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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-05_Clearwells_Aesthetics_Ad_Hoc_Committee_Meeting_Minutes_AttachmentsMeeting Minutes Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. City of Oshkosh Water Filtration Plant Clearwells Replacement Project 2 June 5, 2023 Project name: City of Oshkosh Water Filtration Plant Clearwells Replacement Prepared by: Jacobs Engineering Group (Jacobs) Location: City Hall, Room 404, 4:00 – 6:00 PM Participants: Ad Hoc Committee Members: Brad Spanbauer, Aaron Sherer, Ray Maurer for Lauren Bartelt, Kirsten Buckstaff, Chris Anderson, Bill Wyman es Rabe, Steve Gohde, Jason Ellis, Mark Lyons, Aaron Dressler, Brian Copied: Lauren Bartelt Purpose The purpose of this meeting was to continue to provide additional information about the City of Oshkosh (City) Water Filtration Plant (WFP) Clearwells Replacement Project (Project) and to gather input on Project aesthetics from the Aesthetics Ad Hoc Committee (Committee) and Committee Liaisons. The meeting presentation and informational handouts are attached to, and supplement, these minutes. Additional Project Information After James called the meeting to order, Linda provided answers to questions identified during and since the first Committee meeting. Highlights are listed below: • Regarding additional views for exterior renderings, the Committee would prefer street-level view from the beach looking at the new Project structures and a boat-level view from the lake, about one quarter mile offshore. • Regarding City setback requirements, requirements will not be met from all WFP property lines and variances will be needed. Where space in not available, the design will attempt to meet the intent of City standards to the extent possible and/or include other project features to compensate for the shortfall. Similarly, there is not enough area within the WFP parcel to meet the 20-foot clear zone between the perimeter fence and facilities recommended by drinking water industry security guidance documents. • Using a building wall as part of a site perimeter is not recommended. While this configuration exists for portions of the WFP main treatment complex, the Project will include, for public safety and facility security, perimeter fence to prevent the member of the public from walking directly up to facility doors and attempting to gain access. • Perimeter fence with decorative brick and stone piers can be included in the Project. Bill preferred the Marion Road Water Tower fence example. • Linda explained the differences between the sizes of the square and rectangular tank concepts presented in December 2021 and the rectangular tanks concepts presented during the first Committee meeting. Ultimately, the Committee will decide on preferred sizing - - the smaller the reservoir footprints, the more area available for landscaping and the taller the tanks. • To meet Wisconsin Administrative Code requirements, the tops of the new reservoirs must be slightly sloped to facilitate drainage. The high points on the reservoirs would be perpendicular to the high Minutes Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. point of the pump station roof. If the sloped top slab was to be hidden behind a parapet, the parapet or parapet with handrail, would need to extend to a height of 42-inches above the roof to comply with OSHA requirements. • The Project will address City stormwater management peak flow requirements with a new outfall to the lake and treatment requirements with permeable pavement is WFP parking spots, as needed. • Meeting handouts included information about architectural finishes and the City’s standard light fixtures for residential streets and parks. In addition, Ray explained that master planning efforts are underway for Menominee Park. There are alternative beach house upgrades being considered. It is envisioned that additional parking will be provided on the north side of Merritt Avenue, across from the WFP, to serve the improved beach facilities. Committee Ideas and Discussion For Committee consideration, Aaron Sherer provided a handout with some visuals that compared the size of Project structures with other local buildings and presented some ideas for landscaping and modified use of Lake Shore Drive. He stated the Project structures would be tall compared to the buried clearwells and his interest in incorporating as much green space as possible. Kirsten said this Project and planning effort for Lake Shore Drive is an opportunity to develop a community showcase, something that attracts people to the area, something that captures positive media coverage. She asked about emergency response access requirements for the WFP and surrounding areas. Aaron Dressler responded that fire and HAZMAT response vehicles rely heavily on Merritt Avenue access and need an ability to turn around. In