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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2019 Work SessionMeeting of: COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL Date of Meeting: June 3, 2019 Time of Meeting: 7 pm Location of Meeting: Conference Room #1 Purpose of Meeting: Work Session CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL - The meeting was called to order at 7 pm Present: Mlayor Schmitt, C�ouncilmem!bers Murzyn Jr, Novitsky, Willliamis, and Buesgens Also present: Kelli Bourgeois -City Manager, Kevin, Hansen-Public Works, Director, and Shelley Hainson- Administrative Asst, 1. Library Rear Parking Lot Hansen told members that patronage of the new City Library has increased approximately 20% since 2016. The facility currently has 50 parking spaces to accommodate employees and patrons. The Library Board has noted that during events, special meetings, or programs the amount of parking is inadequate. Hansen provided two plans for the east lot that would provide 39-50 additional spaces, depending on the layout deemed: the best. He said if the Council decides to move forward on this, the lot would need to be re-graded and surface drainage would be re-directed to the east and to the regular storm sewers. The work would include some fill being added, a small storm sewer extension, a gravel base, concrete curb and paving. Funds could) come out of the unspent funds from the original library construction and possibly from the Library foundation which he thinks would be a 50/50 split. Hansen is seeking direction from the Council whether they are interested in using this site for extra parking, and if so, which plan they like the best. He told members that public works staff would do some of the grading and add fill. He is keeping the site to under an acre and estimates the cost to be about $80,000, Questions /comments: Schmitt asked if the Library staff has tracked which events are drawing so many people that parking is an issue. She stated that the parking ramp is nearby and that it is also allowed to park on nearby streets. She is concerned that if we make this into a parking lot, it is less apt to be sold and developed at a later time. Novitsky also wanted more information: regarding which events and how many times it is a problem. He feels that 50 parking spaces is enough the majority of the time. Murzyn said it would clean up the undeveloped site and possibly make it more marketable for a future developer. Buesgens, thinks that theater patrons and church mem,bers, may be using the Library parking lot for some of their events which could be contributing to the probllem. Hansen said the Library Director does advertise that parking is available in the ramp for special events and meetings,. He also told' members that Public Works has clean fill that they need to dispose of and instead of paying for it to be hauled away, he would like to use it on this site. Bourgeois agreed' it made sense to re- grade the site and use the fill there even if we don't surface it for parking. Hansen told members that when they demolished the old Mady's building they discovered there was garbage under it. Once that was removed and' borings were done, it indicated peat at least 30-40 feet down. The buildings in this area that were built on the wetlands/'peat bog were on pilings and the same would be needed for any future City council Work Session June 3, 2019 Page of 4 development. He said he would move ahead with re-grading the site and adding the clean fill, and that use, ?.s an additional parking lot will be re-visited later. 2. Concrete Alleys — bidslinfr,astructure fund Hansen updated members om the Concrete Alley Projects that were approved for 2O19inFebruary. Bidding mf the project wvasadvertised i�n several ways and fourteen contractors requested cmpiesof the plans and specifications. Only two bid's were received et the May 2Znubid opening, Hansen stated that the overall project cost for the construction is 3,3% higher than the engineer's Estimate presented at the Improvement Hearing. This would mean an additional $190,825 vvumUd need to be contributed: from the infrastructure fmnd. He told imem,bers that other nearby cities and Anoka County have also seen, the price increase in this year's bids. He said it is a combination of concrete and blacktop price increases, as well as increased labor custs. Hansen reviewed the options with the Council including analternative bid for residential construct�iom mn private property for concrete and bituminous construction in add�itinn to the base bid. Hansen told members that im2014 a similar th�img happened, and that the bids lm May came inhigh, He said they decided tn re-bid the project the following January aind got better prices. H�e told members that there �ism't enough in the infrastructure fund to cover the additional costs smheisrecommending that the Culunci| reject the bids and,gg back out for bids inJanuary. Hansen explained to members that improvements to the Jefferson retaining wall at the split located near 46 Y2 Avenue was part ofthiis bidding process. He said it iS too smnaiNmf a project to be re-bid alone, so it will either be re-bid im January as part ofthis orhe will look at possibly combining htwith the upcoming trail � ]. : Hansen reviewed the two proposals designed 6mAnoka County for improving traffic and safety issues on 49^' Avenue between Monroe Street and Jackson Street. Both options add a sidewalk on the north side nf 49~' Avenue and will create a new center two-way left turn lane. Anoka C�omntyisrequesting feedback before moving toPublic Hearings for affected property owners. Hansen said the pre-con meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4. Am part of the project, Awoka County will bedoing a reclamation of the surface blacktop on m Avenue which will be ground up and reused as a base for a new blacktop road. . . Members were im agreement that changes are needed im the area to address traffic and safety concerns due to student drop off and pick mptaking place. 