4.8.
CC Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 02/10/2015
- By:
- Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works
Information
Title
Adopt Resolution #15-02-035 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Public Hearing for IP #15-20, Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements
Purpose/Background:
Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to accept the attached Feasibility Report and order a Public Hearing for February 24, 2015 for City Improvement Project #15-20, Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements.
Background:
In June of 2014, staff was informed that the City of Elk River intended to reconstruct Jarvis Street between Trunk Highway 10 and 165th Avenue as part of their 2015 Street and Utility Improvements project. This section of Jarvis Street includes a segment approximately 3,800 feet long that is bisected by the political boundaries of the cities of Elk River and Ramsey and is therefore mutually shared and maintained between the two cities. It also includes a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad crossing that is currently not designated as a whistle-free quiet zone. A map showing the location of these improvements is included on the third page of the attached proposal letter from the City of Elk River.
Elk River’s staff explained that a joint meeting of the City Councils was held on May 9th, 2011, and that at the time the Ramsey City Council provided verbal support for sharing in the costs of reconstructing the shared section of Jarvis Street, as well as the railroad crossing quiet zone improvements. Based on the results of the joint meeting the City of Elk River developed the Jarvis Street reconstruction and quiet zone improvements project for inclusion with their 2015 Street and Utility Improvements project. While Ramsey’s staff agreed that the condition of Jarvis Street is such that it should be reconstructed in the near future, and that the Jarvis Street railroad crossing quiet zone improvements would benefit City of Ramsey residents and businesses, these improvements were not included in Ramsey’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) so funds were not available to pay for the improvements in 2015. It was therefore discussed that the reconstruction of the shared segment of Jarvis Street should be delayed until the City of Ramsey was in a better position to fund our share of the improvements.
On August 15th, 2014, staff from both cities met again to further discuss the benefits and viability of the project, including potential financing options. Elk River’s staff noted their strong preference to reconstruct Jarvis Street in 2015 and that they may be able to pay the City of Ramsey’s share of the costs up-front, and then allow Ramsey to repay our share of the costs back over a 3-year period. On August 28th, the City of Elk River provided the attached proposal letter to the City of Ramsey formalizing their request for the City of Ramsey to share in 50% of the costs for reconstructing the shared segment of Jarvis Street, plus 50% of the costs for the quiet zone improvements, and that Elk River will pay for Ramsey’s share of the costs up-front while allowing repayment over a 3-year period. Staff has since verified that repayment would be allowed to occur interest-free over calendar years 2016 to 2018, which would not impact the City’s adopted 2015 budget.
On September 16th, 2014 staff presented Elk River’s proposal to the Public Works Committee for consideration of recommending Council approval of the project, pending further direction from Elk River. It was discussed that though the railroad crossing is located entirely within the City of Elk River, City of Ramsey businesses and residents would share the benefit of the quiet zone so Elk River’s request to share in 50% of the costs seems reasonable. It was also discussed that Elk River proposed to reconstruct Jarvis Street as a 9-ton road with bituminous pavement and concrete curb and gutter at a width of 32-feet, which appears to be reasonable considering that Jarvis Street is a Municipal State Aid route, and that the concrete curb and gutter will help protect the pavement edges and extend the life of the pavement. It was also discussed that a 10-foot wide off-road bituminous trail was proposed west of Jarvis Street that could ultimately serve to connect the City of Ramsey's Mississippi River Trail, which is to be constructed on the south side of Highway 10, to Elk River's section of the Mississippi River Trail, which is routed through the City of Elk River and not along Highway 10. Based on the proposed improvements, and assuming a 50/50 cost split, the City of Ramsey’s total cost-share amount was estimated to be $970,728. The Public Works Committee recommended Council approval of Elk River’s proposal to use a 50/50 cost split and a 3-year payback term for calendar years 2016 to 2018.
On October 20th, 2014, the Elk River City Council reviewed the Feasibility Report for the City of Elk River’s 2015 Street and Utility Improvements project, which included the 32-foot wide street design with 10-foot wide off-road bike trail. At that time, the Elk River City Council directed their staff to redesign Jarvis Street to a 36-foot wide street with two 12-foot wide through lanes and two 6-foot wide on-road bike lanes and no off-road trail.
In January of 2015, Elk River provided the attached City Council case and Feasibility Report to Ramsey City staff, along with the attached memo from their consulting engineer Bolton-Menk, Inc, (BMI) dated October 29th, 2014 addressing the revised design and estimated project costs. Based on the BMI memo, as well as the attached 2-page cost estimate that adjusts the estimated costs for the old 32-foot wide street design to the revised 36-foot wide design, the City of Ramsey’s total share of the project costs decreased by $50,422.50 resulting in a total estimated cost-share of $920,305.50.
On January 27th, 2015 the Ramsey City Council ordered a Feasibility Report to better define the City of Ramsey’s portion of the project, which has been completed and is attached to this case. The Feasibility Report addresses the feasibility of reconstructing Jarvis Street as a wider street section to accommodate vehicular and on-road pedestrian uses, as well as reconstructing the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad crossing to allow the establishment of whistle-free quiet zone.
The existing shared segment of Jarvis Street is a 22-foot wide rural bituminous pavement section with maximum 2-foot wide aggregate shoulders, shallow ditches, driveway culverts, and no public utilities (watermain or sanitary sewer), and has a Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) of 2 ranking it’s pavement condition among the worst in the City.
Jarvis Street is proposed to be reconstructed as a 36-foot wide urban section (two 12-foot through lanes and two 6-foot bike lanes) including concrete B618 curb and gutter on both sides, storm sewer culverts under driveways as needed, and curb cuts with concrete flumes to direct stormwater runoff from the street into ditches.
No public utilities are proposed to be constructed since there are no plans to extend utilities to serve this area of the City in the foreseeable future.
The purpose of this case is to accept the attached Feasibility Report and order a Public Hearing for February 24, 2015 for City Improvement Project #15-20, Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements.
Background:
In June of 2014, staff was informed that the City of Elk River intended to reconstruct Jarvis Street between Trunk Highway 10 and 165th Avenue as part of their 2015 Street and Utility Improvements project. This section of Jarvis Street includes a segment approximately 3,800 feet long that is bisected by the political boundaries of the cities of Elk River and Ramsey and is therefore mutually shared and maintained between the two cities. It also includes a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad crossing that is currently not designated as a whistle-free quiet zone. A map showing the location of these improvements is included on the third page of the attached proposal letter from the City of Elk River.
Elk River’s staff explained that a joint meeting of the City Councils was held on May 9th, 2011, and that at the time the Ramsey City Council provided verbal support for sharing in the costs of reconstructing the shared section of Jarvis Street, as well as the railroad crossing quiet zone improvements. Based on the results of the joint meeting the City of Elk River developed the Jarvis Street reconstruction and quiet zone improvements project for inclusion with their 2015 Street and Utility Improvements project. While Ramsey’s staff agreed that the condition of Jarvis Street is such that it should be reconstructed in the near future, and that the Jarvis Street railroad crossing quiet zone improvements would benefit City of Ramsey residents and businesses, these improvements were not included in Ramsey’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) so funds were not available to pay for the improvements in 2015. It was therefore discussed that the reconstruction of the shared segment of Jarvis Street should be delayed until the City of Ramsey was in a better position to fund our share of the improvements.
On August 15th, 2014, staff from both cities met again to further discuss the benefits and viability of the project, including potential financing options. Elk River’s staff noted their strong preference to reconstruct Jarvis Street in 2015 and that they may be able to pay the City of Ramsey’s share of the costs up-front, and then allow Ramsey to repay our share of the costs back over a 3-year period. On August 28th, the City of Elk River provided the attached proposal letter to the City of Ramsey formalizing their request for the City of Ramsey to share in 50% of the costs for reconstructing the shared segment of Jarvis Street, plus 50% of the costs for the quiet zone improvements, and that Elk River will pay for Ramsey’s share of the costs up-front while allowing repayment over a 3-year period. Staff has since verified that repayment would be allowed to occur interest-free over calendar years 2016 to 2018, which would not impact the City’s adopted 2015 budget.
