Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2007

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CASE # f CONSIDER FINANCING FOR 160TH LANE PAVING PROJECT By: Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: The Trappers Ridge subdivision consists of a two lot subdivision which was platted at the terminus of 160th Lane in 2004. The westernmost 420 feet of 160th Lane has not been constructed, however a 66 foot road easement existed over the two properties at the end of the paved street. It was subsequently determined that this easement was not specifically dedicated to the City. As a result the City purchased the right of way from these properties and the Trappers Ridge lot property owner constructed his driveway through the right of way to obtain ingress and egress to his lot. Over the summer of 2005 staff had received phone calls from the property owners at the end of 160th Lane disputing the use of the drive access that had been constructed within this right of way. By the time the issue was discussed at the September 2005 Public Works Committee meeting the neighbors appeared to have solved their disputes, but there was discussion about the permanent status of the road. The neighbors indicated that they preferred not to have a public road built. At a February 7, 2006 City Council work session the Council addressed this issue that was forwarded to them at the September Public Works meeting. The Council agreed that if a right of way is to be used by the general public it needs to be maintained by the City. It directed that paving of this segment of street be added to the program for street improvements scheduled for the summer of 2006. Bids were opened in July 2006 for paving this segment of street. The cost was $45,419 which was considerably higher than the $26,000 estimated and the project was not awarded, but was to be reconsidered at a later date. The purpose of this case is to get direction on this project. Financing: The cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $50,000. The funding for a project including a street improvement such as this one would be eligible from the Public Improvement Revolving Fund (PIR). This is the fund that fronts the costs for the special assessments for the Street Maintenance program. The balance in the PIR fund will only be around $450,000 at year end not including any additional projects undertaken in 2007 such as the Neon Street connection house purchase. A couple of years ago this fund had over $2 million but since 2004 Oak Park Terrace, Ebony Street, and Welcomes Road projects were financed from this fund.