Loading...
05/14/2013 - City Council SpecialMINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 14, 2013 5:30 P.M. EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER City Councilmembers present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Fields, Hansen and Tilley. City staff present: City Administrator Osberg, Assistant City Administrator Miller, Public Works Director Matthys, Transportation Operations Engineer Plath, Superintendent of Utilities Eaton, City Engineer Gorder, Water Resources Manager Macbeth, Director of Community Development Hohenstein and Finance Director Pepper. I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Councilmember Fields moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Aye:5 Nay:0 II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. III. WINTER TRAIL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM UPDATE ON CURRENT WINTER TRAIL PLOWING POLICY City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting that the Council adopted a Winter Trail Maintenance Plan in 1998, which the Council reviews annually and considers the extent of the trail system that is designated for maintenance during the winter months. Director of Public Works Matthys gave an overview of the program and provided an update on the current Winter Trail Plowing Policy that has been addressed by City crews and equipment exclusively for the past five years. The Council discussed the response time for trail plowing. The Council directed a conversation about winter trail maintenance, including equipment, plowing options /efficiencies, and the use of contractual plowing by residents to a future Public Works Committee meeting. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONS /CHANGES Director of Public Works Matthys introduced the item noting the City Council adopted a Winter Trail Maintenance Plan that allows the Council to annually review and consider modifications to the extent of the trail system that is designated for maintenance during the winter months. Matthys noted there are four (4) Citizen Petitions and one (1) new trail segment to be reviewed. Matthys summarized the citizen petitions received. The City Council discussed Citizen Petition #1, which requested that a new trail segment be plowed on the south side of Diffley Road from Lexington Avenue to Dodd Road. Theresa Eisele, 4209 Braddock Trail, representative of the petition, was present and spoke in support of the request. The Council concurred with the petition and directed staff to add the new trail segment to be plowed on the south side of Diffley Road from Lexington Avenue to Dodd Road as a Priority Level 4 route. Special City Council Minutes May 14, 2013 Page 2 Mayor Maguire suggested staff contact State Representative Laurie Halvorson's office regarding enabling legislation at the state level, where schools could be empowered to enter joint powers agreements with local districts as an avenue for dialogue between local government, cities and school districts. The City Council discussed Citizen Petition #2, which requested that a new trail segment be plowed on the north side of Wescott Road from Lexington Avenue to Elrene Road. Matthys suggested considering two potions in response to the request and noted that the petition only included 12 properties and thus did not meet the petition criteria which require a petition to include the signature of at least 50 properties. Shelly Recer, 871 Wescott Road, representative of the petition, was present and spoke in support of the request. The Council concurred with Option B and directed staff to add the new trail segment to be plowed on the north side of Wescott Road from Woodlands Elementary to Elrene Road as a Priority Level 1 route. The Council concurred that the remainder of the segment on the north side of Wescott Road from Lexington Avenue to Woodland Elementary be discussed at a future Public Works Committee meeting. The City Council discussed Citizen Petition #3, which requested that a new trail segment be plowed in Slater Acres Park. Janis Fuller, 2269 Whispering Trail, representative of the petition, was present and spoke in support of the request noting the lack of use of the outdoor rink at this park. Ms. Fuller gave an alternative suggestion to not flood the rink, but instead plow the trail. The City Council directed that this trail segment not be added to the winter trail maintenance program, and suggested that Park staff monitor the usage of the outdoor rink at this location. The City Council discussed Citizen Petition #4, which requested that a new trail segment be plowed on the north side of Towerview Road from Red Cedar Road /Woodlark Lane to Pilot Knob Road. Calvin Buck, 3056 Timberwood Court, representative of the petition, was present and spoke in support of the request. The City Council directed staff to add the new trail segment to be plowed on the north side of Towerview Road from Red Cedar Road /Woodlark Lane to Pilot Knob Road as a Priority Level 4 route. The City Council discussed the new 6 -foot wide concrete sidewalk currently being installed on the west /south side of Crestridge Drive, from Duckwood Drive to Pilot Knob Road, as part of Project 1116. The City Council directed staff to add