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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-14 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Monday, September 22, 2014 Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room, City Hall. 1. Roll Call: Members Present: Council Members LaBeau, Anderson, and Davis, and Mayor Little Absent: Council Member Swecker Staff Present: Allyn Kuennen, Interim City Administrator; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; Zach Johnson, City Engineer; Monica Heil, Assistant City Engineer; Dennis Feller, Finance Director; Julie Werner, Senior Accountant; Dave Olson, Community and Economic Development Director; Judi Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk 2. Citizen Comments None 3. Ipava Avenue Pedestrian Study As a result of questions raised by residents regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety along Ipava Avenue, especially between 175th St. and 1851h St., a study was conducted by SRF. The study evaluated existing traffic and measured pedestrian/bicycle activity in the fall of 2013 and the spring of 2014. Jeff Bednar of SRF was present to provide information and recommendations for Council consideration. Safety improvement strategies included: outreach/public information programs to encourage pedestrians to cross safely at well - marked location; enhanced traffic law enforcement; speed reduction at the crossing; improve existing crosswalks by enhanced markings and advance roadway striping; and rectangular rapid flashing beacons. The study notes that the elementary schools within the study area provide bus transportation so students are not required to walk to school. Some students choose to walk and must cross Ipava Avenue but the schools do not provide crossing guards. The highest east/west pedestrian/bicycle volumes crossing Ipava Avenue are at 178th Street and 183rd Street. Both of those intersections have dual marked school crosswalks and because of the high traffic volumes, additional marked intersections are not being recommended. The volume of pedestrian/bicycle traffic is high but does not meet the warrants for a signal. The posted speed limit on Ipava Avenue is 45 MPH and there is no parking on Ipava Ave. The study recommends enhancing the existing crossings with stop bars and appropriate signage for stopping for pedestrians in the crossings. Flashing beacons are recommended for the crossings at 178th and 183rd; considering establishing a school zone speed limit at 178th Street. The study suggests minimizing the risks posed by a parallel trail by restricting obstructions to sight distance. Council Work Session September 22, 2014 Page 2 Council Member Anderson asked if a majority of the pedestrian traffic is related to the schools and if so, has the cost and possibility of crossing guards been discussed with school personnel. Mr. Bednar stated that because Ipava has been identified as a hazardous crossing, the school could be getting additional funding to provide busing. Providing crossing guards could jeopardize that funding. Mr. Petree stated that the pedestrian traffic counts were also done during times when school is in session and there were no school children crossing. Bednar stated that information gathered from the camera system used for traffic counts shows pedestrians were mostly out for recreation and fitness, and not necessarily for school access. People were walking the trails, but not necessarily crossing Ipava. Council Member Davis asked about an accident in the summer of 2013. Petree stated that the accident involved a bicyclist who was crossing not at a marked intersection. Mayor Little also cautioned that this might be a situation where taking extra precautions could provide a false sense of security for pedestrians and encourage walking to school rather than taking the bus. Pedestrian education is also important. Signals will be installed at 175th Street and pedestrians should be encouraged to cross there or at the 185th signaled crossing. Rapid flashing beacons have been successful in driver compliance and are becoming an effective, lower cost alternative. Petree stated that driver feedback signs are also effective in other areas of the city. Kuennen stated that the School Road Safety Task Force had identified several priority areas. Council appreciated receiving the results of the study and the greater perspective that it provided; Council's consensus was the proposed safety improvements outlined in the study should be included with the recommendations outlined in the School Road Safety Task Force Report and reviewed together for prioritization by the City Council. 4. Ipava Avenue Traffic Signal Update City Engineer Zach Johnson provided Council with an update on the traffic signal project on Ipava Avenue at both 175th Street and 165th Street. The signals will improve intersection operations and assist with traffic which is diverted as a result of the CSAH 5/60 roundabout construction. A permanent traffic signal with full pedestrian enhancements is proposed at 175th Street and Ipava Avenue. The system at 165th Street and Ipava Ave. will be a temporary wood pole with wire -mounted signals. Drivers will be assisted by additional signage and roadway striping on the approaches to the intersections. There are no roadway changes proposed at either intersection. The County will pay 45% of the project cost; the City's share is eligible for State Aid funding. Staff anticipates bringing the plan to Council for consideration and setting a bid date at the October 6 meeting, opening bids and awarding a contract in October, and starting construction in November. Signals need to be in operation by the end of April 2015. The closure of CSAH 50/60 is scheduled for May 4, weather permitting. LaBeau asked if the County would give any credit to the City for the existing signals at 50/60. Johnson stated Council Work Session September 22, 2014 Page 3 that they have reached the end of their useful life and will be recycled per the City/County agreement. It was the school district's preference to begin construction at the end of the school year, rather than in the fall. The intersection will be closed for approximately three months. 5. 