Adopt Resolution #18-221 Accepting Feasibility Report and Ordering Public Hearing for Improvement Project #19-03, Wood Pond Hills and Chestnut Ridge Street Reconstructions

Purpose:

The purpose of this case is to consider adopting Resolution #18-221 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for Improvement Project #19-03, Wood Pond Hills and Chestnut Ridge Street Reconstructions.

 

Background:

City Improvement Project No. 19-03 proposes to reconstruct streets within the Wood Pond Hills and Chestnut Ridge neighborhoods including 146th Avenue, Helium Street, and Krypton Street. The streets total approximately 3,310 linear feet (0.63 miles) in length. A map showing the location and scope of the proposed improvements is included as Figure 1 in Appendix A.

 

The streets were constructed between 1992 and 1994 with bituminous pavement, surmountable concrete curb and gutter, and concrete storm sewer. The streets were constructed to a width of 30-feet from face-of-curb to face-of-curb, and are centered within a 60-foot wide right-of-way.

 

The existing bituminous pavement section ranges from 1.6 to 5.0 inches thick, with a median thickness of 2.5-inches. This was determined from Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) analysis performed by Braun Intertec in 2017, as well as from field observations and record plan documents. Copies of Braun Intertec’s GPR results are attached in Appendix C. The pavement section was built on generally poorly graded sand with silt subgrade material generally considered usable for pavement support with proper conditioning.

 

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 2018, the pavement sections of the above referenced street segments were rated with a PASER rating of 2, with the exception of the south half of Krypton Street receiving a rating of 4. Ratings of 4 and below indicate these streets require complete reconstruction. City Staff patch the streets at least once per year, particularly before winter so the streets can be plowed without further damaging the pavement in the process. Pictures of the streets are located in Appendix A.

 

Proposed improvements include removing and replacing all damaged concrete curb and gutter sections, and reconstructing the existing bituminous pavement section using the Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) process. This process would involve reclaiming the entire existing bituminous pavement section, along with the existing aggregate base. This reclaim material would then be spread over the reshaped and compacted subgrade between the curb and gutter, then the top 3 ½ -inches of reclaim material would be removed and hauled off site, after which 3 ½ -inches of new bituminous pavement would be installed over the remaining compacted reclaim material. This would result in a 7-ton pavement design, which is standard for residential streets.

 

Existing sanitary sewer and watermain infrastructure are in good condition. The existing storm sewer system is also in good condition with only minor work being proposed.

 

The engineer’s opinion of probable costs for completing the proposed improvements outlined in this report is $372,236.52. Estimated costs include 5-percent contingency costs plus 23-percent indirect costs for administrative, engineering, finance and legal costs. A summary of the engineer’s opinion of probably costs is included in Appendix B.

 

A total of 59 assessable parcels have been identified. Staff recommends applying 25-percent of the eligible project costs equally across the 59 assessable properties using the “per lot” assessment method. Eligible project costs include everything except subgrade correction costs. This results in a proposed preliminary assessment rate of $1,303.70 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 8, 2019. 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.

 

Ten (10) soil borings were completed by Northern Technologies (NTI) to assist with the preparation of this report. Pavement design recommendations were offered by NTI, and Staff considered and incorporated NTI’s recommendations to varying degrees while preparing this report. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was conducted on 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 NTI’s Geotechnical Exploration Report are attached in Appendix C.

 

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 neighborhood information meeting for November 7, 2018 for the purpose of explaining the proposed improvements and assessments in more detail, and to gather public 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 on November 13, 2018.

 

This project would best be constructed as a stand-alone project and 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 26 and November 2, 2018.  Staff will also mail Public Hearing Notices to the owners of all benefiting properties.

Observations:
If these streets are not reconstructed in 2019, they would need to be added to the next 5-year SROP to allow reconstruction between 2020 and 2024 instead.  However, this would reduce the amount of pavement maintenance work that can be completed in 2019 since no new streets can be added to the current 5-year SROP, which is attached for reference.  This is the final year of the 2015 - 2019 Street Reconstruction and Overlay Program (SROP).
 
Developed properties along the project corridor may have private irrigation systems. Impacts to these systems may occur during construction. 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.
 
Following Council approval to order the Public Hearing, Staff will initiate survey work on site to allow this information to be collected before it snows.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #18-221 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for November 13, 2018, for Improvement Project #19-03, Wood Pond Hills and Chestnut Ridge Street Reconstructions.

Alternative #2 – Motion denying adoption of Resolution #18-221 at this time.

The Feasibility Report was completed in-house as part of Staff's normal duties.
 
Per the attached Feasibility Report, the engineer’s opinion of probable project costs is $372,236.52.  Staff proposes to fund the proposed improvements using a combination of special assessments to benefiting properties, street reconstruction bond funds, and stormwater utility funds, as needed.
 
A total of 59 residential parcels will benefit from the proposed improvements and are preliminarily proposed to be assessed for 25-percent of eligible project costs which totals $76,918.30.  Subgrade correction costs are not eligible for assessments and are paid 100% by the City.  This equates to preliminary assessments of $1,303.70 per parcel. The City will fund the remaining project costs, which totals $295,318.22.  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.  This will allow the project to be constructed as part of the 2019 Street Maintenance Program, and will 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 #18-221 accepting the Feasibility Report and ordering a Public Hearing for November 13, 2018, for Improvement Project #19-03, Wood Pond Hills and Chestnut Ridge Street Reconstructions.