04-29-87 Public Works Comm MinutesApril 29, 1987 PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER AND WATER COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M.
Chairmen Ruiz and Nystul and Councilmen Schindler, Palmer and Hafferman in
attendance. DPW Hammer, Surveyor Zavodny, Tom Heinecke, Gary Rose, Bill Cooper,
Mike Fraser, and Roger Hopkins of the Daily Interlake also present.
HIGH SCHOOL UTILITY HOOK-UPS/5TH AVENUE WEST - Tom Heinecke, engineer for
the High School project, stated that former communication or lack of it was
moot, and that at this point in time there were two choices: 1) Cut into
the street, and 2) Alternate methods to stay out of the street. Mr. Heinecke
provided drawings showing the various options. He stated that choice 1) is
cheaper - a deduction from the contract price of $1890 to the School District,
while choice 2) would be an added cost to the School District of $49,331.00.
The largest cost would be for the storm drainage, which would require a lift
station and a depth of 20 feet. C. Schindler asked what had happened to communi-
cations when 5th Avenue West was open? Mr. Heinecke responded that several
people, including himself, had not responded at the proper time.
There was a detailed discussion of how many cuts into 5th Avenue would
be required, and possible alternatives. If water and storm sewer could be
combined in one cut then only two would be required. If not there would be
three cuts. DPW Hammer requested that Mr. Heinecke use the chalk board to
show the location of the cuts, and he did that. Mr. Heinecke felt the storm
drainage would require a 2-foot wide trench 20 feet long, which would result
in a 40 square foot patch. He did not plan on a manhole. DPW Hammer stated
• that a manhole would be required, and since the depth of the trench would
be 7 feet a wider trench would be required by OSHA. Mr. Heinecke detailed
the patching techniques he planned to use, which included some native soil
and fabric with sewn seams. The 4-inch water line serving the fire sprinkler
system can either be hooked up by cutting into 5th Avenue or by intercepting
the existing fire hydrant, and thereby staying out of the street. Combining
this line with the storm drainage would require taking the water line south
to the storm drain cut, which would mean extra dollars. There was a discussion
of the savings from not patching and the other costs involved. It was also
pointed out that going to the existing storm drain manhole would save tearing
up a larger portion of the street to put in a manhole. The sewer hook-up
must go to the manhole in the intersection. The alternative would be to extend
the line south and east to a manhole on the high school property and thereby
leave the street intact.
DPW Hammer voiced concern for the street and quoted American Public Works
Association figures that utility cuts cause 95Z of street failures. He said
"Who dunit?" is not the issue at this time but he wanted it known that the
Public Works Department had stubbed out the vacant lots along 5th Avenue while
the reconstruction was in progress, and these stub -outs should have gotten
done. At the same time he said he would hate to cost anybody $50,000 to avoid
the street, but he was concerned about the street 5 - 7 years down the road.
C. Palmer stated that he would be in agreement with the School District
getting into the road if there was a condition that if the street fails the
School District would be required to repave it at their expense. After some
• discussion it was felt that 10 years would be ample, with the understanding
that the agreement would also compare the portion of 5th involved with the
rest of 5th Avenue West, and would include a description of the area covered
by the agreement.
PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER AND WATER COMMITTEE
April 29, 1987
Page 2
C. Nystul felt that the fire line should go directly to the main rather
that through the hydrant, and the storm should go to the existing manhole
if possible. The agreement should be in writing since the principles involved
will undoubtedly change in the next ten years. It was decided that a Right -
of -Way Permit would be issued and a formal agreement and a copy of these
minutes would be attached, and would be signed by the School District. The
number of cuts would be left to be decided by DPW Hammer and Brinkman and
Lenon when all the information was in hand.
Tom Heinecke stated he wished to make a public apology for the confusion.
C. Ruiz asked Roger Hopkins to make not of the fact that the Public Works
staff takes no abuse over this. He stated that he had attended a meeting
of the School Board and at that time had told them to take care of the problem
while the street was open.
MILT DOVE OBJECTION - The agenda included this item, but Mr. Dove did
not attend the meeting. DPW Hammer stated that Mr. Dove was objecting•to-••
paying for the curbs that had been ordered in on 10th Street West. The Committee
noted the protest.
SPEED ZONE RECOMMENDATION FOR HIGHWAY 93 NORTH - In response to the City's
request to look at the speed zone for this area the Montana Department of
. Highways has completed a study. However, instead of reducing the speed as
was requested, they recommended an increase. John Marin agreed to come to
speak to the Council if the recommendation warranted that. DPW Hammer said
that the evidence was such that he agreed with the report. The 25 mph zone
would start at the light instead of north of there as it is now. There was
a discussion of traffic conditions.
BUFFER AREAS ALONG HIGHWAY 931.SOUTH - DPW Hammer stated that someone or
some group should take these on as a project. C. Schindler and DPW Hammer
had made an unofficial agreement with the Highway Department when the road
work was done that the City would do something about the buffer areas. DPW
Hammer stated that dirt was available from street reconstruction and there
was also some that was scraped off the runway at the airport. The Committee
agreed that DPW Hammer should finish this and work out the maintenance with
the adjacent property owners.
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