Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/18/2008

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CASE # J CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #08-XX WATERMAIN LOOPING FROM ALPINE PARK TO REGENCY PONDS 3RD ADDITION By: Tim Himmer, Assistant City Engineer Background: This project has been scheduled in the Capital Improvement Progrsam (CIP) since 2004. Staffis looking for approval to construct the watermain extension this year, consistent with the recently approved 200S - 2012 ClP. The improvements include looping the watermain from the eastern terminus of the cul-de-sac on 148lh Lane NW, along Gamet Street NW, through a portion ofthe landfill and Alpine Park, to Alpine Drive NW. This watennain will complete a major trunk connection between water tower #2, the western well fields, and the high demand area east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Completing this loop will improve fire flow capabilities and water system reliability. Observations: Dialog has been on-going with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for acquisition of easements necessary to complete the watermain loop through portions of the landfill and the adjacent buffer area. Preliminary indications appear that they are open to granting the easements requested, but a few items need to be reviewed and addressed before the final design can be completed and easement documents drafted. Following are the items for consideration and discussion: 1. The potential construction of trail segments, consistent with the City's Park and Trail Map, in the area. One segment would extend from the terminus of the existing trail at the south end of Garnett Street into Alpine Park. This would be constructed with basically the same alignment as the watermain; along the east side of Garnett Street to 151 st Avenue NW, and then east to tie into the existing trail at the southwest corner of Alpine Park. The other trail segment would be from the 14Sth Lane NW cul-de-sac east to the existing trail that runs north-south from Garnet Street NW to Bunker Lake Boulevard. 2. The potential construction of an access road, and limited parking facilities, to serve the proposed skate park within Alpine Park and future park expansion. It is anticipated that a formal design and request for authorization to solicit bids for the actual skate park element will be forthcoming in the near future. 3. The potential connection of Gamet Street through to 14Sth Lane NW. 14Sth Lane NW terminates in a cul-de-sac at the east end that is approximately 1300' long, and it is the City's goal to eliminate cul-de-sacs that are greater than 600' in length. Since this cul-de- sac exceeds the desired length staffis looking for Council direction on whether to resolve this situation while improvements are proposed in the area. A meeting was held with the MPCA last Thursday, and they have stated that they would not contest the eminent domain proceedings to acquire right-of-way for this street connection. They are also in favor of dedicating the appropriate easements for the proposed trail connections through their properties. The acquisition afright-of-way for a through Gamet Street to 148th Lane would eliminate the need for multiple easements across one of their parcels by locating the watermain extension and a potential trail segment within this corridor. It would also allow for a future subdivision of DUCK RIDGE to create one additional developable