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01-15-1996 CC MIN - SPECIALMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT WORKSESSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1996 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Holmgren, and Scheel None Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Assistant City Administrator; Steve Ach, City Planner; Terry Maurer, City Engineer Call Meetin.q To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) worksession of the City Council was called to order at 5:10 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. Discussion on Capital Improvement Pro,qram City Administrator Pat Klaers provided an overview of the CIP review and decision making process and how the process has evolved over the last few years. In 1996, the ClP process will involve month to month updates and decisions on projects and this worksession is being held as an overview summary of planned activities. ao Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion - The City Engineer reviewed his 1/8/96 memo regarding the bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade. The bids were very competitive and below the original estimate and the Iow bidder is qualified to do the project. The City Engineer reviewed his 1/11/96 memo regarding the capacity of the Treatment Plant and how this capacity relates to the urban service area approved in the Comprehensive Plan update. There is sufficient capacity to service this area with the proposed Treatment Plant expansion. Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson reviewed with the City Council the 1/12/96 financial analysis of the Treatment Plant expansion project and the revenue pro]ections for this enterprise fund to pay off the proposed bonds. It was noted that the projections outlined are for a 20 year bond repayment plan whereas previous estimates were for a 30 year repayment plan. The Iow bids for the project allowed the bond repayment schedule to be reduced. Lori reviewed the revenue assumptions and noted that in the current estimated debt service schedule does not allow for the depreciation expense to be reserved for future use because the projected income does not generate sufficient cash to meet annual debt payments. CIP Worksession Meeting January 15, 1996 Page 2 After discussion, it was the unanimous consensus of the City Council to put this issue on the January 22, 1996, City Council agenda for consideration of awarding the WWTP expansion bids. b. East Elk River Public Improvement Project The City Administrator provided an overview of this project from its conception in 1989 to the present. It was noted that the urban service district for east Elk River has been established with the update of the Comprehensive Plan and that stading in 1996, the city would look at new alternatives for a construction project and disregard the past options and alternatives. City Engineer Terry Maurer presented and reviewed alternatives A, B, C, and D. Discussion related to the direction of the trunk sanitary sewer either being along Highway 10 or across Highway 169; the need to establish one assessment rate (plus COLA) for the entire east Elk River project; and the difference between the city "pushing" the project to the east versus a major developer "pulling" the project to the east. Discussion at the Council level included a concern over how much of the cost of the project the city could hold on a temporary basis until it could be assessed out to benefited property owners...The Mayor indicated his support for the approach of having the trunk sewer go across Highway 169 and also indicated his support to hold a public hearing on the project in order to receive property owner feedback on the proposal...The question was raised whether or not it would be appropriate to allow the County Road 12 area to develop in a residential nature prior to the east Highway 10 area developing and if this is teasible...The maximum assessment rate per acre was reviewed...A number of Councilmembers indicated that the project should wait until it was developer driven. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to obtain a quote for a complete appraisal for this project area from Patchin and Associates. It was the consensus af the City Council to get a quote from the City Engineer for the cost of doing topographical maps based on air photography. The Council asked for a clarification on the status of the assessment manual and the need for an update in order to ensure that one assessment rate can be established for the whole east Elk River area. Co Review of Current or On.qoin.q Projects - The City Engineer reviewed his 1/11/96 memo on the status of current projects. d. Streets 185th Avenue or Hi.qhway 10 North Frontaqe Road Be.qinninq at ,Joplin Street The City Engineer reviewed the timetable for this proposed project. Sherri Emerson, representing the Guardian Angels Foundation, asked a number of questions regarding development of the Guardian Angels property in CIP Worksession Meeting Page 3 January 15, 1996 this area. The City Administrator reviewed the city's financial commitment to this project. It was noted that this item will be on a City Council agenda for formal action in the next few weeks. School Street and School Street/Proctor Avenue Si.qnal - This project is scheduled for 1997 and only preliminary work has been completed. The county is involved with this project as Proctor Avenue is a county road. Dodqe Avenue and Fifth Street Reconstruction - It was noted that this project will move forward when a petition from benefited property owners is submitted. The City Administrator outlined the city's financial obligation to this project. Overlays - The ma]or overlay project in 1996 is in the Riverview Heights area unless a complete street reconstruction with city utilities project is undedaken. The City Council reviewed