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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApr 15, 1985OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING APRIL 15, t985 The Public Improvement Hearing was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:30 P.M.. 1. Roll Call Hovland, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present 2. Purpose of Hearing A Public Improvement Hearing regarding special assessment projects dealing with resi- dential Street reconstruction of 42nd Avenue; crack and joint sealing of various concrete alleys in the City; and hazardous sidewalk repairs on 41st and 42nd Avenues. 3. Presentation of Project Information - Question/Answer Period a. Project # 8210, P.I.R. # 785 Consideration of this project was continued from the Public Improvement Hearing on March 18th. The project addressed the reconstruction of 42nd Avenue from Central Avenue to Reservoir Boulevard. At the March 18th Hearing many residents objected to widening of 42nd Avenue as well as to the removal of sidewalks in areas and the installation of sidewalks in other areas. The staff was requested to draw up alternatives to the ori- ginal proposal responsive to resident's concerns. The City Manager reviewed the two alternatives. In response to citizen's questions, the City Engineer advised them that alternative #1 would not widen the street nor would sidewalks be replaced or newly-installed. The street would remain 29 feet wide and only that sidewalk designated as "hazardous" would be replaced. This proposal would also include improving poor driveways. The property Oowner at 1221 42nd Avenue requested his driveway be widened. Alternative #2 would widen 42nd Avenue to 33 feet and would install sidewalk. Discussion continued with individual concerns among which were; vehicular speed, depth of sanitary sewer, water drainage, and street level. Mayor Nawrocki explained the costs being presented are estimates. When bids go out firm costs will be received and those figures will be discussed at the Assessment Hearing to be held in the Fall. He noted if firm costs e×ceed 10% of the estimated costs that the hearing will be r~-opened as this is Council policy on assessable projects. The City Assessor thought this assessment could be payable over a fifteen year period. The Mayor explained the procedure for paying without interest or penalty. He noted the interest for assessments is determined by the amount of interest the City is charged to borrow the money, which frequently is lower than what an individual could borrow at. The dis- cussion continued regarding the timeframes for the project. The City Engineer felt if the project were started in mid-June it should be completed in late September. He re- viewed each phase of the project and how it would impact on residents parking and driving. The Mayor invited all those residents in attendance to show their support or lack of it for the project. The majority opposed the project. Motion by Carlson to deny the project. Motion dies for lack of a second. A resident had requested that a stop sign be installed near LaBelle Park to control speed of the cars and insure safety of pedestrian traffic. This request will be referred to the Traffic Commission. Motion by Hovland, second by Peterson to authorize the project. Councilman Hovland stated that 42nd Avenue is in considerable disrepair and the costs will not decrease if it is not done now. Roll Call: Hovland, Peterson, Nawrocki - aye Petkoff, Carlson - nay Motion fails. To authorize this type of project four ayes are necessary. Public Improvement Hearing April 15, 1985 page 2 b. Project # 8405, P.I.R. # 803 Bituminous crack and joint sealing of various concrete alleys. The City Manager reviewed the project and costs of the assessment. He also explained the manner in which engineering and administrative costs are determined. The Council had received material regarding the costs of the project if it were done in-house or by a contractor. The City Engineer advised those at the hearing what the procedure of crack sealing entails and why joint cleaning is necessary to protect the integrity of the concrete alley. He noted if water gets in under the concrete the alley will break up and need major repair. This effort is viewed as a maintenance procedure. In response to a resident's question, the Mayor stated that if each alley were assessed block by block the administrative cost would be very high. It was noted that each alley in the project, a total of 57, was inspected individually by members of the staff. Petitions in opposition to alley repair were received by property owners whose property is adjacent to the following alleys: Reservoir Boulevard to Tyler Street, 39th Avenue to 4Oth Avenue; 6th Street to 7th Street, 50th Avenue to 51st Avenue; 6th Street to 7th Street, 48th Avenue to 49th Avenue; Main Street to Second Street, 44th Avenue to 45th Avenue; 4th Street to 5th Street, 44th Avenue to 45th Avenue; and, Quincy Street to Jackson Street, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue. A resident stated he felt this type of project should be paid from the General Fund. Councilman Hovland said he had driven concrete alleys in Robbinsdale, northeast Minn- eapolis and north Minneapolis and found these alleys to be in the same condition as those in Columbia Heights. Motion by Hovland, second by Carlson to disapprove the project. Roll call: All ayes Frank Niznik, 4250 Jackson Street, stated his concerns with truck traffic on 43rd Avenue as well noise generated in the Rainbow Foods area. The Mayor advised him that the City had an understanding with that business that their delivery trucks would not use 43rd Avenue nor would that street be available for truck use any time~ The street is so posted. The early morning noise is generated on the delivery dock. The City Manager was requested to check this matter out and advise Mr. Niznik with a written response as to his findings. Mr. Niznik also had concern with vehicular traffic from Northwestern