HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [04] Apr 25April 25, 2013
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session
on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Bob Loso, Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve
Frank. Administrator Judy Weyrens.
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Randy Sabart, City Attorney Tom Jovanovich.
Others Present: Tom Klein, Brad Veenstra, Al Stellmach, Greg Kacures, Gladys Schneider, Don
Schneider.
2013 Street Improvement Public Hearing Mayor Schultz opened the public hearing and stated the
purpose of the hearing is to consider the making of an improvement on the following streets: Baker
Street, from 2nd Avenue SE to 7th Avenue SE; 7th Avenue SE from Baker Street to Minnesota Street E;
Ridgewood Court, from Ridgewood Road (CR 134) to the cul -de -sac, approximately 1,100 feet west of
Ridgewood Road (CR 134); Cedar Street E, from 1st Avenue NE to Northland Drive; 1st Avenue NE, from
Cedar Street to Date Street E; Date Street E, from College Avenue N (CSAH 2) to 1st Avenue NE; Date
Street W, from 1st Avenue NW to College Avenue N (CSAH 2); and 1st Avenue NW, from CSAH 75 to
Date Street W by bituminous overlay
Sabart stated that streets are typically designed for a twenty year life, which can be extended by routine
maintenance such as crack sealing and seal coating. The streets being considered for improvement are
those that have been identified in the 2008 Street Maintenance Plan in need of repair. Within the project
area, the majority of the utilities are relatively new and operational; however there is one section along
Cedar Street and 1st Avenue NW that has old cast iron pipes that need replacement. Ridgewood Court
is unique as water service is not available and properties are serviced by wells but sewer service is
provided. Sabart presented illustrations of the pavement deterioration on each section of the project.
The proposed improvement will include a 1.5 inch Bituminous Overlay, with a six foot wide edge mill,
some areas will include a reclaim and pave which includes pulverizing existing pavement into aggregate
mixture and pave new bituminous base and wear course. Other improvements include replacing
sidewalk and pedestrian ramps at intersections, replace street/name and regulatory signs as needed and
replacing pavement markings.
The proposed improvements include reclaiming the existing pavement and constructing new bituminous
base and wear course, replacing the sidewalk and pedestrian ramps, replacing street name /regulatory
signs, and replacing street marking on Cedar Street. The following is a summary of probable costs:
Construction $ 307,300
Contingency 30,800
Engineering 52,300
Soil Borings 3,500
Fiscal /Legal /Engineering 30,800
Total $ 424,700
Sabart stated that it has been the past practice of the City to assess the affected property owners a
portion of the cost. In this case it is proposed that the property owners be assessed 60% of the costs
based on the front footage with the exception of the property located adjacent to Ridgewood Court. Due
to the configuration of the lots abutting Ridgewood Court/Road, the proposed assessment is based on
total area. The proposed assessments are consistent with the Assessment Policy adopted by the City
Council.
Constructing a public improvement and assessing a portion of the costs requires a series of public
hearings. The first hearing, being conducted at this time is to determine if the project is needed. The
second hearing is an assessment hearing, where the actual assessment cost per lot is prepared and the
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Council is considering adopting and certify the assessment, passing the costs to the affected property
owners.
In conclusion Sabart stated that if the Council adopts a resolution at this meeting ordering the
improvement, the project will be designed and bid. The Council would conduct an assessment hearing in
late July and construction could begin in August. The project is a relatively small project and will only
require one to two weeks for construction.
At this time Mayor Schultz opened the floor to those present for questions.
Al Stellmach, owner of Ridgewood Storage requested clarification on how the property owners abutting
Ridgewood Road are being assessed as he has a large front footage compared to others and they will all
enjoy the same benefit.
Sabart responded that the project as it relates to Ridgewood Road is being assessed on a total
square footage due to the configuration of lots. All the property owners who access their property via
Ridgewood Road are being assessed on a per square foot basis.
Greg Kacures, 307 1st Ave SE, stated it is his opinion that Date Street is not in need of repair and has
seen streets in worse condition. He further stated that if the City is not reconstructing the streets the
cracks will only come back after time. In addition he stated that Minnesota Street West is in need of
repair and maybe the City should consider putting the resources on that street rather than Dale Street.
Sabart responded that the City is proposing the improvement to Date Street to extend the life of
the street. The goal of the City is to get 30 t0 35 years of life on the streets. If the City waits until the
street is in too bad of shape, then the only recourse is reconstruction which is more costly. Sabart
concurred with Kacures that the existing cracks will eventually surface again, but that is where the City
maintenance plan is important. The City reviews streets and seal coats and crack fills area routinely to
maximize the life of the road. With regard to the condition of Minnesota Street West, that road is under
control of Stearns County and the City is in the process of negotiating the terms of the turn back and what
improvements will be required.
Al Stellmach questioned access during construction. Sabart stated that the project proposed is relatively
quick with the work being completed in one to two days. The only time that access will be limited is when
the pavement is being laid down and by the end of the day access will be provided.
Gladys Schneider, 118 — 3rd Ave SE, questioned the need for the project. She stated that Baker Street
was reconstructed in 1992 and in her opinion is not a road that is heavily traveled and is in good shape.
She further stated that the road cracked within the first year after reconstruction and questions why now it
needs to be repaired.
Sabart responded the purpose of the improvement is to extend the life of the road to get the most
life out of the street before having to reconstruct again. It is important to complete maintenance before
the streets are too are gone.
The public hearing was closed at 7:05 PM.
Schultz questioned what percentage of streets in the City go through the process of maintenance as
proposed at this time. Sabart state that all streets are reviewed with the goal of protecting the investment
in infrastructure. The timing of the improvement is based on the life cycle of the street. The City tries to
keep street from deteriorating by making overlay improvements. The goal of the City is to preserve the
investment in the most cost effective manner. Schultz questioned how much longer an overlay
improvement will extend the life of the street to which Sabart responded at least ten years. The City
typically sees a life of 30 to 35 years by constructing the improvements.
Frank questioned that one area does not have water and would it make sense to include water at this
time. Sabart stated that the area that does not have water is on Ridgewood Road /Court. Due to financial
constraints the project does not include the extension of water service, but it could be added if the Council
is inclined to do so. At the time the City installed sewer, the improvements were placed in the boulevard,
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not in the street; therefore, if water is not extended at this time, the road would not have to be disturbed in
the future.
Loso made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution 2013 -017
ordering the 2013 Street Improvement. The motion was seconded by Symanietz.
Discussion: Wick clarified that at this time the Council is authorizing the design of the project
which will then be presented to the Council for authorization to advertise for bids. Sabart affirmed and
stated that after the bids are received the City Council will conduct a special assessment hearing. All
affected residents will be mailed a notice which illustrates the exact amount to be assessed for the
project. If the Council accepts the assessment roll the project is awarded after the appeal time period has
expired. It is at this time that the project officially moves forward.
Frank questioned the ability to add water service to the project for those areas where water is not
available. Sabart stated that he could estimate the cost of the project and bring back to the Council at a
future meeting. Property owner AI Stellmach stated that in his opinion the properties on Ridgewood Road
do not have a need for water and it might be cost prohibitive. Loso stated the water improvements being
discussed would also benefit property to North, adjacent to 19th Ave NE.
The motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn: Frank made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 PM; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously.
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istrator