8.d Engineering Updates 11-19-2019
City of Scandia
Engineering Updates 11/19/2019
Engineering italics = old information
• Comprehensive Plan Update
The Met Council approved the final plan on October 9, 2019.
The City Council formally adopted the final plan on October 15, 2019.
A hard copy of the plan, along with a flash drive with an electronic version, was delivered to
the City on November 5th.
The website has been updated to include the final plan.
This process is now complete.
• Bliss Addition Stormwater Planning
Includes 190th Street N, 189th Street N, Layton Ave and Larksupur Ave N circle area.
Public Outreach meeting being held at City Hall with the adjacent property owners prior to the City
Council meeting, on April 16, 2019, from 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
Existing conditions model is complete and proposed drainage solutions have been initiated. The
project design team is currently preparing a schedule for completion, including interim team
meetings to update the group and present preliminary drainage solutions, a second public meeting to
inform residents of progress and gage reaction to the proposed solutions, and a final public
meeting/city council meeting to present the final report.
Met with watershed district on 8/2 to discuss preliminary options for expanding regional water
storage, restoring infiltration capacity and improve water quality. The watershed made some great
recommendations for managing overall project costs and those options are currently being explored.
Second public meeting occurred on August 20th. Preliminary stormwater management practices
were presented to the residents and were well received. Some new recommendations were also
presented and considered in the plan revisions.
Final Draft will be presented to the City Council at the November 19, 2019 meeting.
• Bliss Drainfield System
Both the 2020 permit application for this system and the “final report” for nitrogen mitigation have
been completed and submitted to the MPCA. The memo which serves as a final report doesn’t
present final solutions for the nitrogen issue, but instead outlines the issues that have been found
and solved in this treatment system, as well as some additional testing that will now be
recommended to get a handle on the nitrogen, BOD, and TSS entering and leaving the facility. The
hope is to gain us a little more time from the MPCA before they mandate action. We’ll use this time
to perform the aforementioned testing and evaluate options for removing nitrogen at Bliss.
Working with Public Works to develop a schedule for some additional testing at the Bliss
system, as outlined in the SDS permit application.
• Bliss Control Panels
Staff met with Contractor on-site last Friday to discuss some proposed deviations from
what’s shown in the plans for LS 1. After multiple approaches were discussed a conclusion
was reached. The existing control panel pad at the LS 1 site will be reused and extended,
and the new SCADA antenna will be affixed directly to the panel. As a result, no excavation
or extended bypass will be needed at this site. The City will be getting a deduct on the
product based on these changes.
Construction of LS 2 will proceed as shown in the plans. The Contractor plans on starting
the week of November 18th.
• 2020 Street Improvement Project
Infrastructure assessment field work has been completed along with roadway soil borings.
In process of preparing construction plans.
• Capital Improvement Plan
Completed a road tour with Public Works on March 29, 2019 to review roadways for consideration
for the planned 2020 Street Improvement Project. Process of preparing cost estimates of road
segment candidates for future discussions at Capital Improvement Committee Meetings.
Attended the May 15, 2019 Capital Improvement Plan Committee and presented 5-year road
improvement plan and provided updates/information for both the Bliss System and the Anderson-
Erickson System.
Prepared additional information for the June 13, 2019, Capital Improvement Plan Committee that
included cost estimates for all the roads currently rated 5-6 on the PASER Road Rating map.
Prepared additional information for Neil to include the complete budget for final recommendation
from the Capital Improvement Committee on July 9th.
• Sump Pump Inspection Program
Third notification has been prepared that will be sent out certified mail and also door
hangers will be hung on properties still needing an inspection. Appointments can be made
on the following remaining Tuesdays or Thursday’s; October 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th, 29th, and
November 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, from 7:00am to 7:00pm. Deadline to have completed
inspection is November 19, 2019.
Inspection are in progress based on appointments requested.
• 113 homes/cabins/vacant lots on the list
• 101 Inspections performed to date
• 1 inspection scheduled for Nov 14, 2020 (19077 Layton)
• 102 inspections performed or scheduled to Nov. 14, 2020
• 11 home/cabins left of which 2 residents refuse to allow anyone in their home.
• Washington County’s first Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Our fist TAC meeting was held on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019.
Project Manager, Emily Jorgensen
• emily.jorgensen@co.washington.mn.us
• 651-430-4338
• https://www.co.washington.mn.us/bikepedplan
• Washington County – Draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2020 – 2024
The 2020-2024 CIP includes the county's tentative plans for roads, bridges, parks, land,
trails, transit, and public facilities.
The first year of this plan is included in the county's proposed 2020 budget. The “out-years”
of 2021-2024 reflect projected needs and estimated costs, which may change based on
future priorities and funding opportunities.
