04-25-2012 Council Workshop Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 25, 2012 County and impacted municipalities. The County Board has not yet made a decision on this policy change. Blesener pointed out that factoring in easement acquisition and the cost of burying the powerlines, Little Canada's costs for this project could be in the $7 to $8 million range. Blesener noted that this project involves the improvement of two County roads. Blesener felt there was no justification for Little Canada to spend anything dose to that amount. Montour pointed out that Rice Street is a border street between Little Canada and Roseville, and questioned why easement acquisition costs would not be split. The City Administrator pointed out that the issue with right -of -way on Rice Street goes back several years. He again noted that if Federal dollars were involved in the project, the municipalities would not be asked to pay the cost of easement acquisition. LIe acknowledged the change in policy that has been proposed to the County Board, but noted that even if approved, this is still a big number for Little Canada. The Administrator pointed out that Little Canada and Roseville are the first cities being asked to pay these easement acquisition costs. He noted that there is nothing that Little Canada is doing that triggers this project. He also pointed out that when CVS and Walgreens were developed, the County did not take adequate right -of -way to address the needs in the Phase II project. The Administrator felt the easement acquisition costs should be borne by all the taxpayers in the County. Auge pointed out that the County is only allocated $6 million per year for road work. He noted that Little Canada's estimated share of project costs does not include watermain, sanitary sewer, and private utility relocation, or right -of -way administration /acquisition services /appraisals. It does include sidewalk, signal leg at Little Canada Road, right -of -way, and engineering for design. Auge noted that it also does not include the estimated $1.6 million for burying of powerlines. Auge noted that if powerlines are moved and not buried, there would be no cost to the City. The City Administrator explained the cost history of burying the powerlines in the Phase 1 project. Auge estimated that the cost of appraisals for needed rights -of -way will be in the $250,000 to $300,000 range for the entire Phase II project. Blesener asked what the alternatives are if the City refuses to participate in the cost of the Phase II project as proposed. Auge indicated that one alternative would be to improve the Rice /County Road C and Rice /Little Canada Road intersections and mill and overlay the rest of the street. Another alternative may be to just mill and overlay the entire length of the Phase 11 project. Auge indicated that those numbers have not been 4