Adopt Resolution #20-071 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #20-071 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction.

Background:City Improvement Project 20-01 proposes to reconstruct Variolite Street between Alpine Drive and 173^rd Avenue. The street totals approximately 12,000 linear feet (2.28 miles) in length. A figure showing the location and scope of the proposed improvements is included in Appendix A of the attached Feasibility Report.

On December 10, 2019, the Ramsey City Council ordered this feasibility report which explores the necessity, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the proposed improvements by examining the existing conditions, scope of the proposed improvements, design alternatives, estimated costs and available funding sources, and determining whether the improvements should be completed as proposed or in connection with other improvements. On September 10, 2019, the Ramsey City Council authorized Staff to execute proposals from Hakanson Anderson and Associates for the required topographic survey, and from Northern Technologies Inc. (NTI) for required geotechnical work. The NTI Geotechnical Report is included in Appendix D of the attached Feasibility Report.

In 2017, Variolite Street was included in the Ground Penetrating Radar Pavement Evaluation performed by Braun Intertec. This data provides bituminous and aggregate base thickness information. The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Summary, as well as the street segment summary, detailing the pavement history, are included in Appendix C of the attached Feasibility Report.

Variolite Street is a Municipal State Aid (MSA) street, and as such must be reconstructed to current MSA design standards, which are regulated by the State Aid Division of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Due to the MSA 9 ton road design requirements and the potential for heavy truck traffic on this route, Staff proposed improvements include a Stabilized Full Depth Reclamation (SFDR) with 4-inches of bituminous pavement placed over the top. Some areas of the road exhibit groundwater concerns, and will receive drain tile placed under the SFDR. The proposed typical section is included in Appendix A of the attached Feasibility Report.

Trunk utility improvements are proposed with this project including the replacement of existing 10-inch force main trunk sanitary sewer with 21-inch gravity trunk sewer, and the extension of 12-inch trunk watermain to 173^rd Avenue. This work is consistent with the 2040 City of Ramsey Comprehensive Plan, and is proposed to occur with this project to prevent unnecessary road reconstruction in the future to install these utilities. The utility improvements will support future expansion of City sewer and water to the northern parts of the City. Stormwater is generally conveyed through ditches, with culverts at abutting side streets and low points. Several of these culverts will be replaced with this project.

The engineer’s opinion of probable project costs for completing the proposed improvements outlined in this report is $4,335,000. Estimated costs include 10-percent contingency costs, as well as 23-percent indirect costs for administrative, engineering, finance and legal costs. A summary of the engineer’s opinion of probable costs is included in Appendix B of the attached Feasibility Report.

The street improvements proposed with this project are identified in the City’s current 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and can be funded using a combination of Municipal State Aid Funds and Stormwater Funds. Sanitary sewer and watermain improvements are not listed in the CIP but are required to support future needs, and are feasible and cost-effective.

This project would best be constructed as a stand-alone project and is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein.

Notifications are not required for this case.

Observations:
The proposed project schedule is included within the Feasibility Report.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #20-071 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction.

Alternative #2 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #20-071 at this time.

The Feasibility Report was prepared in-house as part of Staff’s normal duties.
 
Costs incurred to date include:

• $29,750 for Northern Technologies Inc. to prepare the Geotechnical Exploration and Engineering Review.
• $13,650 for Hakanson Anderson to collect topographic survey and prepare the roadway easement exhibit.
• $1,283 for WSB to complete the pavement forensic report.
• $2,140 for Braun Intertec to prepare the drain tile design report.

The current CIP lists estimated project costs at $2,643,600, with $2,328,270 coming from Municipal State Aid (MSA) Funds, and $315,330 coming from Stormwater Funds. No utility costs were identified in the CIP.

Estimated project costs per the Feasibility Report total $4,335,000. Below is a breakdown of the various project costs, which includes $ 1,450,000 in trunk sanitary sewer and watermain project costs.

Project costs
Street Improvements $2,820,000
Storm Sewer Improvements $65,000
Sanitary Sewer Improvements $650,000
Watermain Improvements $800,000
Total estimated project cost $4,335,000

Proposed funding
Municipal State Aid Funds $2,820,000
Stormwater Fund $65,000
Sanitary Sewer Fund $650,000
Water Fund $800,000
Total City Funding $4,335,000


At the September 17, 2019 Public Works Committee meeting, the Committee approved moving forward with this project without the use of special assessments. Variolite Street has only 13 direct accesses, and assessments on 13 properties would not recover the costs associated with the assessment process. The September 17, 2019 Public Works Committee meeting report was accepted at the October 8, 2019 City Council meeting.

Staff recommends Alternative #1.
 

The project as proposed within the attached Feasibility Report is feasible, necessary, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint. The following Staff recommendations related to the proposed project are presented within the Feasibility Report for Council consideration and concurrence:

• Staff recommends reconstructing the bituminous pavement section using the Stabilized Full Depth Reclamation method in compliance with MSA design guidelines including 6-inches stabilized full depth reclamation, 2-inches new bituminous base course, and 2-inches new bituminous wear course.
• Staff recommends installing a concrete pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of Variolite Street and 161st Avenue, with advanced pedestrian crossing signs, and ADA compliant pedestrian landings.
• Staff recommends reducing the width of Variolite Street from 40-feet (existing) to 34-feet and posting a 40 mph speed limit between Alpine Drive and 163rd Avenue to promote traffic calming in conjunction with the 161st Avenue pedestrian crosswalk improvements.
• Staff recommends replacing the existing force main trunk sanitary sewer with gravity trunk sanitary sewer between 163rd Avenue and 166th Avenue, and extending trunk watermain from 166th Avenue to 173rd Avenue as recommended in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Adopt Resolution #20-071 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #20-01, Variolite Street Reconstruction.

A Roll Call vote is required.