Adopt Resolution #17-12-315 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Public Hearing for Improvement Project #18-03, 2018 Street Overlay Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #17-12-315 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for Improvement Project #18-03, 2018 Street Overlay Improvements.

Background:
Numerous public street segments have Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) values between 3 and 5, indicating they are good candidates for receiving pavement overlay improvements.  Overlaying the streets identified within the attached Feasibility Report in 2018 will allow the City to maintain these streets in the most cost-effective manner throughout the serviceable life of the streets.
 
The Feasibility Report includes maps showing the specific street segments proposed to receive bituminous pavement overlay improvements in 2018.  These street segments are located in the following developments:

• Northfork
• Northfork Oaks
• Northfork 2^nd Addition
• Northfork 3^rd Addition
• Northfork Itasca Shores
• The North Forty 2^nd Addition
• The North Forty 3^rd Addition
• Woodland Green

 
The City of Ramsey’s Special Assessments Policy allows 25-percent of eligible overlay project costs to be assessed against benefiting properties.  Per Council approval and direction, Staff prepared a Feasibility Report for the proposed 2018 Street Overlay Improvements.  This allows special assessments to be considered as a funding source per the requirements of the City’s Special Assessment Policy, Chapter 8 of the City Charter, and Minnesota Statute, Chapter 429.  Copies of each of these documents are attached. 
 
The proposed improvements are designated as City Improvement Project #18-03, 2018 Street Overlay Improvements.

Upon Council approval, Staff will publish a Public Hearing Notice twice in the Anoka Union Herald, once on Friday, December 22, and again on Friday, December 29, 2017.

Observations:
The Feasibility Report explores numerous aspects of the proposed improvements including whether they are feasible, necessary, and cost-effective, and whether they should be completed alone or in conjunction with other improvements. Estimated costs were also identified, allowing a detailed project funding program to be proposed, which includes the use of special assessments.  A description of the methodology used to calculate individual special assessments for benefiting parcels is included in the report. A project schedule is also proposed within the report.

Staff has not yet conducted a public information meeting with identified benefiting property owners to explain the need for the proposed improvements, the scope of the improvements, estimated costs, proposed funding program, including the preliminary special assessments, and the proposed project schedule.  However, a public information meeting date is identified within the Feasibility Report, and upon Council acceptance of the Feasibility Report, Staff will mail notices of the meeting to all identified benefiting property owners. 

The Feasibility Report incorporates data that was gathered using Ground Penetrating Radar and soil borings.  This information helped verify the status of the existing pavement sections, and that the proper pavement maintenance operation is being proposed.
 
Holding the Public Hearing on January 9, 2018, will allow the project to proceed in a timely manner and to receive competitive bids next spring.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #17-12-315 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for Improvement Project #18-03, 2018 Street Overlay Improvements.

The Feasibility Report was completed in-house as part of staff’s regular duties.  The preparation of final plans and specifications will also be completed in-house as part of staff’s regular duties.

The City of Ramsey’s 5-year Street Reconstruction and Overlay Program includes the streets listed above as proposed 2018 overlay improvements, allowing the City to utilize street reconstruction bonds to fund the improvements.  The City’s 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) also identifies these streets as proposed 2018 overlay improvements.

Staff recommends approval of Alternative #1, allowing these public streets to be most cost-effectively maintained.

Motion to adopt Resolution #17-12-315 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for Improvement Project #18-03, 2018 Street Overlay Improvements.