Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/18/2008

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Mr. Kingston stated that he thinks there would be enough people willing to participate financially to move this forward. He stated that he had done some research on the State Statute and their definition for road improvement is not maintenance, but reconstruction, which includes, widening the roadways and curb and gutter. He read aloud a portion of the Statute. Chair Elvig asked that a copy of this information be given to staff. Colin McGlone, 9495 164th Lane, stated that he is a truck owner and understands what they can do to roads. He stated that Blaine has a policy that everything they build now is a minimum of 9 tons and noted that their City started out similar to Ramsey as very rural. He stated that a curb that will last 50-60 years is good for everyone. He stated that he thinks the planned overlay just puts a "band-aid" on the road and should be built to a higher standard and agrees with Mr. Kingston that he would rather see it done right and done once. Chair Elvig stated that he would like to incorporate some of the issues raised by Mr. Kingston and Mr. McGlone and noted that the discussion on this is not done. He stated that Andrie Street is a real concern because he does not see sewer and water happening there for a long time, but there is a high degree of traffic. He stated that there needs to be another discussion about this project specifically on how the City wants to complete this project and if concrete curb and gutter should be included. City Engineer Jankowski stated that there are some streets that the City may want to treat differently such as Waco Street and Andrie Street because they are MSA streets that are also residential streets. City Administrator Ulrich suggested that the City start looking at the City and see which areas, for example, that won't develop with utilities for 40 years, the transition areas from rural to urban in "x" number of years and areas that the City knows are urban and will get concrete curb and gutter when they are ready for reconstruction. City Engineer Jankowski stated that he would like to see this project left in the plans unless there is an alternative that the residents have brought forth. Councilmember Dehen stated that he would also like to keep it on for reconstruction, but would like to get a price for including the concrete curb and gutter. City Engineer Jankowski stated that he can get that information, but questioned who would pay. Chair Elvig asked what the current assessment is for rebuilds. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the City has not reconstructed any roads, but the policy is when there is a rebuild fot sewer and water, the entire cost for street replace is 100% assessed. He stated that the policy for overlays is that it is assessed 50%. Chair Elvig stated that he proposes that the City consider assessing for 50% of what the overlay costs would be and the City pay for building a higher level of roadway including concrete curb Public Works Committee / March 18,2008 Page 8 of 10