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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20160309 CCM WSROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 9, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Due to public attendance, the meeting was moved to the Council Chamber for Item 2.a. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members DeBettignies, Demuth and Weisensel. Council member Nelson was absent, and listened via telephone. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, City Clerk Hadler, Public Works Director Wrase, Parks and Recreation Director Schultz, and Fire Chief Schroeder. DISCUSSION 2.a. Arterial Connector Study – Pine Bend Area Public Works Director Wrase introduced the topic. Brian Sorenson of Dakota County provided an extensive presentation outlining the project, including the general purpose and need for it, and various areas of the study. Kristi Sebastian of Dakota County explained the various scenarios / alignments that were examined in the study. Ms. Sebastian discussed the impacts of each alignment on business, residences, woodland areas, and the complications of each alignment. Dakota County staff received a resident-suggested alignment, and took the goals of that into account to create the recommended alignment. Mayor Droste inquired about the 50% greater cost of one alignment over the other. Ms. Sebastian explained the reasons for the difference in costs. Mayor Droste inquired whether the County had examined the cost to the Cities with a 40% match. Ms. Sebastian discussed the recommended alignment. The County staff has discussed the recommendation with MnDOT to address issues with Trunk Highway 3. Mr. Sorenson continued the presentation and provided cost estimates on the recommended alignment. The cost estimate is an estimated range, as the project has not gone through the design process. Also, it is unknown what right-of-ways land purchases will cost. The alignment would be done in phases divided into short term and long-term activities. Council member Weisensel inquired about the life cycle of a county road; should be about 60 years, but depends on the road. He asked about assumptions of the calculations and timing; it is based on expected growth and traffic patterns. Mr. Sorenson explained how the assumptions and calculations might change based on growth. Mr. Sorenson discussed various specifics of the project and how each recommendation was come to, such as width of road, drainage, right turn lanes, land purchase agreements, construction standards, etc. He noted the value of the County Road system; quality of life, convenience and safety. 6.a. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 9, 2016 Next steps include council updates, study report in April, back to councils in April, county board request to adopt study in late April or May. Mayor Droste inquired about the pipeline; what the alignment of that is. Mr. Sorenson showed a slide that shows it running along Akron. Mr. Wrase explained the next step is to come back to the Council in April or May. Mayor Droste asked if there would be a public hearing. Mr. Sorenson stated it was each city. Mayor Droste asked if there was a statute requiring notification. Mr. Sorenson stated that there was not for a study. Ms. Sebastian stated that when the projects are actually moved forward, then another public process would be underway. A resident inquired about the timeframe of the 2 lane construction. Mr. Sorenson explained the funding process and that road is currently in the capital improvement program. Dakota County Commissioner Nancy Schouweiller stated it’s been on the CIP almost as long as she’s been a commissioner, which is 18 years. Council members and staff discussed financing abilities based on current projects. A resident commented on how accidents will increase at Akron and 121st due to a blind intersection and the increase in traffic that will come with the improvement. Dakota County staff concurred and that the sight lines would need to be addressed in construction and design. A resident expressed a concern that Akron will be a highway like Robert Trail until the long-term phase can be constructed. A resident, Jim Powell, 12311 Akron, has lived there for 30 years. He expressed safety concerns in increased traffic and that the road should not be paved. Mr. Sorenson stated they will post meetings on their website and people signed up for emails will receive notices. 2.b. 2016 Fire Department Equipment Purchases Fire Chief Schroeder discussed the need for two new trucks and the safety and maintenance issues with the current trucks. He discussed the benefits of the new trucks; a multi-use captain’s truck and a mini- pumper. The replacement vehicle costs total $298,000. Mr. Schroeder noted the difference in cost of a less diverse truck to the more diverse mini-pumper. Council member Weisensel asked about multiple bids. Mr. Schroeder stated a different vendor had built another for another city and had built it too heavy. The provided bid from Rosenbauer was obtained through the Houston-Galveston Area Council bid process and the City has worked with the company before. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 9, 2016 Council member Weisensel inquired if the city was going to need another of the mini-pumper and Mr. Schroeder stated it would not. The item will be on the Council agenda next week. 2.c. Nature Based and Nature Themed Play Parks and Recreation Director Schultz presented options for Nature-Based and Nature-Themed Play facilities. Nature-based play refers to play structures that are man-made materials made to look like nature. Nature-themed play utilizes actual natural features, such as logs and sticks. Mr. Schultz discussed parks that would soon be in need for replacement or new play areas; such as Schwarz Pond and Bella Vista. Council members and staff viewed a video created by the Resilient Communities Project students. Council member Weisensel noted that some of the examples in the video might have staffed area or shelter. Mr. Schultz stated this might be a volunteer opportunity. Council member Demuth inquired about the timing of build-out of parks. Mr. Schultz stated that Greystone should be this summer and Bella Vista would probably be next spring. Council member and staff discussed demands for park features and community gardens. UPDATES 3.a. Expansion of the Family Resource Center Parks and Recreation Director Schultz gave an overview of the need to expand the Family Resource Center. The original building was paid for significantly by grants. 360 Communities would like to expand the 1500 sq. ft. building by another 3000 sq. ft. Staff isn’t sure that the full 3000 sq. ft. is possible, but there is room for some expansion. City Administration Johnson recommends going ahead and getting some architectural drawings and estimates done for use in applying for grants. Council members made suggestions for additions to that park area; such as paths and rain gardens. 3.b. 2016 Proposed Public Works Equipment Purchases Public Works Director Wrase discussed the proposed irrigation system, which would make the city’s irrigation systems all accessible remotely, and include various sensors in soil and air. Council members made various inquiries about how the system works. Council member Demuth suggested a grant the project might be eligible for. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 9, 2016 The next piece of equipment is the HVAC control system. Staff has experienced IT issues with the existing system. In addition the current system is no longer supported, so if it breaks it may not be possible to get parts. Council members and staff discussed the setup of the system, costs, and potential other vendors. Mayor Droste stated that the item could be further examined and more quotes received to get a better price. Council members expressed preference for a system that can be managed locally and not with a contractor. The Council also prefers a system that is not proprietary to any one company. The item will go to Council at the next regular meeting without the HVAC system controller. 3.c. City of Rosemount Consulting Pool Update Public Works Director Wrase gave a description of the Consultant Pool that he has been developing; a preapproved list of engineers and design professionals. Proposals are due back from consultants on March 31st, and staff and council members may participate in review and choice of consultants. The billing rate would be set and each consultant would be able to estimate the amount of hours necessary for a project. Staff and council discussed how the consultant pool would work over time and the benefits of having it. Council members Weisensel and Nelson (via telephone) expressed interest in participating in the consultant interviews. 3.d. Commissioner Appointments Council members discussed qualifications of commission applicants and preferences for each commission. OTHER UPDATES City administrator Johnson updated the Council on the labor contracts for Teamsters and LELS. Mr. Johnson provided a draft of the election newsletter. Mr. Johnson stated the Council meeting on May 17th needs to be rescheduled due to the referendum. Council members generally agreed that Monday the 16th would be the preferred alternative date. Mr. Johnson provided a draft of the landscaping plan for the east side of City Hall. Council members were generally supportive. Mr. Johnson stated that Dan Corley is moving forward with the Dakota Fieldhouse project. Mr. Johnson stated that Frontier is applying for a cable franchise; also in Apple Valley and Farmington. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 9, 2016 Mr. Johnson updated the Council on the solar farm subscriptions, which will be on the next agenda. If approved, 37% of the City’s energy would be from solar. Mr. Johnson updated the Council on a homeowner who has not yet settled on a land price for easements for the Safe Routes to School project. COUNCIL UPDATES Council member Nelson stated (via telephone) that he had received a call from a landowner seeking a waiver due to the County’s valuation of their property for the County Road 42/52 project. Mr. Johnson explained the situation and recommended that the City not get in the middle of it. Mayor Droste invited Council members to give input on the State of the City speaking points. He also noted the need for goals for the new task forces and said he would draft something. Council member DeBettignies stated that he attended the RAAA meeting this week and it was a good meeting. Council member Weisensel noted the early signup dates for the NLC Summit in November and LMC Conference in June. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste, second by DeBettignies, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk