Adopt Resolution #16-02-040 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider adopting Resolution #16-02-040 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.

Background:
The City of Ramsey developed Business Park 95. As part of the original development an existing low area was set aside for minimal stormwater ponding with no outlet controls. Available City records indicate that this ponding area was intended to be increased in capacity and that an outlet was to be constructed in the future when warranted by development. To date, the ponding capacity has not been increased and no outlet has been constructed even though the business park is now almost fully developed.
 
The recent business expansion of Dedicated Networks disturbed more than one (1) acre, necessitating a Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) Permit. The site was not large enough to accommodate the building expansion and increased stormwater ponding. The developer therefore approached the City about enlarging the existing ponding area to accept the runoff from the new building expansion. The stormwater management plan for Dedicated Networks provided for infiltration of runoff from the new impervious surfaces, with ponding provided in the adjacent regional pond. The permit was approved by the LRRWMO Board with the condition that an outlet be provided for the pond in 2016.
 
The proposed pond capacity and outlet improvements will be designated as Improvement Project #16-36; Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.

No notifications are required for this case.

Observations:
Based on available records the City intended to enlarge the pond for additional stormwater capacity and to construct an outlet to the pond when warranted by development.  However, these improvements have not yet been completed and until such time that they are other requests for expansion from properties served by this pond will likely have to be denied until the improvements are completed. Staff is therefore proposing to construct the pond improvements outlined in the Feasibility Report in 2016.
 
The estimated project cost, which includes 10%^ contingency costs and 23% indirect costs, is $332,500.  The City of Ramsey’s Special Assessments Policy allows for a portion of project costs for stormwater pond improvements to be specially assessed against benefiting properties, and the project Feasibility Report identifies 16 benefiting properties.  However, based on available records Staff believes the intent was for the City to construct the improvements prior to this time but that the work simply never occurred.  No special assessments are therefore proposed with this project.
 
Staff reviewed the draft Feasibility Report with the Public Works Committee on February 16^th.  The Public Works Committee asked for verification that Dedicated Networks WMO permit was approved contingent on this work being completed in 2016, which Staff confirmed.  The Public Works Committee also asked for clarification on how the City applies both Stormwater Management and Stormwater Utility Funds to projects, noting their concerns that these funds are heavily targeted as funding sources for future projects listed in the 5-year CIP.  The draft Feasibility Report reviewed by the Public Works Committee recommended that the improvements be financed solely from the Stormwater Utility Fund.  Upon further Staff discussions following the Public Works Committee meeting, the Feasibility Report was revised to recommend that the improvements be financed using a combination of one-third Stormwater Management Funds and two-thirds Stormwater Utility Funds.

Alternatives:
Alternative Action #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #16-02-040 accepting the Feasibility Report as drafted and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.
 
Alternative Action #2 – Motion to adopt Resolution #16-02-040 accepting the Feasibility Report with modifications as follows and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.
 
Alternative Action #3 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #16-02-040 at this time.

The Feasibility Report was completed in-house as part of staff’s regular duties. No outside expenses were incurred.

The engineer’s opinion of probable costs is $332,500. Staff proposes to fund the improvements utilizing a combination of one-third Stormwater Management Funds and two-thirds Stormwater Utility Funds.  As noted in the Feasibility Report, special assessments are not being proposed due to the fact that the City had intended to construct the pond improvements earlier, but that the work was simply never completed.

Staff recommends approval of Alternative Action #1 to allow the proposed Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements to be completed in 2016 in accordance with the WMO Permit for the Dedicated Networks expansion project which was approved contingent on this pond improvement work being completed in 2016, and to avoid delays or denials of future LRRWMO permits for future business expansion projects occurring within this business park.

Approve or deny adoption of Resolution #16-02-040 accepting the Feasibility Report, as drafted or with modifications, and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.