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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2010 Street Rehab Zone 5OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING H MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010 The following are the special meeting minutes for the Public Improvement Hearing of the City Council held following the 6:00 p.m. meeting on Monday, March 1, 2010 in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, 590 40`" Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember Kelzenberg Tardy: Councilmember Williams PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING: 2010 STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR ZONE 5 A) Street Rehabilitation Projects 1) Presentation of Information on Street Rehabilitation Projects by Staff Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director, explained the feasibility reports completed on this area and the process used by staff to physically check the streets, which includes counting cracks, punching hales for street samples, and have a consulting firm strength rate the streets. With this information, staff recommends the work needed, which is seal coating, mill and overlay, or partial/full street reconstruction. Hansen stated that assessments or interest rates are not set at this meeting. The meeting is for citizen testimony and a decision on whether to proceed. This street program began in 1997, splitting the city in to seven zones. Due to the age of the streets in Columbia Heights, we have not been able to address every street in every zone, but dealt with the worst streets first in each zone. Locations for street work in Zone 5 2010 are: PARTIAL STREET RECC}NSTRUCTIdN 1. 4`h Street, 47`x' Avenue to 48t" Avenue 2. LVashington Street, 46`" Avenue to 47`" Avenue 3. 46`" Avenue, Jefferson Street to Monroe Street STREET MILL AND OVERLAY 1. Monroe Street, 45`" Avenue to 46`" Avenue 2. 45`" Avenue, University Avenue Service Drive to Monroe Street 3. 46`" Avenue, University Avenue Service Drive to 7`" Street. Hansen stated that utilities are also assessed for required improvements. The utilities in Zone 5 will require minimum maintenance. Yearly road repair is estimated at about $400,000 or $500,000, with utility work, but the program has been. reduced as the streets do not need as much work. Hansen explained the method of charging is by unit rate, not by front footage. The estimate for partial reconstruction is $1,725 and mill and overlay is $1,600 per lot. In the past, full reconstruction was $6,000. Columbia Heights does provide cost sharing for this with the City paying 15 percent of mill and overlay and 30 percent of street reconstruction. If the improvements are ordered, we would go out for bids, have apre-construction meeting, and then the work would be done. The levy or assessment hearing would take place in the fall. The assessment could be paid immediately or included on the property taxes over a ten year period. Nawrocki questioned sidewalk replacement. Hansen stated there would. be no sidewalks added, but damaged ones will be replaced. There will not be an assessment for sidewalks. Nawrocki questioned if the City of Hilltop would pay for the street portion adjacent to their city. Hansen stated yes, they will pay their share of the cost. Nawrocki questioned what budget funds would be used. Hansen indicated fund 430, with utility work coming from their prospective fund. 1. Questions and Comments on Street Rehabilitation Projects Paul Eich, representing Christ Life Evangelical Church, questioned if they would still be able to park on University Service Drive on Sundays. Hansen stated that work will be done Mondays through Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and streets will be open during construction. Peterson stated that we will ask our police department to allow parking on side streets if the area is muddy. Williams arrived at 6:37 p.m. Nawrocki stated that he drove these streets and did not see the need for this road work. He asked how we determine the need for work to be done. Hansen again explained the street evaluation process. This work is needed to keep up the maintenance of the street. Nawrocki requested a list of where the cracks are. Hansen referred to the maps distributed and pointed out the relatively limited amount of streets that need work. Nawrocki stated he could not see any serious problems on these streets. Hansen stated that you can not rely on a visual observation. Kathleen Mullen, 4528 4`" Street, stated that her street does not have cracks or potholes. With this economy, residents do not need these assessments. It can be extended over 10 years but then your taxes go up. Hansen explained that she has an avenue assessment far 47`" Avenue, which is one- third of the street rate. Hansen explained the street versus avenue rate. Janet Kendall, 4516 Monroe, stated that her family is on a fixed income and received two letters. Hansen explained the two areas she received Letters for. Kendall. again spoke of the financial hardship this would cause and she does not want another loan. She requested this project wait another year. Peterson read a letter from Donna, who stated she was unable to attend and expressed her dissatisfaction. for the city to cansider this. Peterson questioned the map from 46`" and Monroe to Jefferson, as the residential street assessment stops short of Jefferson. Hansen referred to the map. Peterson questioned the impact if streets were only seal coated and