Update on Pavement Maintenance Plan for Ferret Street and 147th Avenue intersection
 

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to provide an update on Staff’s pavement maintenance plan for the intersection of  Ferret Street and 147th Avenue.

Background:
On July 11, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution #17-07-170 authorizing the preparation of a Feasibility Report for reconstructing streets in the HY-10 Ramsey subdivision under City Improvement Project No. 18-02.  These streets included 146th Avenue, 147th Avenue, and Ferret Street, which totaled approximately 1,400 feet (0.27 miles) in length.  These streets were constructed in 1988 using bituminous pavement and curb, are 40 feet wide from face-of-curb to face-of-curb, and are generally centered within a 66-foot wide right-of-way.
 
On May 22, 2018 the Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the proposed project and provided comments on design alternatives based on the potential for future development of the HY-10 Ramsey subdivision.  Given the uncertainties associated with redevelopment, staff felt it would be most cost effective to bring the bituminous pavement up to usable standards, extend utilities and concrete curb and gutter along 147^th Avenue only, and not to connect the streets to adjacent developments at this time.
 
Staff prepared a draft Feasibility Report based on input from the DRC, which included an engineer’s opinion of probable project costs of $288,000.  The project was proposed to be funded using a combination of special assessments to benefitting properties, street reconstruction bond proceeds, and stormwater utility funds. Sewer and Water Utility Funds would be used to pay for any public utility improvements.
 
Nine (9) parcels were identified as receiving special benefit from the improvements. Four of the parcels had permanent structures, and the other five were undeveloped. Several of the parcels were listed for sale, including two City-owned parcels, as identified in the preliminary Assessment Map and Roll included in the Feasibility Report.
 
Staff originally intended to conduct a public information meeting with benefiting property owners of HY-10 Ramsey while preparing the Feasibility Report to explain the purpose and need for the proposed improvements, the scope of the improvements, estimated costs, the proposed funding program, and proposed schedule.  However, due to growing uncertainties surrounding the future use of adjacent parcels, Staff determined it would be best to prepare a Feasibility Report before scheduling and conducting the public input meeting to help keep discussions focused.
 
On August 21, 2018 the Public Works Committee provided a recommendation to the City Council to review the Draft Feasibility Report and order a Public Input Meeting for September 13, 2018.
 
On August 28, 2018 the City Council ordered a public input meeting for September 13, 2018 to gather feedback on the proposed improvements from benefiting property owners.
 
On September 13, 2018 Staff conducted a public information meeting.  Meeting notices were mailed to all owners of benefiting properties, which included all properties having access onto street segments proposed to be improved.  None of the benefiting property owners attended the meeting, or called in advance to discuss the project.  However, after the meeting Staff was contacted by two benefiting property owners and both were opposed to reconstructing the streets at that time stating redevelopment was imminent.  Since such time, Staff has met with the property owners and the general consensus of all is that redevelopment is imminent so streets should not be reconstructed at this time.
 
On October 16, 2018 Staff provided an update on the draft Feasibility Report to the Public Works Committee.
 
On October 23, 2018 the City Council adopted Resolution #18-218 accepting the Feasibility Report for Improvement Project #18-02, HY-10 Ramsey Street Reconstructions, along with Staff's recommendation to shelve the project until such time that it is no longer needed or the adjacent property owners request that the streets be repaired.  Minutes from the October 23, 2018 City Council meeting are attached.
 
In subsequent discussions between Staff and the Public Works Committee, Staff received consensus approval from the Public Works Committee to reconstruct the pavement at the intersection of Ferret Street and 147th Avenue in 2019 using in-house resources to ensure that the intersection could continue to be safely used by the public, and effectively maintained by the City.

Staff anticipates approximately 5 minutes will be required to present and discuss this case.

Since October 2018, several events have transpired that have caused Staff to question the cost-effectiveness of reconstructing the intersection of Ferret Street and 147th Avenue in 2019.  These include;

1. PSD, LLC’s proposed retail development west of Armstrong Boulevard between 146^th and 1447^th Avenues.
2. Chalich Trucking, who was the primary user of this intersection, sold their property over the winter.
3. Public Works Street Department crews have been extremely busy patching streets this spring and summer, and will need to continue doing so into October based on the poor condition of numerous streets throughout the City, and based on City Council’s approval to purchase a new heated patching trailer and to rent additional spray patching equipment this summer/fall.

 
Based on these recent developments, Staff proposes to suspend improving the intersection of Ferret Street and 147th Avenue in 2019, and instead monitor pavement conditions at the intersection and recommend future improvements as needed.

Dependent on discussions.

Staff recommends suspending improvements to the intersection of Ferret Street and 147th Avenue in 2019 for reasons noted earlier.  Instead, Staff will continue to monitor pavement conditions and will recommend future improvements as needed.

Dependent on discussions.