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1973-01-23 Council minutesPage 161 January 23,1973 VILLAGE OF 0ENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Special Meeting Held Tuesday, January 23, 1973 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Village Council, Village of Mendota Heights, was held at 8:00 o'clock P.M. at the Somerset Elementary School, 1355 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Huber, Councilmen Lockwood, Gutzmer, Losleben and Wahl. HEARING -- Sg0ERBE^ViE0 STREET IMPROVEMENTS Mayor Huber pointed out that the purpose of the meeting is to conduct a hearing on the proposed blacktopping of streets in the area known as the Somerset View Addition. He stated that the hearing was brought about by a petition received from people in the area who are interested in obtaining cost figures for street improvement. He further stated that the Village Engineer has prepared several reports outlining proposals for street improvements for the area. He indicated that the Village Administrator will explain the most economic proposal and that after the explanation, the Council will hear comments and questions from the audience. He requested that all comments or questions be o f a general nature and that anyone having questions about specific 'pieces of property discuss the questions with the Council after the hearing. He stated that anyone wishing to submit written objections may do so during the coming week and that no decision on the project will be made at this meeting -- the matter will be brought before the Council for a decision in approximately two weeks. Mayor Huber turned the meeting over to Village Administrator Johnson for an explanation of the proposed improvements. Mr. Johnson gave a brief histbry of the proposed project and stated that street improvements consisting of grading, stabilization and bituminous surfacing are proposed for Beebe Avenue between Dodd and Delaware, Mears Avenue between Dodd and COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, OBJECTIONS Page 162 January 23, 1973 Delaware, Staples Avenue between Dodd and Delaware, Coleshire Lane between Dodd and Dorset, Somerset Road between Coleshire Lane and Mears, Dorset between Coleshire and Burr Oak and Hingham Circle between Emerson and Mears. He further stated that the proposal is for more or less conventionally built streets of 18 to 22 foot width, depending on existing conditions -- there will be ndrmaI residential base construc- tion plus a two—inch machine—laid asphaltic concrete surface. Some streets will possibly be tilted to alleviate the drain- age problems, but no other revision of existing drainage facilities is included in the project. Mr. Johnson pointed out that normally when streets are constructed there is as little disruption of existing driveways as possible; however, the Council is considering including an optional feature in the contract which would provide a bid price for driveway construction. Village Administrator Johnson stated that if the project is ordered in soon, construction could boginn in May or June with completion in the fall. The estimated cost of the project is $128,000 or $12.00 to $13.00 per assessible foot. Mayor Huber ,asked the audience for questions or comments 0r. Harold Latham, 12I1 Delaware Avenue, asked why Emerson Avenue was excluded from the proposed project. Mayor Huber explained that it was excluded in an attempt to keep the project costs at a more econ- omical price and because it is hoped that Emerson will, at some point, qualify as a State Aid Street. 0r. Ralph Johnson, 1280 Dodd Road, asked why Somerset from Colebhire to Emerson was excluded. Mayor Huber answered that this was excluded because it carries very little traffic and because of the economic considerations. Page 163 January 23, 1973 An unidentified resident asked if culverts will be required of those residents who don't have them at present. Mayor Huber answered that culverts are not part of the project because the inclusion of culverts would raise the cost of the project back to the original $29f00 per foot estimate. Orra Wakefield, 5 Hingham Circle, asked whose responsibility it is to keep the culverts open -- and stated that part of the drainage problem exists because the culverts are not kept open. Mayor Huber responded that the Village maintains the culverts which cross the roads but that the Village does not maintain driveway culverts. Donald Clauson, 10 Beebe Avenue, referring to a letter from the Village Administrator which was sent to all of the residents as an explanation of the proposed improv- ement project, asked why a cost figure of $77,000 was listed on one page while the proposed cost figure of $128,000 was listed on another page. Village Administrator Johnson stated that the $77,000 figure was included in the letter to indicate what the cost would be for the lowest grade, poorest type of construction -- the cost would be approximately $7.50 per foot -- as opposed to the proposed $128,000 figure which would enable the construction of streets that are as structurally sound as any other resident- ial street being build in the Village at this time. Mrs. Carolyn Lillo, 551 Emerson Avenue, asked if there is any protection against reassessment for those people who own double frontage lots. She wondered if those residents would be reassessed for frontage at the other end of their lots if at some future date construction is proposed for those streets excluded from this pro- posed project. Mayor Huber replied that assessments would only be made for construc- tion on streets on which the residence fronts. In the case of Emerson Avenue, if Emerson is designated as a State Aid Street at some time in the future and is improved through State Aid funds there would only be nominal assessments. Village Adminis- trator Johnson stated that the Council would -be reluctant to assess any double facing Page 164 January 23, 1973 lots for the cost of construction on both streets. Dr. James Henry, 13 Dorset Road, stated that the streets have adequately served the residents for the past 25 years and requested that a poll be taken of the audience. Robert Edman, 2 Dorset Road, asked if the Council will proceed with the project even if the majority of the residents are against it. Mayor Huber replied that the question will be answered when the Council votes on.tho issue. Elroy Isaacson, 573 Emerson Avenue, asked why sodding was included in the project. Village Administrator Johnson stated that in order to do proper excavation with a front end loader, there must be a minimum of six inches of work space between the edge of the mat and the excavating area -- after the construction is completed if sod is not installed there will be a six—inch strip of mud along the streets. If the contrac- tor puts black dirt along the base it is likely that the edge of the street would be a water—way during rainy periods and water would get under the base of the street. Harold Latham replied that the ruts in the streets are caused by school buses and asked why something could not be done about the school bus routing. Councilman Lockwood stated that garbage and fuel oil trucks are a similar problem but that little if anything can be done about this type of problem. He stated that the Council must keep an open mind on this proposed project: this area is no diff- erent from other areas of the Village where street improvements are needed and the burden for such improvements must be borne at some time. He pointed out that this' project was petitioned for because of the drainage problems and because some people are tired of the poor street conditions. 0r ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 165 January 23, 1973 He stated that in fairness to those people who want something better in terms of drain- age and good streets, something must be done-- nothing can be done about the drainage because of ec omomics, but perhaps with this proposed project, these people will at least have streets equal to streets in other residential areas. Mrs. Jo Lockwood, 2 Hingham Circle, stated that she has not heard any comments in favor of the project up to this point and okked that those in favor of the project express their reasons. Arthur Miller, 1 Dorset Road, stated that he would like to have a real estate appraiser state whether this improvement would add to house values. He also asked whether this area is one of the last to petition for street improvements. Mayor Huber listed the streets in the Village which had been improved. Richard B'orklund, 1260 Dodd Road, stated that he is definitely in favor of the project. He further stated that people must realize that if this project is delayed for five years or more the total cost will be much greater; the residents of this area deserve good streets - now. He also commented that the construction will enhance and benefit all of the property included in the project. Mrs. Arthur Miller, 1 Dorset Road, stated that it would be illogical to let the streets remain in their present condition and that if the project is delayed much longer the cost will become even greater. Mayor Huber stated that anyone opposing the proposed project may sign his name and address on a list which will be supplied by the Clerk— Treasurer after the hearing. There being no further discussion or comments, Councilman Lockwood moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. Time of adjournment: 9:40 P.M. ATTEST: Donald L. Huber, Mayor