8.f Public Works Staff ReportJune 18th, 2019
Public Works Staff Report – May 2019
Roads and Right – of – way
- Staff is in the process of road side mowing. There was a delay in the
start this year due to the cooler temperatures. The vegetation did not
need mowing until the week of June 3rd this year. Growth is
approximately two weeks behind normal.
- The majority of the patching of the potholes is completed and we are
now starting to work on larger patches that are the result of frost boils
and failing asphalt. The patch needed on 220th that was discussed
during the May 21st council meeting was completed per instructions.
- PW staff responded to nine trees down during the windy and rainy
event on 5-21 / 22 – 19. Two of the trees were in power lines. Xcel
energy was contacted to untangle the wires and create a safe work
area for staff. It took 2 days to haul the material away after clearing
roads.
- Gravel road maintenance was completed prior to the scheduled dust
control. The coordination with Cedar Cliff occurred again this year
and went smoothly. The test areas of Oakgreen Ave. and 185th St.
were implemented. They will be monitored weekly to note effectivity.
- Drainage issues are being evaluated and addressed. A tour with Jim
Shaver and Ryan Goodman provided additional perspectives. There
are many years of deferred maintenance of the city ditches and storm
drainage system. The culvert on Pilar that was failing has been
replaced. Peterson Excavation did a very nice job and did the
replacement in one day.
Sewer – Water:
- Bliss: More deferred maintenance of the drain field was discovered in
May. Eight more inspection tubes were found to be broken and in
need of repairs. The system continues to have issues that may be
related to the overwhelming pumping during the March flooding. Staff
will continue to monitor and schedule maintenance to address issues
as they arise.
- Public Works received an award from MPCA for our diligence in
reporting and operation of the Bliss system. An award was last
received in 2015.
Parks:
- Staff is working with Washington Co. on SHIP grant reporting and
following through on approved purchases.
- Our PT-staff person is making progress on catching up on the
mowing of the park areas and dragging of the ballfields.
- The 31-year-old Bolen’s tractor PTO clutch failed. I am working on
assessing options for budgeting so any equipment purchased to
replace the Bolens would have multiple uses and be an asset to the
department. The tractor is in the midst of repair.
- Warming House: Last winter during Vinterfest the sewer system
became backed up. Smilies suggested we do a thorough check in the
spring / summer when not in use. During the maintenance, about a 5
foot root section was extracted from the system. They also confirmed
the old connection to the community center was disconnected and
capped. The warming house is directly connected to the Uptown main
line.
Other:
➢ Equipment breakdowns of the Kubota lawn mower, 1988 Bollens, the
2011 Mack tandem, and the NewHolland skid steer were the
impactful equipment failures.