City of Woodbury preps for major projects in 2013

• Flashing arrow

The city of Woodbury plans to install a number a flashing yellow arrows around town in the coming years. Staff photo by Riham Feshir

Talk about it

Woodbury has some major projects coming up in 2013 including a $500,000 fire truck, an expanded sports center and some flashing yellow arrow traffic signals.

Woodbury City Council got a glimpse of the 2013-2017 capital improvement plan (CIP), which includes expenses of $15 to $35 million per year, at a Wednesday, May 30, workshop.

The CIP is a preliminary document that outlines revenues and expenses per department and highlights major purchases and services coming up in the next five years.

About $300,000 of the expenses was dedicated to a revamped Dale Road open space shelter near the Woodbury dog park that would also service other trails. But council members weren’t as excited about that part of the CIP as others.

“What I see is a $300,000 restroom,” Council Member Paul Rebholz said, adding that he’d like to see the money used on refrigerated ice rinks at the most popular neighborhood parks.

“I think it would get heavy use, I think it would be a great amenity,” he added.

Parks and Recreation Director Bob Klatt said the improvements are more than just a restroom – the space would include road and park updates as well.

But he agreed with council on saving the money for other purposes and placing a smaller, portable facility in the Dale Road open space.

Other projects that got the council excited for 2013 include the $15 million expansion at Bielenberg Sports Center with a $500,000 refrigerated rink, a $360,000 remodel at Central Park and a new, updated clubhouse at Eagle Valley Golf Course for $44,000.

Flashing yellow arrows

Woodbury residents will likely start seeing more flashing yellow arrows around town starting this year when the city’s engineering department updates traffic signals.

Public Works Director David Jessup said the city has jurisdiction over 16 signals where it has the authority to install left turn flashing yellow arrows. Another 32 signals are either operated by Washington County or the state, including some that have the feature.

With the council’s OK to start the process this year, city staff will begin transforming four signals in 2012 and the rest in the next few years.

The five-year program will cost the city about $90,000 a year, Jessup said.

“They’ve been successful,” he added.

“Maybe it’ll cause people to not drive too fast and run over pedestrians,” Rebholz said.

The Public Works Department is also working on Phase II construction, which is slated for a nearly $1 million expense in the CIP in 2013.

Police and fire

The CIP lists an expense of $554,000 for a fire engine pumper truck to replace the current, 17-year-old truck.

“The engine that we’re proposing to replace in 2013 actually failed on us last night at training,” Fire Chief Todd Johnson told the council.

Other police expenses include $231,800 for land acquisition at the impound lot and critical incident response equipment for $56,700.

Public Safety Director Lee Vague said the critical incident response equipment is “essentially like a mini SWAT kit” in the form of a vest that would help initial response officers in situations where they may need it.

He said Woodbury officers have been trained to responds to critical situations and are capable of using the equipment.

Public safety projects also include replacing a 2005 ambulance for $175,800.

Although the CIP is a planning document, staff said certain capital purchases have been budgeted for in the annual city budget. The non-budgeted projects are brought to council for formal approval on a project-by-project basis.

The complete CIP document with few changes recommended by council at last week’s workshop will be on the June 13 agenda for approval.

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