HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 10.21.2019Minutes
Public Works Committee
October 21, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Council Conference Room
Those present:
Kurt Markegard, Staff Advisor
Emelie Eaton, Committee Chair
Bill Mountsier, Committee VC
Karl Dan Koch
Marvin Carter
Richard Herr
Heidi Sparks
The meeting started at 6:00. There was no public in attendance.
General items
1. Review and approve minutes of August 19, 2019 meeting. The
minutes were reviewed. Bill Mountsier moved the minutes be
approved as written. Richard Herr seconded this motion. The
motion passed.
New Business
2. There was none.
Old Business
3. Engineering Report -KL)
The October 15, 2019 Status Update was in all packets for committee
members. It was reviewed as follows.
*WWTP Screw Press -this project is listed as closed out. The Public Works
Director stated City crews are successfully hauling sludge.
*WWTP Screw Pump A Replacement -it was stated that a new screw press
may come in this week.
*Sanitary Sewer H2S Remediation -there is still an odor problem. The
November report should show lower H25 readings. It was stated that the
reason there is a problem is that the source is a one mile long sewer line
which serves 300 homes with no pressure to push it.
*2018 Pavement Maintenance -this project is also listed as complete. The
question was raised by Chair Emelie Eaton why the street was paved to
the curb by the church on the corner of Seventh Avenue and
approximately 4t" Street but not to the curb on the other side or the full
length of that street. It was explained that there was a drainage problem
that became an issue at that intersection, on the north side of 4t" Street
only. It was felt that by paving the street on that side it would help repel
water. It was further explained that there was only paving over two foot
of gravel and the proper base did not exist curb to curb on most streets in
that area.
*East 6th Street Improvements -this project is also done. The contractor was
First Marb. The question was raised of whether there could be diagonal
parting along East ath Street. The reply was that more areas with
diagonal parting were an item under discussion. K. Dan Koch stated that
the buses part on one side and it would be helpful if everyone could partz
on the other side. It was stated that it is a close street when there are
events, especially with buses trying to parh there.
*East Downtown Infrastructure Improvements -There was a Public Meeting
held where four people attended: a representative from Town and
Country, a representative from High Plains Brewery, a resident who lived
within the impacted area and a resident who lived outside the impacted
area. All who attended were in favor of the project. The representative
from Town and Country stated they regularly send out 2,800 invoices and
figure approximately 3,800 people use their business on a monthly basis. It
was stated this was important to know because this gave solid information
regarding how many people would be impacted by this project. It was
also stated that the Pelican Caf6 has plans to expand their business to the
fenced lot on the east. The business is adding a big room that could be
used for community events and street, curb and gutter improvements
would be a big asset to that expansion. It was stated that the Design and
Bidding phase of this project is scheduled for anuary 2020 which will give
time for requests on specific entrance needs. Construction is expected to
begin in May 2020 and it was stated that the streets need to be somewhat
accessible so the businesses can stay open.
*Pavement Management Plan -it is hoped that a map will be available in
November showing which streets need improvement the most. The project
was waiting on MDT comments. Urban Maintenance Funds will now be
available to the City of Laurel. Completion of this project mares the City
eligible to funds that are available every two years.
*2019 Pavement Maintenance -this project was completed in August.
*2019 Pavement Damage Repairs -this project, which included filling
potholes and repairing frost heaves from the winter. The final quantities of
needed materials show overages so extra wort is being done in Village
Subdivision where some streets have practically disintegrated.
*Riverside Parks Campground -Marvin Carter stated that south of Bridger a
wind farm with 174 towers is supposed to be constructed beginning in
January. It would supply electricity for 70,000 people and it is expected
that 1,500 people will be employed during the farm's construction. He
thought it was a shame that camping could not be available in Riverside
Parlez for some of those workers. It was stated that KU would be available
at the November Parlez Board meeting to discuss and help decide how and
where the camping portion of Riverside Parlez would be developed. As of
this date it was stated that camping on the north side of the part would
be discontinued due to the many old Cottonwood trees that regularly
loose branches. The liability of someone being hurt or property being
damaged was too great for the City insurers to cover. Additionally, it was
stated that the former "Caretaker's House" would be removed due to
extensive mold and rot. Also, there was not a good use for the building.
*Design Standards & Rules Update -it was stated this project is in draft
outline form. The Standards & Rules were last updated in 2003 so this
project is very important for the City of Laurel. The outline will be
provided at the November meeting.
