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04-04-86 Public Works Comm MinutesApril 4, 1986 SEWER AND WATER/F11R7.iC WORKS COMMITTEE 9:00 A.M. Chairmen Nystul and Ruiz and Councilmen Palmer, Schindler, and Saverud in attendance. DPW Hammer, Surveyor Zavodny, Building official Jackson, Const- ruction Inspector Van Dyke, W/S Supt. Hyde, Tom Flynn and Chet Mahugh also present. LOVE PROPERTY PURCHASE - It was felt that it was cheaper to buy the lot than to figure out a way to give them access. The staff recommendation is to purchase the lot presently and it can be either used later or traded or sold. There was some discussion of the need for an appraisal. The Committee recommended approval for the purchase subject to any legal requirements, title search, etc. This will be presented to the Council. AS-BUILTS - W/S Supt. Hyde said the City needs to formalize a procedure on as-builts so that things that are supposed to happen will be done. He listed things that should be included and told the Committee he would prepare a check- list and proposal of needed changes to the Rules and Regulations for the next meeting. C. Palmer said there should be a written notice of non-compliance (as in Hawthorne West) even though everyone involved is already aware of the problems. STORM SEWER - MAIN AND IDAHO PROPOSED MOTEL - The Blaine brothers were attempting to put together a plan for a motel on this corner and had asked for consideration of City participation for the storm drain. The latest word, however, is that Hardy's Restaurants have bought this piece of property. DPW Hammer said the same issue may come up with Hardy's. FVCC - The college has requested a 40' main to tap into on a temporary basis in order to get water to sports fields. W/S Supt. Hyde recommended that the college pay for the extension of the 8" main across the road and that they be charged sprinkling rates for the water. The Committee agreed. WATER FROM HYDRANTS FOR WASHING - This is the time of year for cleaning up and the question was raised as to what extent the Water Department is providing free water. Tom Flynn pointed out that the rate structure says no free water to anyone. He feels that the parks should be metered also. He indicated that these are the type of things that come up at PSC hearings - the City must know where the water is going. There was discussion of possible ways to collect for the "cleaning" water. DPW Hammer said he felt this was a public service. The businessmen donate their time to do the cleaning, the hydrants get flushed at least once a year, and he felt it all balanced out. There was some agreement that cleaning the streets was one thing but large privately owned lots was another. It was questioned whether the City has any control over private citizens, and there was the question of damages. W/S Supt. Hyde said that 90% of the time the Water Department doesn't know about the usage. Tom Flynn asked why the West Valley Rural Fire District was using the hydrants and C. Nystul said it was a mutual aid agreement. C. Palmer said he would support the Fire Department being accountable to the Water Department. The W/S Supt., DPW Hammer, Mayor Kennedy and the Fire Chief were asked to write up a policy addressing who was to give notice to who, costs, etc. STANDARDS FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION - Revisions are approved by resolution annually. DPW Hammer said alot of time was spent updating the standards and indicated that Surveyor Zavodny and Construction Inspector Van Dyke were doing a very good job. SEWER AND WATER/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE • April 4, 1986 Page 2 C. Palmer indicated that he and Construction Inspector Van Dyke had had several conversations. His concern was that there was a blanket policy covering every street regardless of the base, resulting in the spending of thousands of dollars where it was not needed. He felt that a lot of money might be saved if the City did as it has done on 5th Avenue West and obtained core samples, then consider the load limit for the particular street, and be willing to accept alternate design based on traffic engineering and soil analysis. This could be accepted by the Director of Public Works or his representatives. For many of the areas in the city the construction standards are heavy-duty. As an example C. Palmer said Terry Richmond of Morrison and Maierle had offered to do the engineering and take the soils tests for Meridian Road to give an illus- tration of the amount of savings available. The other item he had discussed with Mr. Richmond was the storm drainage: some streets have excellent storm drainage, while others have none at all. There are alot of variables there and the heavy-duty standards treat all streets alike. DPW Hammer indicated that the standards are State of Montana standards and are fairly general. Most are heavy-duty and the City is taking out some of the wording that causes the developer and/or the City more expense than necessary for the conditions. C. Nystul asked if anyone had any objection to submitting the standards, including the changes just discussed, to the Council for approval. The Committee was in agreement. • MAHUGH CUB CUT - Surveyor Zavodny had no problem with this request because there is no parking allowed on that side of the street and there would be no interference with the intersection. A tree that is in porr shape will be removed by Mr. Mahugh but the Committee felt Parks Director Drent should be consulted about the removal. C. Schindler said a sign was needed at the exit indicating the one-way street. The Public Works Department concurred with the request. STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM - DPW Hammer explained the handout showing facts and figures concerning the 1986 reconstruction program and the scheduling of the projects. Meridian Road - The State is designing the intersection with Highway 93 and anything past the City ROW the State will pay for. C. Ruiz asked if it wouldn't be cheaper to give a cash contribution instead of paving, but DPW Hammer said the County had time limits and was unable to do the paving. Load limits were discussed but it was felt that designing the road for heavy-duty travel was more practical than policing the traffic. The City utilities along this stretch are in good shape and the City is dealing with other utilities. Half of the road has good pit run, the other half is fine sand. The design is for a 44' road but only 24' will be used at present. The steep bank is the biggest problem with ROW. No curb and gutter will be put in at this time, but a good shoulder will be provided. DPW Hammer is in touch with the State concerning a $25,000 grant for a pedestrian crossing. Second Street East - DPW Hammer is working with Norwest Bank and the owners • of the theater. The vaults under the sidewalk are catching City storm water. The theater is not a major problem but the bank will hire an engineer and put in a structural wall. DPW Hammer prefers not replacing sidewalks. He feels the City should pay for the curbing because this is partially a City problem. Possible use of tax increment funds discussed. The bank will care for their problem and the City will take care of theirs. SEWER AND WATER/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE • April 4, 1986 Page 3 Tax Increment Funds For Street Department - The Committee was agreed that a motion of approval be presented to Council. DPW Hammer said the four streets north of the Mall would come under the $150,000 set aside for 5th Avenue West North. Whether 2nd Street will come under the $150,000 depends on the bids for the replacement of the water line on 5th from railroad to Idaho. Patching and Sweeping - Theseare being done daily at present. Alley Clean --up - DPW Hammer said it was nice to provide this service but manpower and budget were problems this year. There was a discussion of timing and the problem of stopping something the City has done for years. Main Replacement - 5th Avenue West North - The Committee will recommend to Council the authorization for going out for bids for the main replacement. PURCHASE OF LOVE TRACT HB - Attorney Neier explained that Love's preferred selling to the City rather than giving an easement, and buying the lot would be easier than finding an access. After several offers the final price is $6,500 plus back taxes, which amount to approximately $1,200. It was pointed out that presently the Water Department is paying $1,500/year for the lease on the BN property where the warehouse is located. It is expected that this lease will not be available permanently and the Love location could be used for a new location for the warehouse or traded later to the School District for needed parking. The Committee approved Attorney Neier dealing with Love's for a purchase of the property. ORDER IN CURBS FOR KINSHELLA AND HUSKY STREETS - The Committee agreed to recommend to the Council approval for ordering in curbs. ajg C