2014-08-26_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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171 172 Chair Stenlund expressed his support for moving forward with the educational 173 process and clearly defining "pedestrian" via the State Statute narrative in 174 defining bicycles versus pedestrians, with pedestrians retaining a different level of 175 protection and bicyclers having a higher level of responsibility. Chair Stenlund 176 opined that signage didn't necessarily make a route safer. 177 178 While Member Gjerdingen supported making a statement that bicycles were 179 allowed on all sidewalks, but spelling out walkways for commercial areas, 180 Member Cihacek opined that it would be better to remain silent in case density 181 changed, thereby not requiring a repeal or change of 6ity Code; with that silence 182 dependent on State Statute. INEW 183 184 Member Lenz noted that her only area of concern was on the north side of 185 Larpenteur Avenue, with the commercial so close to the sidewalk. 186 187 Chair Stenlund expressed concern with rain gardens along County Road B-2, 188 opining that soil was being lost to them as the compost log was not sufficient 189 given the amount of rain recently experienced. While not sure of whose 190 jurisdiction they were under, Chair Stenlund asked that staff protect the vault 191 systems under construction. 192 193 Chair Stenlund further noted the excessive dust floating into the St. Paul side of 194 Larpenteur Avenue due to the concrete rehabilitation work being done. Chair 195 Stenlund expressed his disappointment in the efforts of the contractor, opining 196 that the situation was completely unacceptable for those living or for public 197 spaces in that area; further opining that he had never seen such poor dust 198 management, and being familiar with that contractor, knew they could do better. 199 Chair Stenlund asked that staff notify the company. 200 201 n addition to those ite covered in the Communications report from staff, Mr. 202 Schwartz advised that, at t eir July 21, 2014 City Council meeting, City Manager 203 Trudgeon had provided his 2015 budget recommendations. For the benefit of 204 newer members to the PWETC, Mr. Schwartz advised that the recommendation 205 was for the most part status quo, with only general inflationary increases across 206 the board for tax-suplfrted funds and utility budgets. Mr. Schwartz advised that 207 the only thing outside that status quo budget was the recommendation to add a 208 position for a right-of-way specialist paid from fee -supported activities to address 209 right-of-way permits, private utilities and related issues. Mr. Schwartz advised 210 that the proposed budget anticipated a $20,000 increase from 2014 for street 211 supplies, basically for increased winter maintenance and ice control materials; and 212 an additional $5,000 for contractual maintenance in street sealcoating. Mr. 213 Schwartz advised that the City Council would hold a public hearing in August to 214 hear public comment on the proposed budget, followed by subsequent discussion 215 before the 2015 Preliminary Levy was adopted in September and then before final 216 2015 Levy and Budget adoption in December of 2014. Page 5 of 15