Minutes - Council - 02/23/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Zimmerman stated the City is almost out of industrial land for an industrial park and the college campus will take 40 acres of this parcel so it would be in the City's best interest to pursue acquisition. He noted the City has been talking with the owner for some time and not been able to come to a conclusion so he thinks this is the fight course to take. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Haas Steffen to adopt Resolution 99-02-045 authorizing acquisition of property for industrial park development. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Zimmerman, Haas Steffen, and Anderson. Voting No: CouncilmemberHendriksen. Absent: None. Councilmember Hendriksen stated he hates to be asked to vote on matters that involve millions of dollars when he does not know what that amount is. He stated it was his recollection that information would be presented before the Council vote. Case//4: Report from Public Works Committee City Engineer Jankowski reviewed the discussion of the Public Works Committee on the new street signs and informed the Council that along county and trunk state highways a larger nine- inch street sign will be installed. The current standard is six inches so the new sign will be 50% larger as a result of changes in the Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Mayor Gamec inquired regarding the costs for this and if it was budgeted. Director of Public Works Kapler stated there is a line item budget for replacement of signs and staff is putting together costs for replacement of these signs. He assured the Council that prior to moving forward, staff will present those costs for their consideration. Mayor Gamec advised of the location of one of the new signs and stated he believes it is a definite improvement in providing readability. Mr. Kapler advised that a lot of the signs in the City have not been changed since the day they were installed and some are in terrible condition. Staff is trying to be proactive in replacing the signs and that may also involve hardware/software costs to produce the signs in-house. Mr. Kapler stated they did talk with the City of Andover but the problem is that the City of Ramsey does not carry a stock of signs so the lead time could be two to four weeks before the signs are ready from the City of Andover. If possible to do signs in-house, the City could cut that lead time considerably. Mr. Kapler stated staff will present a plan for total change out and related costs. Mr. Jankowski reviewed the discussion of the Public Works Committee regarding primary routes, which are plowed immediately prior to residential streets. Maps of the revised routes will be prepared and distributed. City Council/February 23, 1999 Page 9 of 17