levee. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments STAFF REPORTS Community Development Director Turnblad told the Council St. Croix Academy is considering making application for a new school site on the west side of Neal Avenue at McKusick Road. Before preparing the application package, school officials thought it would be best that a traffic study be completed for the new site. He said the study would consider not only the traffic that would be generated by a school use but also the Millbrook development when built out, as well as existing traffic patterns. School officials also believe an independent engineer should complete the traffic report, rather than a firm hired by the school. Mr. Turnblad said he had contracted SRF and asked that firm to submit a work plan and cost estimate for completing a traffic study. He said SRF submitted a plan and cost estimate of $7,500; the school has already deposited escrow Page 2 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-22 September 18, 2007 funds to cover that amount, he stated. He asked for Council approval to allow SRF to go ahead with the traffic study. Vice Mayor Milbrandt asked if SRF would be doing the traffic study for the Comprehensive Plan; Mr. Turnblad responded that a different firm will be doing the Comp Plan traffic study. There was discussion as to the possible advantage/disadvantage of having the same consultant do both traffic studies. Councilmember Polehna asked whether the study would go all the way out to Manning; Mr. Turnblad said he did not believe that was included in the study but pointed out the study would include a report on the distribution of the traffic. _ Motion by Councilmember Nyberg, seconded by Councilmember Gag to adopt Resolution 2007-188, approving SRF contract for traffic analysis, and accepting the escrow account from St. Croix Preparatory Academy and apply it to a traffic study to be completed by SRF. Ayes: Councilmembers Polehna, Nyberg, Gag and Vice Mayor Milbrandt Nays: None Public Works Director Sanders reported he had been working with MnDOT regarding the possibility of installing in-street pedestrian crosswalk signs at three locations in the downtown area -Nelson and Main, Commercial and Main, and another by Staples Mills. He said MnDOT has given the preliminary OK, and he is waiting for the permit to be approved. He stated that the signs would be installed until winter to determine the effectiveness and durability of the signage. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Polehna asked that item 6 be removed and voted on separately. Motion by Councilmember Gag, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to approve the Consent Agenda with Item 6, Request to hang banner- Wash. Co. Historic Courthouse- Stillwater Bridal Affair- Feb. 8 -Feb. 25, 2008, removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate vote. Resolution 2007-182, directing payment of bills Resolution 2007-183, resolution of consent Resolution 2007-184, approving Municipal License for the Brown's Creek Watershed District Resolution X2007-185, approving source reduction program for schools contract - Karen L. Richtman (DBA: Service on a Shoestring) Resolution 2007-186, accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for 2006 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project (Project 2006-05) Approval of purchase of phone system software upgrade -MIS Approval of purchase of firewall for City Hall -MIS Approval of purchase of a 48 port 10/100/1000 base-t PoE switch w/stacking cable -MIS. Approval of Agreement with Onvoy for PRI/T1 service -MIS Resolution 2007-187, approving dedication agreement with Orville D & Kathleen M. Johnson Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Nyberg, Polehna and Vice Mayor Milbrandt Page 3 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-22 September 18, 2007 Nays: None Motion by Councilmember Gag, seconded by Councilmember Nyberg to approve Item 6, Request to hang banner- Wash. Co. Historic Courthouse- Stillwater Bridal Affair- Feb. 8 -Feb. 25, 2008. Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Nyberg and Vice Mayor Milbrandt Nays: None Abstention: Councilmember Polehna PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to address. NEW BUSINESS Discussion on Maple Island Public Restrooms Community Development Director Turnblad noted that as a condition of approval for the final phase of the Maple Island redevelopment project, the developer was required to meet with the City to discuss the potential for providing public restrooms. He said the developer, Vern Stefan, has prepared a proposal for public restrooms and would like to discuss plans with the Council prior to submitting plans to the Heritage Preservation Commission. The proposal includes an estimated cost of construction for the restrooms of about $340,000 and annual lease of $11,430-$15,240. Attorney Magnuson reviewed the history of the easement on the strip of land once owned by the railroad and now owned by the City; the easement includes a piece of property that is now the parking lot at Mulberry and Water and Main streets. As part of the final phase of the Maple Island project, the developer asked that the easement be vacated. Mr. Magnuson explained that the easement was provisionally vacated with the conditions that final building