4.4. SR 02-17-1998ity of
River
MEMORANDUM
Item #4.4.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Adm~~ tor
February 17, 1998
Boston Street Feasibility Study
On January 26, 1998, City Engineer Terry Maurer presented the feasibility
study for the Boston Street utility improvements. This is a relatively small
project impacting four existing sites, two of which have the potential to be
subdivided. Additionally, one of the four sites is the cemetery and this
property is proposed to be only assessed for water improvements.
There was fair amount of discussion at the 1/26/98 meeting regarding the
assessment amounts and method for this project. The feasibility study
presents a scenario for two of the assessment units to be deferred until the
property is subdivided and further developed. This assessment method
makes the cost of the improvements manageable for the benefited property
owners, but essentially calls for the city to '~hold" two assessments. On the
other hand, a concern discussed at the stafflevel was that ff 100 percent of
the cost was assessed out to three and one-half assessment units, then the
cost per unit may be prohibitive.
The City Council requested that this item come back for further discussion
when a full Council is in attendance. Attached for your review is the
feasibility study and the 1/16/98 memo and resolution as prepared by the city
engineer.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Howard R, Green Company
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
January 16, 1998
File: 801210j-0030
rM~~
CONS[LT[NG ~GINEER~
Forrnedy MSA
Consulting Engineers
Mr. Pat Klaers
City Administrator
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
P. O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330-0490
RE: BOSTON STREET FEASIBILITY STUDY
Dear Klaers:
Attached are copies of the Boston Street Feasibility Study that was authorized by the City
Council last fall. As you are aware, this Feasibility Study deals with extending City utilities north
along Boston Street from Orono Road to serve the single family homes that are located here
along with Orono Cemetery. When these studies are presented to the City Council, the next
action they would need to take, to keep the project moving, would be to adopt a resolution
receiving the Feasibility Study and ordering the public hearing. I have attached a draft
resolution for the City Council's consideration. You will note from the draft resolution that I have
tentatively set the public hearing for March 2, 1998.
If you have any questions regarding any of this information, please call.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
TJM/et
Attachments
O:~oroj\801210~210-1606.jan
1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 · 612/644-4389 fax 612/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389
RESOLUTION 98 -
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT
AND ORDERING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
IMPROVEMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE BOSTON STREET
IMPROVEMENT OF 1998
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
the Feasibility Report ordered by the Council in Resolution 97-77 has been
prepared with reference to the Boston Street improvement and was received by
the City on January 26, 1998; and
the Feasibility Report recommends that the proposed improvement is feasible;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota:
The City Council will consider the Boston Street improvemem as described in the
Feasibility Report and the assessmem of the property abutting this proposed improvement
for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section
429 at an estimated total cost for the improvement of $58,600.
A public hearing shall be held before the City Council on the proposed improvemem on
the 2 day of March, 1998, at 6:00 o'clock p.m. at Elk River City Hall.
The City Clerk shall provide two published notices (one week apart) in the official
newspaper with at least three days between the last publication date and the hearing, and
mailed notice ten days prior to the hearing as required by law.
Passed and adopted this 26~ day of January, 1998.
ATTEST:
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk
O :\proj \801210X210-1604 .j an. Resolution
FEASIBILITY STUDY
FOR
BOSTON STREET UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS
ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA
JANUARY 1998
FEAS-801 2 I0 ~r~ ', ~ ~;
FEASIBILITY STUDY
FOR
BOSTON STREET UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS
ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA
JANUARY 1998
I hereby certify that this plan, specification, or report was prepared by me or under my direct
supervision and that I am a duly registered Professional Engineer under the laws of the State of
Minnesota.
Date
Preparep[By: Txi~ank j: Da~.J~n
Howard R. Green Company
Consulting Engineers
1326 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 612/644-4389
Fax: 612/644-9446
TABLE OF CONTENTS
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 1
FEASIBILITY, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, AND NECESSITY ........................... 1
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ................................ : ................................ 2
IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS ................................................... 2
Easements and Permits ............................................................................. 2
Estimated Costs ...................................................................................... 2
Financing .............................................................................................. 3
Project Schedule
CONCLUSION
FEAS-RO1.210
I. INTRODUCTION
On August 18, 1997, the Elk River City Council adopted Resolution 97-77, authorizing
a feasibility study to analyze the extension of sanitary sewer and watermain to serve the
properties on Boston Street, north of Orono Road. The proposed improvements were
initiated by a petition signed by the owners of three residential properties on Boston
Street. A copy of the petition is provided in the Appendix. Jim Nystrom,
representative for Orono Cemetery, which is the only other property owner on Boston
Street, was contacted and he indicated that the cemetery may be interested in being
provided with City water for an irrigation system. The project location is shown on
Exhibit 1.
This study will summarize the existing conditions, proposed improvements, estimated
construction costs, and associated overhead costs for the project. Overhead costs
include city administration, engineering, fiscal, and legal expenses. The City's
Assessment Manual and previous projects will be used as a guide to establish financing
methods for the project.
