The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/03/2014 Pub Hearing AlleyCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MARCH 3, 2014 6:30 PM CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COUNCIL CHAMBERS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING: 2014 CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM CITY PROJECT 1402 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY PRO TEM Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, to appoint Carole Blowers as Secretary Pro Tem. Motion passed unanimously. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Nawrocki, Schmitt. Absent: Councilmember Diehm Also present: City Manager Walt Fehst, Public Works Director Kevin Hansen, Assistant City Engineer Kathy Young, City Attorney Jim Hoeft, and Secretary Pro Tem Carole Blowers. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING ON THE 2014 CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM, CITY PROJECT 1402 Public Works Director, Kevin Hansen, reviewed the background of this program. The City Council accepted the Feasibility Report and ordered an Improvement Hearing for March 3, 2014 at their meeting of January 27, 2014. The following alleys are proposed to be reconstructed with concrete: Van Buren Street to Central Avenue, 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue Van Buren Street to Central Avenue, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue, and Quincy Street to Monroe Street, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue. Staff held an Informational Meeting on February 27, 2014, at City Hall from 6:30 PM to approximately 7:00 PM; there were approximately seven residents that attended that meeting. (Councilmember Nawrocki requested a copy of the notice that went out for the Informational Meeting.) Copies of the Feasibility Report were available to the public at this meeting. At the January 27, 2014, regular city council meeting, the Feasibility Report that details the scope of work and estimated costs for the alleys was distributed. Braun Intertec did the testing of the condition of the alleys, and staff evaluated those tests. The Mayor stated we have used this company before. They are professional and he trusts them. The alleys will be reconstructed with concrete. Small areas of bituminous or concrete parking lot and turf area adjacent to the alleys will be reconstructed to match the new alley grades. This will require construction easements from many of the adjacent properties. Because of grade differences, several properties have no access to the alley. In a previous assessment (1999), council reduced the assessments by 37.5 %. In this case, residential properties would pay Public Improvement Hearing March 3, 2014 Page I $1,281.25. This reduction is not reflected in the financing. This would increase cost to infrastructure fund. Both alleys between Van Buren Street and Central Avenue have flat areas prone to ponding. Storm sewer will be extended to improve the drainage. Private and city owned retaining walls range from good to poor condition. Staff suggests replacing one city wall in the alley from Quincy Street to Monroe Street, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue, as part of the construction. The cost to replace this wall will not be assessed. Estimated Costs are: Concrete alley construction $401,120. Utilities $* Project funding is proposed as follows: Total Assessments $273,620 Infrastructure Fund (construction) $114,750 Infrastructure Fund (Eng /Admin) $ 12,750 Storm Sewer Fund $* Assessment will be 45% (resident/business) /55% (city share) split per diem rate, not based on front footage. The costs and associated funding for utility work will be determined during the final design. Past Assessments: There have been past assessments for Quincy Street (2001 full street reconstruction), Monroe Street (2002 full street reconstruction) and Van Buren Street (2004 full street reconstruction). Details of the outstanding amounts for individual properties have been provided to the Council under separate cover. Resident Sentiment at Informational Meetinl?: Residents /property owners attending the meeting (about 10) asked questions about the surfacing material (concrete vs. bituminous), drainage improvements, alley access during construction, and cost. There was limited discussion about the condition of the alley and need to do the work. Prior to the meeting, two property owners with no access to the alleys questioned if the assessment applied to them. The Public Works Director stated that tonight the council will only take action on either voting yes to this project or voting no to this project. He answered several questions relating to costs and years of life of the reconstruction. The Mayor asked if any residents wished to speak at this public hearing. Steve Sanchez, 3923 Van Buren, advised he is a new resident (since 2012). Mr. Sanchez advised that the street seems OK to him, and the alley might need some smoothing out at the bottom. He wanted clarification on the amount of the assessment to him. Greg Ochs, 4256 Central, had concerns about the retaining wall if removed, and wants to know for sure if does it belong to the city or not. He voiced his concerns about the construction impeding his Public Improvement Hearing March 3, 2014 Page 2 shipping and receiving product for his business and would there be any compensation to the business when goods must be stored if unable to ship and receive? Dale Schmiesin, 3951 Van Buren, advised he is a 15 year resident. He stated there is a definite drainage issue, and he has been dealing with flooding for 15 years. This drainage issue must be addressed, and he wanted to know if hydraulic surveys have been done. The Public Works Director stated that we have only done preliminary planning. Councilmember Nawrocki asked if the drainage problem can be worked on separately from the alley construction. The Mayor asked if anyone else wished to speak. Being none, the Mayor recessed this public hearing at 7:28 p.m. This public hearing reconvened at 9:45 p.m. Councilmember Diehm was present at this time. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt, to close the Public Hear- ing of the 2014 Concrete Alley Construction, City Project No. 1402. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt, to waive the reading of Resolution 2014 -11, there being ample copies available to the public. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt, to adopt Resolution 2014- 11, being a resolution ordering improvements and preparation of plans for 2014 Concrete Alley Construction, City Project 1402. Upon Vote: Ayes: Schmitt, Williams, Diehm, Peterson; Nays: Nawrocki. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r Carole J. Blp`wers Secretary Pro Tem RESOLUTION 2014 -11 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS AND PREPARATION OF PLANS FOR CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION CITY PROJECT 1402 WHEREAS, Resolution 2014 -07 of the Columbia Heights City Council adopted the 27th day of January, 2014 fixed a date for a Council hearing on the proposed improvements for certain alleys; AND WHEREAS, ten day's mailed notice and two published notices of the hearing a week apart were given, and the hearing was held on the 3rd day of March, 2014, at which all persons desiring to be heard were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. Public Improvement Hearing March 3, 2014 Page 3 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: 1. That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION Between Van Buren Street and Central Avenue from 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue Between Van Buren Street and Central Avenue from 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue Between Monroe Street and Quincy Street from 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue Work includes storm sewer construction, new granular sub -base (if needed), new aggregate base, new concrete alley and aprons, restoration of bituminous or concrete driveways, concrete sidewalk/steps and sod, 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 the 27th day of January, 2014. 4. These improvements shall also be known as Project 1402 and PIR: 2014 -AL -06 -001 and 2014 -A1 -06 -002 for Concrete Alley Construction, and 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. Public Improvement Hearing March 3, 2014 Page 4