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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK April 19, 2007 C I T Y o F 0 NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Special City Council Workshop Thursday, April 19, 2007 Andover Public Works Facility Call to Order - 6:00 p.m. Review of Multitask Equipment Discussion Items 1. Review Public Works Maintenance Policies 0 A. Snow & Ice Control Policy B. Street Sweeping Policy C. Pothole Repair Policy D. Sidewalk & Trail Inspection and Maintenance Policy E. Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Policy F. Rain Sensor Draft Policy G. Grease and Sand Reduction Policy 2. Street Sign Department / Non Funded State or Federal Mandates 3. All Public Works Division Supervisors will be on hand for any questions that the Mayor or City Council may wish to ask or need clarification on within any of the Public Works Departments. 4. Other Business 0 ~ 6./1-67 0 ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL/PUBLlC WORKS WORKSHOP MINUTES April 19, 2007 A workshop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Acting Mayor Ken Orttel, April 19, 2007, 6:02 p.m., at Andover Public Works Division, 1785 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Ken Orttel, Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Julie Trude Councilmember absent: Mayor Mike Gamache Also Present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Public Works Superintendent, Frank Stone Utilities Supervisor, Brian Kraabel ParkS Maintenance Supervisor, Kevin Starr Streets Maintenance Supervisor, Irwin Russell Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor, John Wallace Recycling Coordinator, Cindy DeRuyter Don Olson, Herb Blommel, Building Department 0 RECYCLING PROGRAM Mr. Stone opened the meeting asking if anyone had questions for Cindy DeRuyter, Recycling Coordinator since she had to leave the meeting early. Acting Mayor Orttel asked how residents could recycle appliances if they cannot make it to Recycling Day, April 28th. Ms. DeRuyter stated appliances could be brought to Public Works during a regular scheduled workday for a $10.00 fee on most appliances. Councilmember Knight asked about paint can disposal and Cindy stated the Household Hazardous Waste site in Blaine takes that type of item on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. They will also be accepting used bikes for the first time during Recycling Day this year. Cindy mentioned the use of recycling containers at Lifetime Fitness and the YMCA. She stated Lifetime Fitness uses recycling containers in their facilities and seem to be willing to promote the program, but she is having problems with the YMCA using recycling containers. Cindy asked Councilmembers to help her get the facility to place containers around their workout areas. Cindy showed a sample poster that could be placed by the recycling containers that could help educate people on the recycling program. Mr. Dickinson said he would have discussions with YMCA staff regarding the use of recycling containers. Ms. DeRuyter stated a video developed from the Association of Recycling Managers would be put on the local cable station. 0 Cindy mentioned the paper-shredding event Saturday, May 19th from 9.00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot. A large truck comes in with shredding containers and residents dump shredding items into the containers, which are then shredded on-site. 0 FACILITY TOUR\ (Councilmember Trul arrived at 6:20 p.m.) ~5~I-01 Mr. Stone escorted Councilmembers on a tour of the Water Treatment Plant garage/storage area and the preparations of the new land area They also looked at a type of spray patcher that will be purchased and the new truck with the hotbox on it and how it operates. DISCUSSION ITEMS REVIEW OF PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE POLICIES Snow & Ice Control Policy Councilmembers questioned the use of salt with today's enviroriment and the amount of complaints received. Mr. Stone stated only a couple of complaints have been received regarding salt usage per season since less salt is now used on the roads during normal operations than in the past. He said the county, who continues to use a lot of salt, are questioned often on their procedures. Councilmember Knight questioned if#7, (suspension of hours after 16) in the policy is a rule and how it is enforced. Mr. Stone stated Supervisors do watch drivers carefully and make sure breaks are taken and after 16 0 hours a driver would be pulled off the road. Mr. Stone discussed some. of the most frequent complaints are in regard to salt usage, mailbox or sod damage and placement of snow. Most residents understand after explanations are made of procedures that have to be followed during plowing operations. Street Sweeoin!!: Policy Councilmember Jacobson suggested the NPDES regulations be inserted in the introduction of the policy. Pothole Reoair Policy It should be stated Public Works does pothole patching based on requests and complaints also, not just seasonal. Sidewalk and Trail Insoection and Maintenance Policy The City of Andover has 23 miles of sidewalk/trail system to maintain. Mr. Stone stated with the amount of trails/sidewalks that need to be plowed and with the number of crews we have, the streets and sidewalks couldn't all be plowed in the same day. Staff tries to clear the trails nearest to schools first. Councilmember Trude asked as sidewalks are developed, such as Veteran's Memorial Boulevard, if we could start having residents be responsible to clear sidewalks? Sidewalks could be made to a smaller stimdard width if residents are responsible, but State Aid roads have width requirements to meet. It definitely is something to look into for the future in smaller neighborhoods. Councilmember Jacobson suggested a line be removed in #4. Remove "The city may, as a 0 public service and for reasons of public safety, remove snow and ice from sidewalks or trails" and add "make reasonable effort to" in the last sentence before "remove ice and snow". 