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5.1. SR 04-09-2001 Howard R, Green Company Item 5.1. April 3, 2001 File: 230000M-0325 Mr. Pat Klaers City Administrator City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway P.O. Box 490 Elk River, MN 55330-0490 RE: STATUS OF CURRENT PROJECTS Dear Mr. Klaers: As requested, this letter is intended to give you a current status of projects we are working on or that are happening in the City. They are as follows: A. CITY PROJECTS 1. East Elk River Sanitary Sewer and Water Improvements This is the project being completed by S. R. Weidema. The project is essentially done with the exception of the final lift of bituminous in the Elk River Business Park which needs to be completed this spring. Other than that, there will be some discussions with the Contractor regarding final quantities and in early summer a final payment should be coming to the City Council. 2. East Elk River Street and Storm Sewer Improvements This is the federally funded portion of the East Elk River contract being constructed by LaTour Construction, Inc. As you are aware, the portion of Tyler Street south of CSAH 12 has been open to traffic since late last fall. There still are a number of issues to be completed on this portion, such as landscaping, start-up of the irrigation system, and completion of the lighting system. North of CSAH 12, the road is only partially complete to the entrance to Trott Brook Farms. This spring and summer, the remainder of the portion north of CSAH 12 will need to be completed. This will have to be coordinated with the current construction on CSAH 12 so that CSAH 12 and CSAH 13, which Tyler connects to, are not shut down at the same time. O:\PROJ~230000M\0325\Ltr 04-03-01 Klaers.smry.doc 1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 · 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389 Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 2 3. Western Area Phase IV Improvements This project was begun late last year. Most of the sanitary sewer and watermain were completed. The road construction was just beginning at the time of the winter shutdown. This project will likely begin sometime in late April or early May to complete the street construction, including the new intersection of Waco Avenue with TH 10 and the closure of the TH 10 access at the Sherburne County Government Center. 4. Trunk Highway 169/Main Street Signal Project This project included constructing the new signal at TH 169 and Main Street and the new signal at the intersection of CSAH 12 and 13. As you are aware, the signals have been up and operating since late last year. There still are a few remaining items in the spring of 2001. These include removing some of the poles associated with the temporary signal on TH 169, pouring the medians on the highway, and installing a luminaire on the CSAH 12/13 signal. We anticipate this project to be finaled early in the summer of 2001. 5. Downtown Sidewalk Replacement As you are aware, this project is currently advertised for bids. Bids are to be opened on Thursday, April 12, and presented to the City Council on Monday, April 16. The Elk River Municipal Utilities have already opened bids for the construction of the underground power lines through the downtown area. It is anticipated that the project will begin construction in late April and be completed by mid-June. 6. 175th Avenue Improvements This project is federally funded. The federal paperwork has been completed and approved by MnDOT. Plans are nearing completion and will be submitted to MnDOT in a final form within the next few weeks. We are currently in the land acquisition phase of the project. Minimum damage determinations have been prepared for each property owner, and we are in the process of making personal contact to present these offers to individuals. We are making every attempt to encourage property owners to consider donating the right-of-way necessary for the street improvement, anticipating that there would be no street assessment if right-of-way is given. We are anticipating the project can move forward sometime in the latter part of the summer or early fall of 2001. The schedule on the construction of this project is dependent on the completion and opening to traffic of CSAH 12. We do not want to initiate any construction on 175th Avenue until we are sure that traffic on CSAH 12 will not be impeded due to the construction in that area. Given this, it may be better to wait until the spring of 2002 to initiate construction, even though we will bid the project in 2001. One other issue the Council may be asked to consider later is whether or not to add sanitary sewer and watermain back into this project prior to bidding it. City staff has been receiving many inquiries into the availability of O:\PROJ~3OOOOM\O325\Ltr 04-¢.~0~.