09.g City Admin Report for 11 21 23 City Council Meeting1
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: November 21, 2023, City Council Meeting
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Re: City Administrator Report
______________________________________________________________________________
Gateway Trail Project
City Engineer Ryan Goodman and I met with Nathan Moe and Kent Skaar from the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Monday, July 10, 2023. We discussed the next
steps in the work plan, including the environmental review, soil borings, and topographical
survey. Ryan and the DNR are working to complete these items before the end of the year. This
group plans to meet monthly to ensure the project stays on schedule.
Kent explained that the LCCMR funding has a hard deadline of June 30, 2027. All spending
must be completed before that date. The City plans for 2026 construction to complete the project
before the grant funding disappears. Our DNR Grant Administrator has also contacted me.
LCCMR administers the project. The funding comes from the DNR.
The Fiscal Agent Agreement has been approved and signed by all parties involved. City
Engineer Ryan Goodman’s report details the City’s response to the County’s CIP, including
funding for the Gateway Trail. We continue to meet monthly with the DNR and the County to
ensure the project progresses as planned.
Water Tower Barn Project
The Scandia Heritage Alliance is working to construct part of the old water tower barn to apply
for historic tax credits and a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, they
will need to create a for-profit entity to allow for qualification for historic tax credits. Council
approved the construction of the east side of the barn and the formation of a “for-profit” entity at
their Work Session on September 6. There are no additional updates at this time.
2
192nd St Landing
Below is an update from Tom Langer with the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed regarding
the 192nd St N. landing project.
After an initial site inspection with Lori and Mike, we determined a need for an
updated site survey of the area. We worked with EOR to extend their surveying
effort for the Bliss addition project to include the 192nd road/ launch area. Once
this is completed, Lori, Mike, and I will begin to outline a shoreline alteration site
plan and share it with you when ready. I anticipate this work to be completed over
the next few months.
When the plan has been put together, it will be presented to the Council for review.
Scandia City Center Study
The first meeting of the City Center Study Project Team was held on October 26. The
Consultant will have a Community Engagement Plan to present to the Council in December or
January.
Bliss Stormwater Project
This is a Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed project to which the City partners. The project
aims to improve stormwater collection within the Bliss neighborhood. The project will be bid
out this winter for construction next summer. The City has pledged $160,000 towards this
project. That money can be found in the 401 CIP fund. It was initially scheduled for 2023
construction but was delayed due to unlocated Xcel Energy lines in the project area.