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Traffic controls in place for opening of Running Aces |
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
Mary Bailey
Columbus Reporter
On Friday, April 11, when the first cars arrive for the first race at the new Running Aces Harness Track in Columbus, sheriff’s deputies will be ready. The Columbus City Council heard the traffic management plan for the first weekend of races at their March 12 meeting.
Under the terms of the conditional use permit, Running Aces has a contract with Anoka County to provide traffic control. Presenting the plan were Lt. Kevin Hallweg from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and former Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Robert Aldrich, who is now director of security for Running Aces.
Also attending was Bob Farinella, Running Aces general manager.
For the first weekend of races, four deputies will begin work at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday, two hours before races begin at 6 p.m. On Sunday, four deputies will begin work at 1 p.m., with races starting at 3 p.m. A sergeant supervisor will also be on duty.
With six-hour shifts, the total is 30 hours per day counting both deputies and supervisor. After the first weekend the number of deputies and hours will be reassessed.
Officers will focus especially on the intersection of Lake Drive (CR-23) and West Freeway Drive and the northbound off-ramp of I-35. Signal lights and other modifications will be ready by the first weekend of racing.
The race track has also requested an on-sale liquor license from the city, which they would like to have by opening day. City Attorney Bill Griffith, Jr., and City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko will visit the race track to see which areas would be covered by the license, and what controls will be in place, before making a recommendation to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s department does the criminal background investigations, and the state issues the buyer’s license.
In other racetrack news, the lights will be on at night for testing on March 24-25.
Business permit
The council voted to approve a five-year interim use permit for Tom Swenson to operate a used car dealership from a barn on his property at 7643 Camp 3 Road. The business is limited to cars and light trucks.
Minor repair work is permitted, such as changing tires, headlights and oil. All vehicles must be stored indoors. There have been no complaints in the last five years for this business.
Pump House 2
The council authorized City Engineer Larry Bohrer of TKDA to proceed with the remaining tasks to finish the stationary generator for Well Pump House 2. These include the variance request for using diesel fuel, the necessary switch gear, and a concrete slab to set the generator on.
The council did not approve a request by the public works department to build a roof over the generator, as it is already housed in a weatherproof enclosure. The engineering cost for the tasks to be done will be $10,800, minus approximately $1000 to $1500 for designing the shelter.
Olson resigns
With regret, the council accepted the resignation of Gerald Olson from the Columbus Public Works Advisory Board.
Survey, mapping
City Engineer Bohrer told the council of the need to create a written record of the city’s culverts. Current documentation states just the street name and culvert size.
For about $15,000, a survey crew using GPS technology could prepare a map that would incorporate culverts from the city, county, and watershed districts. The map would tell the size of each culvert, the material it is made from, its elevation, and the direction it drains. It would be updated periodically.
The council agreed that such a map would be very helpful, especially during high water times when there are drainage problems, but declined to fund the project at this time.
Councilman Mark Walsh suggested that for now the public works staff should put together a map showing what they already know.
Voting precinct
City Deputy Clerk Emmy Robinson reported on a proposal to change the location for voting from Columbus City Hall to the east half of the new Columbus Public Works Building.
Compared to the old location, the new building has more parking, handicap accessibility, and two doors to allow voters a separate entrance and exit.
In addition, the building is twice as large, which would reduce or eliminate the need for waiting voters to stand outside in the elements. The larger size also would permit 10 more voting booths.
The council agreed with the proposal and authorized the expenditure of $310 to send a postcard notifying registered voters of this change.
An open house to show the new public works building to the public will be held during Arbor Day celebration on May 3.
Also concerning the new building, Deputy Clerk Robinson submitted quotes from two vendors to replace the server, and the council accepted the $7545 bid from PDS. Because the building will have three computers on-line, city staff also investigated installing a copier in that building.
For $118/month, the city can contract with Marco Business Products to place in the public works building a copier/printer that can also be used from city hall. The three-year contract includes supplies and maintenance.
The council approved this contract, pending review by the city attorney.
School sewer
The council last week also received an update on the problems with the Columbus Elementary School septic system.
Representatives of Columbus, Forest Lake Area Schools, Anoka County, and Jacques Whitford/EcoCheck met on March 7 to discuss the wastewater treatment system at the elementary School.
The school district has commissioned an engineering study to explore options.
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