addition to fire and HAZMAT, they deploy ice rescue resources from the east end of Merritt Avenue. Response vehicles can make turns in large roundabouts. Brian said the Police Department can work with most roadway configurations. Action Item: Linda to check chemical delivery truck turning radius requirements and movement that can be accomplished with a roundabout. Chris outlined some of the current conditions related to fishing events: • The two boat launches on Lake Shore Drive provide safe access to the lake, with the one at the east of Merritt Avenue providing the safest access. • During large fishing events, high-volume traffic can back up to Jackson Street. Having two launches, being able to use Merritt Avenue, Linde Street, Washington Avenue and Lake Shore Drive for event traffic helps get people on the water as quickly and safely as possible and reduce impacts to neighbors and local traffic. Minutes Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. • Parking for trucks and boat trailers is a problem during bad ice years because vehicles can’t park on this ice. These conditions may be more commonplace in the future due to climate change. • Fishing events generate significant revenue for local businesses (about $3M to local hotels and restaurants based on recent UW-Oshkosh study); local fishing clubs donate heavily to community, particularly youth sports clubs. • During fishing events, WFP staff have to block off some areas to prohibit parking to maintain sufficient space for chemical delivery trucks. Kirsten asked if there are other locations, for example, in or near the park that could be alternate locations for boat launches. Chris responded that in other areas the drop in shoreline is a real challenge. Millers Bay is not a good option due to poor ice conditions. Committee members discussed converting Lake Shore Drive, particularly the southern half, into a pedestrian way / roadway that would provide year-round access for pedestrians and emergency vehicles and seasonal access (non-summer months, and during fishing events, or when access is needed for specialty exhibits like Celebration of Lights) for all vehicles. • Seasonal barricading of the roadway could be accomplished with flexible (can be driven over) or removable bollards. • City roads must be a minimum 24 to 26 feet wide; they are 32-feet wide for two-way traffic. Committee questioned whether sidewalk was needed on the both the north and south sides of Washington. If not present on the north side, the area could be used for landscaping. The Committee is very interested in developing conceptual landscaping plans. Action item: Linda will engage a Jacobs (Chicago-based) landscape architect to assist with near-term conceptual renderings. Some Committee members are interested in staying engaged in the design process. Bill asked again about funding for Lake Shore Drive improvements. James replied that Lake Shore Drive reconstruction is currently not in the City’s 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP); however, the recommendations of the Committee will be considered in updates to the CIP made annually. Depending on the Committee recommendations, funding sources may include the Department of Public Works, the Parks Department, and the City General Fund. Committee input on building exteriors: • The custom art form liner panels are attractive. • The example of combined brick veneer and foundation stone form liner pier is attractive and could blend with the mixture of finishes on current facilities. • Brick, portions of patterned brick could help soften the appearance of the large rectangular structures. Horizontal lines created by layered brick and concrete sills can help the structures appear shorter. Action Item: Linda will develop some renderings with rectangular tanks with exterior finishes similar to the pump station finished shown in the circular tanks visual from the last meeting. Some Committee members are willing to meet more frequently than once a month and is interested in potentially walking through the Project area and Lake Shore Drive as part of the next meeting. A Doodle poll will be sent to identify the time for Meeting #3. Committee members are encouraged to come up with ideas and send any questions to staff ahead of the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Water Filtration Plant Images Exterior Finishes Images ` I Exterior Finishes Images ` City of Oshkosh Residential Street Light Fixture City of Oshkosh Residential Street Light Fixture City of Water Filtration Plant Surrounding Space Committee Work Areas Legend Approximate Locations of Buried Piping and Utilities Property Line Committee Work Areas Right-of-Ways Adjacent to WFP and WFP On-Site Area Lake Shore Drive and Public Parking Park Area Water Storage and Pumping Facilities Meeting handouts provided by Committee member Aaron Scherer, June 5, 2023