CCP 07-22-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 8, 2014 Page 5 of 7 City Manager Lotter indicated Public Works Director Wyffels would be presenting this item to the Council. Public Works Director Wyffels reviewed the bids for the Street Rehabilitation Project 14 -1. He believed the bids received were quite favorable. Senior Engineering Supervisor Schlichting reviewed the four bids in fiuther detail with the Council. He described the project area noting it consists of the removal and replacement of bituminous surfacing, the removal and replacement of designed sections of concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer improvements and watennain replacement on Lake Diane Court from 29°i Avenue NW to the Cul-de-sac and 23" Avenue NW fi -om 140' Street NW to 17'h Street NW. The project details were discussed in further detail and staff recommended the Council accept the bids and award the contract to Park Construction Company. Councilmember Bauman asked if any residents have addressed the City with comment on the project. Senior Engineering Supervisor Schlichting stated the only concern expressed was with the curbing at the driveways. Motion by Councilmember Jacobsen, seconded by Councilmember Burg to accept the bids and adopt a Resolution awarding a contract for City Project 14-1, 2014 Street Rehabilitation to the lowest responsible bidder, Park Construction Company., in the amount of $734,928.71. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays -Motion Carried 2. Consideration of Hiring a Full -Time Park Maintenance Worker/Forester. Report No. 14- 181. City Manager Lotter indicated Parks and Recreation Director Breuer would be presenting this item to the Council. Parks and Recreation Director Breuer reviewed the contractual services for parks with the Council. She noted in November of 2012 the Council authorized staff to include funding a contract for mowing and snowplowing services in the 2013 budget. In April of 2013, the Council authorized a mowing contract with Village Green Landscapes for mowing selected parks, right -of -ways and well- houses/water towers. The contract with Village Green Landscapes was renewed in April of 2014. Staff reviewed the budgeted amounts and expense for the lawn mowing and snow removal contracts. The service levels were discussed and the City was pleased with the lawn mowing provider. There were some concerns with the snow removal provider and City staff had to fill in when snow was not removed properly. The number of full -time and seasonal staff members in the parks department was reviewed over the past 20 years. She reported that based on the size of the City and the park workload, staff was requesting the Council authorize the hiring of a fizll- time maintenance/forester for the Parks Department. She reviewed the estimated cost for this position in 2014 and 2015. It was noted the Parks Department would discontinue the 180 day Forestry Technician position for 2015, which would save the City $20,048, along with the discontinuing the contractual services for mowing and snow removal in 2015, which would save the City $64,500. Staff hoped to have this position filled by November of 2014. It was noted the savings would be applied to cover the expense of the new position. Councilmember Jacobsen questioned if this would be a union position. Parks and Recreation Director Breuer stated this was the case. Councilmember Bauman opposed the full-time parks maintenance/forester position. She discussed City Foresters with the League of Minnesota Cities. She saw no benefit to this full-time position and believed it could be completed by a seasonal employee. It was her opinion that the salary for this position was on the high side. She explained that Roseville and Bloomington do not have a City Forester. She understood that this was a nice service, but was not a necessary service that should be paid for by tax dollars. She did not believe that the City has suffered in any way over the past two years without a forester. She requested that staff provide the Council with feedback in a year if the position is approved, to allow the Council to review what was gained by his staff member. Councilmember Burg believed the proposed position was a value to the City. She indicated the forestry portion of this position would only be completed when appropriate and the remainder of the time will be spent on parks maintenance. She discussed the importance of pruning City trees in parks, boulevards and on City property, noting this would improve the health of the City's forest. Street Rehabilitation, Report No. 14-180. 2. Consideralion of Hiring a Full-Time Park Maintenance Worker/Forester. Report No. 14 -181.