Agenda - Council - 03/08/2011 - Special B&C Interviews

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CC Regular Session Date: 03/08/2011 By: Tim Himmer Engineering/Public Works Item #: 7. 3. Information Title: Consider design revisions for City project 11-21; intersection signalization at Armstrong and Bunker Lake Boulevards, and associated infrastructure improvements to serve the Legacy Christian Academy development Background: The Legacy Christian Academy (LCA) project, and associated feasibility study for infrastructure improvements to serve the development, were approved by Council on December 14, 2010. The final scope of improvements from the feasibility study included the extension of sanitary sewer and watermain, the westerly extension of Bunker Lake Boulevard to Puma Street (as a reduced/temporary section) with storm sewer and a bituminous trail, a paved Puma Street with a bituminous trail, and a bituminous trail along Armstrong Boulevard from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Alpine Drive. This final scope was added to the existing Armstrong/Bunker Lake Boulevard signalization project plan set, and an engineering services contract was awarded to WSB & Associates on January 11, 2011 to prepare final construction documents and provide bidding and construction administration services for the project. Observations: During review of preliminary designs and advancement of final construction documents a private utility (gas, phone, electric, and cable) issue was identified, and staff is requesting Council input prior to proceeding with portions of the project. Connexus Energy and Comcast are proposing to leave their existing overhead transmission lines along the east side of Armstrong Boulevard, from Sunwood Drive to 150th Lane. If the City would like to have those lines buried we would have to cover the incremental cost difference above what it would take to reconfigure their existing overhead system. Based upon estimates prepared by Connexus and Comcast, this amount is expected to cost approximately $130,000 and $22,000 respectively, for a total cost of $152,000. This item was briefly discussed in work session on February 8, 2011 and the Council direction was to have a more refined cost estimate prepared and a funding source identified. The estimates above are the requested refined costs, and staff has identified the Public Infrastructure Revolving Fund (PIR) as the funding source; which will be reimbursed through TIF #14 when funds become available. Recommendation: Staff feels burying these lines would improve aesthetics in and around the COR, result in better use of the right-of-way, and is a good value based upon the estimated cost. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the use of $152,000 from the PIR fund to bury the existing private utilities in coordination with City project #11-21. Funding Source: Implementation of the overall project is part of the COR Regional Roadway Improvements and was included in the CIP, with GO Bonding identified as the funding source. These improvements are expected to be funded through future land sales, MSA revenue bonds, utility funds, and special assessment bonds. The estimate for the construction project is approximately $3.8 million, which did not include easement acquisition or private utility burying. For the purposes of the private utility burying, PIR has been identified as the funding source; which will be reimbursed by TIF #14 when funds become available. Council Action: