City Council Meeting Date: May 16, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consideration of Resolution Ordering Preparation of Feasibility Report for the 2024 Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution ordering the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2024 Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project, STRT2024-A78.
Summary Report:
The approval of the attached resolution (Attachment 1) is the initial step in moving the 2024 Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project, STRT2024-A78. By this resolution, the City Council orders the preparation of a feasibility report. See Attachment 2 for a detailed project process.
The proposed scope of the Reclamation and Overlay Project includes the following proposed improvements: (Attachment 3)
• Jefferson Parkway from TH 3 to TH 246 (Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Installation)
• TH 3 from Riverside Park to Jefferson Parkway (Mill Towns Trail Installation)
• Spruce Court from Jefferson Road to Northfield High School (Sidewalk and Trail Improvements)
The streets listed above are identified in the approved 2023 - 2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The proposed overlay work on the identified street segments would improve streets that are currently in a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Range of 70 - 61. The existing utilities in each of these areas are expected to be in good condition and only require minor spot repairs.
With the development of the Feasibility Report, Staff will reference the Northfield Pedestrian, Bike, and Trail System Plan, and the Pedestrian + Bikeway Analyzation for any proposed Sidewalk, On-Street Bikeways, or Off-Street Trail/Paths or Crossing Improvements recommended in the plans. Staff is recommending inclusion of the following Walking and Biking/Pedestrian Improvements segments in the Feasibility Report:
• Mill Towns Trail from Riverside Park to TH 246
• Spruce Court Sidewalk/Trail from Jefferson Road to Northfield High School
• Crossing Improvements
o Jefferson Parkway and Jefferson Road Intersection
o Jefferson Parkway and Roosevelt Drive Intersection (West)
o Jefferson Parkway and Jefferson Park Trail Crossing
o Jefferson Parkway and Raider Drive
o Jefferson Parkway and Bridgewater Entrance (East)
In addition to the improvements listed above, Staff will be recommending the installation of a mini-roundabout at the intersection of Jefferson Road and Jefferson Parkway as part of the mill and overlay project. Staff performed an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) on the intersection in May of 2022 (see attached hyperlink to meeting presentation). This ICE was performed to evaluate and recommend the appropriate level of traffic control for the intersection, which currently operates as an all-way stop. This report recommended that a mini roundabout be installed at the intersection due to the follow reasons:
• Provides acceptable traffic operations through the 2045 analysis year.
• Improved pedestrian safety due to slower vehicular speeds traversing through the
intersection.
• Minimizes the right-of-way impact and costs when compared to a conventional single
lane roundabout
• A traffic signal is not expected to be warranted until near the year 2045. Operationally,
improvements to the intersection are needed
Staff is recommending that this project move to the feasibility report phase. The feasibility will be developed on a section-by-section basis and a determination of the final project scope can be made prior to the design phase. This approach allows the City Council latitude for further discussions on budget and scope while allowing the project to remain on schedule.
Alternative Options:
The City Council could decide not to move this project forward; however, that action would then allow the existing pavement to continue to deteriorate. Alternatively, the City Council could decide to reduce (or increase) the scope of the project which would then be included in the feasibility report.
Financial Impacts:
The estimated project cost as indicated in the adopted 2023-2027 CIP is $3,000,000, however, Staff has updated the costs using the bids received from the 2023 Reclamation and Overlay Project, and have an estimated project cost of $5.2 Million (see table below). This Project is proposed to be funded via franchise fees, bonding, and utility enterprise funds. If the City Council authorizes the preparation of a feasibility study, staff will review the estimated project costs, funding sources, and provide additional detail as part of the acceptance of the feasibility report.
Tentative Timelines:
Attachment 2 shows the project process in detail. Minnesota Statutes require several additional follow up approvals prior to actual award of a construction contract. At any time during that process the City Council could reduce the scope, delay the project or decide to not move it forward.