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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: May 21, 2024 <br /> REGULAR <br /> <br />AGENDA ITEM: Accept Petition from the Stillwater Area Public School District (District) <br />for Connection to Public Water and Sanitary Sewer and Authorize the <br />Preparation of a Feasibility Report <br /> <br />SUBMITTED BY: Jack Griffin, City Engineer <br /> <br />REVIEWED BY: Clark Schroeder, Interim City Administrator <br /> Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney <br /> Clarissa Hadler, Finance Director <br /> Marty Powers, Public Works Director <br /> Chad Isakson, Assistant City Engineer <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the City Council accept the petition from the Stillwater Area Public <br />School District (District) for connection to public water and sanitary sewer and authorize the preparation <br />of a Feasibility Report? <br />BACKGROUND: A petition requesting the connection to City water and sanitary sewer was received <br />from the District on May 8, 2024, most likely consisting of 100% of the properties that would benefit from <br />the proposed improvements. See attached petition. <br /> <br />Leading up to the formal petition request, City and District staff held several meetings related to the <br />District’s expansion plans for the Oak-Land Middle School. Included in the expansion plan discussions was <br />the inquiry from the District to connect to pubic water and sanitary sewer. In response to these inquiries, <br />the City Engineer prepared 3 high level concepts for connecting the Oak‐Land Middle School to public <br />sewer, including information for connecting to public water (see attached Engineering Memorandum dated <br />April 8, 2024). Two of the sewer options also contemplated/included the new Lake Elmo Elementary <br />School to be located at 10th Street (CSAH 10) and Lake Elmo Avenue (CSAH 17). These options were <br />developed together with connection fees and high level (order of magnitude) cost estimates. The options <br />were prepared for the purpose of discussions between the City and District to then determine if the District <br />remained interested in the utility connections based on the costs presented. <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: A detailed Feasibility Report is required as the next step in the <br />process to better define the scope of desired/required improvements and to produce more accurate cost <br />estimates needed to make an informed decision. A Feasibility Report is also required as part of the statutory <br />process for public improvements that are specially assessed. The feasibility report will advise on the scope <br />of recommended improvements; provide estimated project costs; identify easement and right-of-way, <br />permits and other requirements of other local agencies needed to implement the improvements; recommend <br />whether the improvements should be best made as proposed or in connection with some other improvement; <br />and advise if the improvements are necessary, cost effective, and feasible. The report will also provide a <br />proposed preliminary assessment roll for each of the benefitting properties based upon the City’s Special <br />Assessment Policy for Local Improvements. <br />Because the District is likely the only benefitting property, staff is suggesting the following steps to process <br />this request. <br />1. District submits formal letter petitioning the City for connection to City sewer (and/or City water <br />as may be applicable) for Oak-Middle School. Letter indicates that the District agrees to pay all <br />costs for the feasibility report, currently estimated to be $21,000. This letter has been received.