the new sidewalk segment to be plowed on the west /south side of Crestridge Drive from Duckwood Drive to Pilot Knob Road as a Priority Level 3 route. IV. SNOW/ ICE CONTROL POLICY Director of Public Works Matthys introduced the item noting on December 20, 1999 the City Council adopted a formal Snow & Ice Control Policy to govern and guide this service delivery program. Matthys noted the current update focuses on limiting snow plowing operators to 12 -hour shifts in any 24 -hour period for safety purposes. There was Council consensus to proceed with the proposed changes to the policy for formal consideration at the June 4 City Council meeting. The Council took a 10 minute break. Special City Council Minutes May 14, 2013 Page 3 V. PUBLIC WORKS 5 -YEAR CIP (2014 -2018) Director of Public Works Matthys introduced the item noting that each year the City Council adopts a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the community, which includes Part III - Infrastructure (Public Works). Matthys gave an overview of the proposed Public Works Infrastructure projects for 2014 -2018. Mayor Maguire asked if anyone in the audience would like to comment on the proposed CIP. There being no public comment, he turned discussion back to the Council. The City Council discussed the proposed CIP projects and directed the CIP to the June 4, 2013, City Council meeting for formal consideration. VI. HIGHWAY 77 (CEDAR AVENUE FREEWAY) MANAGED LAND AND CEDAR GROVE TRANSIT ACCESS ENGINEERING STUDY - UPDATE City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting the Minnesota Department of Transportation is undertaking an engineering study considering the utilization of "managed lanes" on Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue Freeway) as well as an improved connection between the soon to be operating Red Line Bus Rapid Transit and the Cedar Grove Transit Station. John Solberg with MnDOT gave an update and presentation of the study. Christine Elwood with Dakota County was available for questions. The Council discussed the study. VII. SPERRY TOWER DISPOSITION / ANTENNA TOWER POLICY Director of Public Works Matthys introduced the item noting the Sperry Reservoir located at 1420 Towerview Road is a 0.5 gallon hydro pillar tank that was built in 1967. The tower was last rehabilitated in 1987 with a typical coating life of 20 to 25 years; the current coating is 26 years old. The cost estimate for the needed improvements is $510,000 and the cost to put it back into service would be an additional $100,000. Matthys noted the reservoir has not been connected to the water system since September 2009 and the structure acts as an antenna base that generates revenue for the City. Matthys noted considerations for the tower are to keep the existing structure, replace the existing structure with a communications structure or to permanently remove the existing structure. The Council discussed the reservoir. Councilmember Bakken suggested looking into possibly preserving the structure and repurpose or convert to a pumped hydro battery. Mayor Maguire noted the uniqueness of the tower and with it being the City's first water reservoir it could be considered a landmark. Mayor Maguire suggested getting input or feedback from the public. After further discussion the Council requested staff to look into alternative uses and provide an update at a future Council meeting. VIII. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) TRANSITION PLAN City Administrator Osberg introduced the item requesting Council's direction to bring back to the June 4, 2013, Council meeting the acknowledgement of the need for a transition plan on the facilities within the City that will need attention as it relates to the ADA Act, which was enacted in 1990. Osberg noted a Special City Council Minutes May 14, 2013 Page 4 survey of what improvements will be needed from Public Works and other city facilities will be conducted. Public Works Director Matthys noted because the City of Eagan provides public services and programs, the organization is obligated to comply with this section of the Act as it specifically applies to public service agencies and transportation agencies. Title II of the ADA requires the City to conduct a self - evaluation of its facilities and develop a Transition Plan detailing how the organization will ensure that all of its facilities, services, programs and activities are accessible to all individuals. In order to comply with the required transition plan process, City staff proposes to review the Local Road Research Board (LRRB) guide, identify completed ADA improvements on past City projects and review the transition plan requirements with the City Attorney's office. Once this is completed, City staff would provide an overview of the proposed scope and timeline for the preparation of the transition plan. There was Council consensus to formally acknowledge the purpose and need for the transition plan to the June 4, 2013, City Council meeting for formal consideration. There was no other business to be heard. IX. OTHER BUSINESS X. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Bakken moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Aye:5 Nay:0 (Q-L�--3 Date ),Jill - . F7.T Mayor