¢(~ry~[~ Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 3 sanitary sewer and water for the potential development of the Mitchell 80-acre parcel located on the east end of 175th Avenue. In fact, we have been told that the School District has made an offer for 40 acres from the Mitchells. In discussing this with Dr. Flannery, he has indicated that the School District, if it is able to acquire the land, would anticipate constructing an elementary school in this location within the next three to five years. B. SHERBURNECOUNTY 1. CSAH 12 Improvements This project was initiated by Sherburne County late last fall. The Contractor worked on the section of road from the intersection with CSAH 13 to Tyler Street prior to the winter shutdown. There will be a preconstruction meeting for the re-initiation of activities on Monday, April 9. We anticipate the Contractor will begin construction shortly thereafter. The Contractor has approximately three to three and a half months worth of work left on the project. There is one item on this project that does require some Council action. When this project was initially conceived back in the mid-1990s, the Sherburne County Highway Department came to the City of Elk River and asked if the City would allow a private driveway through Hillside Park. The driveway through the park was necessary because CSAH 12 was being widened and lowered, and this was the only way to minimize the driveway grade. Staff agreed with the need for the driveway through the park, but was concerned about potential liability if the City owned the land underneath the driveway. Therefore, a recommendation was made to the City Council and acted on at that time to sell the appropriate amount of land to the County for the driveway. Since 1996, when this action was taken by City Council, staff and the Park & Recreation Commission have discussed this issue several times and changed their position on whether or not the land should be sold to the County or an easement granted across the City park for driveway purposes. According to the City Attorney, there is no more or less liability in granting an easement versus selling the land outright. Obviously, the Park & Recreation Commission would prefer to have the park intact should the need for the driveway ever disappear in the future. Therefore, for the last two years, at least, the staff's position was that the City would grant an easement but not sell the land outright to the County. Staff believes this was the current City Council's position also as witnessed by the recent discussion about possibly locating a water tower in this area. Apparently, the homeowners who are serviced by this driveway are relying on the only formal action taken by the Elk River City Council in 1996, indicating that the Council's position would be to sell the land outright to the County. Recently, Dave Schwarting, County Engineer, and Brian Bensen, County Administrator, have asked that the City Council take a formal action to either rescind or override the 1996 action indicting the Council's desire to only grant an easement at this time. If you have further questions regarding this issue, I will be available to answer them on Monday, April 9, 2001. O:\PROJ~30000M\0325\Ltr 04-p3~01 Klaers.sm~yr~t~c ,,.-,, owara H, reen Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 4 C. ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 1. Elevated Water Tower As the City Council is aware, the Elk River Municipal Utilities have proceeded with the design of a one million gallon elevated water tower. The Municipal Utilities are dealing with the question about the proper location to construct an elevated tower. Currently, it appears that the most likely location would be on the Rick Foster property located about a quarter mile south of CSAH 12. This property is immediately south of the Holzem property. As soon as the Elk River Municipal Utilities can firm up the acquisition of the water tower site, they will likely proceed with the bidding and construction of that tower. At this point in time, the earliest the tower would be in service would be fall of 2002, and may actually take until the spring of 2003. 2. Deep Well Construction The Elk River Municipal Utilities are currently bidding a deep well project to be located on Deschenes property adjacent to Tyler Street. Bids for this project were opened on April 4, and will be considered by the Commission at their April 10, 2001, meeting. It is anticipated that the construction of this well will commence soon after that and be complete by the mid-summer of 2001. 3. Water Treatment Facility The deep well on the Deschenes property will be followed by the design and bidding of a water treatment facility to also be located on the Deschenes property. It is anticipated that this project will be advertised for bids in the summer of 2001, with construction beginning in the fall of 2001. The project would not be complete and operational until the spring of 2002. 