Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/21/2017

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This improvement project, which is listed in the City's current Capital Improvement Program, is proposed to be funded using a combination of special assessments to benefiting properties, street reconstructions bond proceeds, and stormwater utility funds. Staff recommends using special assessments to pay for 25% of eligible improvement costs, which will be applied across 44 assessable properties using the "per lot" method of assessment, which is the typical method used for single family parcels having approximately the same size. All costs for this project are eligible for special assessments since the street is proposed to be reconstructed at its existing width, and since the existing and proposed pavement sections both meet 7-ton design standards meaning they are equivalent sections. This project does not include any ineligible project costs related to the use of special assessments. Staff recommends ordering a special benefit consultation report for this project to verify that the proposed assessment amounts will not exceed the amount of benefit to any of these properties. If the report concludes that the benefit to any of the properties is less than the proposed preliminary assessment rate, Staff would propose to lower the assessment rate accordingly at the Assessment Hearing. However, if the special benefit consultation report verifies that the assessment rates as proposed are justified, Staff would propose to adopt the final assessment roll using the rate as preliminarily proposed. Staff has not yet had an opportunity to discuss the proposed improvements or the use of special assessments to pay for a portion of the improvements with impacted property owners. However, prior to the Public Hearing Staff will contact and offer to meet with impacted property owners for the purpose of explaining the proposed improvements, how special assessments are proposed to be applied, and to discuss the proposed improvements in more detail and to gather their input on the project, including any information that should be explored in more detail during development of plans and specifications. Staff would then present this information to Council during the Public Hearing. This project is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein. However, it would be most cost-effective to construct this project in conjunction with the Stanhope Terrace Street Reconstructions project, which is currently scheduled for construction in 2018. Feasibility Report Rivers Bend Street Reconstructions City of Ramsey Project No. 17-02 Page 2