4.1. SR 05-18-1998Item 4.1.
Howard R, Green Company
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
May 13, 1998
File: 803570J (0060)
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Formerly MSA
Consulting Engineers
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
PO Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330-0490
RE: SCHOOL STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Dear Council Members:
As directed at last Monday's City Council meeting, attached are two resolutions for the City
Council's consideration. The first resolution orders the feasibility study for the School Street
improvements. This will be necessary for any proposed assessments to the benefiting property.
As I understand, we will likely assess 50% of the construction to the school district along the
north half of the street, and assess the properties along the south side of the street for the
proposed new sidewalk. The second resolution would authorize the preparation of plans and
specifications to begin. As we indicated at last week's meeting, we have already initiated this
work and have been working towards completing a set of plans so that the Elk River Municipal
Utilities will know where to relocate their power line and anticipating a Summer 1998
construction schedule.
In that regard, we have prepared a tentative schedule of how the project may proceed in order
to be completed in 1998. It is as follows:
· Order feasibility study and preparation of plans and specifications
· Receive feasibility study and order public hearing
· Submit plans to Mn/DOT for Municipal State Aid approval
· Approve plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for bids
· Hold public hearing
· Open bids
· Receive Mn/DOT Municipal State,Aid approval
· Award bid
· Start construction
· Consider resolution to determine the cost to be assessed
· Complete construction
· Assessment hearing
May 18, 1998
May 25, 1998
May 25, 1998
May 25, 1998
June 8, 1998
June 24, 1998
June 30,1998
July 6, 1998
July 13, 1998
August 17, 1998
September 18, 1998
September 28, 1998
O:~PROJ\803570j\570-1312. may.doc
1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 · 612/644-4389 fax 612/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389
City of Elk River
May 13, 1998
Page 2
It should be noted that to facilitate this project, we will need a narrow easement along the north
side from the School District. This is because the widening to the north will push the power line
out of the existing easement. If the School District is unwilling to give this easement in a timely
fashion, it would delay construction.
You will note two things about this schedule. First, it proposes that the assessment hearing be
held after the project has been awarded and the construction completed. This is not the typical
way that we have been proceeding with projects. This exposes the City to a slightly increased
risk of an assessment appeal being sustained by District Court and the City being responsible
for the cost. The second issue is that construction would not start until well after the school year
is closed for the summer and would not be completed until after the next school year has begun.
This will likely cause some disruption to both the school activities and the construction activities,
however, the road should be constructed to a point that it can easily carry traffic in the worst
weather conditions.
In thinking about a 1998 construction project versus a 1999 construction project, there are a few
benefits to a 1999 construction project that bear mentioning. They are as follows:
Obviously, it would provide enough time for the City to go through the public hearing,
bidding, and assessment hearing processes before a contract is awarded, thus
eliminating any risk that the City would have by not holding the assessment hearing until
after the project.
It would allow more time for working with School District personnel and utilities to
coordinate activities along the School Street corridor. These activities would include
realigning, if possible, some of the School District's driveways, and coordinating the
relocation of electrical lines and other underground utilities that may be in the way of the
new construction.
We may, potentially, receive a slightly inflated bid in 1998, caused by a rather short
construction period with a rather late bid opening. By the middle of June, most
contractors are starting to fill in most of their construction schedule. In 1999, the project
would be bid early in the year, allowing a contractor to plan ahead for construction
starting immediately after the school year is over, thus not having to "squeeze" the
project into their 1998 schedule.
The City's method of funding their portion of the cost of this project would likely be
Municipal State Aid dollars. As we have discussed previously, the City has more
projects planned for 1998 than there are Municipal State Aid dollars available. Moving
the project to 1999 would allow one more year of allotment to be available to help in the
funding scenario of all proposed projects within the City.
Howard R, Green Company
O:\PROJ\803570j\570-1312.may.doc CONSULTING ENGINEERS
City of Elk River
May 13, 1998
Page 3
If you have any questions regarding this information, I will be in attendance at your City Council
meeting on Monday, May 18, 1998.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
TJM/st
Enclosures
Howard R, Green Company
O:~PROJ\803570j\570-1312.may.doc CONSULTING ENGINEERS
RESOLUTION 98 -
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER ORDERING A
PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF
THE SCHOOL STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 1998
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
the City has determined that it should consider improving certain property by
widening School Street from just west of Jackson Avenue and reconstructing
School Street west of Proctor Avenue (the improvement); and
Council must first secure a preliminary feasibility study in order to consider
making the improvement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River, Minnesota:
This matter shall be referred to Howard R. Green Company, who is requested to provide
to the City Council a report advising, in a preliminary way, whether the proposed
improvement is feasible and whether the improvement should thus be made as
proposed or in connection with some other improvement and the estimated cost of the
improvement as recommended.
Passed and adopted this 18 day of May 1998.
ATTEST:
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk
\\SPNWFSWOL1 \DATA\PROJ\803570j\570-1313.may. Resolution .doc
RESOLUTION 98 -
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS IN THE MATTER OF THE SCHOOL STREET
IMPROVEMENT OF 1998
WHEREAS
the City Council will duly consider the Feasibility Report and those matters
presented at the public hearing by those persons desiring to be heard on the
matter;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River, Minnesota:
Howard R. Green Company is hereby designated as Project Engineer for this
improvement. The Project Engineer is directed to prepare plans and specifications for
the making of the improvement and the solicitation of competitive bids.
Passed and adopted this 18 day of May 1998.
ATTEST:
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk
O:~PROJ\803570j\570-1314.may. Resolution2.doc