4. Perkins Area Watermain Extension The Elk River Municipal Utilities will be opening bids for the construction of some watermain from approximately the Perkins Restaurant area south under Elk Hills Drive to approximately 8th Street. This watermain is needed to add redundancy to the water system in this area for the anticipated conversion from Iow pressure to high pressure service south of Elk Hills Drive. This is a rather small construction project and should be easily completed by mid-summer. D. PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 1. Rollinq Hills Addition This is a cluster development in the extreme northeast corner of the City involving approximately 120 acres. Construction was initiated on this project last fall. The community septic system was completed and roads graded and graveled. At this point, only a model home is constructed on the project. O:\PRO,~30000M\0325\Ltr 04-~)~.~.¢~/~ Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 5 2. Twin Lake Townhomes First and Second Additions This is a townhouse development along CSAH 13 where Tyler Street merges into it. The first phase of this development was initiated last fall. Most of the utility work was completed in the first phase. Only minimal paving was done so that a model home could be constructed. We anticipate completion of the first phase sometime early in the summer of 2001. The Second Addition of Twin Lake Townhomes has recently received preliminary plat approval. We anticipate that this project will move toward final plat approval and construction sometime in the mid-summer of 2001. 3. Woods at Hillside 1 and 2 Construction on both of these projects was begun last fall. These projects are located in the southeast corner of the Hillside Estates Area. Woods at Hillside 1st Addition has utilities completed and the first lift of blacktop, such that building permits can be issued. Woods at Hillside 2nd Addition has utility work done but no street construction. Both of these projects should be completed in the summer of 2001. 4. Hillside Estates 8th Addition This is the completion of the Hillside Estates Addition in the northwest corner of the residential area. This project received preliminary plat approval at a recent City Council meeting. We anticipate that the Developer will proceed to final plat with the first phase of the Hillside Estates 8th Addition. Construction on the first phase of the 8th Addition will likely commence in the summer of 2001. 5. West Oaks Addition This is the S & Z Development proposal to construct approximately 170 townhouse units on about 35 acres of land just west of Waco Avenue and north of the Pinewood Golf Course. This is on the extreme western edge of the City. This development has received preliminary plat approval from the Planning Commission and is coming forward to the City Council. We anticipate that once preliminary plat approval is granted by the City Council, the Developer will move forward with phase 1 of this development sometime in 2001. 6. Windsor Oak Hill Development This is the plat on the Nord property west of CSAH 1_in the extreme northwestern corner of the Urban Service District. This plat received preliminary approval last year. The Developer has broken it into two phases. Construction of the utilities has just begun on the first phase, which is approximately half of the development. We anticipate construction will continue for approximately 60 to 75 days, and house building can begin in this development sometime in late summer 2001. O:\PROJ~30000M\0325\Ltr 04~03~01 Klaers.smlyrd~c owar Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 6 7. K & L Addition This is the development off of 173rd Avenue behind the Back to the 50's Restaurant. Construction began on the first phase of the development in the fall of last year. The first phase included approximately four 1-acre commercial lots. We expect that as soon as weight restrictions are removed, construction will continue on the utilities and streets for the first phase of this addition. 8. Mississippi Ridge Addition This is the Scott Powell development located between TH 10 and the Mississippi River at about 171st Avenue. The plat just received preliminary approval from the City Council. We assume the Developer is working on some of the contingencies and conditions which were placed on the preliminary plat and will be coming forward within the next 30 to 60 days for a final plat. This development includes approximately six to eight 1-acre+ commercial lots along the highway and approximately 22 townhouse units along the river bank. 9. Meadowwoods Village Addition This is a cluster development located west of CSAH 1 and immediately south of Windsor Park Addition that was developed last year. This development just recently received final plat approval. A preconstruction meeting was held and it is anticipated site grading will begin within two weeks. Somewhere around May 1st, street and utility construction should also begin. This development should be ready for building permits by mid to late summer 2001. 10. Ridges of Rice Lake This is the cluster development located in the north central part of the City. It is located north of 221st Avenue and just west of the railroad trail. It contains approximately 70 single-family home sites. This development has just recently received final plat approval. We anticipate that construction will begin on this project as soon as weight restrictions allow. One outstanding issue with this project is the paving of 221st Avenue. 