On September 16th, 2014 staff presented Elk River’s proposal to the Public Works Committee for consideration of recommending Council approval of the project, pending further direction from Elk River. It was discussed that though the railroad crossing is located entirely within the City of Elk River, City of Ramsey businesses and residents would share the benefit of the quiet zone so Elk River’s request to share in 50% of the costs seems reasonable. It was also discussed that Elk River proposed to reconstruct Jarvis Street as a 9-ton road with bituminous pavement and concrete curb and gutter at a width of 32-feet, which appears to be reasonable considering that Jarvis Street is a Municipal State Aid route, and that the concrete curb and gutter will help protect the pavement edges and extend the life of the pavement. It was also discussed that a 10-foot wide off-road bituminous trail was proposed west of Jarvis Street that could ultimately serve to connect the City of Ramsey's Mississippi River Trail, which is to be constructed on the south side of Highway 10, to Elk River's section of the Mississippi River Trail, which is routed through the City of Elk River and not along Highway 10. Based on the proposed improvements, and assuming a 50/50 cost split, the City of Ramsey’s total cost-share amount was estimated to be $970,728. The Public Works Committee recommended Council approval of Elk River’s proposal to use a 50/50 cost split and a 3-year payback term for calendar years 2016 to 2018.
On October 20th, 2014, the Elk River City Council reviewed the Feasibility Report for the City of Elk River’s 2015 Street and Utility Improvements project, which included the 32-foot wide street design with 10-foot wide off-road bike trail. At that time, the Elk River City Council directed their staff to redesign Jarvis Street to a 36-foot wide street with two 12-foot wide through lanes and two 6-foot wide on-road bike lanes and no off-road trail.
In January of 2015, Elk River provided the attached City Council case and Feasibility Report to Ramsey City staff, along with the attached memo from their consulting engineer Bolton-Menk, Inc, (BMI) dated October 29th, 2014 addressing the revised design and estimated project costs. Based on the BMI memo, as well as the attached 2-page cost estimate that adjusts the estimated costs for the old 32-foot wide street design to the revised 36-foot wide design, the City of Ramsey’s total share of the project costs decreased by $50,422.50 resulting in a total estimated cost-share of $920,305.50.
On January 27th, 2015 the Ramsey City Council ordered a Feasibility Report to better define the City of Ramsey’s portion of the project, which has been completed and is attached to this case. The Feasibility Report addresses the feasibility of reconstructing Jarvis Street as a wider street section to accommodate vehicular and on-road pedestrian uses, as well as reconstructing the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad crossing to allow the establishment of whistle-free quiet zone.
The existing shared segment of Jarvis Street is a 22-foot wide rural bituminous pavement section with maximum 2-foot wide aggregate shoulders, shallow ditches, driveway culverts, and no public utilities (watermain or sanitary sewer), and has a Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) of 2 ranking it’s pavement condition among the worst in the City.
Jarvis Street is proposed to be reconstructed as a 36-foot wide urban section (two 12-foot through lanes and two 6-foot bike lanes) including concrete B618 curb and gutter on both sides, storm sewer culverts under driveways as needed, and curb cuts with concrete flumes to direct stormwater runoff from the street into ditches.
No public utilities are proposed to be constructed since there are no plans to extend utilities to serve this area of the City in the foreseeable future.
Notification:
N/A
Observations/Alternatives:
Observations:
In 2014, City of Ramsey staff rated this section of Jarvis Street with a PASER rating of 2, warranting a total reconstruction. While this is not the worst street in the City of Ramsey, it ranks quite close and as such is included in the 2015 – 2019 5-year CIP for street reconstruction projects.
Though the adjacent property uses are different on either side of the shared segment of Jarvis Street, with industrial properties in Elk River and residential properties in Ramsey, Jarvis Street is designated as a Municipal State Aid Street by both cities and as such must be reconstructed to State Aid standards as proposed by Elk River.