II. FEASIBILITY. COST-EFFECTIVENESS. AND NECESSITy
In 1992, sanitary sewer and watermain were extended along Orono Road during
construction of Western Area Phase I. At that time, sanitary sewer and watermain
were stubbed onto Boston Street for future extension of these utilities, so it is feasible
for services to be provided to these properties. If this project proceeds, it would likely
be combined with other similar projects for bidding and construction in an effort to get
the most cost-effective price.
Based on information contained within this study, the proposed improvements are
necessary, cost-effective, and feasible from an engineering standpoint.
III. EXISTING CONDITIONS
Boston Street, north of Orono Road, is currently a 22-foot wide bituminous road with
no curb and gutter. There are three existing residential properties with front footage
along Boston Street, and Orono Lake Cemetery at the end of the road. In 1992, utility
improvements were completed on Orono Road. At that time, 8-inch sanitary sewer and
6-inch water pipes were stubbed into Boston Street from Orono Road. The sanitary
sewer is located along the centerline of Boston Street, and the watermain is located 10
feet east of the centerline of Boston Street.
FEAS-801.210 801210j
The proposed project area is zoned RI - Single Family Residential. There are a total
of six properties within the proposed project area, five residential properties and Orono
Cemetery. Three residential properties have front footage only on Boston Street and no
current access to sanitary sewer and water service. The other two properties are corner
lots that were provided sanitary sewer and water service access from Orono Road when
Western Area Phase 1 construction was completed.
IV. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
The proposed improvements, shown on Exhibit 2, include the extension of sanitary
sewer and watermain and the reconstruction of the road. Eight-inch sanitary sewer will
be extended to the north end of Boston Street, with 4-inch services extending to each
property, excluding Orono Cemetery which has no need for sanitary sewer service.
Six-inch watermain will also be extended to the north end of Boston Street, with 1-inch
copper services extended to each of the three homes, 'and a 2-inch copper service
extended to Orono cemetery. Orono Lake is located just east of Boston Street;
therefore, the watermain will be transitioned to 10 feet west of the sanitary sewer to
avoid disturbance of the lake slope during construction. The depth of the utility trench
requires that all bituminous pavement be removed. Therefore, the road will be
reconstructed to the same width as existing. All other disturbed areas will also be
restored with sod.
Because Boston Street is a peninsula into Lake Orono, there is no opportunity to loop
the watermain. Also, due to the limited amount of traffic Boston Street carries, it is
recommended that the road reconstruction consist of replacing the street section that is
currently in place, that being approximately 22 feet wide with no curb and gutter.
V. IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
A. Easements and Permits
Permits from the MPCA and the Department of Health will be required.
All work will be within the existing 50-foot right-of-way. However, it may be
necessary to obtain temporary grading easements, and verbal permission will be
obtained in these instances.
B. Estimated Costs
The estimated construction and project costs for the proposed improvements are
shown in Table 1.
FEAS-801.210 ') 80121t~i
In accordance with the City's Assessment Manual, the overhead cost has been
estimated at 28% of the total construction costs. This overhead cost includes
city administration, engineering, and fiscal and legal costs.
Table 1
Watermain Construction
Sanitary Sewer Construction
Street Reconstruction
$16,525.00
$11,925.00
$17.350.00
Total estimated Construction Cost
Overhead costs
Total Estimated Project Cost
$45,800.00
$12.800.00
$58,600.00
According to the City's Assessment Policy these types of improvements are
typically funded by assessments to the benefited properties. There are a total of
three lots along the west side of Boston, none along the east side, and Orono
Cemetery at the north end. The two lots at the intersection of Orono Road and
Boston Street can be served from Orono Road so they have been excluded from
this study.
Further analysis of the three benefited lots along the west side of Boston Street
reveals that two of them could be further subdivided. If these were to be further
subdivided in the future the newly created lot should pay an assessment for City
services. Therefore it is proposed to treat these lots as two assessable units .with
one unit deferred until the lot is subdivided. The deferred assessment would
accrue no interest and if the lot were never split would never be collected.
Since Orono Cemetery is only interested in water service it is proposed to treat
it as one-half unit. This would result in a total of 5 1/2 assessable units with two
of those being deferred. Given the estimated total project cost of $58,600 the
assessment per unit would be $10,650. The following table lists the benefited
properties and their proposed assessment.
Units Units Assessment Assessment
Property Assessed Deferred Level Deferred
Orono Cemetery 0.5 -0- $5,325 -0-
David Dirkes 1.0 1.0 $10,650 $10,650
Kathreen Secora Et Al 1.0 -0- I $10,650 -0-
Karen Thomas 1.0 1.0 I $10.650 $10.650
TotalI $37,275 $21,300
FEAS-801.210 3 801210j
As can be seen from the table above, there would be $37,275 assessed
immediately. Assessments in the amount of $21,300 would be deferred and
only recovered if the properties were split. In the meantime, this cost would
have to be funded by the City. Just as a point of reference, the assessment for
Riverview Drive/Macon Street in 1997 was $9,800 per unit and Orono Lake
Third Addition was $12,150 also in 1997.
