City Council Meeting Date: March 12, 2024
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 2025 Reclamation and Overlay Project.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution ordering the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2025 Reclamation and Overlay Project, STRT2025-A80.
Summary Report:
The approval of the attached resolution (Attachment 1) is the initial step in moving the 2025 Reclamation and Overlay Project, STRT2025-A80. 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 street segments: (Attachment 3)
• Maple Street from Jefferson Parkway to Ford Street (Mill & Overlay)
• Lake Drive from Jefferson Parkway to Maple Street (Mill & Overlay)
• Superior Drive from Michigan Drive to Maple Street (Mill & Overlay)
• Washington Street from Sumner Street to the south turnaround (Pavement Reclamation)
• Laurel Court (Pavement Reclamation)
• Industrial Drive (Pavement Reclamation)
The streets listed above are identified in the approved 2024 - 2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The proposed overlay and reclamation work on the identified streets would improve streets that are currently in a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Range of 90 - 41. 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/Path recommended in the plan. Staff is recommending inclusion of the following Walking and Biking/Pedestrian Improvements segments in the Feasibility Report:
• Washington Street Bikeway
• Washington Street Trail
• Maple Street Trail
• Laurel Court Trail
• Sechler Park Trail (Mill Towns Trail)
• Festler Farms Trail Connection
• Woodley Street and Washington Street Crossing Improvements
• Washington Street and Ames Street Crossing Improvements
• Maple Street and Superior Drive Crossing Improvements
• Superior Drive Crossing Improvements
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 2024-2028 CIP is $3,921,010, which would 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.