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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 9, 2004 Zone 7A.doc OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 9, 2004 The following are the minutes of a special meeting for the Public Improvement Hearing of the City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Wyckoff called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present: Mayor Wyck off, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Ericson, Councilmember Kelzenberg Excused Absence: Councilmember Nawrocki PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING: 2004 STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR ZONE 7A A) Full Street Reconstruction Projects 1) Presentation of Informa tion on Street Reconstruction Projects by Staff Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director, reviewed the agenda for the meeting. He stated that there was an informational meeting held last Wednesday night and he will address questions from that meeting. The purpo se of this meeting is for the City Council to determine if this work is necessary and to order the work to be done. Hansen listed the streets to be improved and described the process of street reconstruction. He explained the process of assessing necessary street repair in the prior year. Hansen stated that the sanitary sewer is in very good shape, but the storm sewer needs work in these areas. Repairs will be required to the water mains installed from 1913 to 1918. Lead jointed points will need to be repla ced. There will be tree removal done in the whole project area, along with requested tree replacement. Any hazardous sidewalks will be replaced. Hansen stated there was a question regarding the lot at 3942 Van Buren. This was a heavily flooded area that was purchased by the City and will be demolished. Hansen indicated that areas older than 1952 are suspect for galvanized or smaller water pipes, which would need to be replaced. The homeowner is responsible for the water service from the house to the stree t and this work does not include replacement to the home. Determination of required replacement will be at the time of reconstruct. Hansen referred to problems with connections to the sanitary sewer main and disjointing from the main. The estimated cost fo r street rehab is $1.35 million. That is a shared cost between the city and property owner. All the utility work is paid for except the sanitary and storm sewer costs. The cost estimate for each residential homeowner is $2,550. The actual cost will be dete rmined based on the construction cost. State law requires that the final cost cannot be higher than the estimated cost. Hansen indicated that following Council approval, bids would be let, and another public meeting would be held, with work beginning abo ut the end of May and lasting throughout the summer. Everyone would be given notice of the assessment hearing in mid - October. Hansen referred to questions from the public meeting: the gas company will replace the gas main, the storm sewer line at 3942 Va n Buren can be accessed through a boring process, sidewalks are replaced only if in unsatisfactory condition, trees would be replaced if requested. Hansen stated that access during construction would be limited, but available to homeowners from 7:00 p.m. t o 7:00 City Council Agenda Marc h 9, 2004 Page 2 of 4 a.m. Discussion has included temporarily changing the one way alley between Jackson and Van Buren to a two way alley for resident convenience. Hansen stated that project costs are only based on construction costs. We bond for the project with engine ering costs assumed by the city. Residential property is subsidized on a 50/50 basis. That does not apply to non - single family structures, as per city policy. Hansen stated that the assessment methodology is the same as for prior projects, with assessme nts placed on the property taxes. The repayment period for full reconstruction is 15 years. Wyckoff questioned if there is any charge by CenterPoint Energy. Hansen stated the replacement is at no cost to the resident. If there were a question on meters, residents would need to talk to the company. Wyckoff questioned water shut offs during the project. Hansen stated that residents would be give 24 hours notice and service interruptions may be four to eight hours. Wyckoff indicated that the cost is estimat ed, cannot be higher, and have been historically lower. Williams indicated that property assessments must raise the property value by the amount charged. Hansen explained that property values must increase by equal or greater than the amount assessed. Kelzenberg indicated his pleasure that this area would be improved. Williams referred to waterlines from the street to each home. Hansen again referred to the homes that may require a water service replacement. 2) Questions and Comments on Street Reconst ruction Projects th Ms. Miller, 720 38 , suggested a dip in the lot at 3942 Van Buren to temporarily hold excess water. Hansen stated the intent is to allow a dip for water runoff. Miller referred to being charged the $2,550 reconstruction fee and $1,200 wa ter service fee. Hansen stated that the water service fee would only be charged to the lots that do not meet code. Bill Johanneck, 3713 Van Buren, referred to vehicles speeding on his street and alley, and requested speed bumps be installed during cons truction. Wyckoff indicated that staff should refer this item to the Traffic Commission for review. Kelzenberg stated that he is the Council liaison to the Traffic Commission and indicated that a speed bump would not be approved. Hansen suggested this sho uld also be referred to the Police Department for traffic control. Don Mikre, 3855 and 3709 Jackson, stated that a seven percent interest rate is high compared to current rates. Hansen stated that the City Council sets the interest rate at the assessment hearing in October. Ericson questioned what the rate was last year. Hansen stated that the rate last year was five percent. Fehst indicated that he has spoken to Mr. Mirke’s father regarding the proposed project. John Tester, 3829 Quincy, questioned if a cement walk would go from the street to the sidewalk in front