Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-12-2009 WorkshopCITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING CITY HALL ANNEX 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida THURSDAY February 12, 2009 5:30 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the Meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Mayor Council Member Council Member Others Present: Bob Hoog Buzz Petsos (arrived 7:05 P.M.) Rocky Randels Shannon Roberts Betty Walsh City Manager Bennett Boucher Public Works Director Walter Bandish Assistant Public Works Director Jeff Ratliff CW City Engineer John Pekar DISCUSSION: 1. Ridgewood Avenue Streetscape Project Mayor Randels began the workshop by stating: (1) The consultants will point out each problem to be addressed; (2) The Council will make a decision, probably by consensus, on what to do about the problem; and (3) This will give the consultants direction on preparing the rest of the design. Mr. Boucher responded that Public Meetings were held in the past where local residents, up and down Ridgewood Avenue, participated by giving input to the consultants. This information was then given back to the City Council as to what they would like to see along Ridgewood Avenue. Mr. Boucher stated the Ridgewood Avenue Project is at 60% design based on public input and the City is getting down to the final design and getting the bid documents ready. He responded to Ms. Roberts that for the North Atlantic Avenue Project, they will talk about the possibilities of what can be done, short term and long term. Jeff Ratliff, Assistant Public Works Director, directed the group to look at the handout pertaining to the Ridgewood Redevelopment Project. The attached memorandum stated there are 21 "major" property conflicts identified for this project: City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting Streetscape Projects February 12, 2009 Page 2 of 6 • Nine (9) parking lots • Four (4) fences • Three (3) trees • Three (3) hedges • One (1) wall • One (1) structure The attached handout included: 1). Summary of all 21 property conflicts with contact information and citizen comments (when provided). 2). Summary of all nine parking lot issues and information concerning the number of units and parking spaces currently available. (Note: The Building Department has stated that these portions are "grandfathered" in regards to parking slot requirements [two per unit]. Most properties do not currently have two parking slots per unit — they may have fewer parking slots after the redevelopment project is completed.) 3). Aerial photographs of the 21 "major' property conflicts. Other less significant CW conflicts (mail boxes, property signs, etc.) have also been identified but are not included. Discussion followed on nine (9) parking lot issues: • 321 Johnson Avenue and the rest of the Parking Lot Conflict Properties (see attachment) were specified by Mr. Ratliff as the biggest issues of concern. • The parking spots that will be lost as a result of the project; most of the properties are not in compliance with the City Code for sufficient parking. • Most of the responses from the property owners were positive and one of the owners believes that the project will increase the property value and the quality of tenants. • Clarification was made that the pedway will be eight (8) feet in width and constructed of asphalt, there will probably be striping to clarify where the limits are as they run through the parking areas in question. • It was brought out that the property owners would be responsible for paying for moving their parking spots. • The point was made that all of the parking lot issues are basically the same and therefore, it was not necessary to go through each one. • In response to a question, the Public Works Director and the Assistant Public Works Director explained that when they go through the bid process, they will recommend that the contractor work with the property owners and associations to give them good deals and good prices. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting Streetscape Projects February 12, 2009 Page 3 of 6 • The group was informed that pavers will be used for the crosswalks, concrete for sidewalks and asphalt for the pedways. Council aereed to reclaim the City's right-of-way in all nine (9) parkins lot conflicts. Discussion followed on the fence, tree, hedge, wall & structure conflicts: • Canaveral Towers Resort was used as an example of being eight (8) inches in the City's right-of-way with the chain link fence and it was pointed out that this was a replacement fence and was probably not surveyed. • In response to the question raised about what the damage would be if the fence is left in place, it was explained that the sidewalk would end up being 3 feet 4 inches in width instead of 4 feet in width on that side of the road and the sidewalks must remain consistent all the way down that side of the road. • The point was made that if some owners are allowed to keep a fence in and others not, there will be problems. • The comment was made that being consistent and applying the same rule to everyone will be easier to stand on. • The concern was raised again about getting the contractors to work with the property owners and associations at a reduced cost and possibly putting some sort of percentage over cost in the contract to work with the residents on. • Timing was emphasized as a key issue and will have to be coordinated in the bid package and the contract agreement in regard to the possibility of property owners gathering bids from other contractors. • It was noted that if the City's contractor did everyone's work all the way down the road that would be the ideal situation. • Inquiry was made about what to do if a property owner does not do what the City is asking. Mayor Randels requested that the City Manager check with the City Attorney about this issue. • The possibility of waiving permit fees for the property owners was brought up and the concern was expressed over the need for the process and policy for this to be decided right now. • Clarification was made that trees in the City's right-of-way are technically the City's trees and should never have been planted in the first place. • Concern was raised over removal of the trees and following the City's tree ordinance. • It was affirmed that a Notice will be given to property owners to inform them of the City's right-of-way and the City's intention to procure it; the property owners will be given options; and, if the owners decide to ignore the Notice, there will probably be a procedure placed in the bid to deal with that. • The one (1) retaining wall was emphasized as being a tough item to remove. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting Streetscape Projects February 12, 2009 Page 4 of 6 Council agreed to waive all permit fees to the property owners for any improvement that needs to be done due to the construction of the Ridgewood Redevelopment Project. Council agreed to replant any viable trees that are in the City's right-of-way, due to the construction of the Ridgewood Redevelopment Proiect and in following the City's Tree Ordinance. Council agreed to reclaim the City's right-of-way in all 21 "major" property conflicts identified for the Ridgewood Redevelopment Proiect. As a side discussion, the following points were made: • The City Engineer presented technical items the City would need to decide upon: 1) Replacement all storm drain inlet tops with heavy duty, traffic bearing tops or move some of them over (the ones that can't be moved could be installed with heavier tops.) The inlet boxes and tops that are presently there have been repeatedly damaged by storms and traffic; and 2) Preliminary wiring for decorative lighting in the future. • Inquiry was made about the electrical poles and putting the sidewalk around them in some cases. It was explained that moving the poles would be expensive, but it may be possible to replace some of them. A suggestion was made to contact Florida Power & Light, which is in the process of replacing the Ridgewood Avenue poles now, and inform them of where the City desires to put the poles. The City Engineer stated he would contact Florida Power & Light. • A request was made to come up with seaside lighting options other than what had already been decided upon, by the public, at previous community meetings. A design consultant representing Brad Smith & Associates explained that dark sky lighting is absolutely critical with cut off fixtures and the Steinberg fixture is excellent for that use. This type of fixture is also used up and down the coast of Florida. • Clarification was made about the choices for the crosswalks (brick pavers, imprinted concrete or STS [stone thermal settings]) and the decision on which one to use will come later as a monetary decision in the design phase schedule. • Comment was made that SCAT, Space Coast Area Transit, does not recommend any bus shelters on Ridgewood Avenue based on ridership, but there will be concrete pads with benches and garbage cans. • A request was made to implement improved signage on streets as well as for directional municipal signage to key places like the City's parks, City Hall, etc... • Inquiry was made about an opportunity to place an entrance sign, on the south side going north, on Ridgewood Avenue. It was determined there is not enough room in the right-of-way for a physical wall sign, but a solution could be to use a City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting Streetscape Projects February 12, 2009 Page 5 of 6 STS application with the City's logo at the Johnson Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue intersection. • The question was also brought up if there would be enough room for a flag at same entrance and it was determined there may not be enough room. • A request was made of the Public Works Director and Assistant Director to check on bus shelter options at intersections on Ridgewood Avenue along with natural, decorative seating areas. • The group was reminded that there will be decorative lighting at the intersections along Ridgewood Avenue. • The request was made to the Public Works Director and Assistant Director to bring back the sources of their research and find out the comparable costs of pavers versus STS. • Ms. Roberts stated that she is going on record to please make an outreach to Brevard County contractors. • It was clarified that this project does not qualify for Federal Stimulus Package money. 2. North Atlantic Avenue Beautification Project. A handout included four (4) preliminary drawings from Brad Smith Associates for the February 12 meeting on the referenced project. Mr. Boucher explained an issue of concern in paving N. Atlantic Avenue and that he consulted with City Staff, John Pekar, City Engineer and Vice President of Stottler Stagg & Associates and Brad Smith, President of Brad Smith Associates. Mr. Boucher stated that Mr. Pekar and Mr. Smith indicated they were pretty sure that any design they come up with will not affect N. Atlantic Avenue if they decide to have it paved now and will not have any impact on stormwater improvement and landscaping they decide to do later. Mr. Boucher noted that this gives the City some flexibility on doing some advanced cosmetic treatments on N. Atlantic Avenue. He clarified that Brevard County only has funds to do paver work at the N. Atlantic Avenue and Central Boulevard intersection and any enhancements after the paving is at the City's cost. Scott Girard, Operations Manager with Brad Smith Associates gave a brief overview of the preliminary drawings for the North Atlantic Avenue Beautification Project and the following was gathered from feedback along the way: • The intersections are divided into three (3) categories: Primary (ex. Central Boulevard), Secondary (ex. Canaveral Boulevard), and Tertiary (ex. Washington Avenue). • Icon entry features finishes will be coquina clad at the South end of N. Atlantic Avenue to match the existing feature on the North end of N. Atlantic Avenue. • Existing school and SCAT (Space Coast Area Transit) bus stops are featured in their present locations. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting Streetscape Projects February 12, 2009 Page 6 of 6 • Icon wall features at the various intersections will be a low wall, 42" high, with a capstone cap and clad in coquina. • Pots are cast stone with flowering shrubs such as bougainvilleas; everything is durable and very low maintenance. • The lighting fixtures will be consistent with Ridgewood Avenue. • The site furnishings, ash urns, trash receptacles and benches, will be concrete cast stone for durability. • Road signage treatment; they recommend a very simple and inexpensive solution to pull all the signage together and also following DOT (Department of Transportation) standards by painting the posts and painting the backs of the signs; and to introduce enhancements to street signs with filigree work of an "A" for Atlantic Avenue. Brief discussion followed: • The Public Works Director announced that the intersection at Central Avenue and North Atlantic Avenue will not be eligible for pavers because of existing utilities; the Public Works Director recommends STS. • The Public Works Director clarified his memo, dated February 12, 2009 regarding the Asphalt Cost Analysis of Central Avenue and North Atlantic Avenue, stating that Brevard County proposes to pave each road even though the total cost analysis now, $354,370, is more than what was originally allocated, $299,268. It was also noted that the County would pay to do the STS as well. • It was pointed out that in the future, when the water main that runs underneath the Central Avenue and North Atlantic Avenue intersection breaks, the City of Cocoa will have to replace it and the entire intersection. • Inquiry was made as to whether the County would install the chosen treatment over the whole intersection or just the cross -walks. Clarification was made that the County has agreed to install the cross -walk treatments only. • It was pointed out that a ribbing curb would have to be added after the paving done by the County. • The Assistant Public Works Director informed that SCAT only recommended one (1) bus stop on North Atlantic Avenue at the Southgate Trailer Park. Council agreed to have Brevard County resurface North Atlantic Avenue and Central Boulevard. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M. 4i Mia Goforth, ecordin ecretary