Public Works Committee-Minutes--11-28-2005

Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall

Call the meeting to order @ 6:00 PM.
Roll Call: Ald. Hammann (Chair), Fred Juergens & Ald. Sornson. Staff: Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Director, & Dave Sauer, City Engineer. Quorum attained.
Request to delete Sandy Decker name of Minutes. Minutes of October meeting unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
Citizen appearances
Paul Brunsell of 405 Evans Dr. discussed Ace hardware renovation. Discussion on timing of Main St. reconstruction project, potential sidewalk closure and parking lot access.

Lake Leota Restoration
Springs have opened up on the southwest corner keeping the area wet. Discussed changing the stream to northeast bank in an attempt to dry area quicker.

Discussion attaining on test dredging permits. S.O.L.E. now has several individuals requesting sediment out of Lake Leota. Would like to begin test dredging in January or February. Need to draft a waiver form for potential dredgers.

City Engineer to provide park’s bridge capacity to S.O.L.E.

S.O.L.E. will present Allen Creek’s watershed study in January.

Update of Paving Bricks in Main Street Reconstruction in 2007
Foth & Van Dyke estimated the cost of reconstructing Main Street with paver bricks. The cost of reclaiming bricks, paving asphalt, installing the bricks is estimated at $13.07/sqft. Main St. from the bridge to 1st Street is 72,500 sqft for a total cost of $947,575. This would be an additional cost to the Main Street reconstruction project. The Federal Grant available for design, planning & streetscaping downtown business districts. City of Delavan recently completed their downtown district using a $800,000 Federal grant. The federal grant is an 80/20 matching, where 20% would come from the city. If Evansville were to receive this grant, the city would be responsible for $189,500 for installing paver bricks on Main Street. ECP has pledged to raise money through a paver brick fund.

Foth & Van Dyke will work with ECP to determine project scope and strategies to allow Evansville the best chance for receiving the Federal grant.

Foth & Van Dyke will publish a technical report on their findings.

Plan to have a Public Hearing on Main Street reconstruction in January.

Discussed the feasibility of a round-a-bout in the Madison-Main St. intersection. Pictures shown of similar intersection in Madison.

STH 59/213 Resurfacing Project: Discussion on Improvements to the intersections of S. Madison St. with Water St.
S. Madison St. and Water St. – Involves widening intersection turn radius to allow truck traffic. While both residential homes have sufficient set backs to allow widening of the road, narrow strips of land acquisitions on both intersections. Engineer has designed intersections and the city is contacting the property owners.

Reviewed engineer’s intersection designs.

Discussed use of asphalt or concrete pavement base for intersection.

Discussion and possible Motion to expanding the city truck routes to include Exchange St. (South Union St.)
Exchange was constructed to route truck traffic away from residential areas toward city’s industrial areas.

Expand the city truck routes to include Exchange St. (South Union St.) unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
Communications from City Engineer
Lake Leota Dam Inspection Report

City engineer reported that the Dam is in great shape. Submitting report to State dam inspector.

Main Street Bridge Inspection Report

City engineer provided a preliminary report on Main Street Bridge over Allen creek. The abutments and girders are unusable. The city should replace the entire bridge and substructure.

Submitting report to DOT requesting an 80% replacement grant.

Interviewed city engineers bridge replacement experience. Twelve bridges over 15 years. City engineer’s last bridge design was Hwy. 51 in Edgerton.

Traffic count plan for city’s West Side

Discussed methods to assess traffic safety on the city West Side. City engineer will draw up a traffic count plan. The Police radar speed trailer will measure traffic count. The following intersections were selected for West Side traffic safety study:

Badger Dr. and Higgins Dr.
5th St. and Badger Dr.
5th St. and Garfield
5th and Liberty St.
5th and Main St.
5th and Vision
City engineer requests High School students to assist in statistical analysis of data. The city engineer will analyze the data and make recommendations for traffic safety signs.

Communications of Public Works Director
Veteran’s Memorial Pool: Solar Panels Construction Update – Public Works director met with contractor to review plans. Rejected contractor’s initial drawings. No detail construction plans available.

Recommend scaling back project to use solar energy to heat the domestic water in showers. Energy savings payback will be greater using this approach.

Current Public Works projects include:

Replacing worn out signs and adding new signs complying with new standards especially along Hwy. 14.
Reviewing contractor for repairing City Hall roof.
Leaf collection will continue until Thanksgiving.
Hired new Public Works foreman.
New Business - None
Meeting adjourned @ 8:05 p.m. on a Hammann-Sornson motion
Next Meeting: Monday, December 27 at 6:00 p.m.

Bill Hammann Chair, Public Works Committee