Review Condition of Dysprosium St Blvd and Future Maintenance Requirements

The reconstruction of Dysprosium St ( Project # 09-25) started on 7/18/2011 and was completed 11/11/2011. County Line Excavating was awarded the bid to construct.The project consisted of narrowing the roadway, installing concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalks on both sides, concrete driveway aprons, planting of 120 blvd trees, street lighting and placing 6" of topsoil and sod on areas disturbed during construction.  A total of 71 property owners were assessed with the average assessment being approximately $1500.00.  This figure includes properties owned by Anoka County and the City of Ramsey as well.  The city engineer signed the Certificate of Substantial Completion on 11/11/11 (attached), which also starts the one year warranty period.

Staff will mail out notice to the affected parties that this item will be on the PW committee agenda for 6/18/2013

Construction updates were posted for this project on the city website weekly during the construction period.  The updates for 10/21/2011 and 10/28/2011 report that sod was installed during those weeks. The project field engineers at this time both assure me that the contractor fulfilled his obligation for turf establishment as stated in the contract.  The turf was still healthy in the spring of 2012, but started to decline as the summer worn on and the lack of rain and hot weather became the norm.  If it is the desire of the PW committee and ultimately the full council to re-establish turf in the blvd. area several methods could be used.  Black dirt and seed, hydro seeding or sod are all acceptable methods.  On this particular project staff would recommend the use of sod, as this is the least labor intensive of the methods to establish.  The original estimate for sod in the contract was for 3876 sq. yards.  Parts of the blvd are well established so the amount would be considerable less that the original amount.  Current price is $1.35/sq.yd plus delivery costs which vary depending on amount.  Participation by the residents in this project is curcial. If the property owners are reluctant to water the sod there is not much hope for its survival. 

General fund

Staff recommendation is to replace turf as necessary between the curb and sidewalk, but only if some agreement can be reached with residents that they will maintain it once its been established.

Motion to accept staff recommendation to replace turf as necessary between the curb and sidewalk, but only if some agreement can be reached with residents that they will maintain it once its been established.
or
Motion to reject staff recommendation and choose an alternative based on committee discussion