Approve Grading and Topsoil for North Commons

On April 10th, 2012 Ramsey's Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved the creation of 5 lots on the east side of Zeolite Street, within the block including North Commons, predicated on the earth work and importation of topsoil for the park occurring at the same time.

Four (4) quotes were received on April 4th, 2012 for all of the earthwork with the quote of $28,000 for the cost associated with the lots and $4,000 for the balance of the park work. (The highest quote was $149,690.)

The topsoil importation and spreading for the lots and park was $14,400 (not including the 'specialty' topsoil associated with the test plots, which will be determined as part of the irrigation RFP).  Based upon the area, approximately 10% or $1,400 of topsoil hauling was assigned as a lot creation expense, and the rest of the $14,400 ($13,000) is attributable to the park's construction.

Additionally, there are two other services that need to be ordered before or concurrent with this grading and hauling activity, and that is wetland delineation at $350, and soil boring and testing for the fill and compaction of the 5 lots at a range estimated to be between $800 and $1,200 dollars. The wetland delineation may be considered 50% associated with the lots, the other half the park.  Similarly, the silt fence and MPCA permit of $2,470 may be considered a shared expense between the two land development endeavors. (The boring and testing is solely a pad-ready lot expense.)

 There is no notification required.  However, now (as of this case preparation) there may be a buyer for the lots along Zeolite Street, the approval from HRA may move ahead with the platting and sale pending, (the first step of which perhaps coinciding with this consent agenda case).

This is an opportunity to communicate to North Commons' area residents that:
1) City Council responded to the requests for the park's development, with platting and formal dedication of the land as 'park'.
2) Those heard on the park's development favored less lots than 7, if lots were to be platted - and this is to be the case (pending approval).
3) Net proceeds from the lot creation will be applied to the park, including the development of community garden space.
4) Certain elements of the park (like the garden space) are intended to be available early in 2012, and so residents should secure their community garden space for this growing season!

The purpose of this consent case is to address the earthwork and importation of topsoil for the park (with the approval of the lot creation and test plots having occurred by the HRA on April 10th, 2012), plus funding for the project. Staff is in the process of determining the costs for the various other aspects of North Commons' development, with these elements (like irrigation) returning to City Council later this spring.

The investments summarized immediately below have been approved by the HRA and funded by the COR Revolving Fund:

Development of the 5 lots
$28,000 hauling, grading
$1,400 topsoil
$1,200 soil boring and testing
$175 Wetland delineation
$1,270 silt fence and permit
$250 seeding estimate (non-test areas)
$1,000 contingency
$33,295 TOTAL

This case will approve the details below, and is proposed to be funded by the Park Trust Fund:

Earthwork for North Commons
$4,000 hauling and grading
$13,000 topsoil
$175 Wetland delineation
$1,270 silt fence and permit
$2,250 seeding estimate (park areas)
$1,000 contingency
$21,695 TOTAL

On Thursday, April 12th, 2012, the Park and Recreation Commission recommended approving the aforementioned work from the Park Trust Fund.

The grading, hauling and topsoil spreading for North Commons would be funded by the Park Trust Fund in the amount of $21,695.

Motion to approve the grading, hauling and topsoil spreading for North Commons concurrent with the lot grading (previously approved by the HRA), and funded by the Park Trust Fund in the amount of $21,695.