11-13-2007 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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• City Council Minutes November 13, 2007 5.3. Public Works Department Update Page 3 Public Works Director Terry Maurer presented a PowerPoint outlining each division under the public works department including engineering, sewer, building maintenance, fleet maintenance, and the street division. Mr. Maurer explained the mission and goals of each division. Mr. Maurer provided a breakdown of the main tasks of the street department as outlined in his PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Maurer indicated that he met with the street department to discuss their major tasks and goals. He stated that in order to obtain a better idea of how time is spent, staff will be tracking time spent on each task for 2008. Mayor Klinzing questioned how many gravel roads are in the city. Assistant Street Superintendent Mark Thompson indicated that there axe approximately 12 miles of gravel road in Elk River. Mr. Maurer explained that the goal is to include some of the gravel roads as part of each assessable street improvement project. Mr. Maurer noted the amount of time spent for staff to manage the compost pile. He stated that there is a large number of commercial users and that monitoring options will be reviewed. ~~ ~~ Councilmember Motin questioned the statement that engineering is working with Sherburne County on a GIS map. He stated that he believed the city had already done that. Mr. Maurer explained that Sherburne County prepared a base map for the city six or seven years ago but since then little information has been added. He indicated that planning requires the developers to provide GIS information electronically and that information is being added. He stated that the service has been purchased from Sherburne County for a reasonable price. Mr. Maurer provided a transportation update. He questioned if the City Council would like to be apprised of properties that are fox sale within the path of the 193 project. He explained that if the city purchases properties in the path, he believes we would receive cost participation credit in the amount of what the property is worth at the time of project construction. Councilmember Moain indicated that he is not interested in the city getting into the rental business and questioned if the city would get credit if the house were demolished. Mr. Maurer indicated that he believes under those circumstances the city would only receive credit for the land provided. City Administrator Lori Johnson explained that staff will research MnDOT's position on the purchase of property and the potential removal of buildings. Councilmember Motin questioned if it would be appropriate for the environmental division to be under public works rather than community development. Mr. Maurer explained that public works does work with environmental staff on a few issues but there are other issues that more closely fall under community development. Ms. Johnson indicated that placement of the environmental division was reviewed prior to approval of the current organizational , chart and that it can be done either way. Ms. Johnson stated that she believes it is working well now as is with the current employees but that it could be reviewed in the future. • Counciltnember Zerwas questioned the status of the railroad quiet zones. Mr. Maurer stated that the feasibility study will be presented to the Council for consideration at the December 3 meeting.