options for the Riverview area and directed staff to set up a neighborhood meetlng. County Road 1 - The City Engineer stated that this project is scheduled for 1996. Discussion took place regarding a three lane versus four lane project and striping alignment. Discussion of the Highway 10 intersection and left turn movements at Proctor Avenue also took place. It was noted that the County Engineer will come to a future City Council meeting to review this project. Staff was directed to continue to work on options for the Highway 10/Proctor Avenue intersection. County Road 12 - It was noted that this is a proposed 1997 project. Discussion took place regarding the possible realignment of the County Road 12 and/or County Road 13 intersection. Main Street/Hiqhway 10/Otseqo Bridge - The Council acknowledged that this project is not feasible in the next few years, but indicated its ongoing concern for this area and noted that this is still a high priority project. West Business Center Drive - It was stated that this project will take place when it is petitioned for by benefited property owners. This road would connect Joplin Street to the County Government Center on the south side of Highway 10. The City Administrator identified the non-programmed street projects which are a high priority, but which no petitions have been received for the project and which no financing has been arranged. A brief review of the city's long range transportation plan, the county's long range transportation plan, and the city/MnDOT corridor study took place. The City Engineer highlighted the proposed new transportation corridors, including the east/west route, that are in the city transportation plan. The City Administrator requested permission to have the City Engineer and Street Superintendent work with the county engineering staff on a possible trail along County Road 44 or Meadowvale Road from Highway 10 to the CIP Worksession Meeting January 15, 1996 railroad crossing. project. Page 4 The Council agreed to do some preliminary work on this The City Engineer stated that he had received a request to have the city consider a sidewalk for pedestrians on the south side of the new Main Street bridge (Dam Bridge). The citizen was also concerned that a railing should be installed as people are using this area for walking and for fishing. The City Council received this request but took no action. Cass Property - The City Administrator reviewed the plans in 1996 for purchase and development of the Cass property. Liquor Store - The City Administrator reviewed the recommendations from himself and the liquor store manager on the timing and planning for a new Northbound liquor store and the need for obtaining a Westbound liquor store site. The City Council requested that the Liquor Store Manager attend a future meeting to discuss these issues. go Ice Arena - The City Administrator, Councilmember Farber, and Councilmember Dietz reviewed the proposed ice arena project and the intent to be under construction in eady 1996. The ongoing time requirements placed upon the Finance Department for this new enterprise fund were acknowledged. Riverwalk Project - The City Administrator stated that it is not likely that construction will take place on this project in 1996, but that the Economic Development Coordinator would like to have the finances reviewed and in place as soon as possible. The City Administrator noted that the Economic Development Coordinator would like to have a special worksession with the City Council on this project. Councilmember Holmgren questioned whether repair or replacement of the central business district sidewalk was part of a riverwalk project. The City Administrator indicated that it is not part of the project at this fir, se, but that this issue could be discussed with the Economic Development Authority and/or the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Surface Water Mana.qement - The City Administrator reviewed the 1995 Surface Water Management Projects and the known 1996 expenditures. It was noted that the western area Surface Water Management document has been completed (dated November, 1995) and that this plan will be briefly reviewed by the City Engineer at a February Council meeting. The City Administrator noted that a similar study and report would be needed for the east side of Elk River when a trunk improvement project is scheduled. Equipment o The City Administrator reviewed the annual equipment needs and highlighted some unusually large expenditures that are anticipated in the near future in the Street/Park department, Fire department, and WWTP department. CIP Worksession Meeting January 15, 1996 Page 5 3. Other Business/Staff Updates The City Administrator discussed with the City Council formal action on the use of TIF No. 4 funds for the water project in the western part of the city along with the creation of a development fund. The Mayor stated that he had received a call from Kraus-Anderson representative Carl Carlson regarding the trailer in the Elk Park Center project area. The Council indicated no desire to change its previous position and still wants the trailer moved from the site or moved to the Cub construction area. Marly Glines, representing Phoenix Enterprises, requested that the City Council review its proposal for an exception to the city development policy. The request relates to having the City Engineer do the grading plans for the pdvate development project which is outside of the public right-of-way on land owned by the developer. It was noted that this is not a detailed site plan, but a preliminary grading plan for the entire area. Council discussion on this request took place. 4. .Adjournment There being no fudher business, COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The special ClP worksession of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, atrick D. Klaers ~ City Administrator