of each house. Hansen stated that in full reconstruction areas an approach walk is placed from the back of curb to the sidewalk. Steve Englund, 3975 Jackson, stated this is his third assessme nt in the nine years he has lived here, first for a parking pad, and then the alley. This is extreme and he will be forced to sell his home. Hansen described the alley project completed in 1999, which was subsidized by the city. Fehst referred to other occ urrences where residents were assessed for alley and street work. Williams indicated the improvements would increase the property value. Williams stated that interest rates were low last year and may be so again this year. Hansen stated that the alley work was $1,200 to residents and adjacent commercial properties paid $2,900 for the ten year assessment. City Council Agenda Marc h 9, 2004 Page 3 of 4 Miller felt her property would need the sewer replacement also. Hansen stated through televising we found disjointing and he could research her property in the records. th Jeff Hage, representing 715 - 717 39 Avenue and 3856 Quincy Street, stated their parking lot was established to help the neighborhood and does not use any of the utilities involved. He did not agree with being charged a commercial rate. T he cost to them as non - residential would be $14,075 and is unfair. He did not believe the property value would increase at all. Hansen stated that use of the property is irrelevant by State law. Church parking lots are treated in the same manner. Our own th p arking lot is being charged $29,000. Hansen stated that 39 is a State Aid roadway, and for the prior 35 years has not been assessed. Williams asked how we arrive at the non - residential rate. Hansen stated that the rate is the actual construction cost, with the only subsidy being no charge for engineering or surveying. Wyckoff asked if residents or businesses could use the contracted prices for other work. Hansen stated the pricing is passed along for other improvements, such as driveways, through unit p ricing. th Miller spoke on Mr. Hage’s behalf regarding 39 Avenue. Hansen stated the charge is an avenue rate for work on an adjacent street. Ericson stated that the Council deals with individual concerns at the assessment hearing. Hansen stated that the c ase has been presented, we will look at the situation, but would need to consider past practice. Wyckoff asked if there is a curb cut on the Quincy side of the parking lot. Hage stated there was not, and he has planted grass and trees to match the other ya rds. Dave Dvorak, 3935 Van Buren, questioned if there would be a new drain. Hansen indicated yes. Dvorak stated there is a lot of traffic on his street that should not be on residential streets, such as buses and semis. He asked if the weight placed on th e road is considered during reconstruction. Hansen stated the roads are designed to handle garbage trucks and bus traffic. Dvorak asked if the street could be posted with a weight limit. Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer, indicated this was already post ed. Hansen stated this could also be referred to the Traffic Commission. Dvorak asked if the sidewalks lifted by tree roots would be replaced. Hansen stated they would. B) Close the Public Hearing Wyckoff closed the Public Hearing on the 2004 Street Rehab ilitation Project # 0402. C) Consideration of Resolution Motion 1) by Kelzenberg, second by Williams, to waive the reading of Resolution No.2004 - 13, there Motion carried. being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion by Kelzenberg, s econd by Williams, to adopt Resolution No. 2004 - 13, being a resolution Motion carried. ordering improvements for Zone 7A Street Rehabilitation. Upon vote: All ayes. RESOLUTION 2004 - 13 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND THE PREPARATION OF PLANS FO R ZONE 7A STREET REHABILITIATION CITY PROJECT 0402 th WHEREAS, Resolution 2004 - 07 of the Columbia Heights City Council adopted the 9 day of February, 2004, fixed a date for a th Council hearing on the proposed improvement bounded on Central Avenue on the ea st, 37 Avenue on the south, University Avenue th th th nd Service Road on the west, and 40 Avenue on the north, and 7 Street from 40 Avenue to 42 Avenue, AND WHEREAS, ten days’ mailed notice and two published notice of the hearing a week apart was given, an d the hearing was held th thereon the 9 day of March, 2004, at which all persons desiring to be heard were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. City Council Agenda Marc h 9, 2004 Page 4 of 4 WHEREAS, the Council determines to proceed with this local improvement, a portion of the cost being defraye d by special assessments under Charter provisions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA: 1. That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: th th nd th th Full street reconstruction of 7 Street, 40 to 42 Avenues, Quincy Street, 37 to 39 Avenues, Quincy Street south of th th th th th 40 Avenue, Jackson Street, 37 to 40 Avenues and Van Buren Street, 37 to 40 Avenues. Work includes required utility reconstruction, new granular sub - base if needed, new aggregate base, new concrete curb and gutter with driveway aprons, required water service replacement and sanitary sewer service repair, required concrete or bituminous driveway and walk/step replacement, sod restoration, miscellaneous construction items, and appurtenances. 2. Such improvement is necessary, cost - effective, and feasible as detailed in the feasibility report. th 3. Such improvement is hereby ordered as proposed in the Council Resolution adopted 9 day of February, 2004. 4. These improvements shall also be known as P.I.R. #1083 - Project 0402. 5. The City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, is hereby designated as the engineer for this improvement. The engineer shall prepare plans and specifications for the making of such improvement. Hansen stated that resident s would receive a notice regarding the pre - construction process in May. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wyckoff adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. ____________________________ Patricia Muscovitz, CMC Deputy City Clerk/Council Secretary