Electronics Insti- tute which passes through his alley as well as their parking on residential streets. c. Project # 8414, P.I.R. # 805 Hazardous Sidewalk Repair The sidewalks under consideration for repair in Project # 8414 are on 42nd Avenue from Central Avenue to Fillmore Street and on 41st Avenue from Reservoir Boulevard to Stinson Boulevard. The costs for this project were discussed and the City Engineer noted this project will be let for bids with hazardous sidewalks projects discussed at an earlier public hearing. Councilmember Carlson suggested that the residents of 42nd Avenue should be notified by letter of this project if it is approved. He felt they left this hearing after the reconstruction project for 42nd Avenue was not authorized with the impressions there would be no improvements for which they would be assessed. Motion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to authorize Project # 8414. Roll call: All ayes 4. Consideration of Resolutions Autho.r.i~..i.ng Pr.o3ects a. Projects # 8210 and '~8~b'5"were not authorized therefore resolutions are not needed. b. Resolution No. 86-16 Authorizing Project #8414 - Hazardous Sidewalk Repair Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 85-16 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS Public Improvement Hearing April 15, 1985 page 3 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights: WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Columbia Heights by motion on the llth day of February, 1985 ordered notice of a hearing to be given to property owners, and, WHEREAS, pursuant to a notice of hearing certain residents appeared at a Council Meeting on the 15th day of April, 1985, and, WHEREAS, the Council determines to proceed with this local improvement, a portion of the cost being defrayed by special assessments under Charter provisions. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: l. That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: Hazardous sidewalk repairs on 42nd Avenue N,E. from Central Avenue to Fillmore Street N.E. on 41st Avenue N.E. from Reservoir Boulevard to Stinson Boulevard N.E.. Only those property owners who are notified by mail directly are being considered for an assessment. Work would include the removal and replacement of damaged, root heaved, settled or deteriorated sections of concrete sidewalk, including service walks from the street to the main sidewalk on City right-of-way, and miscellaneous associated construction items. 2. That the materials to be used are as follows: Concrete That a careful estimate of the cost of the improvements has been made by the City Manager and the several lots and parcels of land fronting upon and ad- jacent to such proposed improvements, which be deemed benefited thereby, were properly notified of said hearings, and That the City Manager shall also list the names and owners of the several parcels so improved as nearly as can be ascertained. That the City Manager shall proceed with taking of bids for the improvements, or portions of the improvements, as stated herein. 6. These improvements shall also be known as Project No. 805. Passed this 15th day of April, 1985. Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Petkoff Roll call: All ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary We, the undersigned, feel it is UNnecessary to have the following work done : P.I.R. #803 - Project ~8405 Proposed Bituminous Crack and Joint Sealing for 6th - 7th from 50th - 51st. Cost per alley front footage is $1.78 NAME ADDRE S S The above signed represent ~ ~ % of the homeowners involved in this block area. We, the undersigned, feel it is UNnecessary to have the following work done : P.I.R. #803 - Project #8405 Proposed Bituminous Crack and Joint Sealing for 6th - 7th from 50th - 51st. Cost per alley front footage is $1.78 NAME ~ ~ '7tlt'~ ~ ~- ' tt~ :' , ~ ~, .'" "-' ': ,.'~ ' .... ~ ADDRESS ·: '~ ,U -" The above signed represent ~[.'% of the homeowners involved in this block area. We, the undersigned residents of Columbia Heights, residing on Main Street and Second Street between 44th and 45th Avenues N.E., do not want the alley repaved or cut up with concrete saws. Vie feel the alley is in as good condition now as it was when it first was laid. .4 -~'-' We the undersigned, residents of the 4800 block, 6th & 7th Streets N.E., Columbia Heights, object to the proposed assessment and repair of the alley sur- face in the 4800 block between 6th and 7th Streets. The reason for the objec- tion is that, upon examination of the alley, the residents could not find any areas requiring repair. HOMEOWNERS ADDRESS tO. Public Improvement Hearing April 15, 1985 page 4 Miscellaneous Items a. Pedestrian Safety A resident advised the Council of his concern for pedestrian safety on 4Oth Avenue west of University. On the north side of 40th Avenue he stated there is no sidewalk nor is there any place for pedestrians to walk other than in the street. While in the area at night he noticed some youngsters clad in dark clothing walking in the street. He felt if they had not been wearing light colored tennis shoes they would not have been seen. The City Engineer said he will work on correcting the situation. b. Retaining Wall The City Engineer advised the Council of the condition of a wood retaining wall located on city property on 44th Avenue. He stated the condition of the wall is extremely poor and requested direction for replacing it. Various construction materials and estimated costs for replacing the retaining wall were discussed. The Council determined if there are state aid monies available the wall could be replaced with concrete, otherwise timbers could be used. Location of shrubs adjacent to the wall also needed to be addressed to determine if they were on city-owned property or on private property. These shrubs may be disturbed while replacing the wall. Adjournment ~ Motion by Petkoff, second by Hovland to adjourn the hear' ll: All ayes Bruce~Nawrocki, Mayor //-Anne Student, CoUncil Secretary