Purpose:
The purpose of this case it to review the attached draft Joint Powers Agreement addressing the costs, terms and conditions associated with the City of Anoka’s request for the City of Ramsey to extend public sanitary sewer and water utilities into the City of Anoka, and to provide a recommendation to the City Council in response to Anoka’s request.  The extended utilities would serve two City of Anoka-owned parcels south of Highway 10 and east of the existing Rivlyn Avenue cul-de-sac.

Background:
City of Ramsey sanitary sewer and watermain are proposed to be extended east of Rivlyn Avenue to serve the proposed Ridgepoint 7-unit residential development, pending required approvals.  The Ridgepoint development has received preliminary plat approval from the City, and staff is working with the developer’s engineer to prepare plans for bidding the public improvements this winter for spring construction.  The City of Anoka owns two parcels immediately east of the proposed Ridgepoint development and is therefore requesting that the City of Ramsey extend our public utilities to serve their two parcels as shown in the attached plan sheet.
 
Attached is a draft Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the City of Anoka and the City of Ramsey as drafted by the City of Anoka and reviewed by the Ramsey City Attorney.  The City Attorney's comments are included in track changes format.

The draft JPA defines the scope of the proposed utility extensions, the costs to be paid by the City of Anoka for constructing and maintaining the utility extensions, and all other applicable terms and conditions regarding the rights and responsibilities of both cities related to constructing and maintaining the utilities.
 
At the time this case was published, City staff had completed a preliminary review of the JPA to ensure it contains all necessary provisions to protect the City of Ramsey from future expenses or liabilities related to the utility extensions serving the City of Anoka, and to protect against future interruption of services for our businesses and residents.  If any additional revisions are recommended/requested by staff, this information will be presented to the Committee during presentation of this case.
 
Staff plans to request City Council approval of the draft JPA on January 27^th.

Approximately 10 minutes for presentation and discussion.

Observations:
A similar JPA exists between the City of Anoka and the City of Coon Rapids.  Staff therefore believes the City of Anoka’s request is reasonable and that the City should give serious consideration to approving it.

Alternatives:

Alternative #1 – Motion recommending City Council approval of the draft JPA as is.

Alternative #2 – Motion recommending City Council approval of the draft JPA with the following minor modifications; _______________.

Alternative #3 – Motion recommending City Council denial of the draft JPA pending resolution of the following issue(s); _______________.

No funding is required from the City of Ramsey to approve this request, other than the staff time required to process the request.
 
Per the attached JPA, the City of Anoka will pay for all costs associated with the development and recording of the JPA, and for constructing and maintaining the utility extensions based on the locations identified in the JPA.

Staff recommends selecting Alternative #1 if the Public Works Committee supports the City of Anoka’s request and draft JPA as written.  Staff would also support selecting Alternative #2 if the Committee requests minor modifications be made to the JPA.
 
Though not supported by staff, Alternative #3 should be selected if the Public Works Committee does not support Anoka’s request in general or the draft JPA without one or more significant issues first being addressed.