Minutes - Public Works Committee - 10/19/2004

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The agenda was approved as submitted. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Case #1: Snow Storage for Ramsey Town Center Assistant Pubic Works Director Olson indicated at the September Public Works Committee meeting, staff and committee members discussed possible snow storage sites for snow removed from RTC and other locations throughout the City. Staffhad recommended using the drainage pond located behind Shorewood RV on Highway 10. The idea was forwarded to the City Attorney for review and he has advised against the idea. He was concerned that adding additional run off to an area not designed to handle it could possibly lead to future complications. Assistant Public Works Director Olson stated staffwould like to propose two alternative sites for the 2004-2005 snow season and possibly beyond. For the 2004-2005 season staffhas negotiated an agreement to use the outlot in the SE comer of the R TC. This would be near the large holding pond in that comer of the development. In exchange, the City will perform the snow removal at the RTC construction trailer at the comer of Sun wood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard. The other altemativediscussed is the open land west of the Public Works complex (fonner Alloy Recovery site). The storm water pond that is under construction at this time is over sized for the current land use. The pond was designed to handle run off from the Public Works campus when it is completely built out and covered by impervious surfaces, which is no where near the case at this time. Staff feels both of these sites will be more than adequate for the 2004-2005 season, as this year will be more of a "training year" for the new crew. They will have an opportunity to gain experience in areas of snow removal and hauling, traffic control, and the amount of equipment needed to perform the task, time required, and so on. He advised another possibly longer term solution would be the KIH property located northwest of the Public Works campus. Acquisition of the KlH property was discussed at the August 10, 2004 Council meeting. The advantage of this location would be the close proximity to RTC and the Pubic Works campus. This would ensure a short haul and eliminate noise concerns because of the distance from any residential areas. The issues with security and equipment use could be addressed in the overall layout of Public Works, therefore eliminating the additional cost of those items at a satellite location. Assistant Public Works Director Olson advised staff would recommend the interim plan, which is just on the Town Center site close to the southeast pond for the 04/05 season. After the 05 season the City will hopefully have acquired the KIH property, which could be utilized for the future snow storage area. Councilmember Cook asked if the proposed area is large enough for the snow that will be removed from Town Center. Assistant Public Works Director replied this year will be a test run, and they do not know how much snow will be generated there. The intentions are to remove snow from Sunwood. Public Works Committee/October 19, 2004