Adopt Resolution 15-04-087 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisements for Bids for Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction, Improvement Project #13-10

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to approve final plans and specifications and authorize advertisements for bids for Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction, Improvement Project #13-10.

Background:
City of Ramsey Improvement Project 13-10 proposes to reconstruct Garnet Street between 167th Street and the north plat line of Now & Then Estates, and 168th Avenue between Garnet Street and the west cul-de-sac. The segment of Garnet Street to be reconstructed measures approximately 1,350 feet in length, and the segment of 168^th Avenue NW west of Garnet Street measures approximately 670 feet in length. The total length of these two street segments is approximately 2,020 linear feet, or 0.38 miles. A map showing the location and scope of the proposed improvements on these two streets is attached.

Existing Conditions
Both streets were constructed with bituminous pavement and curb in 1988.  No storm sewer or public utilities exist under the streets, with the exception of a 15” culvert that conveys surface drainage under Garnet Street just north of 168^th Avenue.  Both streets are relatively flat and as such do not quickly shed stormwater runoff.  This results in water standing on the pavement for long periods of time which strips oil from the pavement, thereby weakening it.
 
Both streets have a Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) of 1 ranking them among the worst streets in the City in terms of pavement condition.  In fact, bituminous pavement is missing from large areas of Garnet Street requiring City staff to fill these unpaved areas with class 5 aggregate on a regular basis to maintain the streets in a passable condition. Then each spring when the ground thaws Garnet Street becomes extremely difficult to navigate and maintain due to the poor underlying soils which become unstable.

Proposed Improvements
Subgrade corrections 3-feet in depth are proposed along both street segments to provide a uniform, stable subgrade base for the new pavement sections.  While this will increase project costs significantly, it will ensure that the maximum pavement life can be achieved with minimal maintenance.  Subgrade corrections are proposed to consist of excavating roughly 3-feet of the unsuitable subgrade material and backfilling the void with imported select granular borrow (sand).  It should be noted that per the City’s adopted Special Assessments Policy the cost to correct unsuitable subgrade soils is not eligible for special assessments.  Therefore, these costs are proposed to be paid in full with City funds.

The plans propose to reconstruct both streets to match the existing width of 31-feet from back-of-curb to back-of-curb.  Concrete surmountable curb and gutter is proposed for both streets to better facilitate drainage and to protect the edges of the pavement (B618 curb and gutter was originally proposed but the adjacent streets have surmountable curb and gutter the plans were revised to include surmountable curb and gutter to match the adjacent streets).  The plans also propose storm sewer improvements to better facilitate drainage.  It should be noted that the streets will be reconstructed using aggregate base from the City’s stockpile that was purchased with the future public works site which will save costs.

The plans also propose to construct 6-foot wide concrete sidewalks within City right-of-ways along the east side of Garnet Street and the north side of 168^th Avenue. This sidewalk will connect the existing 6-foot concrete sidewalk segment east of Garnet Street that dead-ends south of 169^th Lane NW to the existing sidewalk north of 167^th Avenue, which also connects to the regional bituminous trail along TH 47.  This sidewalk will also connect to future sidewalk proposed to be constructed north of 168^th Avenue with the next addition of the Brookfield development.  The proposed sidewalk will therefore serve to close a significant gap in the existing pedestrian facilities in this developing area of the City.
 
The plans also propose to construct storm sewer improvements with both streets, and perpetuating the existing culvert crossing under Garnet Street north of 168^th Avenue.  This work will include re-grading portions of the existing ditch sections east and west of Garnet Street, including blending into the stormwater ponding area east of Garnet Street.  Staff is still in the process of addressing the proposed stormwater design requirements with the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization but will be prepared to present the LRRWMO’s final determination when bids are presented to the City Council on June 9^th for consideration of awarding a construction contract.  However, at this time staff does not anticipate any cost increase as related to stormwater improvements that may be required by the WMO.

The plans also propose to construct public utilities under both Garnet Street and 168^th Avenue since several adjacent property owners expressed an interest in connecting to City utilities at some point in time, and because the properties were developed over 20 years ago their septic systems and wells may soon begin to fail.  Proposed utility improvements include:

• Extending 8-inch ductile iron pipe (DIP) watermain under both streets – This provides a benefit by connecting the existing water supply stubs on each end of Garnet Street, and by allowing for a future connection into the Brookfield development along 168^th Avenue, thereby looping the water supply systems in this developing area of the City.
• Extending 8-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sanitary sewer under both streets – This is proposed since watermain is proposed to be constructed at this time, thereby preventing future impacts to both streets.
• Installing 1 set of service stubs to each property – This includes a 1” copper water line and a 4” PVC sewer service line to each property.  Too many unknowns exist regarding future lot splits to install more than one set of services.

The plans also include two alternate bid items as follows:
 

• Alternate Bid #1: Remove temporary cul-de-sac and construct permanent cul-de-sac @ south end of Feldspar Street – This work addresses previous Council direction to convert the temporary cul-de-sac to a permanent cul-de-sac.
• Alternate Bid #2: Construct temporary cul-de-sac @ west end of 168^th Avenue – This work will be required if the reconstruction of 168^th Avenue occurs before 168^th Avenue is constructed with the Brookfield 6^th Addition development.

Observations:

The table below provides estimated construction costs and funding sources per each improvement category based on final plans and specifications.
 

Improvement Category	Assessments	City Funds	Total
Surface (streets, sidewalks, etc.)	$78,000	$635,500	$713,500
Storm Sewer	–	$66,300	$66,300
Water Main	–	$130,400	$130,400
Sanitary Sewer	–	$138,200	$138,200
Totals	$78,000	$970,400	$1,048,400

 
Engineer’s estimates for the two alternate bid items based on final plans and specifications are:
 

• Alternate Bid #1: Permanent Feldspar Street cul-de-sac = $25,533.
• Alternate Bid #2: Temporary 168^th Avenue cul-de-sac = $49,921.

 
City staff has not received any petitions or objections to the project or the proposed special assessments with the exception of one resident who believes the streets were not constructed to City standards and therefore assessments should not be levied for reconstructing the streets.  Staff has not been able to verify this claim but staff would note that today’s construction standards are much different than when the streets were constructed back in 1988 so what is considered to be standard construction practices today may not have been standard practice back then.

Alternatives:
Alternative Action #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-04-087 approving final plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction, Improvement Project #13-10 as proposed.

Alternative Action #2 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-04-087 approving final plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction, Improvement Project #13-10 with modifications as follows: ____________________.

Alternative Action #3 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #15-04-087 at this time.

The engineer’s construction cost estimate based on final plans and construction specifications for constructing all streets, sidewalks, stormwater, water, and sanitary sewer improvements is $1,048,400.  This improvement project is included in the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for construction in 2015.  The issuance of Street Reconstruction Bonds will initially fund all surface (street) improvements, which will then be partially paid back over time from special assessments to benefiting properties.  Sanitary sewer, water, and stormwater improvements are proposed to be paid from their respective utility funds.

Staff recommends Alternative Action #1 to ensure this project can be completed in 2015 thereby preventing the City from falling further behind in its long-term street maintenance program.

Staff supports Alternative Action #2 if Council directs minor modifications to be made to the project prior to soliciting bids that will not delay advertising for bids.

Staff does not support Alternative Action #3 due to the potential to jeopardize delivery of this project in 2015.
 

Approve or deny adoption of Resolution #15-04-087 approving final plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction, Improvement Project #13-10.