Loading...
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.