05-14-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bonestroo Rosene Anderlik & Associates Engineers & Architects May 8, 1997 City of Little Canada 515 Little Canada Road Little Canada, MN 55117 Bonestroo, Rosen. Anderl/k and Associates. Inc. is an Affirrnauve Action /Equal Opponent!), Employer Principals: Otto G. Bonestroo, RE. • Joseph C. Anderlik. RE. • Marvin L. Sorvala. PE. • Richard E. Turner. PE. • Glenn R. Cook. PE. • Thomas E. Noyes, PE. • Robert G. Schumchr. PE. • Jerry A. Bourdon. PE. • Robert W Rosene. P.E. and Susan M. Eberlin. C.PA.. Senior Consultants Associate Principals: Howard A. Sanford. P.E. • Keith A. Gordon. PE. • Robert R. Mel fade. P.E. • Richard W. Foster. PE. • David O. Loskota, P.E. • Robert C. Russek. A.I.A.• Mark A. Hanson, PE.• Michael T. Rautmann, P.E. • Ted K.Field. P.E. • Kenneth P Anderson. P.E. • Mark R. Rolls. RE. • Sidney R Williamson, P.E., L.S. • Robert F. Kotsmith Offices: St. Paul. Rochester. Willmar and St. Cloud, MN • Mequon. WI Re: Arcade Street Utility & Street Improvement Project BRA File No. 37231 Honorable Mayor & City Council Members: At the April 23, 1997 Council Meeting, the Arcade Street project was awarded to Ryan Contracting, Inc. with a bid of $835,591.70 including Alternate Bids No. 1, 2, and 4. Our letter dated April 23, referred to the ongoing work in determining the best manner to deal with the existing water main that will be far too shallow subsequent to reconstructing Arcade Street. The base bid included replacing this water main with a new main under the street (the existing main is in the east boulevard). An Alternate Bid was obtained for insulating the main and services lines. We have recently concluded that a hybrid approach consisting of insulating the main and replacing the services at greater depths is superior to the Alternate Bid. The advantages of replacing the main or insulating the main and lowering the services are fairly equal. Given the fact that this issue is based on value, we are providing you with all pertinent facts to allow you to form an opinion as to which option is preferable. The advantage of insulating the main and lowering the services is that it costs approximately $13,700 less than replacing the main. The disadvantage is that up to eight (8) mature trees would have to be removed that wouldn't otherwise need to be removed (see attached figures). These trees all lie within the City's right -of -way. However, conversations that we have had with some of the affected homeowners indicates that these trees are highly valued. The advantages of replacing the water main are that the trees can remain in place and that the City will own a new water main with a life expectancy of approximately eighty (80) years instead of a main with a remaining life expectancy of approximately sixty (60) to sixty -five (65) years. The City would also benefit by having a main at the standard depth which results in less risk of freezing or being damaged during utility work in the future. We have discussed this issue with Public Works Director Scott Tangen and together we have concluded that insulating the water main results in a slightly lower life cycle cost. However, the value of the mature trees is difficult to measure. In addition, all eight (8) of the mature trees are too large to remove and replace. Therefore, the issue rests to some extent on the City's policy on trees within the public right -of -way. Based on our findings, the options would appear to be somewhat similar in value. Our recommendation, if cost is the primary consideration, is to insulate the main and lower the water services. 2335 West Highway 36 • St. Paul, 1 Page 33 36 -4600