design plans be reviewed and accepted, building permits be issued and the developer discuss the {possibility of providing public restrooms in the proposed building. Vern Stefan, Mainstream Development, reviewed the history of the Maple Island redevelopment project. The final phase of the project was demolition of the garage and use of the parking lot as the basis for a new building. He spoke of the continual discussion and previous proposals for providing public restrooms in downtown Stillwater. He stated that as part of the final phase of the Maple Island project, they agreed to entertain a proposal to partner with the City to provide public restrooms. He said the building allows for that and seems to fit well with the long-term plan for the Maple Island property. Page 4 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-22 September 18, 2007 Councilmember Nyberg questioned what the City would receive in exchange for vacating the easement and whether this would be the best location for a public restroom facility. There was discussion regarding the potential value of the parking stalls that could be accommodated on the easement and the number of stalls that will be provided in the new Maple Island building. Councilmember Gag asked about the expectation regarding the provision of public restrooms, whether the Council at that time anticipated a cost to the City and yearly lease. Vice Mayor Milbrandt said the expectation was similar to the provision regarding the Mills project -providing public restrooms at no cost to the City to build or rent. Councilmember Polehna concurred with Mr. Milbrandt. There was discussion regarding the parking requirements for the new Maple Island building. Vice Mayor Milbrandt suggested the developers continue to work with City staff, noting that from comments heard at this meeting the proposal as submitted isn't acceptable. Possible appointment to Downtown Parking Commission City Clerk Ward explained that an application for appointment to the Downtown Parking Commission had been received from Michael Rice, who had previously served on the Parking Commission. Ms. Ward noted that the City has advertised for business representatives to serve on the Commission, but has received no applications. Motion by Councilmember Nyberg, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to appoint Mr. Rice by adopting Resolution 2007-189, appointing member to Downtown Parking Commission. Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Nyberg, Polehna and Vice Mayor Milbrandt Nays: None Possible appro~_•al of Change Order #1 for the Phase III Utilities Project (Project 2006-09 A&B) Public Works Director Sanders explained the reason for the change order. He stated that initially Brown's Creek Reserve developers were to extend trunk sewer and water through their property up to the Millbrook development. As it appears the Brown's Creek Reserve development is not going to proceed, the City is proposing to extend the utilities. He stated the City has received right of entry from the current titleholder to the property to proceed with the project. Mr. Sanders stated the contractor for the phase 3 trunk utilities along Manning and original sewer project along Neal has agreed to do the project and honor the same contract prices as bid back in May. He explained the sewer would be extended along the very western edge of the property so as to not affect any future development of the site; the Watershed District has approved the location, he said. The water would be extended along Neal Avenue. It was noted cost will be recovered from any future development. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Gag to adopt Resolution 2007-190, approval of Change Order #1 for the Phase III Utilities Project (Project 2006- 09A&B). Page 5 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-22 September 18, 2007 Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Nyberg, Polehna and Vice Mayor Milbrandt Nays: None COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Nyberg asked that staff be directed to bring to the Parks Commission the possibility of a dog park. Community Development Director said that issue will be raised as an agenda item for the Parks Commission and will continue to be looked at as a park planning issue in the Comprehensive Plan process. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Gag to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. All in favor. a ly Mil an t, Vice Mayor ATTEST: Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2007-182, directing payment of bills Resolution 2007-183, resolution of consent Resolution 2007-184, approving Municipal License for the Brown's Creek Watershed District Resolution 2007-185, approving source reduction program for schools contract -Karen L. Richtman (DBA: Service on a Shoestring) Resolution 2007-186, accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for 2006 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project (Project 2006-05) Resolution 2007-187, approving dedication agreement with Orville D & Kathleen M. Johnson Resolution 2007-188, approving SRF contract for traffic analysis Resolution 2007-189, appointing member to Downtown Parking Commission Resolution 2007-1'90, approval of Change Order #1 for the Phase III Utilities Project (Project 2006-09A&B) Page6of6