City Council Meeting Date: September 1, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Resolution Amending Budget for Purchase of Barriers and closing Water Street for the benefit of pedestrian enhancements and physical distancing accommodation improvements in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council withdraws the current motion and amendment below and makes a motion to approve the attached resolution authorizing purchase of Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety Equipment for the Closure of Water Street in Bridge Square
The Northfield City Council consider the motion as it was left at the August 4, 2020 meeting as follows:
A motion was made by Council Member Zweifel, seconded by Council Member Nakasian to approve the extension of
1) the closure of Water Street to vehicles from Bridge Square Street to Fourth Street; and
2) the temporary pedestrian walking lanes on the Fourth Street Bridge
through November or earlier at staff discretion related to weather considerations.
A motion was made by Council Member DeLong, seconded by Council Member Ness, to amend the motion that the temporary pedestrian walking lanes on the Fourth Street bridge are limited to the south side.
Summary Report:
The Northfield City Council held a discussion and made a motion and an amendment related to this item on August 4, 2020. A motion to extend the meeting failed and the Council adjourned the meeting without a vote on this item. Per Robert’s Rules of Order, “if a question was pending at the time of adjournment, it is taken up as the first item under unfinished business (or under special orders, if it was a special order) - resuming the question at exactly where it was previously interrupted.”
The proposed motion and proposed amendment for this item from the August 4, 2020 meeting are as follows:
A motion was made by C. Zweifel, seconded by C. Nakasian to approve the extension of
1) the closure of Water Street to vehicles from Bridge Square Street to Fourth Street; and
2) the temporary pedestrian walking lanes on the Fourth Street Bridge
through November or earlier at staff discretion related to weather considerations.
A motion was made by C. DeLong, seconded by C. Ness, to amend the motion that the temporary pedestrian walking lanes on the Fourth Street bridge are limited to the south side.
On June 9, 2020 the City Council approved closure of downtown streets for the benefit of pedestrian enhancements and physical distancing accommodation improvements in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through August 7, 2020. The temporary traffic control has been removed that closed Water Street and provided additional pedestrian widening on the Fourth Street Bridge.
Therefore, due to the high usage of the water street closure and the use of the picnic tables, staff has provided option to extend the closure of Water Street to November 15, 2020 unless early due to winter weather determined by staff.
If Council elects authorize the closure, a few options for council consideration are discussed below. For the Water Street closure, water filled jersey barriers, concrete planters, or parking bumpers (mimic a curb line) are options.
Water Street Closure
Water Filled Traffic Jersey Barrier - 32" H x 72" L x 18" W
• 11 Barriers to close Water St., $2,600.00
• Staff recommends tan color
6Lx3Wx3H Rectangular Concrete Planter
• 11 Planters to close Water St., $13,000.00
• Plants for planters, $1,100.00
Parking Bumper with delineators
• Parking bumpers and delineators $4,000
Alternative Options:
The resolution is setup for the following alternative options.
Alternate 1 - Water Street Closure Plastic Barriers - $2,600
Alternate 2 - Water Street Closure with Concrete Planters - $14,100
Alternate 3 - Water Street Closure with Parking Bumpers and Delineators - $4,000
Financial Impacts:
The costs are summarized above and the budget amendment will utilize the funds from the Capital Reserve Fund to the Streets General Fund Operation Budget. The City will explore CARES Funding received from the State as a possible use for these funds at a later date.
Tentative Timelines:
Staff is proposing to extend the closure through mid-November, consistent with our parking restriction time periods.