*Data and Asset Management -Right now the City is relying on "As Builts"
which are paper copies and are located in a variety of areas. It is hoped
these can be scanned into one document.
*On -Call Professional Services -At this point Richard Herr inquired about
the construction going on east of Wal Mart. It was explained that Midway
Rentals was building a new store at that location. Richard Herr then
inquired regarding Hardees and their lease expiring. It was explained
that, yes, Hardees leased the property and that lease would be expiring in
one year. Mr. Herr then stated that, according to what he had heard
Hardees has the option of remodeling, moving into the former Burger King
location or a building in the area of Wal Mart. Another committee
member questioned Mr. Herr as to whether Hardees would build east of
Wal Mart.., His reply was that he had heard that Steve Solberg was going
to build a motel on the property east of Wal Mart and west of what is now
being developed. The committee was asked to move on to the next topic.
*Laurel Planning Services -Public Worbs Director Marbegard stated this
topic had already been discussed.
*Other Notes and Information -
Anticipated FY20 Projects
a. West Railroad Street Reconstruction -it was stated this project was going
to come before the entire Council to discuss options.
b. Water Storage Tanh Recoat-It was stated that within 5-7 years either
more storage would be needed or a new tank would have to be installed.
c. 2020 pavement Maintenance -because of the new increase to the street
assessment funds would be available in 2021 for larger projects.
Other Potential Future Projects
a. WWTP Archimedes Screw Rehabilitation -not working efficiently
b. Examining engineer review of 3rd Party submittals to City -this
involves subdivisions and water and sewer.
c. Lion's Parb grant application assistance -Richard Herr inquired as to
what had happened to the DO) money this location had received. It
was stated that CHS had given $20,000 to help rebuild the dock.
The organization had been awarded $62,000 for both the dock and
walking path around the pond. Those funds were available
contingent on the organization's fundraising to match the grant.
The organization was hoping for a grant from their National
leadership. The question was raised as to how long the DO) grant
was available. It was stated that the funds would be available for
up to two years from accepting the grant. The organization was
attempting to fundraise to complete those projects but they had
submitted an incorrect cost estimate on the path portion of the
project and it was uncertain whether the path portion could be
completed.
Other Items
Mary Carter stated that there was a terrible amount of ground water and
drainage water accumulating west of Schessler's. It was stated that the
City is loobing at options for how to mediate.
Marvin Carter stated that the "infamous" boat that had been parked on
the south side for an exceptionally long time had been moved but was
now replaced by a pickup that has been parked there for a few weeps.
Richard Herr inquired as to whether Millennium Construction would be
crushing the stockpiled materials. It was explained that the company had
come in and reduced the stockpiled materials and they were being saved
for use in 2020.
Richard Herr inquired as to whether the City was using the New Intake.
He was questioned on who asked him about that. He stated his question
came from one of the write-in candidates for Ward 4, Donny Nelson. It
was stated that the new intake is being used; that the intake capacity of
the new intake is so great that it is necessary to only "open the valve"
about 810 open and this is enough for the City's needs. Further explanation
followed regarding when the intake was erroneously opened all the way
and it "blew out the sed basins" and into the river, this sudden suction was
libely what caused the screens and filters to be overloaded and the intake
unusable for a period of time this year. The crews now know it is not
necessary to open the valves all the way and the intake is functional.
Emelie Eaton inquired why there was no report on projects from Great
West. She stated the City was still paying them for work on projects, so
why weren't they reporting. It was stated that COP Construction was
working on their Punch List at the WWTP.
Emelie Eaton inquired about the profits from the Septic Dump Station. It
was reported that no information had been given to the Public Worbs
Director since the July meeting.
Emelie Eaton inquired regarding the lacks of a report on Emergency Call
Outs. It was stated that there had been none since July 13'. Heidi Sparhs
commented that it was a shame that emergency call outs only seemed to
happen during the winter months.
4. Announcements
The Public Worbs Director announced that "leaf piclqup" or the Annual
Street and Alley Clean Up, would be the weeks of November 4th. Everyone
was encouraged to have their leaves bagged and in the alley by Monday,
November 41h.
The next meeting will be on November lath 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Council Conference room.
The October 211 2019 Public Worbs meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Emelie Eaton
Public Worbs Chair