we put off street rehab work. I-Iansen explained the approach is to do the right thing at the right time. Once street deterioration reaches a certain point it has to be done or the street will get worse quickly. Hansen stated that we have already delayed the seal coat and can not continue to do so. If you do not maintain roads, the maintenance costs go up. R.V. Hansen, 4842 7`" Street, suggested this decision wait until after the snow is gone and that Council members go out and physically assess the streets with the residents of each neighborhood. Pehst stated that staff does not recommend putting off this work. The condition has been assessed and if not taken care of will get worse and cause a greater expense. We could look to see if there are any grant funds available to assist residents with the cost. Peterson indicated his confidence in our engineer's recommendations. They have studied the situation in depth. Williams questioned when a final decision was required. Hansen stated that a delay of one month would make for a tight timeline. Peterson questioned what would be gained. Diehm explained the senior citizen deferment program and deferring payment until your house is sold. Nawrocki indicated his leanled lack of confidence in engineering studies. The streets have held up fine since this study and look decent to him. He stated his understanding that it is difficult for people to pay for this. We should not proceed with this project. However, we would get better prices from the contractors at this time. Kelzenberg stated that this is his least favorite thing to do, but this is the best time to take bids. It will cost less to do the work now, rather than wait. Williams questioned the anticipated assessment interest rate. Hansen stated that bonding was done in 2009 with an interest rate of 5.5 percent with simple interest. Diehm stated that there is only a very small area where work needs to be done. Peterson suggested that residents contact city staff, Councilmember Nawrocki, and himself if they do not think the work needs to be done so they can meet and show them the issues. This is the worst year ever for pot holes. Another freezing cycle would cause more extensive street damage. Maybe the Community Development Department can look for funding assistance. Mullen complimented staff on the road improvements on 44th and 40th Avenues. B} Close the Public Hearin Mayor Peterson closed the public hearing of the 2010 Street Rehabilitation Project No. 1002. C) Consideration of Resolution Motion by Kelzenberg, second by Williams, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2010-14, there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Kelzenberg, second by Williams, to adopt Resolutian No. 2010-14, being a resolution. ordering improvements for Zane 5 Street Rehabilitation. Upon vote: Kelzenberg, aye; Williams, aye; Diehm, aye; Nawrocki, nay; Peterson, aye. 4 ayes - 1 nay. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Peterson adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m. _, ~'atricia Muscovitz C City lerk RESOLUTION 2010-14 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS AND PREPARATION OF PLANS FOR ZONE 5 STREET REHABILITIATION CITY PROJECT 1.002 WHEREAS, Resolution 2010-09 of the Columbia heights City Council adopted the 25`h day of January, 2010, fixed a date for a Council hearing on the proposed improvement bounded by University Avenue on the west, 44`h Avenue on the south, Central Avenue/Monroe Street on the east and 48`h Avenue on the north., AND WHEREAS, ten days' mailed. notice and two published notices of the hearing a week apart were given, and the hearing was held thereon the IS` day of March, 2010, at which all persons desiring to be heard were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. 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, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA: That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: PARTIAL STREET RECONSTRUCTION 1. 4"' Street, 47`'' Avenue to 48`" Avenue 2. Washington Street, 46`" Avenue to 47`" Avenue 3. 46`" Avenue, Jefferson Street to Monroe Street Work includes required utility reconstruction, spot replacement of curb and gutter with required concrete or bituminous driveway and walk/step replacement, reclaiming of existing street surface resulting in reclaimed aggregate base, new bituminous surfacing, sod restoration, miscellaneous construction items, and appurtenances. STREET MILL AND OVERLAY 1. Monroe Street, 45`" Avenue to 46`" Avenue 2. 45`" Avenue, University Avenue Service Drive to Monroe Street 3. 46`" Avenue, University Avenue Service Drive to 7`" Street Work includes required utility reconstruction/repair, spot replacement of curb and gutter with required concrete or bituminous driveway and walk/step replacement, milling of existing street surface, new bituminaus surfacing, sod restoration, miscellaneous construction items, and appurtenances. 2. Such improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible as detailed in the feasibility report. 3. Such improvement is hereby ordered as proposed in the Council Resolution adopted 25`" day of January, 2010 4. These improvements shall also be known as Project 1002 and. PIRs: 2010-ZS-03-001 for Partial Street Reconstruction and 2010-ZS-44-OOI for Street MiIl and Overlay. 5. The City Engineer, Kevin. Hansen, is hereby designated as the engineer for this improvement. The engineer shall prepare plans and specifications far the making of such improvement.