Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/19/2005

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CASE CONSIDER AUTHORIZING SIDEWALK REPAIRS IN THE PONDS SUBDIVISION By: Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: The City began to install concrete sidewalks in 2002 but at that time had not yet developed standard plates detailing the City's sidewalk requirements. During the construction of The Ponds subdivision the contractor was verbally advised that sidewalks must be six inches thick through driveways. During that period the City relied On MnDOT specifications, and MnDOT standard plate 7035J requires six inch thicknesses of concrete in private driveways and sidewalks crossing private driveways. The developer's contractor informed our inspector that it was their intention to. slip form the entire sidewalk four inches thick and then return to replace the sections through driveways once their locations were determined. Beginning last September staff had written Royal Oak Realty a series of letters requesting this situation be remedied. Mr. Eibensteiner, of Royal Oak Realty, requested that the replacement of the broken sidewalks be postponed until spring of 2005. Considering the lateness of the season, the City agreed to allow an extension until May 31, 2005 for replacement of the broken sidewalks. In a February 24, 2005 letter staff requested that Royal Oak Realty submit a schedule and additional information concerning the repair of the broken sidewalks by April 1, 2005. Royal Oak Realty has not responded to this letter nor have they renewed their letter of credit as requested by the City on November 22, 2004. A. survey of the situation shows that there are a total of 45 driveways which have been constructed through sidewalks; 27 of these are through single family unit driveways and 18 are through townhouse unit driveways. Of this total number of driveways nine have one or more broken pieces of sidewalk; six of these drives are in the single family portion of the development while three are in the townhouse area. In addition, there are 16 additional locations (not in driveways) where the sidewalks have been damaged as a result of construction activity. Staff proposes that this issue be resolved by removing and replacing all broken sidewalks within the developtnent. In addition where broken sidewalks occur within driveways, the adjacent unbroken but substandard 4 inch sidewalk blocks would also be replaced. The estimated cost of this work is $17,000. Royal Oak Realty currently has various escrow balances in the amount of $38,385 with the City. Staff further proposes that the City authorize the repair and fund the cost through the use of these escrow funds and that the balance of these funds be retained to address the repair needs of any additional repairs that occur within driveways within this subdivision. There would remain .34 four inch thick driveway sidewalks which could be exPected to cost about $1160 each to replace ~hould they fail in the future. 11