Adopt Resolution #24-042 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids for Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-12

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to Adopt Resolution #24-042 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-12.
 
Background:
City Improvement Project #24-12 proposes to reconstruct the streets within the Juniper Woods 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd subdivision, generally located south of Alpine Drive between Tonto Street and Ute Street. The 2024 – 2033 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies these streets for reconstruction in 2024. Street segment summaries are attached to this case.
 
Existing Conditions
The streets are 31-foot wide urban section with concrete curb and gutter, totaling 0.75 miles in length. Traffic counts have not been taken, but Staff anticipates typical neighborhood traffic levels due to the location of the subdivision and lack of destinations in the area.
 
The existing pavement section is approximately 2.3-inches of bituminous over 4.3-inches aggregate base, for an average total section thickness of 6.6-inches.
 
Sanitary sewer, watermain and storm sewer exist within the project area. During the summer of 2023, watermain leak testing was performed across the City, no issues were found within this subdivision. As part of preliminary design, televising of the sanitary and storm sewers was performed. No issues were found with the sanitary sewer.
 
During review of the storm sewer, a broken pipe and a large root ball where discovered. This occurred on the storm sewer pipe which carries backyard drainage between the properties at 15190 and 15200 Ute Street. Replacing the pipe will require removal of at least one tree, and require the properties owners to move the chain link fence which runs over the pipe. All work is proposed to occur within drainage & utility easement, and the fence will be allowed to be replaced after the storm sewer work is complete. Staff is coordinating moving the fence with the property owners. There are two other short runs of pipe which will require replacement, but occur under the street.
 
Project History
 

• 2024 – 2033 Capital Improvement Program – listed as street reconstruction for 2024.
• June 13, 2023, Resolution #23-130 the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for topographic survey of the project area.
• June 27, 2023, Resolution #23-129 the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for geotechnical report of the project area.
• August 22, 2023, Resolution #23-202 the Ramsey City Council ordered Staff to prepare plans and specifications.
• October 10, 2023, Resolution #23-252 the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for sewer cleaning and televising.
• January 16, 2024, the Ramsey Public Works Committee considered recommending City Council approval of plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids.

 
Pavement History
The streets within Juniper Woods 1^st and 2^nd were built in 1990, and Juniper Woods 3^rd was built in 1993. Since construction, the only large pavement maintenance was crack seal / seal coat improvements to 1^st and 2^nd additions in 1995, and crack seal / seal coat improvements to all the streets in 2001. Maintenance crews have performed patching as needed over the last several years. 150^th Lane in particular has received pothole patching on an annual basis for several years.
 
Proposed Improvements
Staffs review of the geotechnical report found generally sandy subsoil makes up the roadway embankment throughout the project area, which is excellent for both utility installation and roadway support.
 
As mentioned previously, storm sewer utility improvements are proposed to be limited to three short runs of storm sewer piping. Additionally, catch basins will be re-grouted as part of the project. Also, the project proposes replacing the existing sanitary sewer castings which are no longer specified, to the new castings.
 
In general, the existing concrete curb and gutter is in good condition and only spot replacements are proposed. Restoration of the impacted boulevard areas will include a minimum of 4-inches of topsoil and hydroseed with a residential turf seed mix.
 
Because of the existing pavement section thickness, and the excellent sand subsoils, Staff is proposing a reclamation rehabilitation for this project. This will include reclaiming (grinding up) the existing bituminous pavement and underlying aggregate base, approximately 6.5-inches thick. 2.5-inches of excess material will be removed, with the remaining 4-inches being shaped and compacted to remain as the new aggregate base. Finally, 2.5-inches of new bituminous will be placed on top in a single lift.
 
During design site review, Staff noted the 300-foot segment of Waco Street between 150^th Lane and 150^th Avenue are in very poor condition. This was also commented on by residents at the November 9^th open house meeting held at City Hall. The remaining Waco Street north to Alpine Drive is in considerably better condition, and listed in the CIP as a street reconstruction in 2033. To avoid potentially 9 seasons of pavement patching, and bring overall cost savings to the City, Staff included this segment of Waco Street in the project.
 
An existing 8-foot wide bituminous trail runs in backyards from Waco Street south of 150^th Lane to Alpine Drive, where there is an existing curb cut, but no crossing. The City’s general budget allocated $120,000 in 2024 to repave trails. Typically, the Parks Department sends out requests for proposals to perform this trail repaving work. Engineering and Parks Department Staff worked together and determined it would be both more efficient and cost-effective to include the trail repaving as part of this project, rather than a stand-alone. The work will include removing approximately 12 undesirable trees which are immediately adjacent to the trail, including roots under the trail which cause trip hazards because of tenting of the pavement. The existing trail and underlying aggregate base will be reclaimed, in the same manner as the street pavement, and compacted in-place. 2.5-inches of new bituminous pavement will be placed on top, with topsoil and hydro-seeding placed on the edge to taper into the existing ground. ADA compliant pedestrian ramps are required at the trail crossing at 150^th Lane. The project is proposing to remove the curb cut at Alpine Drive, which is mid-block and has no landing on the north side of Alpine Drive. An 8-foot trail will be extended in the south boulevard of Alpine Drive over to Ute Street, approximately 150 feet east. A pedestrian ramp will be placed at Ute Street, lining up with the pedestrian ramp on the north side of Alpine Drive. Staff is proposing to bid the trail as an alternate bid, to split out the cost, in case the bid prices come in higher than the $120,000 budgeted funds allow for.
 
Preliminary Schedule Remaining

• Staff receives bids
  • March 4, 2024
• Council awards contract to the lowest responsible bidder
  • March 12, 2024
• Contractor begins construction
  • On or around May 1, 2024 (dependent on contractor’s schedule)
• Contractor substantially completes construction
  • New bituminous pavement in-place, topsoil and seed in-place
  • August 2, 2024
• Contractor final completion
  • Verify final restoration; punch list created
  • August 31, 2024

 
Bid Opening
Staff proposes to open bids on March 4, 2024, and to present the bid results to the City Council on March 12, 2024, for award of a construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
 
Full plans are not attached to this case to prevent potential bidders from downloading plans attached to the case to prepare and submit their bids, rather than purchasing the plans through QuestCDN, the electronic bidding software used by the City of Ramsey. This ensures all bidders are bidding off the same set of plans, and all bidders are notified of any plan revisions (addenda) issued during the bidding process. Attached is the title sheet showing the scope of the improvements, as well as a plan sheet showing the typical sections, which includes information on the proposed pavement section. Plans are available upon request from the City Engineer.
 
The proposed improvements are designated as City Improvement Project #24-12, Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions.

If Council approves plans and specifications and authorizes advertisement for bids, bids will be advertised on Friday, January 26, and again on Friday, February 2, 2024 in the City’s official newspaper, the Anoka Union Herald.
 
Additionally, letters will be mailed to property owners with updates on the project status. Engineering Staff maintains City improvement webpages with the most current project information, which will also be updated.

Alternatives
Motion to adopt Resolution #24-042 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-12.

Funding for this improvement is proposed to come from Pavement Management Funds, Stormwater Utility Funds, Sanitary Sewer Utility Funds, and 2024 General Levy Budgeted Trail Funds.
 
Staff has completed an estimate based on final plans and anticipated 2024 construction costs, with a total estimated project cost of $585,459.09, which includes 23-percent indirect costs for administrative, engineering, finance, and legal costs. Final project costs will be dependent upon actual bid pricing and final quantities.
 

• Street Project Costs (PM)                               $417,484.14
• Trail Project Costs (General Levy)                  $105,244.95
• Storm Sewer Project Costs (Strm. Utility)         $25,830.00
• Sanitary Sewer Project Costs (San. Utility)       $36,900.00
• Total Estimated Costs                                      $585,459.09

On January 16, 2024, the Ramsey Public Works Committee reviewed the improvement project and recommended City Council approve plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for bids for Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-12.
 
Staff recommends adopting Resolution #24-042 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-12.

Adopt Resolution #24-042 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Juniper Woods 1^st – 3^rd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-12.