Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2012

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estimated at $66,000 for construction, but includes some wetland impacts and right -of -way (ROW) issues to resolve as the properties adjacent to the roadway are unplatted and contain prescriptive roadway easements. Additional research would be required to determine ROW location, and may include the need to acquire trail easements. We would also have to perform wetland delineations and receive a permit from the local watershed for potential impacts and mitigation. • Segment 3: west side of Ramsey Boulevard, from Alpine Drive to the SWEETBAY RIDGE boardwalk. This segment is estimated at $44,000 for construction, but includes significant grade considerations, some wetland impacts, and Anoka County ROW issues. Additional research would be required to determine ROW location. We would also have to perform wetland delineations and receive a permit from the local watershed for potential impacts and mitigation, as well as an Anoka County ROW permit and associated review. In evaluating the total trail installation costs (approximately $143,000 in construction costs), and current available funds, it appears that constructing the entire trail connection with available funds would deplete the trail fund and /or continue to place a strain on the MSA account. If it is the desire to seek a DNR trail connection grant the City could apply for up to $100,000, of which a 25% local match is required; the deadline for applications under this program is March 31st. It should be noted that staff will be bringing forward a prioritization of community trail connections to a future Council meeting, consistent with a stated 2012 strategic goal. Staff is also looking for feedback on the inclusion of alternate technologies with this proposed overlay project. We have been researching alternative products /applications for road base treatments (additives, interlayment, etc.) that could potentially extend the pavement life for this segment of Alpine Drive, but based upon the existing pavement conditions it does not appear to warrant the additional costs to evaluate potential benefits. It would be difficult to compare the recently completed Alpine Drive overlay segment with what is being proposed for this section, as the two areas are somewhat different in nature. The 2012 proposed segment was constructed on native soils in a cut condition, whereas the completed 2011 segment is located on fill placed in and around a large wetland complex. Staff is recommending that the alternative treatment analysis would be better suited for evaluation on the reconstruction of Riverdale Drive, planned for later this year and coordinated with the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) project. The geotechnical report for that project shows a more consistent roadway section, with silty and /or clay fill over native sands. Funding Source: The City's MSA account shows a 2012 beginning balance of approximately $390,000; incorporating the planned activities for this year results in an end of the year balance of approximately $200,000. Looking at the same account for end of year 2013, incorporating the planned projects for that year, results in a negative balance of approximately $1,000,000. Included in these totals is a $459,000 annual contribution to the MSA account, beginning in 2012, from COR land sales to repay the regional roadway improvements that were initially funded from this account. As stated previously, trail construction along Alpine Drive can certainly be funded by MSA dollars but it does create a strain on that account. If desired staff can include trail segment one in the project plans and potentially bid it as an alternate. Doing this would allow the Council to review the costs associated with the trail before determining whether or not to fund the improvement with MSA dollars, another funding source, or delay construction. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Public Works Committee recommend to the City Council the inclusion of trail segment one within the scope of the 2012 Alpine Drive overlay project. It is further recommended to forego the inclusion of alternative road base technologies on this project, but rather include that investigation and analysis with the future Riverdale Drive/MRT project. Committee Action: