Agenda - Council - 10/10/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 10/10/2017 Submitted For: Grant Riemer, Engineering/Public Works By: MaryJo Warner, Engineering/Public Works 4. 13. Information Title Report from Public Works Committee dated September 19, 2017. 1. Consider Recommendation to City Council Regarding Connexus Energy's Special Assessment for Sunwood Drive Reconstruction: The Committee agreed that the assessment policy must be fair and added the consultant will provide a valuation, and the Committee will make a recommendation to the City Council. 2. Improving Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility in the COR: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve the purchase and installation of "in street pedestrian marking signs" as recommended by City Staff. 3. Consider Recommendation for City Council to Order Feasibility: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council order a Feasibility Report for the 2018 Overlay Improvements, City Improvement Project #18-03. 4. Review Feedback and Next Steps for Comprehensive Plan Update Transportation Chapter: No Action Taken. Purpose/Background: The Public Works Committee held its regular meeting on September 19, 2017 and discussed the following cases: 1. Consider Recommendation to City Council Regarding Connexus Energy's Special Assessment for Sunwood Drive Reconstruction: City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and stated that up to 25% of costs of the Sunwood Drive Reconstruction project is proposed to come from special assessments to benefiting properties. Connexus Energy is one of nine properties that are proposed to be assessed for this project. Connexus uses Sunwood Drive as the primary access for their fleet of service vehicles. City Engineer Westby stated the Committee is requested to review two alternatives. Alternative # 1 is to recommend that the City Council adopt special assessments consistent with the calculations outlined within the Feasibility Report. Alternative #2 is to recommend that the City Council adopt adjusted special assessments based on Committee recommendations. He added staff does not recommend that assessments be adjusted, and if Connexus Energy's assessment is reduced, all other assessment amounts will need to be reviewed and adjusted which could delay the Assessment Hearing and increase the City's overall contribution to the project. The Committee agreed that the assessment policy must be fair and added the City's consulting appraiser will provide a valuation report that will be considered by the City Council before adopting assessments. 2. Improving Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility in the COR: Public Works Superintendent Grant Riemer reviewed the staff report, and stated City Staff has received resident comments about safety of drivers coming into the City Hall area on Sunwood Drive. There are twelve crosswalks on Sunwood Drive that were constructed with colored concrete, which was considered desirable at the time as it is less obvious. With 3,600 cars a day, the colored concrete crosswalks do not stand out. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated in -street pedestrian crossing signs are 89% effective at 30 miles per hour, and they are portable and removable. However, holes would have to be drilled in the concrete, which is not preferable. Two pedestrian warning signs are proposed west of Center Street and near the Ramsey Office Building. Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve the purchase and installation of "in street pedestrian marking signs" as recommended by City Staff. 3. Consider Recommendation for City Council to Order Feasibility: City Engineer Westby reviewed the proposed 2018 Overlay Improvements, along with estimated project costs and estimated assessments for each project area. He added most of the overlay is proposed for areas located in the west part of Ramsey. City Staff will request City Council approval to prepare a Feasibility Report for this project. Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council order a Feasibility Report for the 2018 Overlay Improvements, City Improvement Project #18-03.