PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Monday, December 10, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Jai Johnson, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Jeff Schroeder, Jim Berns (exc/arr @4:04)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Andrea Richmond
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Dennis Osgood, Jim Speropulos, Brian Tippetts, Mary Kaufmann, Keith Back, Steve O’Malley, Steve Mader, James Simonelli, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Johnson/Geary to approve minutes of November 5, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond, Berns excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to accept the following Consent Agenda item:
Motion carried unanimously; Richmond, Berns excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000
Copies of the Highway Department check requisitions were distributed. MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to approve the following check requisitions as presented (4 vendors):
Motion carried unanimously; Richmond, Berns excused.
REQUEST FOR CAMPSITES FOR SPECIAL EVENT BY S & S CYCLE AND THE HORSE BACKSTREET CHOPPERS
Jim Speropulos reviewed. Copies of an email from The Horse Back Street Choppers were sent with the agenda. As part of S & S Cycle 50th Anniversary celebration this summer, this particular group is looking for maximum of 200 tent camping sites at Veterans Memorial Campground. S & S Cycle will be holding events at the Fairgrounds as well as at Oktoberfest grounds. James Simonelli of S & S Cycle was present to answer questions. He noted this group has their own magazine; most are blue-color workers who have custom built their own cycles; as part of the celebration S & S Cycle will donate an engine as top prize for this group’s special event. He did express that he is not representing the group, but only seeking campsites on their behalf; he is not aware of any past problems, but suggested they be made aware of the campground rules. Jim noted because of large group assembly, the Sheriff’s Dept. may need to issue a permit so will also be aware of it. Jim displayed a map of the park that showed a green area east of the campground that could be used by this group that would also include use of Shelter #4 for their use.
The regular nightly rate per tent site is $17, but the group would like a flat rate; staff suggests $13 night per tent site, including use of the shelter; they recommend a flat rate of $8,000. MOTION by Schroeder/Pfaff to approve a flat fee of $8,000 for a maximum of 200 camping sites at Veterans Memorial Campground, including the use of Shelter #4, for The Horse Back Street Choppers, for dates of June 26-29, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
APPROVE EXTENSION OF ASH DISPOSAL AGREEMENT
Brian Tippetts reviewed. This is for a one (1) year extension of the contract/Amendment #4 to the Solid Waste Disposal Service Agreement between La Crosse County and Northern States Power Co., d/b/a Xcel Energy. MOTION by Berns/Pfaff to approve a one-year extension of the ash disposal agreement, Amendment No. 4, between La Crosse County and Northern States Power Co./Xcel Energy to December 31, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
APPROVE $60,000 CHANGE ORDER WITH AMES CONSTRUCTION INC. RE ASH MONOFILL & ASH RELOCATION CONTRACT – PHASE 1
Brian reviewed. The County has a contract with Ames Construction to construct the new landfill liner which is done. The clay was full of stones (sharp edge chert) that had to be removed manually – over 100 ton. There was an option of putting in a Geomat which would have cost over $200,000 or remove the stones which was estimated at $50,000. In addition, due to excessive rainfall in August, there was additional cost to repair the liner and pump water at a cost of $10,000, so the total came to $60,000. MOTION by Johnson/Schroeder to approve the $60,000 change order, as presented, for Ames Construction. Miscellaneous questions. Brian noted that it’s difficult to get good clay; Monroe County is having the same problem. Payment for this will come from the bond proceeds and still under the estimated cost for the project. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE OLD LANDFILL LONG TERM CARE ESCROW WITH A LETTER OF CREDIT
Brian noted currently $3 million in an escrow account for the long term care of the old landfill. The County is in the process of removing that site so eventually it will no longer exist; it is currently one-third removed. The State has agreed with relinquishing the $3 million amount and replace it with a letter of credit. The $3 million will be released back to the General Fund. MOTION by Berns/Johnson to approve the resolution which will allow the County to purchase a letter of credit from Wells Fargo in an amount not to exceed $1 million at a cost not to exceed $9,500 for the year 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
APPROVE 2008 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN STATE DOT AND COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPT.
Referred to the January meeting as the maintenance agreements were not yet received.
