Adopt Resolution #17-11-299 Approving September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #17-11-299 approving the September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update.

Background:
Attached is the September 2017 update to the City of Ramsey’s 2012 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study. 
 
The 2012 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study was prepared with the goal of meeting the City’s infrastructure needs based on development projected within the City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan.  The September 2017 update incorporates current population and land use projections, and addresses impacts on the City’s sanitary sewer infrastructure due to development occurring since 2012, and due to proposed and projected development through the year 2040 to be consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan updates that are currently underway.
 
Key updates to the 2012 plan include:
• Estimated costs associated with infrastructure needed to serve future development areas,
• Estimations of growth and development anticipated through the year 2040, and
• Connection amounts based on estimated costs and development.
 
On November 21, Staff reviewed the September 2017 update with the Public Works Committee.  After their review, the Public Works Committee recommended City Council approval of the September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update as drafted, which includes the necessary trunk sanitary sewer infrastructure to serve the 167^th Area.
Incorporating this sanitary sewer infrastructure into the update ensures that a properly designed and coordinated sanitary sewer system will be available for future development of the 167^th area.
 
As noted in the attached memo from Bolton & Menk dated September 19, 2017, construction of the sanitary sewer infrastructure needed to serve the 167^th area increases connection fees by approximately 5%.  Without this infrastructure, development of the 167^th area would occur in an uncoordinated manner with infrastructure being constructed on a project-by-project basis, which would also not be cost-effective.
 
The September 2017 update also accounts for upsizing all trunk sanitary sewer lines to add the necessary capacity to serve the entire City when needed.  Staff supports this approach and believes this to be prudent planning, especially considering that regulatory agencies are anticipated to continue to place increased restrictions on private well and septic system developments within the Twin Cities metro area.

Notifications are not required for this case.

Observations:

Estimated 2021 – 2040 costs are based on improvements shown on the maps and included in the tables within the report, which include all proposed sanitary sewer improvements in the current 10-year CIP.

 

Alternatives:

Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #17-11-299 approving the September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update.

All costs associated with preparing the September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update are being paid from City Sewer Funds.

Staff recommends alternative #1.
 
The Public Works Committee recommended City Council approval of the September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update as attached.  The Committee agreed it is prudent to plan for development including public sanitary sewer connections throughout the entire City, in addition to the 167th Area.

Motion to adopt Resolution #17-11-299 approving the September 2017 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Study Update.