Agenda - Council - 08/12/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Works Committee 6. 2. Meeting Date: 07/16/2019 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Title: Update on Variolite Street Reconstruction Options Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to update the Public Works Committee on options for reconstructing Variolite Street in 2020. Background: Engineering Staff typically start developing street reconstruction and overlay projects for the following year in July or August based on workload and the scope of projects. During the last 5 years, Staff has followed the same project development process for all street reconstruction and overlay projects using the City's adopted Special Assessments Policy and 2015 — 2019 Street Reconstruction and Overlay Program. Copies of both documents are attached to this case for reference. The first step in the project development process is to request Council authorization to prepare a Feasibility Report. This report explores numerous aspects of the proposed improvements including whether they are feasible, necessary and cost-effective, and whether they should be completed alone or in conjunction with other improvements. Estimated project costs and a project funding program are also developed in greater detail than what was used to estimate costs and funding sources for the Capital Improvement Program. A preliminary project schedule is also developed for the Feasibility Report. From 2015 - 2019, project funding programs have included the use of special assessments against benefiting properties to cover up to 25% of eligible project costs in compliance with all applicable provisions of the City Charter, the City's Special Assessments Policy, and Minnesota Statute Chapter 429. Later in the fall, Staff requests City Council acceptance of the Feasibility Report and authorization to proceed with preparing plans and specifications. During the winter, plans are approved and the project is bid to allow construction to begin in the spring. The City does not currently have an adopted 5-year Street Reconstruction and Overlay Program identifying such projects that are eligible for the use of special assessments to pay a portion of the project costs. In addition, discussions are still underway as to how the City should fund street reconstruction and overlay projects. Engineering Staff are therefore not able to start developing street reconstruction and/or overlay projects for 2020. Staff recently developed a 5-year CIP based on the Franchise Fee funding model that included the reconstruction of Variolite Street between Alpine Drive and 173rd Avenue in 2020. This is due to the poor condition of the pavement (2018 average PASER rating of 4), as well as the fact that only 13 assessable properties exist along this 2.24-mile segment of road which minimizes the dependence on assessments to pay for the improvements. Staff will be evaluating the 2020 — 2029 CIP in August, at which time the projects in the 2019 — 2028 CIP will be adjusted based on numerous factors. Variolite Street is listed in the 2019 — 2028 CIP as a 2022 reconstruction project. The estimated project cost for reconstructing Variolite Street is $2,643,600 of which $315,330 is estimated to be