Adopt Resolution 15-03-070 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Public Hearing for 2015 Street Maintenance Program Division B, Overlay Improvements; Improvement Project #15-00

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to accept the feasibility report and order a Public Hearing for March 24, 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.
 
City staff visually inspects each public street segment throughout the City, typically on an annual basis, to determine the pavement condition.  Staff uses the Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) method to assign a numerical rating between 1 and 10 to each street segment.  Streets rated with a 1 are considered to be failed pavements in need of complete reconstruction, while streets rated with a 10 are considered to be in excellent condition requiring no improvement.  The street segments proposed to receive overlays in 2015 had 2014 PASER ratings of 3 and 4 making them excellent candidates for bituminous pavement overlays, which will extend the life of the pavement approximately 20 years.
 
The existing right-of-ways along the street segments proposed to receive overlays as part of this project vary in width from 60 to 80 feet.  The paved street segments vary in width from 24 to 32 feet.  All proposed street segments in this project were constructed with bituminous pavement and curbing, and most of the street segments utilize storm sewer systems to provide stormwater drainage.  The thickness of each bituminous pavement section is variable.
 
Other than utility casting adjustments, no sanitary sewer or water supply system 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 24th Public Hearing if ordered by Council.

Staff will also mail invitation letters for the March 18th public information meeting to each of the properties proposed to be assessed.

Observations:
The proposed improvements are consistent with the City’s long-term Street Maintenance Program.
 
Abutting properties with direct access to street segments identified to be improved with this project are proposed to be assessed for 25% of the costs for the improvements.  The “per lot” assessment method is recommended due to the similar benefit that will be realized by all 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 18^th, 2015 for the purpose of soliciting public input on the project prior to the Public Hearing on March 24^th.

Per 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 #15-03-070 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 #15-03-070 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 #15-03-070 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 $634,880.  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 $1,280 per lot. A total of 124 assessable properties are identified in the feasibility report resulting in a total assessment amount of $158,720.  This equals 25% of the estimated project costs 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.