Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/18/2006

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work, it would be helpful to establish some projections on the estimated annual cost for this work. Stafftherefore recommends that it be directed to prepare an estimate of the cost for future street reconstruction prior to establishing an assessment policy. In the interim staff would recommend that the Committee recommend to City Council that street reconstruction associated with the installation of sewer and water be fully assessed as an element of the utility installation. Finally, staff recommends that the redevelopment of Now and Then Estates be reconsidered in August 2006 after Oakwood has had an opportunity to formalize their agreements with interested property owners. Chairperson Elvig asked if there are other streets in the City that may need to be labeled for this type of street reconstruction. Fire Chief Kapler replied 160th Avenue has one of the worst street conditions in the City. He noted staff rates the condition of the City's roads yearly. Mayor Gamec commented the key is the policy, rather than the areas. He noted the large cost residents would incur from a total reconstruction project. Councilmember Olson indicated she has difficulty with the idea of assessing 100% for a reconstruction, when within that year the City might have paid 50% on an overlay. The Committee discussed possible costs of street reconstruction projects and how assessments could be determined. Fire Chief Kapler suggested the amount of assessment could include a factor of whether the road has gone through its projected life. The roads that fail prematurely could be handled differently as far as the cost of reconstruction. Chairperson Elvig requested further input regarding staff's recommendation. City Engineer Jankowski indicated other cities seem to be comfortable assessing in the range of $5,000 to $7,000. He suggested tailoring the assessment policy to fall in that range. He noted occasionally there are huge lots with the potential to be subdivided, and th/s issue has been raised by many residents at public hearings. Mayor Gamec noted at one time the policy stated that a lot with large acreage could be assessed four times, since it could be subdivided. City Engineer Jankowski replied that policy has not been followed since 1990. He noted it was the policy when a lot of the City's streets were being paved. Councilmember Elvig suggested a timefi-ame be applied, such as a charge being applied to a property that is split within a certain number of years of the street reconstruction. Councilmember Olson concurred. She noted in the past Ramsey has been a rural community and people have had large acreages to live on. However, now more and more of the time property is Public Works Committee / March 21, 2006 Page 7 of 12