City Council Meeting Date: October 16, 2018
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 2019 Street Reclamation Project.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the Resolution ordering the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2019 Street Reclamation Project (STRT2019-A42) and to assess benefited properties for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement.
Summary Report:
The approval of the attached resolution (Attachment 1) is the initial step in moving the 2019 Street Reclamation Project (STRT2019-A42) forward. By this resolution, the City Council orders the preparation of a feasibility report, which is a necessary step under Chapter 429 of the Minnesota Statutes. Chapter 429 clearly specifies the actions that must be taken to assess property owners for the cost of local improvements. See Attachment 2 for a detailed project process.
The proposed scope of the Reclamation Project includes the following streets (Attachment 3) along with the installation of sidewalk per the Safe Routes to School Plan (SRTS):
1. Blue Stem Court (Reclamation)
2. Covey Court (Reclamation)
3. Eklund Court (Reclamation)
4. Grundhoefer Court (Reclamation)
5. Hackerson Court (Reclamation)
6. Kimble Court (Reclamation)
7. Nelson Court (Reclamation)
8. Simione Court (Reclamation)
9. Wilson Court (Reclamation)
10. Zanmiller Drive from Meldahl Lane to Gill Lane (Reclamation & SRTS Upgrade)
11. Gill Lane from Zanmiller Drive to Lockwood Drive (Reclamation)
12. Lockwood Drive from Meldahl Lane to Gill Lane (Reclamation)
13. Orchard Street from Third Street to Fifth Street (Reclamation & Watermain Upgrade)
14. Plum Street from Third Street to Fifth Street (Reclamation & Watermain Upgrade)
15. Poplar Street from Fourth Street to Fifth Street (Reclamation)
16. Forest Avenue from Lincoln Street to Fifth Street (Reclamation)
17. Forest Avenue Loop (Reclamation)
18. Third Street from TH 3 to Forest Avenue (Reclamation & Watermain Upgrade)
19. Fourth Street from Odd Fellows Lane to Poplar Street (Reclamation & Watermain Upgrade)
The streets listed above are currently in the 2018 - 2022 proposed CIP. The proposed reclamation work on the identified streets would improve streets that are currently in very poor condition. Additionally, it has been identified by our Utilities Department of some undersized watermains in the project area that will be analyzed for an upgrade with the Feasibility Report. In addition, the adopted Comprehensive Water Plan identifies a watermain pipe upgrade within the project corridor. The remaining utilities will be inspected by our Utilities Department, and any necessary repairs will be incorporated into the Feasibility Report.
Furthermore, along with the pavement reclamation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pedestrian upgrades will be incorporated along the project corridor where there is existing sidewalk, along with spot sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs.
Staff is recommending 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 Council latitude for further discussions on budget and scope in the next few weeks 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 Council could decide to reduce (or increase) the scope of the project which would then be included in the feasibility report. It should be noted that moving this project to construction as well as levying of assessments will require several additional actions by the City Council.
Financial Impacts:
The estimated project cost is $2,230,000.00, which would be funded via assessments, Municipal State-Aid, (MSA) 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 Council could reduce the scope, delay the project or decide not to move it forward.