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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCancelled Memorandum Rt"v e~ ''tor-A., Wii U< WiTS e14^,c~Il<eJ . CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator From: Mark Themig, Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director Meeting Date: May 17,2005 Subject: Riverfront Park Related Development Updates and Riverfront Walk There are a number of park and related projects planned for the riverfront area in Shakopee. I wanted to try to put together a comprehensive update on the status of these projects, and to take the opportunity for you to walk the riverfront area prior to the City Council meeting on May 17. We will be meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Levee Drive between the two bridges. (In the event of rain, the walk will be canceled and you will be meeting at your regular City Council time, 7:00 p.m.) I also want thank the residents that are volunteering their time to work with the city on these projects. They have been very patient as we continue to try to move these projects forward along with the other projects we have underway. Huber Park Design and Development (Phase 1) Earlier this year, City Council directed that the park development should occur first, and riverbank stabilization second. As part of the park design, Bonestroo developed a plan that would construct the roadways and parking lots and improve the alley this year, in time for the Community Built playground construction in October. Phase 1a: Fillmore Street Extension. Parking Lots. and Alley Improvements Since some of the roadway and parking lot costs will be assessed to adjacent properties (per city policy), Bonestroo is completing a feasibility study to develop more accurate cost estimates and determine approximate assessments. This feasibility study was to go to the City Council at the May 3 meeting. However, it was pulled from the agenda in order to investigate additional water service (looping) and undergrounding questions that Shakopee Public Utilities raised. We met with Public Utilities staff on May 6. Bonestroo is updating the feasibility study with additional information and cost estimates on water service and undergrounding. The Public Utilities Commission will be reviewing the report at their May 16 meeting and providing direction to Public Utilities staff on how their looping and undergrounding policies should be applied to this project. Unless there are unresolved issues, the feasibility study is scheduled to be reviewed by City Council on June 7. If the feasibility study is accepted, there would be a public hearing on the proposed assessments sometime in July, with plans and specifications ordered thereafter. Hopefully, construction ofthe roadways, parking lots, and alley improvements would be completed by the end of September in time for the Community Playground build. \ Phase 2a: Remainina Park Desian and Construction Once Phase 1 a is completed September, the design and construction documents for the rest of the park would be completed and the project bid in January/February 2006. Construction could begin as early as March 2006, and would continue through fall 2006. The park would not likely be ready for use until 2007. One issue that we recently became aware of is that when the state acquired the right-of- way for the mini-bypass, they acquired approximately 112 of lot 6, block 2 adjacent to Huber Park. This area extends north of CR 101 roadway approximately 100'-150', and for practical purposes, is part of the.Huber Park development. The state transferred ownership of this property to Scott County when the 101 turnback occurred. We will be submitting a request to Scott County to consider transferring ownership of this excess right-of-way to the cityto officially be incorporated into Huber Park. We will also be submitting a permit application for improvements that are part of the park project that would occur in the County's right-of-way. River Bank Stabilization (Phase 2) The city is working with Congressman Kline's office to investigate the possibility of the riverbank stabilization becoming an Army Corps of Engineers project, similar to the 2001 riverbank stabilization. Councilor Lehman set up an initial meeting with the Congressman and the project, with Congressman Kline's support, has picked up momentum since then. Congressman Kline's office met with the Army Corps earlier this spring, and on May 9, we toured the project site with Army Crops staff. The Army Corps explained that they first conduct a feasibility study on a project to determine costs and public benefit, and if public benefit is found, the project is placed on a list. There are currently 14 projects on the Army Corps' list for this area of their jurisdiction. Given the Army Corps funding restrictions, funding for the feasibility study would have to be earmarked by Congress. (The Army Corps calls this process "naming" the project in the funding allocation.) If we are successful in securing funding for the feasibility study, naming the project in future federal budgetswould ensure the Army Corps' participation. Huber Park