Adopt Resolution 15-02-050 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Public Hearing for 2015 Street Maintenance Program Division B, Overlay Improvements; Improvement Project #15-00 - Please Note:  this Consent case was removed form the agenda and will be considered at the March 10, 2015 City Council Meeting.

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to accept the Feasibility Report and order a Public Hearing for March 10, 2015 for 2015 Street Maintenance Program, Division B; City Improvement Project #15-00.
 
Background:
On February 10^th, 2015 the Ramsey City Council ordered a feasibility report for Division B of the 2015 Street Maintenance Program, overlay improvements, which has been completed and is attached to this case.  The feasibility report addresses the feasibility of overlaying numerous public street segments in four separate areas of the City as part of the City’s long-term Street Maintenance Program.
 
The street segments proposed to receive overlays were rated in 2014 using the Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) method.  All street segments received ratings of 3 or 4, making them excellent candidates for bituminous pavement overlays.
 
The existing right-of-ways along the street segments proposed to receive overlays as part of this project generally vary in width from 60 to 80 feet.  The paved street segments vary in width from 24 to 40 feet.  All proposed street segments in this project were constructed with bituminous pavement and curbing, and most of the street segments contain storm sewer systems.  The thickness of the bituminous pavement sections vary.
 
Other than casting adjustments, no public utilities improvements are proposed as part of this project.

No notices were required for this case, but notices will be published and mailed for the March 10th Public Hearing if the hearing is ordered.

Observations:
The proposed improvements are consistent with the City’s long-term Street Maintenance Program.
 
None of the street sections proposed to receive overlays with this project are designated Municipal State Aid Streets.

Abutting properties with direct access to street segments identified to be improved with this project are proposed to be assessed for 25% of the improvement costs.  The “per lot” assessment method is recommended due to the similar benefit that will be realized by the properties.  The proposed use of special assessments conforms to the requirements set forth in State Statute Chapter 429, chapter 8 of the City Charter, applicable City code, and the recently adopted Special Assessments Policy.
 
Per the proposed project schedule in the Feasibility Report, a public information meeting is proposed to be held on March 4^th, 2015 for the purpose of soliciting public input on the project prior to the Public Hearing on March 10^th.
 
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 #15-02-050 accepting Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the 2015 Street Maintenance Program, Division B; City Improvement Project #15-00, as proposed by staff.
 
Alternative Action #2 – Motion to adopt Resolution #15-02-050 accepting Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for the 2015 Street Maintenance Program, Division B; City Improvement Project #15-00, with modifications as follows: ____________________.
 
Alternative Action #3 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #15-02-050 at this time.

The Feasibility Report was completed in-house as part of staff’s regular duties.
 
The engineer’s opinion of probable costs for this project is $644,000.  Estimated costs include 10% contingency costs, plus 25% indirect costs for administrative, engineering, and legal costs.
 
This improvement project is identified in the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, and is proposed to be funded initially using Street Reconstruction Plan Bonds per the City’s 5-year Street Reconstruction Overlay Program.  Special assessments and utility funds are proposed to fund a portion of the improvements.
 
Preliminary special assessments are proposed in the feasibility report in the amount of $1,400 per lot. A total of 115 assessable properties are identified in the feasibility report, resulting in a total assessment amount of $161,000 which 25% of the assessable costs for the project in accordance with the City’s adopted Special Assessments Policy.

Staff recommends approving Alternative Action #1, and would support Alternative Action #2 if Council wishes staff to make minor modifications to the project.
 
Staff does not support Alternative Action #3 since the proposed improvements are feasible, necessary, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, therefore staff recommends completing the proposed improvements in 2015 as proposed and not in connection with other proposed improvements or at some later date.