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City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> October 30, 1997 <br /> Page 2 <br /> sidewalk. <br /> 111 <br /> Staff cannot recommend a reconstruction project without the addition of curb and gutter <br /> installation. Curb and gutter as stated earlier will provide a guiding edge for snow plowing, and <br /> more important remedy drainage inadequacies on the properties of lower elevation within the <br /> project. Protection of the edge of the asphalt is also extremely important. Without this protection, <br /> water will seep under the edge of the pavement, enter the base material and subgrade, thus <br /> jeopardizing the stability of the entire pavement structure. Traffic that has a tendency to drive <br /> very close to the pavement edge, ie. refuse trucks, mail carriers and MTC busses when stopping <br /> for passengers, will damage the edge in future years, thereby increasing the maintenance costs, <br /> and reducing the pavements longevity. <br /> The current assessment policy has also been under fire. In light of the City's ability to finance <br /> future projects and previously assessing the Bronson Drive project with the current policy, staff <br /> can only see one possible change to the policy. This would be to reduce the percentage assessed <br /> from 50% to no lower than 30%. Removing items assessed such as curb and gutter, storm sewer, <br /> and base material would essentially have the same effect as lowering the percentage. While this <br /> tactic could remove portions of the improvements that residents see as not necessary for <br /> reconstruction, it could also be seen as merely disguising the issue. Should this or any other <br /> reduction occur, a reduction of the past assessment for the Bronson Drive project would seem <br /> likely. <br /> Utilizing funds from Countyroad turn backs, and MSA to reduce individual • <br /> street assessments <br /> will increase the overall burden to the public. While some argument could be made to reduce the <br /> assessment on County or MSA roads due to the higher traffic volumes, everyone is already <br /> paying for the maintenance and reconstruction of these roads with the gasoline tax. Funding for <br /> future projects that do not receive outside funding sources will be lessened and could <br /> consequently increase the burden on the entire community through taxes or bonds. This is not to <br /> say that eventually this situation may happen anyway, although it is anticipated that it would <br /> occur later in the future. <br /> Some comments were made to use only Ramsey County turn back funds to resurface the street. <br /> While this would improve the pavement structure and ride, it would do nothing to the drainage <br /> issues. Not utilizing possible MSA funds for the project because of the standards that must be <br /> followed is also an option. If this direction is taken, the City will essentially lose money <br /> rightfully their's. MSA funds will pay for the engineering, entire street including curb and gutter <br /> and a percentage of the storm sewer improvements. Staff would not make this recommendation. <br /> This could also prove detrimental to future MSA and local projects. The City's MSA fund <br /> balance can only reach a certain amount, at which time the City could lose a percentage of the <br /> balance and possibly future allotments. It is staff's opinion that MSA funding should be utilized <br /> to the full extent whenever the project will allow. <br /> The street width design is the last item that staff would like to touch on. The current minimum • <br />