Grant Applications As part of their contract with the City, Bonestroo worked with city staff to prepare two grant applications for Huber Park: Federal Trails Recreation Grant Program and Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. We are awaiting word from the DNR on the status of these grant applications. Community Built Playground The Community Built Playground committee and a designer (Leathers and Associates) worked with Shakopee elementary students in the fall of 2004 to develop a design for the Community Built playground. Since that time, the committee has been working on fundraising, securing donations, and signing up volunteers. They continue their work on the project to meet an October build date. Levee Drive Parking Lot As part of the Northridge Court senior housing project, the Scott Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) agreed to construct a replacement parking lot on Levee Drive between the two bridges where the old community services building stood. The HRA's consultant completed a preliminary design for the parking lot in 2004, but agreed to wait to construct the parking lot until 2005 in order to give the city time to work with SPUC to underground the power lines. HRA is prepared to finish the parking lot this summer. We are working with our Engineering Department and the HRA's designer to update the design to address the proximity of the parking lot to the sewer line and stormwater runoff. . Power Line Undergrounding Shakopee Public Utilities Commission has committed funding for undergrounding the power lilies through the Huber Park area. Bonestroo will be working with Public Utilities staff to plan the best route for the power lines through the park area. This work could coincide with the Fillmore Street extension and parking lot project this year. The city also requested that power lines in the area between the two bridges be undergrounded in order to construct the trail head parking lot that was part of the Northridge Court project. There has been discussion about whether or not the city can order the undergrounding of the power lines as part of the city's right-of-way ordinance. The city's attorney has concluded that under Chapter 17, Section 7, Subdivision 24 of the City Code, the city has the authority to order undergrounding of power lines on public property held in common for public use for a facility of 300' or more. At this point, City Council has not considered ordering the undergounding. We are submitting additional information to the Public Utilities Commission this week to get direction from the Commission. They are scheduled to consider the request at their May 16 meeting. Boat Landing Relocation/Archery Range Relocation The city has been working with the DNR to relocate and reconstruct the boat landing to the north side of the river. In 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted the city an easement to construct the boat landing. We received a draft agreement on the boat landing from the DNR earlier this spring and have asked for clarification on some of the terms of the agreement. We are also submitting a permit to Scott County for the portion of the work that would be under the CR 101 Bridge. Funding the relocation of the boat landing is contingent on anticipated action at the legislature this year. We have also been working with the DNR and archery enthusiasts on replacing the Lions Park archery range. The most likely site is a parcel owned by the DNR that was once the site of the baseball field. The DNR has prepared a concept plan for the site that provides access to archery range from the boat landing. This approach limits the number of access points on busy CR 101 to a single entrance. The DNR has matching grant programs available. Local archers have expressed an interest in helping to fund the development of the archery range, as well as participate in long-term maintenance of the facility. Ultimately, this project would require an agreement that specifies responsibilities for all interested parties, including the city. MNDOT Bridge No. 4175 As you know, MNDOT needs to dispose of Bridge No. 4175 (Holmes Street Bridge) because they no longer have a public purpose in the area. This bridge is eligible for historic registry along with several other bridges in Minnesota. MNDOT is conducting a study on these bridges to determine their significance and costs to restore them. They anticipate completing the study in about eight months. MNDOT has an unmet requirement from the Federal Highway Administration and the DNR to provide a permanent pedestrian crossing over the river. If restored, Bridge No. 4175 could provide this purpose. MNDOT has also been given directive by the Commissioner to sell valuable excess right-of-way in the system. One of these excess parcels is the MNDOT Parcel 75 in Southbridge. MNDOT staff is supportive of the plan to transfer ownership of this parcel to the city in order to protect its ecological significance (one of the few remaining oak savannas in Minnesota). In fact, the city recently completed a joint project with MNDOT and the DNR to treat significant oak wilt on the property, and