For instance, while there are projects included within the CIP reflecting bond proceeds as a
possible funding source, the County Board has not yet determined a formal bonding plan. A
summary of the anticipated 2022 bond project construction costs can be seen on page 48,
construction costs paid from bond proceeds may not be indicated on individual project
pages. Projects under consideration of this bond sale include, but are not limited to:
• Western Service Center
• Park Grove Library Major Renovation
• Law Enforcement Center Facility Improvements
• Stillwater Campus Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Upgrade
• Lake Elmo Park Reserve Improvements
• County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 – CSAH 10 to CSAH 14
• Historic Courthouse Exterior Restoration, Roof, and Dome Repair
• Stafford Library
Projects will be reevaluated at the appropriate time, and may change based on the
outcomes of an approved bonding plan.
Projects that were budgeted in 2019 (or prior to), and are not yet complete, are not
reflected in the draft 2020-2024 CIP; funding for the completion of those projects has been
set aside, and therefore aren’t reflected in future years’ CIP documents.
Draft CIP link: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/24925/2020-
2024-Draft-Capital-Improvement-Plan
Comments must be received in writing (via U.S. Postal Service or email) no later than
November 20, 2019 to be considered when developing the final CIP. A public hearing will
also be held on December 17, 2019 prior to adopting the final document.
DRAFT COMMENTS ATTACHED TO REPORT AT END
• 2019 APWA-MN Chapter Fall Conference
November 21-22, 2019 I will be attending the American Public Works Association Fall
Conference. Topics will consist of; perspectives on chlorides in water resources, developing
stormwater solutions that provide multiple benefits, how to mange small cell technology,
MN 2050 Update, and community engagement.
• Stretch of Scenic St. Croix River added to Impaired Waters List
A stretch of the St. Croix River is one of 581 waterways Minnesota has added to its list of
waters that don’t meet state pollution standards. The popular stretch of the St. Croix River
between Taylors Falls and Stillwater made the proposed list due to high phosphorous
levels.
Julie Galonska, superintendent of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, challenged the
idea that the river is deteriorating. She characterized the impairment as an “administrative
twist” that resulted from new standards the MPCA recently adopted, not a big increase in
pollution. Miranda Nichols, the MPCA’s impaired-waters list coordinator, said that the
newly designated stretch had not previously been evaluated for nutrients and algae under
the new standards.
The public has until Jan. 14 to comment on the draft list. Public meetings are planned
around the state in December. The MPCA plans to submit the list to the EPA by April 1.
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433-2274 Fax (651) 433-5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
November 20, 2019
Larry Phillips
Washington County Office of Administration
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Re: Washington County 2020-2024 Draft Capital Improvement Plan Comments
Dear Washington County,
The City of Scandia would like to provide comment on the Washington County 2020-2024 Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP), by expressing our support that the following projects be implemented within
the draft CIP plan including; pavement maintenance project on CSAH 15 (Manning Ave) throughout
Scandia & intersection improvements at CSAH 15 & Hwy 97, pavement maintenance projects on CSAH 3,
and trail-park development in northern Washington County.
The City is supportive of the planned 2023 improvements at Square Lake Park; as outlined include
rehabilitation of existing restroom facilities, parking improvements, implementation of trails, and
signage & wayfinding improvements. While the implementation of the trails at this park is being
reviewed, we would support further planning and development in extending these facilities as far north
to allow for connectivity of facilities to be enjoyed by a greater range of users in northern Washington
County.
Locally the City has continuously heard from its residents the desire to have a regional trail system
throughout Scandia and northern Washington County that would be connected to regional assets such
as Big Marine Park and William O’Brien State Park which would provide recreational opportunities but
potentially also bring economic opportunities within the community. The City has worked very closely
with the DNR and Legislation in securing funding that has allowed for the design of one mile segment of
regional trail extension, but seek more planning and development opportunities from the County. City
of Scandia would like to request for Washington County to implement within their CIP by identifying
studies, funding, and/or provide resources to assist the DNR in pursuing regional trail development and
better connectivity throughout northern Washington County.
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433-2274 Fax (651) 433-5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Portion of the CSAH 3 corridor was previously planned and communicated to the public for a 2018
improvement until suddenly, the project was cancelled. However, it was later communicated to the City
the planned improvements are programmed and currently schedule for 2020 and 2021 with the CIP (RB-
2204) projects. City of Scandia is under the expectation that the project has been programmed with
Phase 1 – planned for 2020, CSAH 4 to Old Marine Trail and Phase 2 – planned for 2021, Old Marine Trail
to County line and request that the County stays committed to that schedule.
The intersection of CSAH 15 & Hwy 97 has been the source of concern for many years and the City has
submitted comments on this intersection on past draft CIP’s. MnDOT has planned intersection and
lighting improvements in 2020 just west of this intersection located at Hwy 97 and North Shore Trail N
that will improve safety and traffic flow thus potentially bringing traffic to the intersection of CSAH 15
and Hwy 97 at a faster rate. This intersection experiences backups at AM & PM peak hours and is an
intersection that has had many close calls that could have resulted in serious T-bone crashes. The City
requests this intersection be added to the CIP that would include future intersection improvements.
The City also would like to request the County complete an intersection study in 2020 in coordination
with MnDOT at this intersection so future improvements or project constraints can be identified.
Thank you for allowing our comments to be submitted on the Washington County 2020-2024 Draft CIP.
Sincerely,
Ryan J. Goodman, P.E.
City Engineer