Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/19/2002

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Principal City Engineer Olson inquired if the Committee would agree with Bolton and Menk submitting a proposal to update the study and financial plan. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to what they would be committing to. Mr. Brown replied that he would not be billing the City for anything at this point. He would inform the Committee of what the financial impact would be for the City to construct a water treatment facility. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that all the wells in the City of Ramsey have arsenic levels below the 10 parts per billion. He stated that the wells in the City of Ramsey are safe. Mayor Gamec stated that he had no problem with bringing back those figures. He felt it would be beneficial to have the figures updated. Consensus of the Public Works Committee was to recommend that Bolten & Menk prepare a proposal to update the water supply and to include the financial options available to fund a water treatment facility. Case #8: Right of Way Ordinance Fees Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler stated that at the January 22, 2002 Finance Committee meeting, staff presented a proposal to deal with work being done in the right of way in the City of Ramsey. This proposal included both a process for obtaining permits and also associated fees. The Finance Committee directed staff to review the charges to assure that monies collected would cover the costs incurred if the City would need to make repairs after the work in the right of way was complete. Staff contacted Anoka County Highway Department and questioned their process. Anoka County charges a permit processing fee of $60, which includes administrative and inspection costs. They also require a $10,000 financial surety bond from contractor. The County does not differentiate between boring, vibratory plowing and open trenching. They will not allow open trench cutting across county highways in most cases. Staff also contacted the State DOT, but that information had not yet been received. Staff recommended that the same fees and charges as presented on January 22, 2002 to cover administrative fees, inspection costs and contingencies to cover damage caused by contractors. Street's Supervisor Grant Riemer estimated the administrative cost of processing right of way permits is equal to a minimum of one hour to his time or $75. If damage to the right of way including the street should happen costs to repair would run about a minimum of $70/hour not including materials. Staff is recommending that no permit would be required on County or State right of ways, which would be contingent on verifying that MnDOT does have an adequate permitting process. If possible all work in existing right of way would require boring, with new construction trenching would be allowed. He also stated that the Committee should consider if the City should charge late charges, explaining that the City had a situation along T.H. #47 where trenches were left open for some time. It was staff's recommendation that a late fee be charged. Councilmember Zimmerman agreed that there should be a late fee charged. Public Works Committee/March 19, 2002 Page 5 of 18