we are working together to develop a management plan that would preserve the ecology of the site. In order to increase the odds that the city will actually acquire this property, Cyrus Knutson, MNDOT Jurisdiction Program Manager, has proposed developing a memo of understanding that would outline a potential exchange of ownership of Parcel 75 for a renovated or replaced Bridge No. 4175. In other words, if the city would consider taking ownership of a renovated or replaced bridge, MNDOT would transfer ownership of Parcel 75 to the city. According to Mr. Knutson, although a memo of understanding does not obligate the city nor MNDOT to move forward, it would provide enough assurance to MNDOT officials that this parcel should be reserved for the city. City Council may also want to consider adding Parcels 37 and 43 to the memo of understanding. Once MNDOT's bridge study is complete, we will have more information about the long- term implications of assuming ownership of the bridge. It is likely that City Council will have the opportunity to consider the memo of understanding before the study is complete. However, any work on an agreement that outlines transfer of ownership would not occur until after the study is complete. This will be a significant discussion that City Council will need to have at some point in the future. Graffiti The area along Levee Drive has seen a significant increase in graffiti. The Police Department is working on the problem, and has initiated a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those committing the acts. cc: Huber Park Design Committee Interested Archers Parks and Recreation Advisory Board SHAKOPEE PARKS & RECREATION, NATURAL REsoURcEs, AND F ACIUTIES To: Joe Adams, Shakopee Pu~lic Utilities From: Mark Themig, Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director Date: May 12, 2005 Subject: Request for Water Service and Power Line Undergrounding for Huber Park INTRODUCTION I am writing to follow-up on our May 6 meeting where we discussed water service and undergrounding power lines for the future development of Huber Park, and to request direction from you and the Commission on these two items. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION City Council is committed to moving the redevelopment of Huber Park forward. As you know, we are proceeding with development in three phases: Phase 1 a: Construction of Fillmore Street north of First Avenue, related alley improvements, and construction of parking lots. This work will prepare the site for the scheduled fall Community Built Playground. This phase also includes necessary utility work to serve future phases. All work planned for 2005. Phase 1 b: Construction of the park improvements (restroom/storage building, performance area, trails, and landscaping). All work planned for 2006 Phase 2: Riverbank stabilization and construction of river overlooks. We.are currently working with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine whether or not this project would qualify as an Army Corps Section 14 emergency stream bank stabilization project. Work contingent on funding. Since some project costs for the roadway and alley improvements will be assessed to benefiting properties, we are conducting a feasibility study for Phase 1 a. As part of the feasibility study, I understand that we need to evaluate water looping for the future restroom/storage building, and the costs for undergrounding of power lines along the alley. A draft of the feasibility study that estimates these costs is attached. I should also note that there are other project being planned for the riverfront area including a new parking lot along Levee Drive, relocation of the boat launch north of the river (cooperative project with the DNR, US Fish and Wildlife), possible development of an archery range north of the river (cooperative project with local archers and the DNR), and.future restoration/replacement of MNDOT Bridge No. 4175 - Holmes Street Bridge- (MNDOT). I do not anticipate the need for water service for these projects. I will have COMMUNITY PRIDE SINCE 1857 1255 Fuller Street. Shakopee, Minnesota' 55379-1351 . 952-233-9500 . FAX 952-233-3831 www.ci.shakopee.l11ll.us . parks@ci.shakopee.l11n.us more information in the future about any electric service needs. I have attached a drawing that shows the proposed project areas. REQUESTED ACTION I am looking for direction from you and the Commission on the following items: 1. We are requesting water service for the park. I anticipate six to eight total fixtures in a seasonal restroom building (spring-fall), drinking fountains, and irrigating five to eight acres of turf and lands paced areas. a. Will water looping be required as part of this project? b. If so, will a loop that connects to First Avenue on Fillmore Street be required, or are you looking for additional fire flow in the area by connecting a watermain through the park to Levee Drive? The feasibility study estimates costs for looping the watermain on Fillmore Street at $44,000, and $66,500 to Levee Drive. These costs were not part of the proposed Huber Park project budget. c. If you are inclined to require looping a watermain to Levee Drive, will the Public Utilities Commission participate in this cost since it provides additional benefit for the water system? d. Will the trunk water charge apply to this service request? The park is approximately 22 acres, so the trunk water charge would be approximately $29,700. Much of the park area is within the floodplain, and there is some evidence of a previous water service to the park that was used to flood a hockey rink. I have not been able to confirm whether or not the Scout Building that was in the park has water service. 