0 Sanitarv Sewer Maintenance Policv Councilmember Orttel questioned the reference of a schedule of maintenance in #2, A, 2, but as long as the schedule shows reasonable maintenance it meets the League ofMN Cities standards. Councilmember Jacobson suggested #2, A 6. has funny wording and could be changed. Rain Sensor Draft Policv State statute indicates all sprinkler systems installed after July 1,2003 shall have a rain sensor or an interrupting device, but prior to 2003 there were no requirements on rain sensors. The Building Department does not currently inspect for rain sensors; they only inspect the plumbing from the house to the backflow. Building Official Don Olson stated they now supply an informative handout when permits are obtained with the current rain sensor requirements. But how do we enforce rain sensors on units installed prior to July 2003? Councilmember Trude suggested doing an informative campaign to residents through newsletters, cable, handouts, etc. Another suggestion was to offer a reimbursement program that would.allow the City to reimburse residents for parts and/or labor on older units. A discussion followed regarding programs that could help reduce the amount of water pumped during high demand months. The installation of a rain sensor would also help satisfy DNR and NPDES requirements. Suggestions were discussed that the City could buy the rain sensors and distribute them to homeowners, or the homeowner could receive a 0 payback based on proof and inspection of the install. All installs of rain sensors to units older than 2003, would be inspected by City staff. Staffis currently looking into other City policies and will bring a proposed policy to Council for approval. Grease Reduction Policy A proposed policy was reviewed and discussion followed as to how grease traps are currently used and if they could be made mandatory. Mr. Dickinson explained reasons the City would like to make grease traps mandatory and how it will help eliminate some of the problems experienced in the Utility Department. With changes in cooking over the last few years, they have experienced more problems with grease entering the system through dishwashers and cooking methods. Building Official Don Olson stated that plumbing commercial site plan specifications would be enforced to meet new requirements on all new businesses. Existing businesses may have to reinstall grease traps to meet these specifications. Mr. Olson stated the requirements are already in the City ordinance, but would need to be enforced and brought to the attention of installers. Grease traps are installed during the plumbing, but they may go to exterior traps for new installs. Councilmembers suggested to reference sewer ordinances where applicable in the policy and bring the proposed policy back to Council for approval. STREET SIGN DEPARTMENTINON FUNDED STATE OR FEDERAL MANDATES 0 Mr. Dickinson discussed the increase in sign material costs and current funding in the budget for these materials. With the cost increase, along with mandated sign changes from the State of Minnesota, budget amendments for the 2007 budget will have to be made to allow the purchase of quality materials to meet sign requirements. The City has 9 zones 0 and would like to update signs in one zone per year. Councilmember Trude expressed concern for over signing neighborhood streets. Mr. Dickinson stated staff uses the MUTCD manual for sign placement and requirements. Councilmember Knight stated that signs are necessary for disclaimer purposes at times. Mr. Dickinson will bring budget modifications and recommendations for the Sign Department to Council for approval. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR QUESTIONS Councilmember Knight questioned field lights used at Sunshine Park. How many fields need to be lit at night and why are lights left on at times. Mr. Starr stated the coaches have keys to the lights and they should only be on during field use times. Mr. Dickinson discussed the AMR (automated meter reading) program and goal to implement the program at least at a commercial level and possibly new homes. New homes could be done fairly cost effectively at this time. Councilmember Jacobson suggested working with Connexus Energy again to deterinine the system they will be implementing and joining them at that time with an automated read system. Mr. Kraabel stated the biggest problem joining systems with Connexus would be physically attaching the water system to the Connexus electrical meter. A discussion followed on meter upgrades, costs, installs at commercial and residential levels, etc. Mr. Kraabel reviewed C some examples of no reads and inaccuracy in billing situations currently experienced with residents and Connexus. Discussed possible ways of converting current meters to the new equipment being installed. The biggest cost would be the base system and the reading could come of a system attached to the water tower. Mr. Dickinson stated they would bring costs and recommendations to a work session with Council. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Stone reviewed the current map of the new land purchased for Public Works expansion and the approved plan from last year. He explained the items that will be worked on and would like to finish in 2007, such as the dump/washing station and road! entrance off Crosstown Boulevard. Mr. Stone announced he would be retiring August 31 st. ADJOURNMENT Acting Mayor Orttel adjourned the Andover City Council Workshop at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 0 Barb Wells, Recording Secretary