Minutes - Public Works Committee - 07/17/2012

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Mr. McKusick stated he cut part of the asphalt when he installed his driveway and it was 2.5 inches, and today it is still 2.5 inches and you can see four inches of bituminous curbing all along the roadway. His question is how far the contractor slanted the mat as it approached the curb. His concern is that the curb area will deteriorate faster because of the truck traffic. Councilmember Elvig noted this is an overlay project so it resurfaces the area and the idea is not to build thickness. The old road was stable and not deteriorating and the seal coating project added onto it. He asked if the road is worse now, thinking it can only be better with more and newer bituminous. Councilmember Elvig asked if areas with only one inch of overlay should be corrected. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated the City removed sections of alligatored asphalt from the old roadway prior to the project. He agreed that when on the paver, you are at the mercy of the road surface because the paver follows the bed underneath. He also agreed there are probably edge areas that are not perfectly correct but he believes the road is sound. Chairperson Backous asked about the scenario where residents are assessed for a road project, the warranty expires, and then the road falls apart. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated if there are problems with the road within the warranty, the contractor would be responsible. If it occurs three years from the project, the contractor would not be responsible. Chairperson Backous asked if residents would be expected to pay again for a new road. Councilmember McGlone stated when a , then the City picks up the cost and patches, as needed, so residents would not be reassessed. However, it increases the and that is covered through taxes. Public Works Superintendent Riemer pointed out that residents are not assessed for seal coating. Interim Engineer Wagner advised the general road contract is for a one-year warranty for roads and a longer warranty results in higher project costs. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated there is no problem now or in the past with overlay projects and staff will continue to monitor this roadway. Councilmember McGlone stated regardless of the outcome in this case, the City needs to consider a road policy for the future in how it is funded, project standards, and contract language. He stated he was at the McKusick property three times and watched him pick off a piece of the road with his finger so there is no arguing that fact; however, the core samples tell the story in the locations they were dug. He stated his opinion there are road areas that are substandard and the City needs to look at how contracts are written, whether thickness or tonnage requirements, to assure residents are getting what they paid for. Councilmember McGlone stated he is not sure Public Works Committee / July 17, 2012 Page 3 of 9