HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-26 CC WS
City Council 2007-09-26, 6:00 p.m.
Minutes of Work Session
Present were Mayor Capra, Council members Tom Lee, Linda Broussard-Vickers, Jeff
Paar, and Michelle Lakso. Also present were City Attorney Kurt Glaser, Jeff McDonald
& Mark Statz of Bonestroo & Assoc., Public Works Director Paul Palzer and Suzanne
Seeley.
Mark Statz went through a written letter dated September 26, 2007, detailing outstanding
issues and their proposed solutions. The contractor, Veit Construction, will take care of
all of the items on the list except for the shoreline restoration. The firm of Bonestroo and
Associates will take over and complete the shoreline restoration at its expense. Bonestroo
will make interim measures this fall to control erosion and will implement permanent
solutions next spring.
Mark Statz pointed out that Rice Creek Watershed District has inspected both the
raingarden and the shoreline restoration. Their letter dated September 12, 2007, indicated
that they are satisfied with the raingarden provided that the repairs that were agreed to on
September 10, are completed. Raingarden plants need to be replaced. There was
concurrence that the replacement of the plants could be delayed to spring 2008, since the
growing season is over and plants put in now would not root in.
The other items (except shoreline and raingarden plantings) on the “issues to be
addressed’ will be completed by Veit Construction in the next two or three weeks.
The work session was recessed for the regular council meeting at 6:40 p.m. and
reconvened at 8:15 p.m.
Following the Council meeting the work session continued with discussion of downtown
redevelopment issues. Administrator Larson reviewed a meeting held by staff with
representatives of Beard Group earlier this week to review downtown improvement costs.
The engineer now estimates downtown infrastructure costs to be about $4million. The
increase is attributed to new drainage standards and an upward revision in the estimated
cost for streetscape improvements. Beard Group has been asked for a substantial
commitment in order to keep the planning of improvements moving forward.
The Council discussed issues related to the CSAH 14 project. It was noted that the
relocation of the Main Street utilities around the downtown have been delayed because
one of the property owners south of Heritage is not willing to allow trimming or removal
of trees to permit installation of the line. Attempts will continue to be made to resolve
the property owner’s concerns, but the issue may ultimately need to be resolved by
acquiring an easement through eminent domain.
Tree removal from the County right of way has proceeded quickly and has resulted in
many calls to the City. The County is removing every tree from its right of way.
The City has had a minor dispute already with Anoka County and its contractor over
whether the temporary water service to Mound Trail residents is an incidental cost or
whether it should be an extra cost. While the City engineer has told the County that
maintaining service during a utility line replacement is a normal requirement, Anoka
County seems to be taking the side of the contractor in claiming it as an extra cost.
Further discussion will take place and the City attorney will assist the engineer in drafting
an appropriate response, if needed.
City Administrator Larson reviewed a list of six properties that Anoka County has
determined are surplus and will make available to the City per the Joint Powers
Agreement. Two of the parcels still have homes on them and two others may be
uneconomic remnants that would be deeded to the City without cost. The properties in
the downtown redevelopment area would likely be acquired by the City and very likely
would be resold to the developer. The parcels two outside the downtown area would be
studied further.
The Council discussed alternative ideas to provide a pedestrian/bikeway along Mill Road.
The preferred solution would involve a ten-foot path along a curb placed on the east side
of the road.
The Council discussed the community survey. While the survey is primarily for the
benefit of the police department, several questions were added to evaluate other
community issues and services. The cost of the survey will be paid by Centennial Lakes
Police Department.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Dallas Larson, Administrator