Minutes - Council - 03/09/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Witalka questioned when Yakima Street was last inspected and if there is a report specific to the street that he could review. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied the street was inspected this past summer and Mr. Witalka can come into the City to review the information. He explained staff tries to prioritize the roads within the City. They look at each roadway and base the condition off of a MnDOT standard. Staff can back Mr. Witalka through the process on how they rate the roads. Mr. Witalka questioned if there is a return on investment calculation for the sealcoating. City Engineer Jankowski replied the City's bituminous pavements are worth ten million dollars and three million dollars is spent annually to maintain the roads. Mr. Witalka stated he encourages the Council and the City Engineer to take a more thorough approach as to how this money is spent, and he does not see that diligence happening at this time. Councilmember Cook stated the fact that the City has moved from a 15 year overlay schedule to a 19 year schedule by including two oil treatments or seal coatings is saying they are extending the life of an overlay. Mayor Gamec explained if the routine maintenance is not completed on the streets they can begin breaking up in just one year. He is very confident in the Engineering Department; however, it is up to the citizens if they want to stop a project. If a project is stopped and the road breaks up there will be a major cost for repairs. Councihnember Zimmerman noted there was a project on 155th Avenue from Ramsey Boulevard going west for V2 mile that was delayed for two years because it was in a condition where they could prolong it. He does not think this has ever been done with a sealcoating. City Engineer Jankowski explained if a street is denied sealcoating maintenance and then needs to have an overlay the City does not participate in the 50 percent cost share. Councilmember Elvig commented he appreciates Mr. Witalka's comments about wanting an investment on return. He noted painting your house is a similar issue; you will not get more for painting it, but if you do not paint, it will deteriorate. The preventative maintenance on the roads is similar. Staff does go out and inspect the roads and will from time to time prolong the schedule. Staff does a thorough job of trying to keep down the costs. It is more of a return on preventative maintenance not to do the work over than it is a return on investment. Mike Rosett, 16900 Helium Street NW, stated his house sits on the comer of Helium Street and 169th Avenue. He has been given paperwork for assessments of overlayment on 169th Avenue. City Engineer Jankowski explained Mr. Rosett's property has a driveway on Iodine Street, which is to be overlayed, and a driveway on Helium Street, which was sealcoated several years ago. The City's policy is when an improvement is done on just one of the streets, or there are different City Council/March 9, 2004 Page 6 of 22