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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [12] Dec 13 I I I I December 13,2001 Page 1 Þf4 I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session on December 13, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. ' Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Kyle Schneider, AI Rassier: Administrator/Clerk Judy Weyrens. I Others Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, Marlin Eich, AI Maleska, Bob Wagner, Claude Menzhuber, Marion Menzhuber, Tim Borresch, Carol Tamm, Mike Loso, Dick Taufen, Rose Taufen, Jim Schwegel: Bert Zimmer, Mary Brannan, Tom Brannan, Kelly Reber, Elmer Reber, Nel Pfannenstein, Bob I Pfannenstein, Doris Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Mike Deutz. ' Mayor Hosch opened the public hearing and stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider the making of an improvement to the following streets: First Avenue NW from Minnesota Street W to CSAH 75; I Second Avenue NW from Minnesota Street W to CSAH 75; Birch Street W from Second Avenue NW to College Avenue N; Ash Street W from Second Avenue NW to College Avenue N; Ash Street E from I College Avenue N to Third Avenue NE; Second Avenue NE from Ash Street E to Alley N; Alley between Second Avenue NW and First Avenue from mid-block to Birch Street W; Alley between Ash Street Wand Birch Street W from mid-block east to First Avenue NW; Alley between Second Avenue NW and First I Avenue NW from mid-block N to Ash Street W; Alley between Minnesota Street Wand Ash Street W from mid-block west to Second Avenue NW; Alley between Minnesota Street Wand Ash Street W from mid- block west to First Avenue NW; Alley between First Avenue NW and College Avenue N from Ash Street W to Birch Street W; Alley between Ash Street Wand Birch Street W from First Avenue NW to College Avenue N; Alley between College Avenue N and First Avenue NE from Ash Street E to CSAH 75; Alley between Ash Street E and CSAH 75 from College Avenue N to First Avenue NE; Alley between First i Avenue NE and Second Avenue NE from Ash Street E to Alley N; Alley between Ash Street E and CSAH 75 from First Avenue NE to Second Avenue NE; Alley between Ash Street E and CSAH 75 from Second Avenue NE to Third Avenue NE. The improvement includes street, curb and gutter, sidewalk, water ahd sewer lines and storm sewer. I City Engineer Joe Bettendorf presented the City Council and those present with the following breakdown of the proposed project. ; I Streets Most of the streets mentioned above were constructed in the 1960's and have served their useful life. Newly constructed streets should provide a twenty year design life, 1 depending on traffic. The streets under consideration have had an approximate 40 year life and are in need of reconstruction. ' I Alleys Some of the above mentioned alleys have been considered for reconstruction in the past, but due to high costs, have not been done. Since the City is proposing to reconstruct the roads around the alleys, the cost to pave the alleys will likely be more reasonable as part of a larger project. Most of the alleys being considered are gravel surfaces. I Storm Sewer Most of the storm sewer was installed when the roads were originally constructed in tre 1960's. The existing catch basins and leads will be removed and replaced when curb and gutter is installed and/or replaced. The exception to this is on First Avenue NW, I where we propose to remove and replace the existing storm sewer mainline, due to past problems and freezing. 1 i I Sanitary Sewer The existing sanitary sewer system was installed when the wastewater treatment plant was constructed in 1960. The existing sanitary sewer was televised in October 2000,to determine which lines need repair/replacement.: I , I Water Main Five blocks of the proposed project area include water main constructed in the 1920'~ with the remaining water main constructed in 1950 when the water tower was I constructed. All of the older water main consists of cast iron pipe, which tends to be i brittle. Since the mid 1970's, all water main in St. Joseph has been constructed of ductile December 13,2001 Page 2 of 4 iron pipe which is more flexible and durable. In addition to being constructed of cast iron, the old pipe was in service long before the City had an iron removal plant. This pipe is caked with iron deposits which affects its hydraulic capacity and the quality of the drinking water. For these reasons the water line is being recommended to be replaced. I Probable Cost Opinion of Probable Costs Street Alley Construction $ 707,038 Sanitary Sewer $ 200,125 Water Main $ 240,495 Storm Sewer $ 110,880 Sub Total $ 1,258,5,38 Contingency $ 125,854 Engineering $ 