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