C. Authority to Request for Proposals - Hwy 93 South Water & Sewer ExtensionsIncorporated 1892
Telephone (406) 758-7700
FAX (406) 758-7758
Post Office Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana
Zip 59903-1997
Date: January 23,1997
To: Clarence Krepps, City Manager
From: John Wilson, Assistant City Engineer
Re: Highway 93 South Water and Sewer Extensions
Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate
The Highway 93 South Water and Sewer Extension Project is in the conceptual stage
and no detailed field work or analysis has taken place. Under these circumstances
any cost estimate must be very rough. Our preliminary cost estimate for construction
of the water mains described in our memo of January 6t' is $720,000. This estimate
is for installation before or in conjunction with the highway reconstruction project. If
we were to consider a schedule for construction five years after completion of the
highway project, we would increase that estimate by 25% or $180,000.
Our preliminary cost estimate for construction of the sanitary sewer facilities
described in our memo of January 6 h is $1,188,000. This estimate is for installation
before or in conjunction with the highway reconstruction project and includes gravity
sewer, a sewage pumping station and a force main. If we were to consider a schedule
for construction five years after completion of the highway project, we would
increase that estimate by 25% or $300,000.
A decision to extend water and sewer facilities after highway reconstruction may
increase the cost of the project by more than $480,000.
Background
Last year the Public Works Department asked the City Council for authorization to
proceed with a sewer extension project from Grandview to Reserve Drive along
Highway 93 North. Although the project was included in the F.Y. 96 budget, the
Council chose not to proceed. Their reservations included a reluctance to stimulate
development of prime agricultural land and a lack of up front financial participation
by those private landholders who stood to benefit most.
In the course of discussion, the Council recognized the water and sewer utilities as
powerful tools to promote and control development. While they denied the proposal
for a northward extension, more than one Councilman expressed support for utility
extensions to the south along Highway 93 or Airport Road, to the east along Conrad
Drive or perhaps to the west along Two Mile Drive. MDT's reconstruction project
for Highway 93 South was discussed as an appropriate time and place for such
proactive utility extensions.
Douglas Rauthe
Mayor
Clarence W. Krepps
City Manager
City Council
Members:
Gary W. Nystul
Ward I
Cliff Collins
Ward I
Norbert F. Donahue
Ward It
Dale Haarr
Ward 11
Jim Atkinson
Ward III
Lauren Granmo
Ward III
Pamela B. Kennedy
Ward IV
M. Duane Larson
Ward IV
Need for the Project
The lack of sanitary sewer service is a hindrance to development along Highway 93 at the southern
entrance to the City. The development of vacant tracts and redevelopment of blighted properties would
be encouraged by the extension of water and sewer.
It should also be noted that the owners of the large triangular tract at Four Corners, north of the
intersection and east of the highway, have indicated plans for a significant development. In contrast to
the lack of participation on Highway 93 North, this property owner may make an up front commitment
to share in the cost of construction.
Schedule
Staff strongly recommends water and sewer extensions be made before the highway reconstruction is
completed in the Fall of 1998. The improved roadway will include concrete driving lanes, curb and
gutter, sidewalks and numerous concrete approach aprons along either side. If we were to extend water
and sewer after the highway was reconstructed, the demolition and replacement of these features would
increase the project cost significantly. Other added expenses would include extra traffic control and
the general inflation of construction costs over time. Staff estimates these factors could add as much as
25% to the cost of the project. Late construction would also create a second season of disruption for
summer traffic and businesses along Highway 93 South.
It is worth noting, we now have a request for water and sewer extensions along Highway 93 North to
Reserve Drive. The request comes less than one year after this section of highway was reconstructed.
x £ Highway 93 North has less development and fewer approaches, so the consequences of late
construction should not be as severe as may be predicted for Highway 93 South.
Service to Customers Beyond the City Limits and Annexation
In this project we propose to extend City services 0.9 miles beyond the City limits. The Four Corners
intersection is the logical end point, since this is the south edge of the potential service area identified
in the 1995 Extension of Services Plan. As discussed above, we also have a request for service from a
property owner in the vicinity.
To serve customers beyond the City limits is not a problem with respect to operations and
maintenance. Our utility regulations also provide appropriate connection fees and service charges. We
have been moving toward a policy, albeit not officially adopted, of requiring annexation as a
prerequisite for City water or sewer service. Staff generally supports such a policy, but in this situation
we recommend that water and sewer mains be extended to the boundary of the designated service area.
A petition for annexation and waiver of right to protest would be required from each out -of -City
customer before they connect.
Cost Sharinlz
Our expectation is for this work to be funded by the City, through water and sewer capital accounts or
bonding. A formula would be developed to distribute costs to the properties to be served. The
property owners would be notified and the appropriate amount would be collected before the customer
could connect to the system.