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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 21, 1994OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MARCH 21, 1994 The Public Improvement Hearing was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Sturdevant. l. ROLL CALL Jolly, Nawrocki, Ruettimann, Peterson, Sturdevant - present PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION BY STAFF a. Steer Sealcoating in Southwest Quadrant The City Manager gave a brief history of the City's policy regarding street sealcoating. There are 1,873 privately owned parcels, 22 city owned parcels and 3 tax forfeit parcels included in this project. Engineering and administrative costs are not being included in the assessment at the direction of the City Council. These costs are being paid from the City's General Fund. The Public Works Director reviewed the project. He noted that the University Avenue service road is being included in the project. Me also noted that the costs being presented are estimates only. The estimates for this project are higher than the costs of the sealcoat project last year as this project ts dealing with older streets and significant surface repair. There is a one year contractor's guarantee on labor and materials. The City crews do the patching work. Councilmember Nawrocki inquired if the problems of vibration of heavy vehicles and buses on'the University Avenue service road would be alleviated with this sealcoating. The Public Works Director advised that a skin patch will done on this stretch of roadway. Me also feels the base is problem free and there is no indication of a soft sub-base. Me believes the vibration problems will decrease with the ~ealcoattng. A resident inquired if state aid funds can only be used for state aid designated streets. The Public Works Director responded this is the case and he explained the requirements of a state aid street. A one year levy is being recommended with a 9 1/2% interest rate added to the unpaid balance. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MARCH 21, 1994 PAGE 2 Councilmember Nawrocki advised that the interest rate is based on what was paid for bond money whch supports the PIR Fund. He questioned the high percentage of 9 1/2%. The City Manager suggested the appropriate time for the Council to set the interest rate would be at the levy hearing in the Fall. He felt the interest would probably be in the 5% to 6% range. He will prepare a recommendation for a proposed interest rate for presentation at the levy hearing. Councilmember Nawrocki requested staff to make a report to the Council on any information gotten regarding interest rates on unpaid assessments. He felt this was information property owners should have as this will be part of their costs. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Ruettimann to authorize staff to proceed with Project #9401, sealcoating of streets in the southwest quadrant, with the understanding that the interest rate will be reviewed on unpaid assessments. Roll call: All ayes b. Erosion Control on East Bank of LaBelle Park This proposed project affects fourteen properties. Staff is recommending that all fourteen properties be assessed equally. The alternative method of assessment could be on a footage basis. Administrative and engineering charges have been recommended for inclusion in this project assessment costs. The Public Works Director reviewed the proposed project. It focuses on erosion control on the east bank of LaBelle Park from 1207 to 1337 Circle Terrace Boulevard. He noted it will include a mat being installed on the bank slope which is to stay in place until the turf has been established. The Minnesota National Guard was contacted regarding its participation in this project. The work assigned to members of the National Guard would include clearing the area and removing existing retaining walls. The participation of the National Guard would reduce the project costs by about $81,281.00. The City has also received commitments for grants from the Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District for 1992 and 1993 of approximately $30,000 each. If work on this project has not commenced by July 1, 1994, the 1992 grant will be lost. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MARCH 21, 1994 PAGE 3 The resident at 1251 Circle Terrace is of the opinion that his property is not experiencing any soil erosion. He feels property owners should not be assessed for what he views as a park project. A former resident of Circle Terrace advised she chose not to purchase a home on that street because of soil erosion. She feels the erosion is a direct consequence of a change in drainage which resulted when a garage was built in 1988. She also noted this owner placed debris behind the garage structure and the composition of that debris added to the problem. Councilmember Nawrocki was of the opinion that if the development had not occurred there would be no erosion. He observed that some properties have been maintained and some have not. Discussion continued regarding the effectiveness of the proposed solutions using a mat. It was felt that youngsters who live or come to the park may negate its effectiveness relatively quickly. It was suggested that fencing be installed both at the bottom and at the top of the slope to deter youthful activity. Councilmember Nawrocki acknowledged that there are no guarantees that the mat will work but it is the most cost effective way to control the problem and the erosion. He inquired if staff felt fencing could be a solution for detering activity. The Public Works Director responded it could and recommended that two fences be installed. Councilmember Nawrocki noted it had been suggested that the properties at 1343, 1349 and 1355 Circle Terrace be included in the project. He inquired if the public hearing could be extended to include these three properties and still meet the deadlines for grant eligibility. The Public Works Director advised this could be done. Councilmember Nawrocki stated he could support proceeding with the project if the assessable costs do not include any engineering costs and each parcel assessment did not exceed $3,000 not including interest. It was noted that since easements are needed for this project the easement costs will have to be added to the project. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MARCH 21, 1994 PAGE 4 Motion by Nawrocki, second by Jolly to continue the hearing until the regular Council Meeting of Monday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers; that the assessment is to be no more than $3,000 per property; that the hearing will be extended to the properties at 1343, 1349 and 1355 Circle Terrace; that staff is authorized to proceed with parts of the project short of making any actual contracts; and is to look at the desirability of fencing at the top and/or the bottom of the hill as has been talked about and with costs; and that the City costs on this project would come from the Park Capital Fund. Roll call: All ayes CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 94-17; BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS, P.I.R. #889, PROJECT #9401 Motion by Nawrocki, second by Jolly to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 94-17 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights on the 10th day of January, I994 ordered notice of a hearing to be given to property owners; and WHEREAS, pursuant to a notice of hearing certain residents appeared at a Council Meeting on the 21st day of March, 1994, and WHEREAS, the Council determines to proceed with this local improvement, a portion of the cost being defrayed by special assessments under Charter provisions. NOW, THEREFORE,' IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: 1. That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MARCH 21, 1994 PAGE 5 Sealcoating streets of all bituminous City streets in the Southwest Quadrant of the City (Area II) plus University Avenue service road from 44th Avenue NE to 53rd Avenue NE. The Southwest Quadrant of the City is that part bounded by California Street on the west from 37th Avenue to 40th Avenue and Main Street on the west (not included) from 40th Avenue to 45th Avenue, 45th Avenue NE on the north from Main Street to University Avenue and 44th Avenue NE on the north from University Avenue service Road to Central Avenue, Central Avenue on the east (not included) and 37th Avenue NE on the south (not included). Work would include selective concrete curb and gutter replacement, bituminous surface patching and sealcoat application. That the materials to be used are as follows: Miscellaneous concrete curb repair, bituminous patching, asphalt emulsion and sealcoat aggregate. That a careful estimate of the cost of the improvements has been made by the City Manager and the several lots and parcels of land fronting upon and adjacent to such proposed improvements, which be deemed benefited thereby, were properly notified of said hearings, and That the City Manager shall also list the names and owners of the several parcels so improved as nearly as can be ascertained· That the City Manager shall proceed with taking of bids for the improvements, or portions of the improvements, as stated herein. These improvements shall also be known as P.I.R. #889 - Project #9401. If the cost, after receiving the bids, exceeds 10% of the estimate, the public hearing will be reopened. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MARCH 21, 1994 PAGE 6 That the policy would be that administrative and engineering costs will not be part of the assessment and will be paid by the City. Passed this 21st day of March, 1994. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll call: Nawrocki Jolly All ayes Mayor Joseph Sturdevant Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Motion by Nawrocki, second by Jolly to authorize staff to seek sealed bids for 1994 sealcoating of streets in Southwest Quadrant, Project ~9401, P.I.R. #889. Roll call: All ayes ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ruettimann, second by Peterson to adjourn the Public Improvement Hearing at 10:25 p.m. Roll call: All ayes ayor ~J~se'~h Sturdevant o-Anne Student, Council Secretary