Adopt Resolution #19-285 Ordering Feasibility Report for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is adopt Resolution #19-285 ordering a Feasibility Report for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction.

Background:
On September 10, 2019, the City Council authorized Staff to execute proposals from Hakanson Anderson and Associates for topographic survey of the Variolite Street corridor from Alpine Drive to 173rd Avenue in the amount of $12,800, and from Northern Technologies Inc. for geotechnical work along the same corridor in the amount of $29,750.
 
Hakanson Anderson and Associates has since completed their topographic survey in accordance with their proposal, and Northern Technologies Inc. has since completed their geotechnical work in accordance with their proposal.
 
City Staff now requests that the City Council order a Feasibility Report for the purpose of exploring whether the proposed improvements are feasible, necessary and cost-effective, whether they should be completed alone or in conjunction with other improvements, and to explore design options for reducing speeds and improving pedestrian accommodations along the corridor as directed by the Public Works Committee.  Estimated project costs and funding sources will also be explored in more detail than was done to develop the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  A preliminary project schedule will also be developed.
 
Preparation of a Feasibility Report is not specifically required for this project since special assessments are not proposed to fund any portion of the project.  However, Staff recommends preparing a Feasibility Report for the purpose of documenting existing conditions, the exploration of design options and funding sources, estimated costs, staff recommendations, and miscellaneous other assumptions and design criteria incorporated into the project.  This will also prove beneficial since this is a State Aid route and as such, it is anticipated that numerous design decisions will be driven by standards required by MnDOT’s State Aid office.

Notifications are not required for this case.

Alternative #1 – Adopt Resolution #19-285 ordering a Feasibility Report for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction.

Alternative #2 – Deny adoption of Resolution #19-285 at this time.

The Feasibility Report will be prepared in-house as part of Staff’s normal duties.

The current CIP lists the estimated project costs at $2,643,600, with $2,328,270 coming from Municipal State Aid (MSA) Funds, which has a current balance in excess of $2,500,000, and $315,330 coming from Stormwater Funds.  Preparing the Feasibility Report will allow Staff to refine estimated project costs before requesting authorization to prepare plans and specifications.

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Adopt Resolution #19-285 ordering a Feasibility Report for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction.