3.b)2) Proposed Street Paving Project �J ' �� ��
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SC��NDIA
Memo � �
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anne Hurlburt,City Administrator
Date: July S,2009
Re: Proposed 2010-2011 Street Paving Project(CIP Project PW-001)
The draft Capital Improvement Program(CIl')includes project PW-001,a project to pave
approximately 5.5 miles of gravel roads(Pilar, Paris, Penfield,Perkins; 185th,Oakgreen,Old Marine
Trail.)The project has been viewed as the last major paving project to convert gravel roads to
bituminous surface. (There would still be a few remaining gravel sections less than a half mile in total
length.)
The cost estimates in the CIP were updated in 2008. Estimates do not include costs for any easements
or right-of-way that would need to be acquired. The costs estimates were divided into two parts; an
estimate for the northem part of the project(Pilar,Paris, Penfield and Perkins)and the southern part of
the project(185th,Oakgeen and Old Marine Trail.)
Assessable
Street Feet Miles Cost Est. 20% Units
Pilar 8,300 1.57
Paris 2,800 0.53
Penfield 450 0.09
Perkins 1,200 0.23
12,750 2.41 $875,000 $175,000 36
Oakgreen 2,050 0.39 11
185th 6,500 1.23 26.5
Old Marine Trail 7,800 1.48 26.5
16,350 3.10 $900,000 $180,000 37.5
Total 29,100 5.51 $1,775,000 $355,000 73.5
These estimates,including the estimated number of assessable units, should be considered preliminary
at this time. All costs would be further refined at the time a preliminary engineering report would be
ordered.
r
Using the minimum 20%assessment,the estimated assessments for such a project would be
approximately$4,310 per assessable unit located on local streets, and $1,435 per assessable unit on
the collector street(Old Marine Trail.) This compares to assessments of$3,588 and $1,196 per unit,
respectively, for the paving project completed in 2007.
Some questions that the Council may wish to discuss:
1. Should there be a paving project beginning in 2010? Should it be delayed,or eliminated from
the CIP?
2. Should Pilar(and the three cul-de-sacs extending from it)be included in the project? In the
summer of 2008,the city conducted a survey of affected residents. A copy of the survey and
the results are attached to this memo. A letter recently received from one of the residents is
also attached.
3. If the streets at the south end of the project were to be paved,how much of Old Marine Trail
should be included in the project? The current cost estimate includes paving the entire length,
from Oxboro to the city limit. If the City of Marine on St. Croix would be willing to
participate,the paving could be finished all the way to County Road 4.
4. Should Parade Avenue be included? Parade is a short section(1,250 feet)of gravel road south
of Old Marine Trail. The paving could be finished all the way to County Road 4 only if May
Township would be willing to participate.
5. Should the project be expanded or changed to begin reconstruction of some of the poorest
streets in the city? This could only occur if the city were to adopt a new assessment policy,to
assess enough of the cost to allow bonding for the project. Quiruinell Ave.has been identified
as a possible candidate for such a project. The city has reserve funds(approx$115,000)for
this road. However,the cost of a full-depth reconstruction is estimated to�cost about$950,000,
meaning that the city would have to assess at least$190,000 of the cost in order to finance the
project. A preliminary review of property maps showed that there are about 29 assessable
units on Quinnell,so the per-unit assessment could be substantial (over$6,550 per unit,if a
stand-alone project.)
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Meeting Date: 06/17/2008
Agenda Item: �- ,
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City Council Agenda Report
City of Scandia
14727 209`h St. North
Scandia, MN 55073 (65 l) 433-2274
Action Requested: Receive a report on the survey of residents in the Pilar Road street
improvement area.
Deadline/ Timeline: N/A
Background: • The next major street improvement project is planned to include
the paving of Pilar Road and several connected streets. The
Council authorized a resident survey to obtain public input before
the design stage, to help determine specific concerns and help
estimate the potential costs for the city's Capital Improvement
Progam.
�.:
• The survey was mailed on May 22 and residents were asked to
� ,�Y ��.L' return it in a stamped envelope by June 13. As of the writing of
_��, L�Jr`� � this report, 19 of 35 surveys have been returned. Responses have
�� ��� , been compiled into a summary report. Any additional responses
� ` �'- will be forwarded to the Council as they arrive.
�`"� "��� • Engineer Paul Hornby has provided a memo summarizing the
,
/`� survey results and will be available at the June 17 meeting to
discuss it with the Council.
Recommendation: I recommend that the Council receive the report and give any
direction you may wish.
Attachments/ • Memo from Paul Hornby, Bonestroo
Materials provided: . Survey form
• Survey results
Contact(s): Paul Hornby, Bonestroo (651 967-4625)
Prepared by: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator
(Pilar survey)
Page l of 1
06/]3/08
- Memorandum �'� Bonestroo
. To: Anne Hurlburt Project: Pilar Road Area Date: June 12,2008 2335 Hghway 36 W
Improvements St.Paul,MN 55113
From: Paul Homby Client: City of Scandia Tel 651�36-4600
Fax 651�36-1311
Re: Resident Survey File No: 568-08000-1 www.bonestroo.com
In May the City Council authorized staff to prepare and distribute a resident survey regarding
roadway improvements in the Pilar Road area of the City. City staff identified 35 parcel owners
in the improvement area,distributed the sunrey by mail and has received 19 responses to date.
Attached is a list of questions prepared along with a list of responses to each questions.
In summary,the following trends were identified from the responses received to date:
• Residents like the rural and scenic character of the area roadways.
