Agenda - Council - 04/08/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # '-i AUTHORIZE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT#08-XX, 167THAVENUE NW REALIGNMENT By: Tim Himmer, Assistant City Engineer Background: Segment 1 (Nowthen Boulevard to Marble Street) of this project was approved as part of the 2008 - 2012 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and subsequent City Council action on December 11,2007. The overall alignment (Nowthen Boulevard to Armstrong Boulevard) has been discussed at both the Public Works Committee and City Council on a few separate . occasions. Staffwas directed on December 11, 2007, by Resolution #07-12-338-B, to eliminate the western segment (Variolite Street to Armstrong Boulevard) as part of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan update. A neighborhood meeting was held on Thursday, March 20,2008. 40 notices representing 59 properties were sent out, and 13 people attended the meeting. Those in attendance expressed support for the roadway realignment. The most prevalent concerns raised were whether additional right-of-way would be required (and how that would impact their properties), and how access to their properties would be maintained. With the exception of a couple of parcels, staff believes the realignment can be accommodated within the existing right-of-way. Discussions .were initiated with those property owners that would most likely be impacted by the need for additional right-of-way, and those individuals were aware of the need and open to advancing acquisition. There was some discussion about.whether municipal utilities would be extended as part of this project and what they would cost, but it was not specifically requested. The ability to extend the utilities was discussed in general terms, and it was favorable to the neighborhood for the installation of the trunk utilities as part ofthis project as long as they were not required to pay the costs or be forced to connect at this time. They understand the City policy as it relates to utility connections, and were agreeable to the fact that they would be required to pay for these municipal utilities when and if they decided to.connect or subdivide in the future. Observations: Staff is preparing for the construction of segment 1 this fall, but a few items needs to be addressed so an accurate scope can be prepared and designed for. Following are some itemsthat staff needs additional direction on prior to establishing a work plan to implement the completion of this project: 1. .Is the City Council open to installing sanitary sewer and water as part of this project? With the construction of the BROOKFIELD subdivision municipal services are now available in the area. Looping the watermain from the existing system on Limonite Street and 166th Avenue to the trunk line along N owthen Boulevard is a priority to improve fire fighting abilities and system reliability for the northern portions of the City. It appears as ifsanitary sewer can be extended from its existing location at Limonite Street and 166th Avenue throughout the extent of the project, allowing the greatest flexibility for future growth around this line. By installing these improvements now as part of this . construction project the City could complete this roadway segment without future disruptions to the neighborhood and eliminate future expenditures should the neighborhood request these services..W aiting to construct these utility improvements will add costs to the project in the future, should it move forward, because Minnesota State Aid (MSA) funds do not cover sanitary sewer and watermain costs (and those funds would have paid for the roadway once), additional right-of-way (andlor easements) -121--