226,5,37 Financing $ 151,024 Grand Total $ 1,761,9153 At this time City Engineer Bettendorf opened the floor for questions and comments. Bob Wagner of 29 Ash Street East questioned the location of the power lines, and the proposed width of the road. Bettendorf responded that the road is proposed to be black topped for a width of 44 feet. The City Council has the option of narrowing the road to one that is more residential in character, such as forty feet. As far as the utility lines they will not be relocated. Jim Schwegel of 120 - 2,d Avenue NW questioned the truck route status on 2"" Avenue NW. Schwegel I stated that signs on County Road 75 direct truck traffic to 2"" Avenue NW or County Road 2. With that in mind, Schwegel questioned if the County would be willing to pay for a portion of the overlay for 2"" Avenue NW. The road was reconstructed in the late 80's and if it wouldn't be for the truck traffic the road would not need to be overlayed. Bettendorf stated that it is not the policy of the County to overlay roads that are not designated as County Roads. While he could send the County Engineer a letter of request, in his opinion it would be a waste of time. Mike Loso of 26 Birch Street West questioned Bettendorf as to the size of the proposed water main and what size is considered standard. Bettendorf responded that eight inch water lines are industry common and the water line servicing Loso is only a six inch line. Since the property owned by Loso is in a 'general business area, it would be prudent to increase the pipe to eight inches in the event the property were sold for commercial ventures. AI Maleska of 215 Ash Street East questioned why 2"" Avenue NE and 3'" Avenue NE have not been included in the project area. Bettendorf responded that the City has a lack of resource and the Council opted to reconstruct and overlay the roads that were in need of the most repair. The Council recognizes that there are other interior streets that need repair, but due to budget shortfalls they will have to be placed on the capital improvement plan for future consideration. Bert Zimmer of 33 _1st Avenue NW questioned why the property owners are being assessed for a road that they have already paid for. Zimmer further questioned why the City General Fund cannot bear the cost of the improvements. I Bettendorf stated that road abutting the property owned by Zimmer was originally built in the 1960's and has served its useful life. A road is just like other commodities, after time it needs to be replaced. I I I I I December 13, 2001 Page 310f 4 As far as paying for the improvements with general funds, Bettendorf responded that the City ~as self funded many of the recent water projects and there are not sufficient funds to pay for all the improvements. The water and sewer funds are not designed to cover the cost of street repairì 1 Tim Borresch of 11 - Third Avenue NW questioned why the street project has been designed to skip Third Avenue NW as it is in dire need of repair. As the property owner of both sides of 3"' Avenue NW he is' willing to petition the City for improvement. ! I Bettendorf responded that the Council designed the projected based o~ the condition of the existing roads. Bettendorf stated that Borresch can petition the Council for the improvement and it can always be added to the project. ' I Mike Deutz of 24 Birch Street West questioned which streets will be constructed as nine (9) ton roads' Bettendorf responded that 2"" Avenue NW, 1 st Avenue NW, Birch and Ash Street will all be i constructed as nine (9) ton roads. ' i Mike Deutz questioned the bituminous approach for St. Joe Gas & Bait as well as the Amoco car wash. Bettendorf responded that Ash Street has been classified as a State Aid Street, as such there! are certain design standards that must be met. One of the standards regulates driveway openings and curbing. Bettendorf agreed to review the matter with the property owner. I Tom Brannan of 114 Ash Street West questioned the water and sewer funds, including the user fees. I Brannan stated it is his opinion that enterprise funds should be used to finance projects such as the one presented at this time. He further clarified that he is not requesting the street to be paid through , enterprise funds, rather the replacement of water and sewer lines. ¡ Bettendorf responded that the City has paid for numerous projects through the water and sewer funds. St. Joseph has been criticized by contractors for having the highest water and sewer I access charge in the area. Between the water and sewer access charges and user fees the Çity has completed many projects, some of which include the construction of a water tower, I replacement of a water filtration plant, drilled new