PETITION BY CITIZENS ALONG COUNTY ROAD “M” TO REDUCE SPEED LIMIT FROM 55 TO 45 MPH
Copies of a petition signed by residents who live along County Road M are requesting reduced speed limit from 55 to 45 MPH for a particular area from intersection County Road M & US Highway 14 to intersection County Road M & County Road NN, located in the Town of Greenfield. The petition was signed by 19 residents from 15 households. Dennis noted this stretch is about 3 miles long and there are no sight distance problems. The road could use shoulder widening, but that is true for many County roads. He also noted in past two summers, this particular area was used as a by-pass due to road reconstruction on Highway 14 in summer of 2006, and same for Highway 33 this past summer. Both projects are now done and traffic should be much less. Town Chair Steve Mader addressed the committee, noting two bad spots, those by the Greenfield Town Hall and the other at the bridge at Temp Road; there have been several accidents in these areas, and he concurred with the need to widen the shoulder. MOTION by Pfaff/Schroeder to not change the speed limit, but to request the Highway Dept. to consider possible signage for those dangerous areas. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
REQUEST BY SPORTS CAR CLUB OF LA CROSSE TO USE LAKE NESHONOC
Jim Speropulos reviewed. He noted this as an annual request of the Sports Car Club of La Crosse. Copies of the request letter were sent with the agenda. MOTION by Johnson/Schroeder to approve the use of Lake Neshonoc for 3-4 weekends in months of January and February, 2008, by the Sports Car Club of La Crosse, Ltd. Jim noted that he will also request a certificate of insurance from the group. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
APPROVE BID FOR DEMOLITION OF HUBER CENTER
Jim Speropulos reviewed. Bids were solicited for the demolition of the Huber Center and four (4) qualified bids were received. He recommends approval of the low bid. MOTION by Johnson/Berns to approve the low bid of Harry Viner Inc. in the amount of $12,550. Discussion followed. Jim noted any environmental issues with the building will be dealt with separately. The Highway Dept. did an estimated figure which came in higher than the other four bids, plus Dennis did not know if they would have time to do the work, especially during the winter season. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused. Other bidders: La Crosse Backhoe Service Inc. @$24,800, Strupp Trucking Inc. @$47,000/$46,500-nonrecycle deduct, and Champion Environmental Services Inc. @$51,700.
OVERNIGHT PARKING ISSUES IN PARKING LOT “C” DURING WINTER MONTHS
Jim Speropulos showed a picture of Parking Lot C that was taken from an upper story building. It was taken at about 7:00 a.m. and it showed a number of cars that were parked in the lot overnight following a significant overnight snowfall; he noted 20 cars at time of the picture. It is difficult for County staff to plow the snow due to having cars in the way; the snow is plowed toward and around light poles; it would be more efficient to plow the snow in the west corners (lowest level of the lot) to eliminate melting and refreezing conditions. He would like to eliminate overnight parking from the hours of 2 a.m.-6 a.m., except at the meters in the southwest corner there would be some assigned overnight parking for individuals that lease spaces from the County on a monthly basis. Jim estimates 7-8 signs would be needed. MOTION by Johnson/Berns to approve for Parking Lot C, the elimination of overnight parking except as designated at the meters in the southwest corner, effective same months as City of La Crosse alternate side-street parking (November 1-April 1). More discussion followed for and against the proposal. Roll call vote: Johnson-yes, Spiker-yes, Pfaff-yes, Geary-yes, Berns-no, Schroeder-no; Richmond excused. Motion carried on 4 to 2 vote.
MINDORO PARK AND FUTURE PROJECTS
Mary Kaufmann reviewed. She noted a Tree Management Plan was prepared for years 2005-2029 by Jim Dalton, DNR Forester. The plan is divided into five (5) sections. She quoted particular recommendations as noted in the plan. Mr. Dalton’s recommendation is to maintain as a forest area. He recommends girdling the nuisance trees which will eventually kill them. Girdling is the sawing circles into the trunk of the trees at various intervals – about 1” or so deep. The plan is to have County staff start the girdling process. Supervisor Pfaff expressed concerns of overgrowth, noting the management/girdling should have been done 15 years ago.
UPDATE ON HIGHWAY SHOP ALTERNATE ENTRANCE
Dennis noted Paragon & Associates are working on the legal description, including a title search as recommended by Corporation Counsel. A resolution should be ready for the January meeting.
DISCUSSION ON STRIPING COUNTY ROADS
Referred to the January committee meeting.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Per Supervisor Berns requested a report/update on Solid Waste and the landfill.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Pfaff/Berns to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder