Recommend Funding for an Extension of the Alpine Drive Trail

Anoka County is in the process of completing Plans and Specification for bidding comprehensive improvements to the intersection of Nowthen Boulevard (County State Aid Highway #5 or CSAH 5), and Alpine Drive, (a city street). The project would be let and under construction early in 2014 to take advantage of partial Federal funding.

Together with signalization would be turn lanes, medians and the potential to close a significant trail 'gap'.  At the December 10th, 2013 regular City Council meeting, there was much discussion on some of the improvements (particularly medians and the trail), and both Anoka County and City Staff continue to refine options and details, and communicate with adjoining landowners - with the Joint Powers Agreement (approving the project) anticipated to return to Council in January 2014. 

The purpose of this case is to recommend a funding source for the trail, to close the aforementioned trail gap in a scenario that meets with Council approval.  The estimated cost of the trail is $17,000, with a part of the cost 'written down' by a new easement over existing park land discussed below.  The attached two exhibits depict the project - the first showing the generalized trail location of the trail(s), the second the larger project detail.
 

The following is important detail from City Council's December 10th, 2013 agenda pertaining to this case, (additional detail on the larger project is included within that same case.):

Stormwater ponding –
The City owns a 0.57 acre parcel of property in Alpine Acres in the northwest quadrant of the intersection, which is dedicated in a plat as parkland. According to Anoka County, the property has an assessed value of $3,300 and a portion of the property is classified as wetland, rendering is largely undevelopable. Anoka County is therefore proposing that the city provide a drainage easement over the entirety of this parcel to allow the County to use this parcel for stormwater ponding to accommodate the increased stormwater runoff due to the increased impervious area associated with these improvements. Due to access and grading issues associated with the potential development of this site as parkland, and because an opportunity exists at this time to exchange the use of this parcel for cost reductions related to construction of a missing trail connection north of Alpine Drive between CSAH 5 (Nowthen Blvd) and Krypton Street, staff recommends providing Anoka County with the requested drainage easement over this parcel.

Alpine Drive trail connection (CSAH 5 (Nowthen Blvd) to Krypton Street) –
Numerous trails exist in the project area but a gap exists in the trail system north of Alpine Drive between CSAH 5 (Nowthen Blvd) and Krypton Street where the trail abruptly ends approximately 100 feet west of Krypton Street. Staff has always intended to connect this gap, and the opportunity now exists to cost-effectively connect this gap with this project.  Staff therefore recommends providing Anoka County with the requested drainage easement over the City’s 0.57 acre parcel in Alpine Acres for the County’s use as a stormwater ponding facility. This will then be in exchange for Anoka County preparing the plans and specifications and procuring the necessary right-of-way and temporary construction easements to construct the trail connection, which is approximately 700 feet in length. Anoka County staff soon plans to meet with the abutting property owners to discuss associated tree removals and right-of-way/temporary construction easement needs, including potential compensation for these items.

The estimated construction cost for the trail connection is $17,000.  There will also likely be additional costs for securing the necessary right-of-way and construction easements (+/- 2 feet of right-of-way and temporary construction easements) and compensating for tree removals, though these costs are still unknown. Anoka County has designed the trail connection and incorporated it into their construction plans, and they would bid and inspect the trail during construction, all of which provide additional benefit to the City.

The County therefore proposes the following cost sharing methodology related to the stormwater ponding and trail connection. The City will provide the necessary drainage easement over our 0.57 acre platted parkland property to allow the County to use the land for stormwater ponding, in exchange for which the County will pay to secure the necessary right-of-way and temporary easements to construct the trail connection, as well as provide compensation for tree removals as needed.  The City will then pay all costs to construct the trail, although the County has also agreed to apply federal funds to the trail (federal funds are currently covering about 60% of construction costs) instead of requiring the City to pay 100% of construction costs per standard practice for work not required for their project. This will result in an estimated total cost to the city of $6,800 to construct the trail connection with this project, thereby saving the City about $10,200.
 

The funding for the trail (over and above the value of the easement granted in favor of Anoka County for storm water purposes), would be from the Park Trust Fund which has a beginning year balance in excess of $1.1 million dollars. This fund also is the recipient of Trail Fees from new development, for trail construction like the one proposed for Alpine Drive.

Staff recommends that a not-to-exceed amount of $10,000 be allocated for the proposed Alpine Drive trail, and that an easement be allowed on existing park land for storm water purposes; if it results in a lessor cost for the proposed trail.

Motion to recommend to City Council that a not-to-exceed amount of $10,000 from the Park Trust Fund be directed to construct the Alpine Drive Trail 'Gap' and that a storm water easement be granted over the existing park land if it results in reduced new trail construction costs.