Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/19/2013

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Acting Mayor Backous asked if additional discussion should be postponed until the numbers are refined. Councilmember Riley supported receiving additional public input, noting a survey of 300 is not very many residents. He would like residents to be asked if they are willing to pay "X" dollars a month for a road fund with the understanding that some day it will be their road. Acting Mayor Backous indicated the City paid $43,000 for the survey of 300 people that was conducted by a professional surveying company. He stated that survey, theoretically, reflected the opinion of the entire City. He agreed with the need for additional public input. City Administrator Ulrich asked whether this plan can be refined, considering the time the City has left with the interim engineering firm. Interim Engineer Nelson stated they can dedicate some time to it but they still have significant other responsibilities with the Riverdale Drive project, sealcoat plans and specs, and Armstrong Boulevard bike path. He stated he will let the Council determine what the priority is. Interim Engineer Nelson noted that in any case, assumptions will still have to be made because no one can predict how long a road will last since it is dependent on weather, maintenance, and other conditions. He noted that planned overlays and reclaim/paves will stretch the life of some roads 15 -20 years and eliminate the big bump in the chart. That information can be provided in April. Councilmember LeTourneau noted that scenario is pushing him to make a decision to prioritize but he cannot do so because he does not have enough information. He stated he understands the constraint on resources so it is a difficult decision. Councilmember LeTourneau asked what is the Council's "stomach" for this and what does it have to do. He noted there is $1 3 million in this year's budget so the Council can step back to gather a bigger project and discuss it later this year, in how to pin down priorities. Or, he would ask if roads will crumble and turn into sinkholes during this year. Councilmember LeTourneau asked what the current condition is and to what date can this discussion be pushed to get additional information. Acting Mayor Backous stated this issue has been pushed back for too long and decisions now need to be made. He stated the Council needs to take a leadership role and that may involve making a decision that is not comfortable because the longer it goes unresolved, the more money will be needed. Councilmember LeTourneau asked whether the Council can make this decision in six months after new tooling and refining of numbers. Councilmember Elvig stated the only draw back in waiting is if we do work this year, it is under the auspice for which the City took in funds to pay for it. If the Council does not make a different decision, the rule now is to assess. However, those property owners will not support the assessment and petition against the project. Councilmember Elvig stated it is known that Ramsey has a road problem and this Council has to decide to spend between $1.5 million and $3 million each year to address it. He felt it would be closer to $1.5 million but would like to know the range for the high and low numbers. On public input, he noted the City would be saying it City Council Work Session / March 19, 2013 Page 12 of 16