Adopt Resolution #17-10-271 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Public Hearing for Improvement Project #18-00, Stanhope Terrace Street Reconstructions

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #17-10-271 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing on November 14, 2017, for Improvement Project #18-00, Stanhope Terrace Street Reconstructions.

Background:
City Improvement Project 18-00 proposes to reconstruct the Stanhope Terrace neighborhood which includes; Ute Street, 154^th Avenue, and 153^rd Court.  The streets total approximately 2,800 linear feet (0.52 miles) in length.  A map showing the location and scope of the proposed improvements is included in the Feasibility Report as Figure 1 in Appendix A.   
 
The Stanhope Terrace neighborhood was constructed in 1991.  Based on results from the geotechnical report and ground penetrating radar (GPR) analysis performed by Braun Intertec, field observation and record plan documents, the bituminous pavement section ranges from 1.6 to 6.1 inches thick with an average of 2.9 inches.  The aggregate base ranges from 2.1 to 10.6 inches thick with an average of 4.9 inches.   The road section was built on sandy subgrade material generally considered suitable for pavement support.  The streets were constructed with bituminous curb to a width of 29-feet from face-of-curb to face-of-curb.  The streets are generally centered within a 66-foot wide right-of-way.  The storm sewer system consists of catch basins along 154^th Lane which drain runoff from the street to a low-lying area with storm sewer and utility easements located on the northern 75 feet of 4851 154^th Lane.  Storm runoff not collected by the catch basins is carried to Roanoke Street and collected within its storm sewer system.
 
City staff evaluates and rates the condition of pavement sections on all City streets on an annual basis using the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) system.  In the summer of 2017, the pavement section of the above-referenced street segments were rated with a PASER rating of 3 which indicates these streets require complete reconstruction, and for City staff to patch the streets at least once per year, particularly before winter so the street can be plowed without damaging the pavement in the process.  Pictures of the street are located in Appendix A of the attached Feasibility Report.
 
Proposed improvements include removing existing bituminous curb and replacing with B618 concrete curb and gutter, and reconstructing the existing bituminous pavement section using the Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) process.  This process involves reclaiming the entire existing bituminous pavement section, along with the existing aggregate base material.  A portion of this reclaimed (ground and mixed) material would then be spread and compacted on top of the reshaped and compacted subgrade.  Then, 3.5 inches of bituminous pavement would be placed, generally meeting the City of Ramsey’s standard pavement design.
 
The existing storm sewer system is in good condition and generally meets City design standards and therefore requires only minimal improvements, including resetting the castings after concrete curb and gutter placement, which will include replacing adjustment rings and re-grouting the inside of the catch basins to a smooth finish.
 
The engineer’s opinion of probable costs for completing the proposed improvements outlined in this report is $430,934.81.  Estimated costs include 5% contingency costs plus 23% 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 Feasibility Report.
 
A total of 16 assessable parcels have been identified.  Staff recommends applying 25-percent of the eligible improvement costs equally across the 16 assessable properties using the “per lot” assessment method.  This results in a proposed preliminary assessment rate of $6,733.36 per assessable parcel.
 
Staff recommends ordering a special benefit consultation report for this project to verify the proposed assessment amount will not exceed the benefit to the properties.  If the report concludes the benefit to the properties is less than the proposed preliminary assessment rate, Staff will then propose to lower the assessment rate accordingly during the Assessment Hearing, which is scheduled for October 9, 2018.  If the report verifies the assessment rate as proposed is justified, Staff will propose to adopt the final assessment roll using the rate as preliminarily proposed.
 
Five soil borings were completed by Braun Intertec to assist with the preparation of this report.  Pavement design recommendations were offered by Braun Intertec, and Staff considered and incorporated Braun’s recommendations to varying degrees while preparing this report.  Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was conducted on all street segments within the project.  The GPR identifies existing bituminous pavement and aggregate base thicknesses, and is used to help staff determine the appropriate treatment.  Copies of Braun Intertec’s GPR results and Geotechnical Exploration are attached in Appendix C of the Feasibility Report.
 
This improvement project, which is listed in the City’s current 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, is proposed to be funded using a combination of special assessments to benefiting properties, street reconstruction bond proceeds, and storm sewer funds.
 
Staff has not yet discussed the proposed improvements with local property owners.  However, Staff has scheduled a meeting with property owners for November 1, 2017 with local property owners for the purpose of explaining the proposed improvements and assessments in more detail, and to gather their input on the project, including any information, which should be explored in more detail during development of plans and specifications.  Staff will incorporate comments and present this information to Council during the Public Hearing. 
 
This project would best be constructed in conjunction with the River’s Bend and the North Forty Street Reconstructions projects, is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein.
 

Upon Council approval, Staff will publish the Public Hearing Notice in the Anoka Union Herald on October 27 and November 3, 2017.  Staff will also mail Public Hearing Notices to the owners of all benefiting properties.

Observations:
Developed properties along the project corridor may have private irrigation systems. Impacts to these systems may occur where the existing curb and gutter is being replaced. Staff will notify property owners in writing of the pending construction as far in advance of construction as possible to allow them time to move their irrigation system components out of the construction area, after which they may replace the components in their original locations.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #17-10-271 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing on November 14, 2017, for Improvement Project #18-00, Stanhope Terrace Street Reconstructions.

Alternative #2 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #17-10-271 at this time.

The Feasibility Report was completed in-house as part of Staff’s regular duties.

The current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) estimates costs for reconstructing these streets at $850,000.

Per the attached Feasibility Report, the engineer’s opinion of probable project costs is $430,934.81.  A total of 16 residential parcels will benefit from the proposed improvements and are preliminarily proposed to be assessed for 25-percent of eligible project costs which totals $107,733.70.  This equates to preliminary assessments of $6,733.36 per parcel. The City will fund the remaining 75-percent of project costs, which totals $323,201.11.  The City’s costs will be funded using Street Reconstruction and Overlay Program bond funds, as well as a small amount of Stormwater Utility Funds.

Staff recommends Alternative #1 to allow the project to be constructed as part of the 2018 Street Maintenance Program, and to allow for the use of special assessments to pay for a portion of the project costs per the applicable provisions of the City Charter, the City’s Special Assessments Policy, and Minnesota Statute, Chapter 429.

Motion to adopt Resolution #17-10-271 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing on November 14, 2017, for Improvement Project #18-00, Stanhope Terrace Street Reconstructions.