City Council Meeting Date: June 4, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Jacob Ives, Graduate Engineer (EIT)
Title
Consideration of Resolution Ordering Preparation of Feasibility Report for the 2026 Spring Creek Road Reconstruction 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 2026 Spring Creek Road Reconstruction and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project, STRT2026-A84.
Summary Report:
The approval of the attached resolution (Attachment 1) is the initial step in moving the 2026 Spring Creek Road Reconstruction and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project, STRT2026-A84. 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 Reconstruction Project includes the following street segments: (Attachment 3)
• Spring Creek Road (Woodley Street to Huron Court)
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 80-71, with portions having no rating due to being unpaved. There are few existing utilities in this area requiring new utilities to be installed with this project.
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: (Attachment 4)
• Mill Towns State Trail (Woodley Street to Spring Creek Park)
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 $2,208,624, which would be funded via state-aid. 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.