221st Avenue is currently gravel from CSAH 1 on the west to the railroad trail on the east. The portion of 221st Avenue from the railroad trail to TH 169 has previously been paved by the gravel mining companies in the area. We have had discussions with the Developers of Ridges of Rice Lake regarding their contribution toward the paving of 221st Avenue. They have committed to paving 221st Avenue from CSAH 1 to their main entrance. The remainder of the paving would be the City's responsibility. Typically on these types of projects, there is minimal assessment to the abutting properties on a unit basis, given the large variation in the types and sizes of abutting property owners. In order to initiate this type of project, the first step would be for the City Council to order a feasibility study. Attached to this letter is a resolution for the City Council's consideration which would authorize the preparation of a feasibility study for the paving of 221st Avenue. Since this would be a City-initiated project, this resolution requires a 4/5 vote of the City Council to be approved. O:\PROJ~23OOOOM\O325\Ltr 04]03r01 Klaers.smlTp;l~c ~-.,, owara H, reen Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 7 11. Fox Haven This is the proposed single-family development on the Hartman property just north of TH 10 and west of the Guardian Angels development. The project consists of 19 single-family lots including the existing Hartman homestead. The development recently received preliminary plat approval from the City Council. We anticipate that the project will move forward and seek final plat approval within the next two to three months, with construction beginning shortly thereafter. 12. Holzem Property Development We expect that Gold Nugget Development will come forward soon with a proposed development on the 80-acre Holzem property located in the southwest corner of CSAH 12 and Fillmore Avenue. Initial concepts reviewed by City staff show a mixture of single-family and townhouse units on the parcel. It is likely the development will propose approximately 185 to 195 units on this parcel. We anticipate the Developer will be making application in late April for a Planning Commission meeting in May and City Council meeting in June. Following this schedule, the development could begin construction of improvements in the first phase in late summer of 2001. 13. Elk River Station Development This is the proposed commercial and high density residential development on the Eull property located near the proposed Northstar Corridor Station location. City Council has previously reviewed a concept of this development. We anticipate that this development may make formal application as early as the end of April, following a schedule of May Planning Commission and June or July City Council meetings. E. MNDOT-SPONSORED PROJECTS 1. TH 101 Brid,qe Replacement We have just recently received a copy of the plans for the replacement of the northbound bridge across the Mississippi River on TH 101. The cover letter from MnDOT indicated a letting date in mid-May of this year. We anticipate that construction could begin as early as the mid to late summer of 2001. This project is likely to require two years to complete. During the construction of this project, it is MnDOT's plan to put the northbound traffic on the southbound bridge. The bridge is apparently wide enough for the same number of lanes north and south with reduced width and construction zoning signing. 2. TH 169 / County Road 33 Interchange MnDOT is proceeding with the preliminary design phase of this project. We anticipate that MnDOT will be coming forward seeking municipal approval of the preliminary design and layout within the next few months. MnDOT will then O:\PROJ~230000M\0325\Ltr 04-~)~/~//e~.~.~y~ Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mr. Pat Klaers April 4, 2001 Page 8 proceed to the final design phase and the letting of a contract. The project is tentatively scheduled to be let early in 2003. 3. TH 10 Corridor Study MnDOT is undertaking a corridor study of TH 10 from Anoka to St. Cloud. Elk River will be an important part of this study. We anticipate that there will be several meetings with MnDOT regarding this study. We understand that the study is anticipated to be completed within 12 to 14 months. If you have any questions regarding these projects, please call. Sincerely, Howard R. Green Company Terry J.Maurer, P.E. TJM:tw Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS RESOLUTION 01 - 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 221ST AVENUE PAVING IMPROVEMENT OF 2001 WHEREAS WHEREAS the City has determined that it should consider improving certain property by paving 221st Avenue between CSAH 1 and the railroad trail (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 9th day of April, 2001. ATTEST: Stephanie A. Klinzing, Mayor Sandra A. Peine, City Clerk O:\PROJ~3OOOOM\0325\RESOLUTION - 221st Avenue Paving.doc