Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2B, Old Snelling Feasibility Study Discussion ,, VEEN,HILLS Request for Council Action 2B Prepared By: Terry Maurer,Public Works Work Session Date: January 30,2012 Director Old Snelling Avenue Feasibility Discussion Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A N/A N/A Discussion topic: Staff would like to discuss the timing of when to proceed with the Old Snelling Avenue project. Supporting Documents: 1. Memorandum dated January 30,2012, from Terry Maurer,Public Works Director. lt EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: January 30,2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Vid FROM: Terry Maurer,Public Works Director ��e SUBJECT: Old Snelling Avenue Feasibility Discussion Background At the December 19, 2011, Work Session under the discussion of the Municipal State Aid (MSA) system, the City Council gave consensus for staff to start the preparation of the Old Snelling Avenue Feasibility Study. That study could be complete in February and ready to present at a regular Council meeting. However, before staff puts it on a February agenda, we would like to have one more discussion about whether the Council would like to move forward with this project in 2012 or wait until a future year. As a reminder, here are a few issues to consider: • The Council has engaged Kimley Horn to prepare final bridge replacement plans in an effort to acquire some State Bridge Bonding Funds to help with the construction costs. Due to the amount of time it takes to complete the hydraulic analysis and have it reviewed, these plans will not be completed and approved by the Mn/DOT Office of State Aid in time for the 2012 funding cycle. The absolute soonest the bridge could be reconstructed would be 2013. • The project could be funded using MSA funds but that may require the placement of more (thicker) bituminous surfacing to meet a MSA design. The City really will not be able to quantify the increased cost to use MSA funds without actually submitting the plans to the Office of State Aid for approval. Even after plans have been approved by the Office of State Aid, the City could still decide to fund the project with local funds and forgo the use of MSA funds on the project. • The last traffic count showed about 1,000 cars a day on Old Snelling Avenue. That number is not likely to grow significantly in the future due to the developed nature of the area and the turning restrictions at TH 51. City Council Meeting P:\Admin\Council\Agendas&Packet Information\2012\01-30-12 Wk Sess\Packet Information\1-30- 12SnellingAvenueDiscussion.doc Pagel of 2 • If the project is not undertaken in 2012, it would be best to wait past the US 10/Hwy 96 project in 2013 and not do the work the same year the bridge over TH 51 is replaced, which is currently scheduled for 2015 in Mn/DOT's plan. • There are only about 27 properties that could be assessed for the street work. This is a very small number relative to the length and cost of the project. The City's Assessment Policy will not be applicable to this situation. A modification will be necessary. The only recommendation staff would have is if doing the Old Snelling Avenue project in 2012 will make it difficult to proceed with some of the neighborhood streets in the CIP we would rather wait on the Old Snelling project due to the calls we have received from some residents in future PMP project areas and the number of water main breaks we deal with in those neighborhoods. There are no serious utility issues on Old Snelling that need attention and we will be able to maintain the current street surface for a few more years. Staff s intent was to have this discussion at a work session so if there is some Council thought that the Old Snelling project can wait a few more years then the draft feasibility study will just be filed until the project is scheduled. City Council Meeting P:\Admin\Council\Agendas&Packet Information\2012\01-30-12 Wk Sess\Packet Information\1-30- 12 SnellingAvenueDiscus Sion.doc Page 2 of 2