Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/15/2008

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Councilmember Olson asked if the City ever rebuilds the curbs at City expense. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the City has not done this. Councilmember Olson stated that after the Council meeting, she started paying more attention to the curbs and noted that a lot ofthem are gone, including the curbing in front of her house. City Engineer Jankowski stated that when there is an overlay, the bituminous curbing does disappear somewhat. He stated the schedule for road ways is for an overlay, then another sealcoat and then reconstruction. He stated that for many streets there is the question about whether sewer and water will come to the area before the City rebuilds. Chair Elvig stated that he asked that the Public Works Committee discuss this because he thinks the City should take a closer look at the policy, especially in light of possible sewer and water connections. He gave the example of Nowthen Estates who chose to have their roads patched rather than an overlay because they wanted to wait until sewer and water came through. Councilmember Dehen stated that he agrees that this should have discussion and feels there should be neighborhood consensus on the projects. He asked what the policy is for assessments on overlay projects in other cities. City Engineer Jankowski stated that Coon Rapids does not do overlays but does reconstruction. Chair Elvig stated that Coon Rapids is a high density urban area. He suggested that the City consider having different designations for roads in the City. He stated that he thinks the City needs to take a look at the curb issue because the bituminous curbs do not hold up well. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the City could do an overlay and put in a new curb but that' would probably add about a 20% cost increase. Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that this would also involve grade changes and landscaping changes behind the curb area. Councilmember Dehen stated that several years ago on Bowers Drive, there was an overlay done and he was disappointed because the road cracked in the same places it had previously. He stated that it also brought the road level up, so there were some issues with driveways that the City had to repair. He stated that once there is a concrete curb he doesn't think overlays can be done because the level of the road is set. Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that with concrete curb and gutter, the top layer of the road is removed and a new one put in versus just adding another layer. Chair Elvig stated that, in his mind, the City is changing and evolving and urban areas are growing out into what used to be rural areas. He stated that the City needs to have a concept or plan on how the roads need to change and adapt as that happens. He stated that Andrie Street is a good case, because the road is clearly a different road than what is was planned to be because Public Works Committee / March 18,2008 Page 6 of 10