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<br />.~ <br />~ <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br /> <br /> <br />Topic Report: Water Tower #3 in Elmcrest Park <br />By: Tim Himmer, Assistant City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />City Council authorized the award of contract for engineering services, and the undertaking of a <br />feasibility study for the construction of a water tower in Elmcrest Park on April 22, 2008. <br />During the she investigation it was found that the soils in the proposed location of the tower <br />were unsuitable for standard construction practices. The cost to construct the tower in tile <br />proposed location has increased by approximately $400,000 for the installation of piles to <br />support the structure and carry the load to the underlying suitable soils. <br /> <br />Staff worked with our. geotechnical consultant on alternative locations in the area that may be <br />more suitable to reduce the additional cost of pilings. Three alternative locations were identified <br />and staff contacted a couple of surrounding property owners to see if they would be open to soil <br />investigation on their property, with the potential for a future acquisition to serve as the tower <br />site. Of the three locations explored only one came back with favorable results, 16600 St. <br />Francis Boulevard. In addition to having better soils this site is also approximately 10' higher <br />than the previously proposed location within the park. Therefore, it would not only reduce the <br />cost for the foundation system, but the additional elevation would also reduce the overall cost of <br />the tower construction. The initial indication is that for every foot of elevation gained there is a <br />$10,000 savings, resulting in another savings of approximately $100,000. <br /> <br />This parcel is owned by Oakwood Land Development and it currently sits vacant, aside from <br />some minor storage in the outbuilding, and John Peterson has stated that he is open to the City <br />acquiring all or a portion of the property. He currently has a mortgage on the land so any <br />discussions would also have to be approved by the mortgage holder. <br /> <br />Staff is looking for direction on how to proceed with the proposed water tower construction. A <br />few potential solutions include: <br /> <br />· Continue with the current feasibility study in the original proposed location. This item <br />could be wrapped up quickly and brought to a City Council meeting in the next few <br />weeks. <br />· Investigate the opportunity to acquire a portion of the property at 16660 St. Francis <br />Boulevard. A site plan would be developed to determine the size of the area needed, but <br />generally speaking less than one acre would be required. <br />· Investigate the opportunity to acquire the entire parcel at 16600, 14.22 acres. Any <br />remnant property could be utilized for economic development. This idea has been <br />,discussed with community development as a potential HRA or EDA project. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />Location map <br />