D. Other Costs
There are a number of other costs associated with connecting existing homes to
city the sanitary sewer and water system. These are described as follows:
Sewer Availabili .ty Charge (SAC)
Each property owner connecting to the city's sanitary sewer system must pay a
fee at the time of the hook-up. This fee is intended to cover the individual
property's "buy-in" to the wastewater treatment plant. This SAC charge is
currently $1,300 per single family residential unit.
Water Availability Charge .(WAC)
Each property owner connecting to the city's water system must pay a fee at the
time of the hook-up. This fee is intended to cover the individual property's
"buy-in" to the wells, elevated towers and water treatment facilities. This
charge is currently $1,350 per single family residential unit.
Connection of sanitary, sewer and water service from property, line to home
The individual property owner is responsible for bringing the sanitary sewer and
water services from the property line to the home and connecting them. This
cost will vary per property depending on many variables such as how far the
home is from the property line, where the sanitary sewer and water enter the
home, and what type of restoration must be done over the service lines.
Existing Septic Tank
City code requires that the existing septic tank be pumped and crushed and filled
with dirt. This is for safety purposes.
Existing Well
City code allows wells to be used for outside irrigation, but they must be
separated from the city system.
FEAS-801.210 4 801210j
Monthly User Charges
There is a monthly user charge for city sanitary sewer and water service. These
charges are based on water usage, and will vary according to how much water is
used each month.
E. Project Schedule
The following project schedule for the Boston Street Utility Improvements
project is based upon guidelines established in Minnesota State Statues, Chapter
429, Local Improvements, Special Assessments. These dates may be revised as
the project develops.
Receive Feasibility Study and
Order Public Hearing
January26, 1998
Hold Public Hearing and Order Plans
and Specifications
March 2, 1998
Approve Plans and Specifications and
Authorize Advertisement for Bids
March 23, 1998
Receive Bids and Set Assessment Hearing
April20, 1998
Hold Assessment Hearing and Award Contract
May 25, 1998
Begin Construction
June 1998
Complete Construction
August 1998
V. CONCLUSION
The proposed project would improve the sanitary sewer and water services for the
properties within the project area by connecting them to the City systems. It would
also allow the cemetery to install an irrigation system for its property. The estimated
cost of the project is $ 58,600.00, with costs partially or wholly assessed to the affected
property owners. Based on the information gathered and the analyses presented, the
proposed improvements are feasible from an engineering standpoint.
FEAS-801.210 5 801210j
6
OAK
KNOLL
ORONO
COUNTY
FAIR
GROUNDS
SOFTBALL
PARK
HN.L
LAKE
LAKE LOT G
ORONO
ORONO PARKWAY
LOCATION
0 1000
LOCATION
~=K
OCT. 1997
DAT~
80121oj
JOB NO,
LOCATION MAP I
BOSTON STREET
PROPOSED SANITARY SEWER AND WATERMAIN
ORONO
CEMETERY
LAKE
PROPOSED --
WATERMAIN
ORONO
~OPOSED
SANITARY SEWER
1 ~ ~'-"-~!" !-!i'!.:..:.:::~ _/.~.....~ i~.: ~;~~00
I~ ~, _.~.._ ~i .~. °~o. i
OCT. 1997
801210J
~ .o. ~-~ PROPOSED
CITY OF ELK RIVER Ni"~
BOSTON STREET
SANITARY SEWER AND WATERMAI
LAKE
~ "~.DAVID~AND
~£0o~,
ORONO
OSEWER & WATER
WATER ONLY
PROP.ASSESS
APP~D: JOEl NO.
OCT. 1997
DA'T~:
801210J
100
CITY OF ELK RIVER
BOSTON STREET
PROPERTIES TO BE ASSESSED
APPENDIX
PETITION FOR LOCAL IMPROVEMENT
City of Elk River
State of Minnesota
To the City Council of Elk River, Minnesota:
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED OWNERS of (all) (not less than 35 percent in
frontage) of the real property described as:
hereby petition, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chap_ret 429, for
the following public improvements:
EACH OWNER FURTHER AGREES, in consideration of the City action
at our request to cause construction of the above-described
improvement, to pay such sums as may be determined by the City to be
a fair and reasonable apportionment of the costs of said
improvement. !
OWNER EXPRESSLY WAIVES OBJECTION to any irregularity with regard
to the making of the improvement or assessment of the cost thereof;
'aires any claim that the amount thereof levied against owner's
property is excessive; and waives all rights to appeal in the
courts.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
!0.
Signature Print Name Description of
Date of Owner of Owner Property
3 ?
Examined, checked, and found to be in proper form and to be
signed by the owners of the above-stated quantity of property
affected by the making of the improvement petitioned for.
City Clerk ~-
GEK:AJ4s