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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2D, Valentine Park Improvements I't EN HILLS Request for Council Action 2D Prepared By: Terry Maurer,Public Works Council Meeting Date: January 17,2012 Director Valentine Park Improvements Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A N/A N/A Recommendation: Discussion on options for Valentine Park improvements. Supportina Documents: 1. Memorandum dated January 17,2012, from Terry Maurer,Public Works Director. 2. Pages 12-14 from September 19,2011, City Council Work Session Minutes. EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: January 17,2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Terry Maurer, Public Works Director Michelle Olson,Parks and Recreation Manager rn SUBJECT: Valentine Park Improvements Background Staff has been working on the improvement to Valentine Park for some time. There has been a neighborhood open house, neighborhood survey, the PTRC has commented and the issue has been before the City Council on several occasions. The last time this item was on the Council agenda was the September 19, 2011 work session. At that time the Council consensus was to proceed to 75% final design in order to get a more accurate cost estimate of each component being considered in the Park improvement. A copy of the September 19, 2011 minutes is attached. Since the September work session staff and consultants have been working on the final design, had soil borings performed, met with Rice Creek Watershed District and reviewed park amenities that can be purchased on the State contract. At Tuesday's work session staff will present updated cost estimates and a funding/construction scenario for the park improvements. Staff will be looking for direction on how to proceed to construction bidding with the project. Several options are available; these include: • Items may be removed from the plan prior to bidding • Items that may be too expensive could be bid as an alternate and included if the budget allows • Some park items could be purchased and installed from the State contract after the installation area is prepared • Some park items have a range of cost options that could be considered Staff will be prepared to discuss these options and answer questions at the work session. City Council Meeting P:\Admin\Council\Agendas&Packet Information\2012\01-17-12 Joint Wk Sess\Packet Information\1-17-12ValentinePark.doc Page 1 of 1 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 12 After further discussion, Council consensus was to have Public Works Director Maurer proceed with the following four conditions for Municipal Consent: - Consider timing of closure of Highway 96 and widening of Lexington Avenue Bridge. - Re-evaluate noise analysis for the southwest quadrant to determine if a different length and/or height noise wall would meet the cost-effective criteria. - Increase the height of the barrier to the tallest slip-formed barrier that can be built in that location. - Re-align noise wall on the north side of Highway 96 at the west end to be ready for future extensions. C. Valentine Park Improvement Update Public Works Director Maurer stated that the Valentine Park improvements were last before the Council at their June 13th meeting. Since June, a detailed drainage design relative to the neighborhood draining through the park to Valentine Lake has been completed. It has been determined that a park and a drainage system can co-exist on the property and can be constructed in such a manner as to protect the park amenities and adjacent properties. In general, this will be accomplished by constructing a plateau at approximately elevation 882 which will contain the park amenities and parking lot. This area will still be almost two feet below the lowest home opening adjacent to the park which is at elevation 883.91. The highest recorded level of Valentine Lake is 881.1. The remaining park property will be used for a detention pond,rain garden sized to accommodate a large portion of the neighborhood's requirement when the streets are reconstructed, and a large grass area. Two different concepts for the redevelopment of the park area were then reviewed. Concept One shows the park amenities on the western side of the park nearer the adjacent homes and Concept Two shows the park amenities on the east side of the park nearer the street. The estimated costs for these improvements are: Valentine Park Improvement Cost Estimate Demolition, site preparation and erosion protection measures $21,000 Site grading, pond construction, rain garden, storm drainage $165,000 facilities Parking lot(curb/gutter and pavement) $50,000 Play structure and swing set $60,000 Half court basketball area $15,000 Picnic shelter(16'X16') $35,000 Tree play area $35,000 Concrete path to tree play area $32,000 Furnishings (picnic tables, bike rack, trash receptacles, foot bridge, $32,000 portable restroom screen Landscaping (shade, ornamental and coniferous trees, rain garden $31,500 plantings, turf establishment ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 13 Bituminous (8')trail from Glenview to Old Hwy 10 and along Old $45,000 Hwy 10 to Cty Road E2 18" play area curbing $11,500 Mobilization $15,000 Engineering (12%) $65,760 construction contingency $50,000 ESTIMATED TOTAL PROJECT COST $663,760 Councilmember Holmes asked if the culvert flap from the drainage pond outlet into Valentine Lake will be eliminated. She was also concerned about how the drainage from the neighborhood will be handled. Public Works Director Maurer stated that the culvert flap will not be needed due to raising the pond bottom above the ordinary high water level of Valentine Lake. Also, he explained when the flap is under water, no water can escape the pond. He explained that the rain garden to be installed will detain the water flowing from the neighborhood. He stated that after a normal rain, residents should be able to go to the park, park in the parking lot, and utilize the play area as proposed in both concepts. He suggested that once the Council has determined which concept is preferable, he will meet with the neighbors and review that proposal. Councilmember Holden left the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Councilmember Holmes asked how deep the ponds will be and if they will be fenced. Public Works Director Maurer responded that after a storm the pond could be as much as about two to three feet deep. He also stated that there are no plans for a fence. Fences create maintenance problems and if a child were to get into the pond area, a fence would impede rescue. Mayor Grant stated the amount budgeted for this project is only $310,000 but the estimate is more than double that amount. Public Works Director Maurer stated the estimate is high and Council can consider eliminating some of the items proposed. He explained that the Council has already indicated they are not interested in the tree play structure and without that being included the path to that area can be eliminated. Also, the $310,000 is not an accurate amount and is way below the need for the park. He offered to investigate funding for these improvements through the DNR and grants as well as cost participation from Rice Creek Watershed District for the rain garden area. He then suggested that Council direct Staff to remove those items the Council does not want included or to identify a price range within the Council wants the Staff to work to complete these improvements. With that direction, Staff will review options and come back to the Council with a revised cost list. In addition, once the final design has been determined, some of the items listed can be included as bid alternates which can be removed if the bid is too high. Mayor Grant questioned the need for the bridge. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 14 Councilmember Holmes stated there has always been a bridge to the park. Public Works Director Maurer explained the bridge is already there in a different location and is an important amenity. Councilmember Holmes recommended the two bituminous trails be eliminated. MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion to extend the meeting to 9:00 p.m. The motion carried unanimously(4-0). Mayor Grant stated he wants to see a financing plan, where the money is coming from, and a reduction in the total cost. Public Works Director Maurer stated that if the Council is comfortable with it, Staff will proceed with final design and a bid package, talk with Rice Creek Watershed District, and then bring the proposal back to Council for further consideration. After some discussion, the Council consensus was to direct Staff to proceed with final design, the financing component, and detailed cost estimate for Concept Plan 1 and bring it all back to the Council for further consideration. D. Discarded City Park Equipment Mayor Grant explained that his church has asked if the playground equipment being replaced at Valentine Park can be donated to the church and then given to the City of Pelican Rapids. He stated the City Attorney researched this issue and determined that the City can make such a donation if approved by the Council and the church signs off on liability issues. He added that the church members have offered to take down the equipment themselves. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated the contract removing the equipment would charge $750 to remove the existing structure and the City would save that amount if the church does the tear-down. The Council consensus was to allow the donation of the used equipment from Valentine Park. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS & STAFF UPDATES Mayor Grant asked for an update on Sand Companies. Councilmember Holmes stated they are waiting to hear about their housing credits. Mayor Grant asked when the Council will see the PCI ratings. Public Works Director Maurer stated they have the ratings which they will review and add to the Council's October Work Session agenda. Mayor Grant questioned the status of Select Senior Living.