Minutes - Public Works Committee - 07/19/2016

Home

Councilmember Johns asked if a full reconstruction is needed to correct the base. City Engineer Westby stated at this time staff is researching funding options. He stated this project is included in the CIP as a placeholder, and the cost may be in excess of $500,000. He noted one option is to fund this project through assessments. Councilmember Shryock stated if the City wants a new `look' for The COR, cobblestone pavers would be more durable than colored concrete. Chairperson Riley agreed there is a much larger discussion to be had but at this point, the repairs need to be made to address the safety issues. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated staff does not do much with concrete work so it is recommended to use Reshetar Systems. Chairperson Riley stated concrete is supposed to last much longer than ten years so the Council will want to know who did this work and if there are other remedies. He stated it may be unreasonable to assess costs if the current road has only been in place for ten years. City Engineer Westby stated these improvements are not a budgeted item or in the bonding program. He asked if the Public Works Committee wants staff to prepare a recommendation to approve feasibility report preparation, noting the temporary repairs should last a couple of years. He stated staff would like to get borings in the areas that have cracked concrete to determine whether they are uniform, or there are bigger issues with the base. Chairperson Riley supported staff doing some exploratory work to determine what occurred to cause the cracking and separation. Councilmember Johns stated she is suspicious with the process if it was supposed to be bituminous and was then changed to concrete. The consensus of the Public Works Committee was for staff to explore the reason for the cracked concrete, conduct soil borings, and prepare a report of their findings and a recommendation. Then the Council can determine when to slate the project in the CIP and how to fund it. 6.02: Review Engineering Revenue Budget Item City Engineer Westby noted the City's budget includes revenues for Engineering Department expenses incurred for design, implementation, construction, and administering public improvement projects, review plans and plats, and inspect construction of public improvements for private development projects. Engineering revenues are estimated based on 12% of public improvement projects and on billable time spent working on private development projects. City Engineer Westby stated this engineering revenue was first incorporated into the City's budget in 2003 after the City lost approximately $300,000 in annual State Local Government Aid and reduced Market Value Homestead Credit starting in State fiscal year 2003. At that time, Engineering revenue was estimated at $30,000 a year compared with $274,000 of estimated revenue in the 2016 General Fund budget based on the current improvement project schedule. City Engineer Westby asked whether the Public Works Committee had any questions on the Public Works Committee/July 19, 2016 Page 6 of 8