Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/15/2005

Home

There was discussion regarding the benefits and drawbacks to the Park and Public Works Departments acting together or being specialized. Motion by Acting Chairperson Cook, seconded by Mayor Gamec, to recommend that the City Council authorize staff to begin discussions with the MPCA to further explore the possibilities of the option of acquisition of the MPCA site for the future Public Works Campus. If an agreement cannot be reached regarding the acquisition staff should begin looking at other possible sites for the Public Works Campus. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Acting Chairperson Cook, Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Pearson. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Elvig and Councilmember Olson. Case #4: Tree Removal on Alpine Drive Between Variolite Street and Armstrong Boulevard Public Works Supervisor Reimer explained the north side of Alpine Drive between Variolite Street and Armstrong Boulevard is lined with dead or broken off pine trees that continue to snap off in high winds and either land in the right-of-way or Alpine Drive itself. This is becoming a safety hazard as well as unsightly. He explained the problem lies in the fact that most of, if not all, of the remaining trees are on private property and therefore can not be removed without the landowners permission. Staff would like to ask permission from the Public Works Committee and Council to contact the affected landowners and ask permission to remove the dead and damaged trees. Staff feels that this could save the cost of removing the trees in the middle of the night or during the weekend when maintenance workers would have to be called back to clear the road. If the landowners gave their permission this work could be performed as a fill in job between snowfalls this winter. Trees would be cut to ground level, but no stump removal would be performed. Public Works Supervisor Riemer advised staff recommends that the Committee recommend to Council that staff contact the affected landowners and ask permission to remove the dead and damaged trees. Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Acting Chairperson Cook, to recommend that City Council authorize staff to contact the affected landowners and ask permission to remove the dead and damaged trees. Motion carded. Acting Chairperson Cook, Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Pearson. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Elvig and Councilmember Olson. COMMITTEE INPUT Consideration of Tree Spade Purchase Parks & Utilities Supervisor, Mark Riverblood indicated that the tree spade was a Capital Outlay purchase late last fall for approximately $38,000 dollars. Since that time the staffhas moved and salvaged 203 trees, with many of them relocated to Elmcrest Park. Public Works Committee / November 15, 2005 Page 9 of 11