wells, and renovated a pump house. The projects listed have all been paid for through the enterprise funds. Bettendorf stated that it is rot uncommon to be assessed for water, sewer or streets that have served a useful life. Mike Loso of 26 Birch Street West stated that it is his opinion that the City is responsible for the I maintenance of streets and this maintenance should be financed through the general fund. He also stated that the proposed utility improvements that affect his property are needed to correct an engineering problem of the past. Loso also questioned the need to replace the curb and gutter as his curb and gutter is less than ten years old. I' I Claude Menzhuber questioned what improvements are proposed adjacent to the property he owns o~ 2nd Avenue NW and Birch Street West. i Bettendorf responded that 2nd Avenue NW is scheduled to be overlayed and Birch Street will be reconstructed with curb and gutter. At some point in the future the sewer line located in the parking lot of the EI Paso will be removed and relocated along 2nd Avenue NW. , Dick Taufen of 32 - 2nd Avenue NW questioned why the residents that abut 2nd Avenue NW should bear the cost of overlaying 2nd Avenue NW since the City Council posted the road for truck traffic. Taufen 1 stated that originally truck traffic traveled along Minnesota Street East. When East Minnesota Street was reconstructed some residents expressed concern with regard to truck traffic and from that point 2nd I Avenue NW become the designated truck route. Taufen requested that the County or City bear the cost of overlaying 2nd Avenue NW. I Bettendorf responded that 2nd Avenue NW was built to handle commercial traffic and once the County redirects County Road 2 the problem will be resolved. I I December 13, 2001 Page 4 of 4 Jim Schwegel of 120 - 2nd Avenue NW questioned the proposed improvement for Ash Street and if the property owner on the corner of 1st Avenue NW and Ash Street West is being assessed at the same rate as the property he owns. Bettendorf responded that all property owners in the proposed project area are being assessed at the same rate. 1 Elmer Reber of 110 Ash Street West questioned why Ash Street West is being reconstructed as a seven ton road and why the residents are being assessed for such. Bettendorf responded that Ash Street West has a high amount of traffic and warrants being constructed as a seven ton road. The Council has the ability to review the cost beir1g proposed to the residents and reduce the rate to that of a residential street. Doris Johnson of 35 - 1 st Avenue NE questioned the proposed width of Ash Street East and the proposed assessment for water. Johnson stated that the property she owns was recently assessed for water main when 1 st Avenue NE was overlayed and does not feel that she should be assessed again. Bettendorf responded that Ash Street East currently has a pavement width of 44 feet. As far as the water main assessment, if when the project is under construction it is determined that the water line is feed from 1st Avenue NE then the property in questioned would not be assessed again. Roger Steichen expressed objection to assessing non-homestead property at a higher rate then homestead. Steichen stated that as a landlord he pays for additional costs for services already and requested the Council assesses homestead and non-homestead at the same rate. Mike Deutz concurred with Steichen and stated that if the landlords are required to maintain their property as residential then they should be assessed at the same rate. Bob Wagner of 29 Ash Street East questioned the need to construct Ash Stre,et East as a commercial I road. Wagner stated that Ash Street East does not receive much commercial traffic, therefore it should be constructed as a residential street. Ehlert questioned Bettendorf as to how the residents along East Minnesota Sltreet were assessed as the street was buiit as a commercial street. Bettendorf responded that residents were charged a residential assessment rate. Dick Taufen questioned the time table for the proposed improvement. Bettendorf responded that the if the City Council orders the improvement it will move to the design stage and then bid for construction. Once the bids are received the City Council must make a decision as to whether or not to proceed. Rassier made a motion to close the public hearing at 8:50 PM; seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. The Council agreed to continue discussion of this matter on December 20, 2001 at their regularfy scheduled Council meeting. Adiourn: Hosch made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 PM; seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. ud weC:Z Ilr~ Ad inistratorlClerk 1-