Brett Grabau, Stantec Consulting Services engineer, discussed proposed street improvements for 2019 during a public hearing at the Preston City Council’s July 1 meeting.
In the city of Preston 40% of street reconstruction project costs are assessed to the benefiting property owners. Non-residential parcels get assessed for the total front footage of the property. Residential property owners can be assessed for a maximum of 150 lineal feet and a minimum of 60 lineal feet. Only 20% of frontage along a second side of a corner lot is assessed.
Estimated project costs for the Chatfield Ave/St. area is $94,324.50, of which, an estimated $37,729.80 will be the responsibility of nine property owners that will benefit from the improvements. The amount will be divided according to the applicable frontage which is assessable. Grabau estimated property owners will be assessed $38-43 for each assessable lineal foot. Improvements will include the installation of valley gutter for surface drainage and the removal and replacement of bituminous surface.
Improvements to Cottage Grove Ave. SE include a complete reconstruction of bituminous roadway and a new roadway section with bituminous surfacing, along with some drainage improvements. Three property owners will be assessed a portion of the assessable portion, which is $35,622.55. The total estimated project costs are $89,056.38. It is estimated that the assessment per lineal foot will be $50-55.
Improvements planned for Fillmore Place SE will include some drainage improvements and the widening of the existing bituminous roadway. Concrete curb and gutter will be installed for 210 feet along the west side of the roadway to control surface drainage. The whole corridor will get a new bituminous surface. The total estimated cost of the improvements is $106,588.90, of which $42,635.56 will be assessed to seven property owners according to total assessable front footage. It is estimated that the assessment per lineal foot will be $60-65.
The estimated total cost for these 3 three projects to be borne by the city is $173,981.87. The city will also pay for all of the overlay of Washington St., which is considered maintenance and is not assessable.
City Administrator Joe Hoffman noted that the assessments can be applied to property taxes and paid over 15 years with about 4% interest. Property owners can choose to pay assessments up front or over a period of years.
Grabau expects if the city council authorizes plans and specifications and the bid is awarded in August, construction could begin in September and be completed by late October.
There were questions from the public concerning the amount of traffic on one street compared to others and the impact of heavy truck traffic. Grabau explained the city pays a larger percent when a street is overbuilt so it can stand up to heavy truck traffic. He said if a street is properly maintained after reconstruction it could last 40 to 50 years.
The council approved a resolution ordering improvement and preparation of plans for 2019 street and utility improvements. Concrete work will be separate. Grabau will proceed to get quotes for concrete work.
Other Business in Brief
• Andy Bisek, Trout City Brewing LLC, said they plan to open the end of July. He requested that the first year liquor license be pro-rated as of July 1. His request was approved.
• The floodplain maps for Preston have been revised from the 1994 maps by FEMA. The revisions are to become final on August 15. In order for flood insurance to be available to property owners, it is required that cities and counties adopt a proper floodplain ordinance. Planning and Zoning has discussed the revisions and recommended approval. The city’s ordinance has to be updated to reference the new maps. Hoffman suggested the new and old maps are nearly identical. The new maps are very detailed and accurate.
There are two flood zones in the community: floodway where flood water could move at a significant velocity and where building is essentially not allowed and the floodplain where improvements are limited to 50% of the market value. The latter limits investments in high risk areas.
A resolution to adopt ordinance #28X repealing and replacing city code Chapter 153 Floodplain Management was approved. A summary of Chapter 153 will be publicized in the newspaper.
• The council agreed to continue to use the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust as its insurance provider and voted to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability, as it has done in previous years.
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