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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 7, 2008 University Service DriveOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS fTTV C1F r(li.iTMR7A NFTl:NTfi CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING - UNIVERSITYAVENUE SERVICE DRIVE APRIL 7, 2008 The following are the minutes for the Public Improvement Hearing of the City Council held at on Monday, Apri17, 2008 in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, 590 40`'' Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 8:50 p.m. Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Dielun, Councilmember Kelzenberg PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING: 2008 STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR UNIVERSITY AVENUE SERVICE DRIVE Street Reconstruction Project Presentation of Information on Street Reconstruction Project by Staff Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director, indicated the items contained m the Councilmember's packets. Hansen stated this meeting is to decide if the project should proceed, not for assessment amounts. The service drive is a MnDot roadway, but they do little maintenance in this area. We applied for financial assistance and were awarded cooperative money for 40`'' to 45`h Avenue. If we take this roadway back from MnDot, we would want to take back a new roadway. Safety improvements were the goal. This would add a cul-de-sac at 40`h Avenue and close off that entrance to University Avenue. This would include new storm sewers. Residents and staff looked at screening, pedestrian access, and fencing. A walkway is proposed on the west side of the road from 45`h Avenue to 40`h Avenue, off the street. We suggest a black coated chain link fence. We want to add screening to cut our maintenance requirements. We look to add a combination of trees, shrubs, vines, and native seeding. The church and gas station have requested to maintain their visibility. Hansen covered the specific types of plant materials to be used. Trees and shrubs must stay 20 feet from. the roadway. This suggestion would allow only a small area next to the roadway that would need to be mowed. The total project cost is $915,000. MnDot has awarded us $550,000. Under ten percent of the total cost is recommended be assessed, The Council. will consider the project and if they approve this, we will need six weeks to get final MnDot approval prior to bidding. This work could begin in July and go to year9s end. The assessment hearing would be held in the fall. Hansen stated that MnDot plans reconstruction from this point north to Northtown in 2009, and will include lane closures. Nawrocki questioned weed growth. Hansen stated it must either be cut more often or burned off. Nawrocki asked if 42°d would be blocked off. Hansen stated no. Nawrocki asked if there are funds available to make up the costs. Hansen stated there are available funds in all but the storm sewer fund, which is bonded on a three year cycle. Nawrocki referred to apartments along this road that push snow from their lot into the fence across the street. We must make sure this stops. Questions and Comments on Street Reconstruction Project toy Pelinski, 4315 University, stated that it is difficult to live with the noise and the fumes and the service road that was the worst in Columbia Heights. The fence was in bad shape and it was not properly mowed. People that walk on this road are not safe. She felt that staff has come up with a fantastic plan. It will be beautiful and will be a role model. Tnhn l~iTvrllrnxr dl (1~i T Tnizrarcitxr etatart ha hao zzrnrtrPrt fnr thrna .rP.lro nrx th;a r.rn;csnt Tr..1„~.tT,Pr tT..-PP .. vaiia i.av~.aav •., .iv/ vaiavvi.sa L~, JLUivas tlv ituJ yr vllivu 1V3 Lill vV ~'VLLtJ Vat L111J ~Jl VJ VVL. 111 Lt11V Lll Vl Lllt VV years this street will have a "wow" factor. There is still work to do, but this is a start. He thanked Councilmembers for doing this. William Burns, 4039 University Avenue, stated that the sidewalk is a bad idea and is too wide. There will be skateboarders and basketball players on it. The cost is too much and we could use the money toward a new police station, which we need. Pelinski stated that she pays taxes for other things in the community, but for once in her life she can see what her assessment and taxes will do. Columbia Heights needs more sidewalks. We are walking people and will continue to be so in the future. Nawrocki stated when he drove the street today there were school children, six kids wide, in the middle of the street. On 49"' Avenue, which has a sidewalk, kids were also walking in the street. Peterson stated that sidewalks are utilized and stated his wish that we had them all over town. Close the Public Hearing Mayor Peterson closed the Public Hearing of the 2008 Street Reconstruction Project 0602. Consideration of Resolution Motion by Kelzenberg, second by Williams, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2008-66, there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Kelzenberg, second by Williams, to adopt Resolution No. 2008-66, being a resolution ordering improvements for University Avenue Service Drive street eeconstruction. Diehm stated that this is an example where residents are impressed with staff's work and she thanked staff for that. Upon vote: All Ayes. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m. Patricia Muscovitz, CMC t City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. 2008-66 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND THE PREPARATION OF PLANS FOR UNIVERSITY AVENUE SERVICE DRIVE STREET RECONSTRUCTION CITY PROJECT NO. 0602 WHEREAS, Resolution 2008-40 of the Columbia Heights City Council adopted the 25`h day of February, 2008, fixed a date for a Council hearing on the proposed improvement University Avenue Service Drive from 40`h Avenue to 45`h Avenue, and WHEREAS, ten days' mailed notice and two published notices of the hearing a week apart were given, and the hearing was held thereon the 7''' day of April, 2008, at which all persons desiring to be heard were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. WHEREAS, the Council determines to proceed with this local improvement, a portion of the cost being defrayed by special assessments under Charter nrovisions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MT,VNESOTA: That the location and. extent of such improvements is as follows: University Avenue Service Drive from 40`" Avenue to 45`" Avenue Work includes required utility construction/repair, new granular subbase if needed, new aggregate base, new concrete curb and gutter with driveway aprons, new bituminous surfacing, required concrete or bituminous driveway and walk step replacement, fencing, landscaping, sod restoration, miscellaneous construction items, and appurtenances. 2. Such improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible as detailed in the feasibility report. Such improvement is hereby ordered as proposed in the Council Resolution adopted 25`" day of February, 2008. These improvements shall also be known as Project 0602 and PIR 2008-Z6-44-001. The City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, is hereby designated as the engineer for this improvement. The engineer shall prepare plans and specifications for the making of such improvement.