Woodbury Council Gets Update On Bielenberg Expansion, Capital Projects

The Woodbury City Council on Wednesday took an in-depth look at major projects and capital spending options for the next five years.

From $2.2 million for vehicle replacements to working with Washington County on a new impound lot and future road improvements, the council perused most items in its five-year capital-improvement plan (CIP).

City Administrator Clint Gridley stressed that council members focus on the word “plan” and noted that spending included in the document will be revisited during each year’s budget talks. The 2012-16 capital-improvement plan proposes expenditures and equipment purchases totaling more than $138 million, according to a council memo.

Council members took a closer look at the coming expansion project.

During a review of major 2010 happenings at the sports complex, the discussion turned to upcoming plans to construct a multi-use facility and outdoor refrigerated rink at the site, near the intersection of Bailey Road and Radio Drive.

The renovation of the field house would be capped at $16 million and a new ice sheet would cost about $371,315.

Several improvement projects have been put on hold with the coming expansion project, said David Black, who manages the facility for the city.

One project local hockey supports want straight away, however, is new locker rooms.

John Erickson, treasurer of the Royals Blue Line Club, said the group is prepared to contribute funds for the project and called the current locker room situation for the high school teams that use it “deficient.” The existing locker rooms give players a “second-class experience,” he said.

The city is also looking to partner with local groups to find additional funding for the ice sheet, which Gridley said is a project that “could easily go away.” He suggested Erickson discuss the possibility of additional contributions with fellow hockey supporters.

According to the council workshop memo, the city’s portion of the outdoor refrigerated ice sheet is projected at $248,781. The Woodbury Area Hockey Club’s estimated contribution is $122,534. The total cost for the refrigerated outdoor sheet is $371,315.

Dale Road

One item not part of the capital-improvement plan is paving Dale Road near the city’s .

Councilwoman Julie Ohs suggested the city take a look at paving the gravel road. Residents in the area have complained about the road being dusty and full of potholes, and it is seeing increased traffic due to the dog park, she said.

City Engineer Klayton Eckles said a recent study found that about 300 cars a day use the road. “That’s not a real big number.”

Also, assessments for such work would probably run about $5,500 per resident, Eckles said. Staff will continue to speak with residents about the project.

This Old House

The council opted to hold a workshop about some old buildings that staff suggested should be torn down.

As part of the CIP, staff recommended that two of the homes should be razed, one near the dog park and another near Wilmes Lake.

Councilman Paul Rebholz said he would rather see the city try to another user for the homes instead of tearing them down.