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Pilar Road survey in Scandia fuels questions
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008
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Mary Bailey
Scandia Reporter
The survey of Pilar Road area residents generated a range of opinions during the Scandia City Council meeting on June 17.
Those opinions ranged from “Pave it as soon as possible” to “Don’t pave it and ruin the last rural-character road in Scandia.” Residents cited the narrow and winding nature of the road, with overhanging trees, grasses, and wildflowers.
Others complained of dust, mud, and washboards. Several wondered whether paving would increase traffic speed. Council member Michael Harnetty recommended a compromise between a standard city road and a narrower “rustic road” that would solve erosion and drainage problems while maintaining scenic qualities.
Of 35 residents surveyed, 25 responded.
Ice rink
Boards salvaged from a Roseville ice rink will be used to rebuild the Scandia rink this summer. Volunteers will help demolish the existing rink on Saturday, July 12.
On the weekend of July 25 they will mark the Roseville boards, photograph the disassembly, and truck them to Scandia. Reassembly will occur on Aug. 2 and/or Aug. 9. Workers are needed for all dates.
Park steps
Parks and Recreation Chair Karen Schick reported that new steps made of oak logs were installed to stabilize the trails at Wind in the Pines Park, a 44-acre nature area next to TH-95 across from Pilar Road.
Great River Greening, a St. Paul-based nonprofit that helps communities restore their natural environments, contributed $6000 to the $8000 project.
The logs have a life expectancy of six to 10 years.
City codes
Council member Dolores Peterson listed unresolved violations of city code, including horse manure entering Goose Lake, tractors parked in front yards, and unauthorized signs.
City Administrator Hurlburt said the code enforcement official is working on 22 open cases.
“If they’re working with us, we don’t get heavy-handed,” she said.
Policy proposals
Hurlburt submitted for review two policy statements, one on purchasing and one on fixed assets.
The proposed purchasing policy specifies when city staff are authorized to spend money and when expenditures must be preauthorized by the council. It also defines a responsible bidder.
“The law requires us to pick the lowest responsible bid,” she explained. Under this policy first-time bidders would be asked if they had ever failed to complete a project on time or had made excessive change orders.
The fixed asset policy is required by the city’s auditors.
Fire Department
Mayor Dennis Seefeldt thanked the firefighters for their volunteer work readying the fire hall for seal coating, for a job well done at the Big Marine Park dedication, and for taking on an 18-hour shift in Hugo to give the Hugo team a break at last month’s Good Neighbor Days community celebration.
Meetings
The 2009 budget and capital improvement program will be discussed at meetings on Aug. 6, Aug. 26 and Sept. 6.
Watershed Dist.
Jim Shaver, administrator of the Carnelian/Marine/St. Croix Watershed District, answered questions about its operation and funding.
Shaver said watershed district meetings are held the first Monday of the month in the Scandia City Hall. The rules adoption meeting will be July 7 and the budget meeting August 4.
The next 10-year plan will be well-publicized and have large public input. “I welcome all opinions,” he said.
To respond to the latest draft of the watershed district’s proposed rules, the council directed city staff to prepare a letter addressing the city’s previous comments to the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources.
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