2017 Seal Coating

The city has been taking a more aggressive approach when it comes to road maintenance.  By this we have undertaken a dedicated effort to seal coat all of the paved roads that would benefit from a seal coat.  Seal coating starts with applying a thin layer of asphalt/oil mixture over the bituminous to coat the surface of the pavement.  The thin layer of rock is then applied which is further covered by a fog seal.  The fog seal coats the rock keeping it in place.

Not all roadways will benefit from a seal coating as some have fallen into disrepair but roads that can benefit are being taken care of, generally the oldest first.  This goal however has been modified by trying to do an area or neighborhood all at once.  This would mean some roadways that are younger will be seal coated in accomplishing that goal.  Once roadways have been seal coated it is hoped that a schedule of 7 to 10 years to re-sealcoat can be maintained. 

We have been working with Crow Wing County cooperatively for the past few years.  They put together the bids, advertise, and do the contract administration.  This cooperative effort is accomplished with other jurisdictions within the county to have competitive bids for the benefit of all involved. 

For 2017 what was proposed was Humming Bear Lane, Bittersweet Circle, Autumn Lane, Harvest Court, Harvest Road, Green Scene Drive, Snowman Circle, and a portion of Summer Drive.  After further review it was felt that we had a few roadways in the neighborhood that also should be done.  These were not specially budgeted for or included in the project scope for 2017 but they did make sense to accomplish this year.  These include Four Seasons Place, the paved portion of Raccoon Lane and the other portion of Summer Drive. This increased the budgeted amount by an estimate of $17,300 making the total estimated cost $78,800.  With funds available for this added expense the decision was made to include these additional streets in the 2017 seal coat project. 

Crow Wing County is looking to seek bids in the near future for seal coating to be done throughout the county.  The sealcoating schedule has yet to be determined as it will to some extent be up to the successful bidder but we will see seal coating again occur in Breezy Point this summer.

Vehicles

A couple of vehicle changes were on the agenda at the January City Council meeting.  The city had switched out a truck with equipment going from one vehicle to another.  The result of those changes made a 2001 Ford F350 chassis and cab being available for sale. The vehicle has a 7.3 liter diesel motor with 90,400 miles on it.  It is a 4X4 with dual rear wheels.  The city received sealed bids and the high price of $5,020 was received.   This truck was sold to the high bidder. 

Each year the police department purchases a new squad car.  The purchase price for the vehicle with related equipment is estimated at $43,720.  This is about $8,870 higher than typical as we have decided to keep the older squad car that would have been sold when the new vehicle is received.  The additional costs are required to purchase an additional radio, camera, and other required equipment.  Keeping the older squad car provides us with a backup vehicle when a car is in for repairs.  It also allows us to have a vehicle for part time officers when they work a shift.  The new squad car will be an SUV and be used by one of the Paramedics to provide for the additional equipment needed for these operations.  This purchase was approved and the car will take about 3 months before delivery.    

Getting Organized

Each year the city gets organized.  The annual organizational resolution provides for a number of requirements under statute such as naming the official newspaper and the official depository.  The action addresses appointments to citizen committees, and city council committees. 

The appointments for members of Planning Commission, Cemetery Commission, and Parks Committee were made.  Those persons whose terms expired requested to be reappointed.  There is however 2 openings in the Park Committee for anyone who may be interested in an appointment to that committee.  

Council members take on committee assignments and liaison positions in helping to manage the city.  The appointments that were made are as follows: 

          Rebecca Ball – Administrative Liaison

          Gary Bakken – Cemetery Commission Liaison 

                                Park and Recreation  Committee Liaison

          Michael Moroni - Police Liaison 

                                   Planning Commission Liaison

Council Committee appointments are as follows:

          Finance Committee – Gary Bakken and Tom Lillehei

          Personnel Committee – Michael Moroni and Rebecca Ball

          Roads Committee - Gary Mitchell and Michael Moroni

We’re good to go for 2017. 

Another Step Towards the 2017 Paving Project

Last August the city council held an Improvement Hearing to consider paving the roads in the subdivision of Whitebirch 6^th.  The roads in this subdivision include Navajo Trail, Zuni Circle, Aztec Circle, Pima Circle and Pawnee Circle.  The majority of these roads have a good gravel base and don’t require a lot of upgrading however the slope on Pawnee Circle is a bit too steep and this roadway will be brought down to an 8% grade. Currently the grade is in excess of 10% making this a maintenance and safety problem.  With this degree of slope we have had problems with drainage.  To address this we will be installing surmountable concrete curbing on both sides of the hill to minimize erosion.   The additional cost for the change in Pawnee will be paid by the city while assessments for paving of the roadways will be a property owner cost. The total project cost has been estimated at $444,000.

After the Improvement Hearing, plans and specifications were ordered for the improvements so that bids can be received on the project.  Accomplishing this requires a good deal of time as survey work is needed before design work can commence.  Plans and specifications have been completed and they were reviewed by the city council at the January meeting.  In addition to approval of the plans the council also authorized the seeking of bids.  Bids will be received on January 31, 2017. 

The city council will review these bids at the February 6^th meeting.  If they are felt to be acceptable they will call for an Assessment Hearing.  With bids in hand we’ll know the actual cost of the improvement and the proposed assessments will be adjusted accordingly.  If the project is to move forward the assessment hearing is scheduled for late in February.  With positive outcomes assessments will be adopted.

 

Assuming the project moves forward, construction would commence after road restrictions are lifted, typically in late May.  Construction would occur over the summer months with final completion in September.  We look forward to a successful project.