2. The city submitted a request to the Commission in 2003 to request participating in funding the undergrotlnding of power lines in the park area. As I understand, the Commission agreed to voluntarily participate. However, as I understand from you, initial estimates for undergrounding the power lines through the park did not include undergrounding along the alley. I believe it would be beneficial to have these power lines undergrounded to Fillmore Street as part of this project, both from an aesthetic standpoint and also to eliminate any disruption to the site for undergrounding at some point in the future. The draft feasibility study estimates these costs at $55,000. These costs were not part of the proposedHLlber Park project budget. There has been discussion about whether or not the city can order the undergrounding of the power lines as part of the city's right-of-way ordinance. The city's attorney has concluded that under Chapter 17, Section 7, Subdivision 24 of the City Code, the city has the authority to order undergrounding of power lines on public property held in common for public use for a facility of 300' or more. At this point, City Council has not considered ordering the undergounding. Therefore, I would like direction from you and the Commission on whether you support undergrounding, and if so, would you prefer to do it voluntarily or have City Council consider ordering the undergrounding. Thank you for your assistance and participation in the Huber Park project. I will be at your May 16 Commission meeting to answer any questions you or the Commission may have. SHAKOPEE PARKS & RECREATION, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND F ACILlTIES To: Joe Adams, Shakopee Public Utilities From: Mark Themig, Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director Date: May 12, 2005 Subject: Request for Undergrounding Power Lines for Levee Drive Parking Lot 1 INTRODUCTION I am writing to follow-up on our May 6 meeting where we discussed a previous request to the Commission to participate in undergrounding the power lines for a future parking lot along Levee Drive. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION As part of the Northridge Court HRA project, the HRA was required to replace some of the public parking that was lost with this project. One of the lots was constructed at the corner of Fillmore Street and First Avenue. The other lot is to be constructed along Levee Drive in the area of the former utilities and community recreation services building. This parking lot would serve as trail head parking for the river trail, and supplement Huber Park and downtown parking. The city contributed $36,000 toward the parking lot construction cost. As you know, the area of the proposed parking lot has several overhead power lines. In 2003, the city submitted a request to the Commission to underground the power lines. As I understand from SPUC staff, the Commission wanted additional information on the arrangements between the city and the HRA cost sharing as it relates to the Northridge Court water looping~ I have attached the City Council memo that outlined changes to the agreement with the HRA that resulted with the water looping issue. In speaking with Bill Jaffa of the HRA in April 2005, they have a contract in place to construct the parking lot this summer. REQUESTED ACTION I am requesting that the Commission consider undergrounding the power lines to the west side of the Holmes Street bridge. There has been discussion about whether or not the city can order the undergrounding of the power lines as part of the city's right-of-way ordinance. The city's attorney has concluded that under Chapter 17, Section 7, Subdivision 24 of the City Code, the city has the authority to order undergrounding of power lines on public property held in common for public use for a facility of 300' or more. At this point, City Council has not considered ordering the undergounding. Therefore, I would like direction from you and the Commission on whether you support . COMMUNITY PRIDE SINCE 1857 1255 Fuller Street. Shakopee, Minnesota' 55379-1351 . 952-233-9500 . FAX 952-233-3831 www.ci.shakopee.mn.us . parks@ci.shakopee.mn.us undergrounding, and if so, would you prefer to do it voluntarily or have City Council consider ordering the undergrounding. Thank you for your assistance with this request. I will beat your May 16 Commission meeting to answer any questions you or the Commission may have. HUBER PARK N W+E S Aerial Photo: Summer 2003 City of Shakopee Community Development ~ SHAKOPEE COMMUNITYl'RIDE SINCE 1857