The process of paving a couple of roadways is underway for
construction in 2016. The roadways that
are being considered for paving are Winter Trail from Logging Lane to Shady
Trail and Scenic Overlook between White Overlook and Shady Trail. Both of these roadways are partially
paved. Starting the process early allows
for bidding to occur in the winter with construction to commence as soon as
possible in the spring. It also means
that the project will get completed during the summer months.
The process of paving streets and assessing the cost takes
more time than one would think. Under
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429 the process is dictated and involves a good
number of steps. Each of them can take a
month or two to complete, depending on the complexity of the step
involved.
The process starts with a petition of a majority of property
owners or council direction as to what is wanted to be accomplished. With these directions a feasibility report is
requested from the engineer. The original
request may involve paving but drainage facilities also need to be considered. The report details the scope of the project
and also identifies an estimate of costs.
With that estimate the amount of proposed assessment is generated for
each property that would be assessed.
Upon receiving the report, the council takes the next step
which is to call a public hearing to consider the improvements. Notice is
mailed and published notice is also accomplished. The property owners are
given information on a proposed assessment.
At the hearing, those who wish to speak to the issue of the improvements
are given that opportunity.
After the public hearing is held the council considers
whether or not to move the process on.
The next step is to order plans and specifications for the project. These documents outline the extent of the
work and are used by contractors who bid on the project. Before moving to bidding the council needs to
approve the plans and specifications and request the advertisement of
bids. Contractors are generally given 3
to 4 weeks to prepare their bids before a public bid opening.
With the low bid in hand, the final assessment amount is
calculated and considered by the council.
An assessment hearing is then called after published and mailed notice
to property owners. At the hearing those
involved are again given the opportunity to be heard on the assessments. If the council feels comfortable with moving
forward they will adopt the assessment roll.
After this step the council orders the project construction,
awards the bid, and the improvements will commence towards construction. The
project of Scenic Overlook and Winter Trail, if the process is completed,
should see construction as soon as road restrictions are removed in the spring
of 2016.
