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8.g Administrator's reportSCANDILA Staff Report Date of Meeting: August 15, 2017 To: City Council From: Neil Soltis, Administrator Re: Administrator's report Comprehensive Planning—The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 24. The intent of this meeting will be to focus on the goals and objectives and the question about the community designation based on the information provided in the surveys and focus group meetings. Bolton & Menk will be holding a popup meeting at Taco Daze on Saturday, September 9. Website upgrade —The first stage of the website upgrade is complete with the updated home page and simplified navigation from the home page. Work will continue to help visitors to the site find the information they are seeking as easily as possible. One of the features of the updated home page is the ability to have 5 pictures scroll through. Judi has a request for residents to submit pictures that would appear on the City's home page. Labor negotiations — The second meeting with Local 49 on the labor agreement with the Public Works staff was held on Thursday, August 10. Work remains on the language on a number of proposals; however, there is tentative agreement on the major issues. The goal will be to present the agreement to the Council at the September Council meeting Building permit activity— In the aftermath of the June storm the building permit activity continues to be very active. Through 8/10/17 year -to date 302 permits have been issued compared to 133 in 2016 with 74 permits issued in the 1518 work days in August alone. Broadband & Cable — Frontier is continuing to install the equipment to support their network upgrade. That work is expected to be completed in the next month or so. Frontier has raised the question as to how the city will be using the PEG fees that will result from their providing video services. The use of PEG fees is restricted to the purchase of equipment or public, education, and governmental access. Fire Contract with May Township — The 3 -year Fire contract with May Township extends through 12/31/2017. Discussion on the renewal of the agreement are beginning. Fire / Public works solar panels — Information on the performance of the solar panels on the Fire / Public Works roof is available on a continual basis. This remote monitoring was installed in March and indicates that production that is roughly of 108% of projections. Noise — At the Planning Commission meeting an issue was raised regarding the enforcement of the noise ordinance, particularly the use of tannerite exploding targets. I have asked Deputy Yetter and City Attorney Andy Pratt to see how other communities are enforcing this and whether there is anything in statutes preventing the use. In the interim, enforcement would be through the City's noise ordinance. Solar Ordinance — Since any change to the zoning ordinance requires a public hearing, the Planning commission will hold a public hearing on the repeal of the section in the development code for solar farms and community solar gardens at the September 5 meeting with the ordinance being presented to the City Council on September 19. Solar Projects Argo Navis — Based on the action to terminate the Annual operating Permit for the Tiller / Zavoral mine, the building permit has been released Nextera Energy (Nickelson / Booren)— The plans for this site have been submitted for building permit, grading, and landscaping review. The language on the development agreement is still in process and there are a number of required submittals before the development agreement can be presented to the Council. Scandia Downtown parking — City Engineer Ryan Goodman prepared a preliminary cost estimate for creating a parking lot on what is currently privately owned land west of the commercial buildings on Olinda. The lot would be accessed through the platted road right-of- way for 1St Ave. that extends off of Olinda. The cost without land acquisition is estimated at $157,395. 95 / 97 vision — Mayor Maefsky, John Herman, and I met with MnDOT Commissioner Zelle & staff regarding the potential to visitor center site on the east side of MN 95 at the MN 95 / 97 intersection. The site could provide for views of the St. Croix River valley, access to the Crystal Springs SNA, an educational opportunity regarding solar, and the location of the historic Scandia water tower barn. Speed limits — Mayor Maefsky and Adam Hawkinson have received inquiries regarding the speed limits on a number of local streets and on MN 97. The City can determine advisory speeds and post the plates without authorization from the commissioner of transportation. The City can also pass a resolution requesting an investigation by MnDOT. Based upon the results, MnDOT may then authorize the local road authority to post new speed limits. All speed beyond that is established by statute are set by the DOT Commissioner based upon an engineering and traffic investigation factoring in road type and condition, location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, etc.), sufficient length of roadway (1/4 mile minimum) , existing traffic control devices (sign, signals, etc.), crash history traffic volume sight distances (curve, hill, etc.) , and test drive results. Before proceeding with the Council seeking to pass a resolution requesting MnDOT speed studies, staff will be gathering information on the results of previous speed studies and action is taken by the town or City to establish a speed limit. Veterans Memorial - The following is an update on the Memorial from Dave Wilson Landscaping - The PRC approved the last revision. Black dirt will be placed in the front area next week so that the planting can start there. The remaining landscaping will be worked on following all of the construction. • Wall Construction - A mason has been hired and the construction of the honor walls will begin in the week of the 20tH • Benches - Both benches are on order and will be available at the end of September. Community Center projection screen —The Scandia Marine Lions have approved a donation of $1,300 to cover Y2 of the cost to replace the projection screen in the Community Center. Grants — Washington County Health and Environment—Janie O'Connor spoke with Jean Streetar at the County about possible grant dollars for bike fixit station and bike racks. Based on the SHIP Healthy Living grant the City has with the County for the Comprehensive Plan, funds for the bike equipment may be able to be added to the grant. The County is assessing what would need to be done in order to make application for the additional funding. Youth ballfield — City Engineer Ryan Goodman forwarded information regarding a MLB Baseball Tomorrow Fund 50/50 grant opportunity to support facilities for the operation of youth baseball. The grant application deadline is October 1. Public works director Adam Hawkinson is looking at how the funds could be used. Washington County County CDA—The MCCD Open to Business Program is up and running in Washington County. Washington County is ©pen to Business! We're pleased to be launching anew partnership with the MCCD Open to Business program. Open to Business is a great resource for small and emerging businesses that may need help with financing, licensing and regulatory issues, or may simply have questions about strategies for managing day-to-day tasks. Washington County's contact at Open to Business is Tyler Hilsaheck. reel free to reach out to Tyler with questions at t hi l s a bec k0 mcccim n.or g, 2 S ks TO BUSINESS Looking to GROW�Ar your new business? Open to Business is a free, nonprofit program available to help new and early-stage businesses gra%v and prosper. Our experienced team can support you in accessing business feasibility, conduct business planning, under- stand nderstand licensing and regulatory issues, and assess financing options. For moreinforruatiom www.opentobusinessmn.org