HomeMy WebLinkAboutSept 27, 1979OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 27, 1979
The meeting was called to order at: 8:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki Present
PURPOSE OF MEETING
Mayor Nawrocki stated that this was a special meeting called for the purpose of
reviewing the problems being experienced with the paving work on 42½ and 44½
Avenues and specifically to discuss findings by Braun Engineering who were hired
to test the work.
PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
The City Manager introduced Mr. Cameron Kruse, Vice President of Braun Engineering,
and Mike Heuer, project engineer. Mr. Kruse stated what types of testing were done.
Braun's recommendation is that, in the aread where distress is observed, 12'l of
subgrade be removed and replaced with a dry soil, filter fabric, and the bituminous
be replaced. This procedure will result in a good pavement. The areas that they
recommended as needing repair on 44½ are each side from 7' to 10' out from the curb
almost the length of the street. There are some areas along the center that also
need repair. On 42½ approximately 15% of the areas will need to be taken out.
After repairs have been made the final bituminous will be laid.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Joe Kowal, 1200 44½, asked how many years of service can be expected from the road.
Mr. Kruse responded that this should provide pavement of the type on any street
and should last from seven to ten years in general with patching as necessary.
John Kruse, 1038 44½, asked about load limits in the spring because of the garbage
trucks and the damage they do. Mr. Cameron Kruse answered that the filter fabric
should eliminate much of the problem because it will allow the water to drain and
keep the subgrades from mixing and breaking down.
Discussion continued on the subdrain materials used to move water. Mr. Kruse feels,
however, that the use of subdrains is not economically feasible for this project.
Marshall Larson, lO16 44½, asked if the base material meets the specs. Mr. Kruse
answered that it did. The Mayor asked whether salvage material was adequate to do
the job. Mr. Kruse answered that the salvage material which was used did not meet
the typical spec for base material usually used. Typically if this type of base is
used, more asphalt is laid to make up for it.
Discussion followed on the base material and whether this material was adequate at
this time for this street.
September 27, 1979
Page 2
Mr. Kruse again reviewed his recommendation to ren~ove the existing bituminous base
in areas that show distress. The material should be removed to a minimum depth of
12~ below the aggregate base, place the filter fabric, bring in a dry soil, put
in a class 5 or 6 base, and proceed ~ith the paving.
Mayor Na~rocki asked what percentage of the streets would have to be removed.
Kruse answered that approximately 70f~ of q4~ and 15~ of ~2~ would have to be
repaired for an estimated total cost of
The City Manager stated that the contractor would proceed with whatever work is found
to be needed based on the engineer's testing, however, they may seek arbitration if
they do not agree that the work was improperly done originally. The City does not
know at this time if the contractor disagrees with the testing company's findings.
City Attorney Kalina stated that there is an arbitration clause in the contract
allowing either party to seek arbitration from a third party. In most cases this
is binding. Councilman Logacz recommended the total cost of redoing the street
be submitted to arbitration.
The City Attorney stated that the Council can accept or reject the engineering
company's recommendations. If they accept, there are certain expenditures which
will have to be made such as the authorization to purchase the filter fabric. The
contractor shows a willingness to go on with the work and this should be authorized
by the Council. The remaining problem is that the cost to the residents may be
more than what they were told at the hearing authorizing the project.
Mayor Nawrocki stated that he doesn't think the contractor is acting in good faith
with the City because he fails to appear at Council meetings to discuss the
problem. He added he feels that the backfilling should have at least been done.
The work on 5th Street also remains undone although a partial payment has been made
to NDH.
Councilman Heintz stated that these residents were told a price at the original
hearing and doesn't feel they should have to pay more now. Because of the lateness
of the season, the primary concern should be to get the streets done. Councilman
Hentges noted that the City is holding back some monies, approximately
Discussion continued on whether NDH is capable of doing a good job now when they
didn't in the first place.
Glen Peterson, Il00 44~, asked whether the contractor's actions weren't a breach
of contract. The City Attorney answered that under the contract the City is
obligated to make certain payments at certain times during the work. The Council
decided not to make a full payment, so NDH pulled off the job. The City then
decided to pay an additional amount to get the contractor back on the job. He
explained why it wouldn't be a good idea to try to get another contractor to finish
the job.
Mayor Nawrocki stated that personally he would opt to get the work done elsewhere.
However, the City Attorney's advise should probably be followed.
September 27, 1979
Page 3
The Mayor stated that the question of whether the additional costs remain as part
of the cost of the project or come out of general City funds is still a question
to be answered by the Council at the time of the assessment hearing.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the staff to proceed with the
add ons in accordance with George Brown's letter of September 26, 1979 and to
authorize the purchase of the filter fabric according to low competitive bids.
Roll Call: All Ayes
The City Manager stated that the contractor has asked for a payment which was
previously withheld.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to deny authorization of any further payments
to NDH at the present time.
Roll Call: All Ayes
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.
Roll Call: All Ayes
Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor
Council Secretary