2015 Street Reconstruction Project Update C. Petree and M. Heil provided an overview of the 2015 Street Reconstruction. There have been a substantial number of water main replacements in the area. The results of recent soil boring tests could change the scope of the project and staff would like to discuss this with Council before proceeding. Ms. Heil stated that soil borings were taken at various depths both inside and outside the area where there have been multiple water main breaks and analyzed for soil corrosivity. All of the 10' soil borings, which is the depth of the utilities, showed some corrosive properties. Corrosive soils degrade and weaken the pipes, which ultimately cause water main breaks. Due to the corrosive soils, it is staffs recommendation to expand the scope of the street reconstruction and adequately replace the streets with a design which will last 40-50 years. Braun Engineering, the City's consultant on the project, recommends placing two feet of sand below all of the street sections to provide a stable base for traffic. Original pipes in the project areas were installed up to 40 years ago. Petree added that these are the most corrosive soils that have been found in any of the recent street reconstruction projects. In addition to the sand, drain tile would also be needed. New street construction standards were implemented in the mid-1990s. Additional materials and work adds approximately $10M to the project cost. Staff is recommending phasing the project over two to three construction seasons, thus allowing time to increase the City's utility fund and street improvement funds. Assessments were originally estimated at $5,150 to $5,650; revised project costs will increase assessments to approximately $7,500 to $8,500. Mr. Feller stated that this is a significant cost increase, but will be phased over a two to three year period. In order to stay within the $480,000 annual street reconstruction tax levy he would recommend either financing the project over 20 -years or increasing the tax levy. LaBeau asked if this is the highest tax levy, Feller stated it is. LaBeau asked if there might be a benefit to completing the project in one year, rather than spreading over multiple years. Petree stated that the entire project is much too large and comprehensive for completing by any local contractor in one year. Petree stated that there is also a method of assessing property owners at a set rate, based on inflation. Financing options were discussed. Petree stated that a feasibility study will be prepared as part of the project prior to the public hearing. LaBeau asked about driveway replacement. Petree stated that driveways are replaced in-kind, or with the same materials as the property owner currently has. Homeowners can choose to receive a concrete section with the stipulation that the rest of the driveway be replaced to match within a year. Council will receive the feasibility study in October. Council Work Session September 22, 2014 Page 4 6. 2015-16 Budget Review: Fee Schedule Mr. Feller presented the Proposed Schedule of Fees to Council. Council will receive utility fee schedule in about four weeks. Park Dedication Fees will be discussed at the next work session. Following a consensus of fees by the Council, staff will notify any customers who will be impacted by a fee increase. The fee schedule is subject to Council approval on December 1. Fees related to development or liquor licenses will require a public hearing. LaBeau questioned why commercial/industrial trunk storm and some other fees higher than residential. Mr. Feller stated that the storm water rates are based on impervious surface area. Anderson asked if there is a strategy or policy in place for how fees are adjusted. Feller stated that before the recession most fees were adjusted annually, however, in recent years the staff was directed to be more business and development friendly and therefore fees have not been increased. Feller stated that staff would strongly support conducting an annual review. Council reviewed proposed increases in various areas, and explanations for the increases: • Liquor license fees have not been increased in several years. • Connection charges are based on Construction Price Index (CPI) published by the Engineering News Record. • Staff is collecting information on the rates for future upgrades adjacent to County roads. • Water main charge was based on the water rate study presented to the Council in November, 2013; there will be incremental increases over the next five years • Park Dedication Fees will be discussed at the September 29 work session • Engineering fees: there are no significant changes. • Council was not supportive of an acceleration fee to fast-track development • Licenses for massage therapy and massage therapy centers are proposed to be increased; more information will be collected on staff resources required for background checks and other tasks. • Solid waste/recyclables: six residential Class A licenses are currently available in the city; Class B is commercial only. License fees based on the number of trucks would be difficult to enforce. Staff will bring additional information to the next meeting. • Tobacco - Council requested more information on e -cigarettes and what restrictions can be placed on them. • The City Clerk is asking if Council would support moving to a liquor licensing structure similar to Apple Valley and Eagan. Fees have not changed since 2006. Anderson suggested $7,000 for the higher tier and $6,250 for the lower tier, and then develop a structure whereby the difference between the fees is reduced in future years. The proposed liquor license fees are still less than those of neighboring cities. A wine -only license is recommended to be increased to $800; there are currently no club liquor licenses in Lakeville. • Council supports an increase to $200 in off -sale non -intoxicating liquor, based on staff time to issue licenses and conduct compliance checks. Dave Olson stated that staff is working on proposed ordinance amendments for brewpubs, tap rooms, and wine bars and will bring that to Council soon. Council Work Session September 22, 2014 Page 5 • An increase in sprinkler permit licenses is also recommended due to changes in state law which become effective January 1. • A home occupation permit would increase from $60 to $100. Other Planning and Zoning fees would remain at their current rates. • Fees are proposed to be increased for alarm calls, as discussed at an earlier meeting, as well as fingerprinting fees for non-residents. • Hourly fees for Police Officers are proposed to go from $72 to $85, which is comparable to other cities. A new fee of $25 is being established for use of Reserve officers. • Non-resident fees for car seat installation will increase to $35. • Davis would like to compare commercial/industrial building permit fees to similar sized cities, including Faribault or Owatonna. • LaBeau asked what the total cost is of a building permit, including all connection fees. Proposed total adjustments will result in revenues of $56,000 in the general fund. Staff will contact Council regarding available dates for an additional October work session. 7. Adjourn Mayor Little adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Aik�ILJ_4,) Ju i awkins, Deputy Clerk Matt Ale, Mayor