Agenda - Council - 07/14/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Proposed Improvements — Due to the poor condition of the pavement sections, Andrie Street and 164th Lane are proposed to be reconstructed in 2016 per the City's Capital Improvement Plan. In 2008, the City adopted a Feasibility Report for reconstructing these streets. At that time, the proposed improvements included reclaiming the existing bituminous pavement and curbing and using it to provide 4" to 6" of base material for the proposed 3'/2" of new bituminous pavement. The street width was proposed to be 32' wide and centered in the 66' right of way, and a concrete sidewalk was also being considered. In 2009, the City prepared plans and specifications and advertised for bids, which included an alternate bid for constructing sidewalks along both streets. However, a controversy arose over whether sidewalks should be constructed with the project, as well as over proposed assessment amounts. These issues eventually led to a petition being filed against the project, effectively killing it. A copy of the 2008 Feasibility Report is attached for reference, which includes copies of the project petition and sidewalk survey results. Over the last year and a half, Staff has discussed the proposed improvements with the Public Works Committee on several occasions to determine how to best move this project forward to avoid further delays. While there has been a renewed interest by some area residents to reconstruct Andrie Street and 164th Lane, similar to 2008 there appears to be little interest in constructing sidewalks with the project. After much discussion, the Public Works Committee passed a motion to recommend that the City Council order a Feasibility Report to explore the use of an on -road bike lane in place of off-road sidewalks. The Public Works Committee recommends a 36' wide street section with two 11' lanes, a 6' on -road bike lane on one side, and an 8' parking lane on the other side, though it was discussed that several areas have trees near the street which may allow the City to request a variance from State Aid standards to allow on -street parking to be removed from those areas to save the trees. Staff will explore the viability of a variance while preparing the Feasibility Report. The on -road bike lane is intended to connect the trail along the north side of Alpine Drive to the proposed on -road bike lanes to be constructed along Jarvis Street in 2015. The existing storm sewer system will need to be reconstructed since the street is proposed to be widened. This will also require additional stormwater treatment facilities to meet the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organizations permit requirements. Public utilities are not proposed to be constructed with this project since there are no plans to serve this area with City utilities. Public Works staff has spent a considerable amount of time and money patching these streets in recent years and has recently had to enlist the services of a contracted spray patcher to help fill potholes to maintain the streets in reasonable condition. Reconstructing these streets will therefore allow City staff to expend resources to maintain streets in other areas of the City more effectively in future years. Notification: No notifications are required for this case. Observations/Alternatives: Observations: The Feasibility Report will explore numerous aspects of the proposed improvements including whether the proposed improvements are feasible and necessary, whether they are cost-effective, and whether they should be completed as proposed or in conjunction with some other improvement project. The estimated costs of the proposed improvements will be explored in more detail, as will a project funding program including a description of the methodology used to calculate individual assessments for affected parcels. A proposed project schedule will also be identified. Completing the Feasibility Report at this time will allow the City to develop the project in a timely manner and to advertise for bids over the winter when bidding is typically most competitive.