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 College Street and Water Street Areas Reconstruction.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution ordering the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2024 College Street and Water Street Areas Reconstruction Project, STRT2024-A77.
Summary Report:
The approval of the attached resolution (Attachment 1) is the initial step in moving the 2024 College Street and Water Street Areas Reconstruction Project, STRT2024-A77. 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 Project includes the following areas: (Attachment 3)
• College Street Woodley Street to Seventh Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Winona Street from Woodley Street to Seventh Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Ninth Street from College Street to Winona Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Eighth Street from College Street to Nevada Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Water Street from Linden Place to Woodley Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Sumner Street from Water Street to Division Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Fremont Street from Water Street to Division Street (Street Reconstruction)
• Spruce Court to Linden Place (Utility Improvements)
• College Street from Sumner Street to Woodley Street (Sidewalk Improvements)
• Winona Street from Sumner Street to Woodley Street (Sidewalk Improvements)
• Eighth Street from Water Street to Nevada Street (On-Street Bikeway)
The streets listed above are identified in the approved 2023 - 2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The proposed reconstruction on the identified streets would improve streets that are currently in a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Range of 0 - 40. The existing utilities in each of these areas are also in poor condition including aged clay sewer lines, cast iron watermain, and lead water services.
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 plan. Staff is recommending inclusion of the following Walking and Biking/Pedestrian Improvements segments in the Feasibility Report:
• Eighth Street On-Street Bikeway
• College Street Sidewalk
• Winona Street Sidewalk
• Eighth Street and Winona Street Crossing Improvement
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 and underlying utilities 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 total project cost as indicated in the adopted 2023-2027 CIP is $7,974,568, 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.