Agenda - Council - 02/10/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Costs for constructing public utilities during this project were considered for the following reasons. First, the City would benefit by constructing watermain as previously noted and recommended by staff. Second, the proposed improvements have an estimated design life of 60 - years and considering that adjacent properties were developed over 20 years ago, they could soon begin to experience failing septic systems or wells meaning residents may want to connect to utilities before the end of the project design life, which would require the street to be reconstructed before its useful life is over. And third, residents may request to connect to City utilities as part of this project to capitalize on significant cost savings offered per the recently adopted Special Assessments Policy. Staff will be seeking Council input on whether plans should be bid with any or all public utilities included in the base bid, whether the plans should be bid with any or all of the public utilities included as an alternate bid, or whether public utilities should be omitted from the plans altogether. Input will be solicited from impacted property owners during the neighborhood information meeting regarding their potential to connect to public utilities. Staff will also make sure that everyone is aware that costs for connecting to utilities during street reconstruction projects will be significantly reduced per the recently adopted Special Assessments Policy. This improvement project, which is listed in the City's current 5 -year Capital Improvement Plan, can be funded using a combination of special assessments to benefiting properties and street reconstruction bond proceeds. Sewer and Water Utility Funds would be used to pay for any of the public utility improvements. Preliminary assessments in the amount of $6,500 per lot are proposed for the 12 single-family residential property owners with direct access onto the improved street segments. Both the method and rate are reflective of the newly adopted Special Assessments Policy, including the fact that assessments are not proposed to be levied for the new sidewalks or any of the subgrade corrections. To ensure that all special assessments levied with this project are commensurate with the benefit received, staff will request Council authorization to order a benefit appraisal consultation based on the current property use at the time the improvements are made. This project is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein. Feasibility Report Garnet Street and l681" Avenue Reconstruction City of Ramsey Project No. 13-10 Page 2