Reconstructing Jarvis Street in 2015 fits well with the current list of CIP projects including the reconstruction of Andie Street and 164th Lane in 2016. This is because access to 164th Lane will be required from Jarvis Street while reconstructing 164th Lane, so reconstructing Jarvis Street in 2016 would not allow for such access.
The Feasibility Report proposes to use special assessments to benefiting properties to fund a portion of the proposed improvements. The use of special assessments must conform to the requirements set forth in State Statute Chapter 429, the City Charter, City code, and the recently adopted Special Assessments Policy. In order for the City of Ramsey to meet the project schedule as proposed by the City of Elk River in their Feasibility Report, the public process deadlines must be strictly followed as listed in the attached City of Ramsey Feasibility Report.
The City of Elk River has been working with their consultant, Bolton & Menk, Inc., to prepare final plans and specifications for this project. Staff received a set of 90% plans on February 3rd and is in the process of reviewing the plans. During our review we have noted several items that will need to be discussed with Elk River and their consultant which could impact project costs, though likely not significantly.
Per the proposed project schedule in the Feasibility Report, a public information meeting will be held on February 18th, 2015 for the purpose of soliciting public input on the project prior to the Public Hearing, if ordered. Staff will mail meeting invitation letters to the 10 property owners that are proposed to be specially assessed for the improvements.
City staff has requested that this item be added to the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization agenda for the February 19th LRRWMO Board meeting. This will allow staff to determine if additional stormwater ponding will be required to account for the proposed widening of the road, which could impact the project costs.
According to the attached Feasibility Report, this project is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein.
Alternatives:
Alternative Action #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-02-035 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; City Improvement Project #15-20, as proposed by staff.
Alternative Action #2 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-02-035 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; City Improvement Project #15-20, with modifications as follows: ____________________.
Alternative Action #3 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #15-02-035 at this time.
In 2014, City of Ramsey staff rated this section of Jarvis Street with a PASER rating of 2, warranting a total reconstruction. While this is not the worst street in the City of Ramsey, it ranks quite close and as such is included in the 2015 – 2019 5-year CIP for street reconstruction projects.
Though the adjacent property uses are different on either side of the shared segment of Jarvis Street, with industrial properties in Elk River and residential properties in Ramsey, Jarvis Street is designated as a Municipal State Aid Street by both cities and as such must be reconstructed to State Aid standards as proposed by Elk River.
Reconstructing Jarvis Street in 2015 fits well with the current list of CIP projects including the reconstruction of Andie Street and 164th Lane in 2016. This is because access to 164th Lane will be required from Jarvis Street while reconstructing 164th Lane, so reconstructing Jarvis Street in 2016 would not allow for such access.
The Feasibility Report proposes to use special assessments to benefiting properties to fund a portion of the proposed improvements. The use of special assessments must conform to the requirements set forth in State Statute Chapter 429, the City Charter, City code, and the recently adopted Special Assessments Policy. In order for the City of Ramsey to meet the project schedule as proposed by the City of Elk River in their Feasibility Report, the public process deadlines must be strictly followed as listed in the attached City of Ramsey Feasibility Report.
The City of Elk River has been working with their consultant, Bolton & Menk, Inc., to prepare final plans and specifications for this project. Staff received a set of 90% plans on February 3rd and is in the process of reviewing the plans. During our review we have noted several items that will need to be discussed with Elk River and their consultant which could impact project costs, though likely not significantly.
Per the proposed project schedule in the Feasibility Report, a public information meeting will be held on February 18th, 2015 for the purpose of soliciting public input on the project prior to the Public Hearing, if ordered. Staff will mail meeting invitation letters to the 10 property owners that are proposed to be specially assessed for the improvements.
City staff has requested that this item be added to the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization agenda for the February 19th LRRWMO Board meeting. This will allow staff to determine if additional stormwater ponding will be required to account for the proposed widening of the road, which could impact the project costs.
According to the attached Feasibility Report, this project is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein.