4. 1-1 Pfpgram-,Activitv Update (Televising Private Sewe,rs) Hansen reviewed the Met Council's, policy that was adopted in 2005 to reduce niom-sewage flow into our sanitary sewer system, Although m/e have taken steps to reduce the amount established bwPWCES, it hiasmot been enough, Therefore, the City Council has authorized a contract with SEHLn televise lines todeterrmine where some mf the additional flow is coming fronn. Staff has recommended focusing om District 3, based on flow testing reports conducted' in2O13. This district isim the, vicinity of the Chatham Road and Silver Lake lift City Council Work Session June 3, 2019 Page 3 of 4 stations. Hansen said he thinks there are a high number of foundation drains that are, going into our sanitary sewers. This was common practice, especially for houses built in the 1950's. The cost of having SEH televise the lines is an eligible expense that will offset the City's annual surcharge. Hansen, provided members a copy of a draft letter that will be sent out to homeowners this summer and will be followed by a public meeting. Appointments will start in late August and run through late fall. He said he is hoping for 30% compliance of owners agreeing to have their pipes scoped. Novitsky asked what happens if they find improper drainage hookups. Hansen said no action is being taken or recommended at this time. He is just gathering information at this point. Once we have that information, the City can take a look at how to handle making corrections, Hansen said to line the sewer pipe or replace it from the house to the rinain costs about $100/foot, plus the cost to add a sump pump and re-direct the discharge. So it could:, cost homeowners $1,500-$4,000 to correct. He said there are grant funds available, but often times they are, appropriated to cities that have a larger problem. Schmitt asked Hansen if he could present information on St Anthony's program that they have been using to assist their residents make corrections. He said he would get the details and share with the council. 5. Cell Tower Re guest. Crown Castle subleases space to Sprint and AT & T. They are looking at options to relocate these two carriers from the NIE Business Center at 3989 Central Avenue due to uncertainties relating to the property owner. Staff has met with their representative to possibly construct a new tower that would accommodate both of these carriers and possibly a third, which is allowed per City Ordinance. They are considering the lot north of the Public Safety Building or the lot east of the Library. The typical! area required is 25 ft x 55 ft with an enclosed building for their equipment. Hansen said we did a similar project with Verizon in 2008 on the rear of the Public Works lot. We also have some on the water tower. This is an opportunity to develop a site lease that would generate revenue. Staff feels either site would be fine if constructed in the corner of the property and would not impact future development of the properties being considered. ,Questiions/comments: Buesgens asked how much revenue would be generated, Hansen said the City receives about $24,000/year for the tower at the Pulbl'ic Works site. She was open to it as long as it didn't affect the future, sale or development of either of these parcels. Hansen said he didn't think it would have, an impact at all, and the small piece of land it takes to locate the antenna would stay in the ownership, of the City. He indicated on the map that it would be placed on the corner of the Library site along 39tIh Avenue, or up against the retaining wall behind the Public Safety building. Hansen was asked if the Company was aware of the poor soils on the site behind the Library, and that footings or pilings would most likely be needed, He told the members that he, has made them aware of this and that they know it will add cost to the project for them. Murzyn said he was open to allowing the tower as long as it remains on city owined property. Most of the members seemed to prefer the Public Safety site near the retaining walll. City COUndl Work Session June 3, 2019 Page 4 of 4 Schedule Citv Manager's, 6 month Performance Evaluation KOH passed out the template form that was used for Walt's last evaluation. She asked the Council to look it over and make any changes they wanted on the topics to cover. She said they can, do the evaluation anonymously through survey monkey, or if they prefer, they can do a written one. Wilhams, Murzyn and Novitsky indicated they would rather fill out a ihard copy. Bourgeois will get them an updated one as long as they think the form is satisfactory. She asked them to please get it back to the new City Clerk by June 24, 2019, so it can be compiled prior to the work session scheduled for Monday, July l't, when this will be part of the agenda, 7. Other ltems Bourgeois stated she had met with the Fire Relief Assoc. regarding appointing a POC into the position of a temporary full time firefighteir. They wanted to make sure the service credits are applied properly. To accomplish this they will create a Paid on Call-A title and a Paid' on Call -B title, This way they can establish different wage for the temporary position. She told the members this would come before them for approval at the Council Meeting on June 10th. Motion by Murzyn, seconded by Buesgens to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM Respectively Submitted, (--A Vic q Q a Shelley Hanson-41ministrative Assistant