06-23-25 SWS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 23, 2025 14 need to be upsized. There is no use in making this investment if that improvement isn't approved. That can all be looked at during final design, if we go in that direction. Fisher said a preliminary resident survey was sent out. It went out to everyone in the project area, as well as, residents who are outside the project area but adjacent to Karth Lake. There were 49 responses to the online survey. The responses included general support for the street improvement project, concerns over private landscaping impacts, concerns regarding erosion in and around Cummings Park trail and to Karth Lake, assessment calculations and a handful of respondents in support of the lake level monitoring and pump system. Fisher outlined the base project costs. It won't include the pump system improvements or the alternate of the sediment removal. The base cost is just under $3.1 million. He discussed how the costs are distributed between the different elements of the project. The overall project costs, include estimated construction costs, a 10% contingency and 27% indirect cost for overhead. Councilmember Holden asked if we need a new electrical box. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said the panel is okay but it may need to be relocated. Fisher summarized the funding sources for the nearly $3.1 million base project which include the general fund, assessments and three utility funds. He walked through the preliminary estimated costs for the four alternate improvements above the base project. Fisher outlined the special assessment process for the 429 assessments. The first step is to develop a feasibility study. After that is complete, there would be public hearings, final design with engineered plans and competitively bidding the project. The public hearings require estimates of the assessments and mailed notice to each property proposed for assessment. There would also be open houses associated with the final design and just prior to construction to keep residents informed. He outlined how special assessments are applied, based on City policy. The assessments are only for street improvements. Residents aren't assessed for utilities or the Karth Lake improvements. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said on a previous assessment there was a case where there were two lots within one property. There are no properties like that in this project area so that won't be an issue this time. Councilmember Holden said the Karth Lake improvements could be assessed to Karth Lake District, if the board agrees. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen confirmed. He said the district is there and that could be a discussion. Fisher said based on the street costs presented, they divided out the assessment calculations. Preliminary assessment calculations for residential properties are estimated between $3,000- $6,500, depending on if the improvement is the mill and overlay or the reclamation and overlay. The Industrial properties will vary by property. He walked through the formula for how those amounts were calculated.