Alternatives:
Alternative Action #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-02-035 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; City Improvement Project #15-20, as proposed by staff.
Alternative Action #2 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-02-035 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; City Improvement Project #15-20, with modifications as follows: ____________________.
Alternative Action #3 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #15-02-035 at this time.
Funding Source:
The Feasibility Report was completed in-house as part of staff’s regular duties.
Based on Elk River’s estimated cost-share information attached, the City of Ramsey’s share of the project costs totals $920,305.50, although this number may change slightly based on staff’s review of the plans and following discussion of the project with the LRRWMO on February 19th. This estimated cost accounts for 50% of the costs for reconstructing the shared segment of Jarvis Street and the required railroad crossing quiet zone improvements. The City of Elk River is agreeable to paying the City of Ramsey’s share of the costs up-front with an interest-free payback period of 3-years for calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Elk River’s estimated costs include 10% contingency costs plus 10% indirect costs for administrative, engineering and legal costs. No costs are proposed for temporary easements.
This improvement project, which is listed in the City’s current 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, is proposed to be funded using a mix of Public Improvement Revolving (PIR) funds, special assessments, and stormwater utility funds.
Preliminary special assessments are proposed in the Feasibility Report in the amount of $4,500 per lot. This totals $45,000 for the 10 single-family residential properties having direct access to the shared segment of Jarvis Street. This amount is $2,000 per lot less than the assessments proposed for the Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction project given that only half of Jarvis Street is in the City of Ramsey, and since no utilities are proposed with this project.
Based on Elk River’s estimated cost-share information attached, the City of Ramsey’s share of the project costs totals $920,305.50, although this number may change slightly based on staff’s review of the plans and following discussion of the project with the LRRWMO on February 19th. This estimated cost accounts for 50% of the costs for reconstructing the shared segment of Jarvis Street and the required railroad crossing quiet zone improvements. The City of Elk River is agreeable to paying the City of Ramsey’s share of the costs up-front with an interest-free payback period of 3-years for calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Elk River’s estimated costs include 10% contingency costs plus 10% indirect costs for administrative, engineering and legal costs. No costs are proposed for temporary easements.
This improvement project, which is listed in the City’s current 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, is proposed to be funded using a mix of Public Improvement Revolving (PIR) funds, special assessments, and stormwater utility funds.
Preliminary special assessments are proposed in the Feasibility Report in the amount of $4,500 per lot. This totals $45,000 for the 10 single-family residential properties having direct access to the shared segment of Jarvis Street. This amount is $2,000 per lot less than the assessments proposed for the Garnet Street and 168th Avenue Reconstruction project given that only half of Jarvis Street is in the City of Ramsey, and since no utilities are proposed with this project.
Recommendation:
Due to the existing poor pavement condition of Jarvis Street, the mutual benefits offered by this project, and the City of Elk River’s offer to pay all project costs up-front and to allow the City of Ramsey to re-pay our share of the costs interest-free over a 3-year term from 2016 to 2018, staff recommends approving Alternative Action #1, or Alternative Action #2 if Council wishes staff to make minor modifications to the project.
Staff also recommends ordering an assessment appraisal consultation to ensure that special assessments do not exceed the benefit received as a result of the improvements.
Staff also recommends ordering an assessment appraisal consultation to ensure that special assessments do not exceed the benefit received as a result of the improvements.
Action:
Approve or deny adoption of Resolution #15-02-035 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the Jarvis Street Reconstruction and Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; City Improvement Project #15-20.
If Resolution #15-02-035 is adopted, the City Council is also asked to authorize an assessment appraisal consultation to ensure that all special assessments are commensurate with benefit received from the proposed improvements.
If Resolution #15-02-035 is adopted, the City Council is also asked to authorize an assessment appraisal consultation to ensure that all special assessments are commensurate with benefit received from the proposed improvements.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Ulrich | Kurt Ulrich | 02/05/2015 05:37 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Bruce Westby
- Started On:
- 02/02/2015 01:10 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 02/05/2015