• Residents do not like the dust,washboard,and speed of traffic.
• There are some sight distance problems,erosion,standing water during the spring
thaw, resulting in potholes.
• Several residents do not see value in using cu�b and storm sewer to reduce tree
impacts. Some of these residents may have been thinking the use of curb was to be
along the entire roadway. This was not the intent. Many responses indicated that
residents were not in favor of paying higher assessments for the use of curt�and some
storm sewer.
• There is nearly 50%to 50%split in responses from residents being willing to work with
the City for acquisition of easements.
• There seems to be a consistent trend in many survey question responses that the
roads should remain rural and not be paved. Residents are concemed about increase
in traKc volume,speed,and change in rural the character if the roadways are paved.
The results of the resident survey are not unexpected when compared to the discussions with
the City Council at the May meeting. There are some comments that provide helpful
information regarding problematic drainage areas,sight distance concems and erosion. The
Citq may want to discuss altematives to improvements along this corridor,perhaps performing
some general maintenance to repair some of the problematic items while utilizing targeted
improvement funding for maintenance of the remaining City roadway system.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, at(651)967-4625,with any questions or comments you
may have regarding this resident survey.
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May 2?, 2008
Dear Resident:
The City of Scandia is starting to plan tor one of the last remaining projects to pave
gravel roads in the city. The project includes Oakgreen Avenue. Old Marine Trail. 185th
Street. Paris Avenue, Perkins Avenue, Penfield Avenue, and Pilar Road. Due to budget
limitations, the roadway improvements �vould likely be constructed in the 2010
construction season or later.
The Paris Avenue, Perkins Avenue, Pentield Avenue, and Pilar Road improvement area �
is thought to be unique in character from recent City road i��provement proiects due to �
the meandering road, heavily wooded areas. and surrounding terrain. We are seeking (
resident input in the roadway improvements in advance of preliminar�� design. �
The City Council values resident input and is asking for�-our assistance ���ith severa) �
questions listed on the enclosed survey. Please complete the survey and return it using (
the self-addressed stamped envelope by June 13, 2008. After that date �ve will compile (
the responses for revie�� by the City Council so they can decide on the timing and ne�t �
steps for the paving project. �
If you have questions about this surve�� request or the Cit�� pavin� project you can contact �
me at 651-433-2?74, or via e-mail at �i.hurlhiu-t'ri ci.sc�ti�dia.mn.us. You may also contact �
our consultant Engineer, Paul Hornby. at 651-967-46�5 or via e-mail at �
at�l.hornb�r�i�bonestroo.com. �
Sincerely, �
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Anne Hurlburt �
City Administrator �
Citv of Scandia Sur�e�-
Paris Avenue, Perkins Avenue, Penlield A�enue, and Pilar Road
1. What is the single characteristic you like the most about the existin� roadwa��s?
2. What is the single characteristic you like the least about the existing roadways?
3. Are you aware of any problematic drainage issues in the project area (standing water in the
roadways, ditch, culverts, or front yards)? If so please explain what the problem is, and where it
is:
4. Are you aware of any isslies in the project area that become problematic seasonall��, slich as
during the spring thaw, during winter travel, after a rainfall event? If so please explain what the
problem is, and where it is:
5. The City may be able to reduce tree impacts 6�- constructing c�u-b and storm sewer, but this
may increase costs as compared to past pa��in�� projects. Should the Cih� use curb and storm
se�uer to reduce tree impacts? Would ��ou be ��illin;� to pay hi�her special assessments to reduce
impacts to trees'?
6. The City may need to acquire additional permanent and temporar_y easements for road ,
construction. Pa��ing for easements wiil increase the cost of the project and could delay the start
of the project. Are you willing to work with the City in good faith to provide easements and to
reduce overall project costs?
7. Please provide additional feedback with other concerns you may have regarding this City
improvement project.
Thank you for completing the survey! Please return it to the City of Scandia (147?7 209'h St.
N., Scandia, MN 55073) by June 13, 2008.
The City may want to contact youu regarding your comments and would like your name and
contact information. However, the City respects resident privac�� and pro��iding this infonnation
is optional.
Name (optional):
Telephone (optional):
Email (optic�nal):
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City of Scandia Survey
. Paris Avenue, Perkins Avenue, Penfield Avenue, and Pilar Road
UPDATED—SURVEYS RECEIVED THROUGH JUNE 17, 2008
1. What is the single characteristic you like the most about the existing roadways?
• The small scenic feel of the road.
• Its rural character, the trees & grasses growing close its ability to allow
rain/snow/moisture to settle into the soil.
• Not a lot of through traffic, Cty Rd 3 - Hwy 95
• None
• It's a gravel road, don't pave it and ruin the last rural character road in Scandia.
• The unique beauty of the hills and curves in this countryside.
• I do not really like anything special at all. 1 will be happy to have the roads
paved.
• It is well maintained summer& winter.
• Picturesque, overhanging trees.
• It is a gravel road.
� What we have now are great, but please don't change the true country roads!!!
• The rural feel of the road with all the curves and bends. The trees, the wild
flowers.
• Many are rural and winding– it forces you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of
our area.
• Dirt road has a nice"country" feel.
• Rural country setting–view is beautiful reduces excessive speeds and traffic.
� Gravel surface on a meandering roadway through a heavily wooded area.
• Their natural character. I prefer that the roads stay as they are and not be paved.
• That the roads are rural, (not blacktopped), narrow, scenic, and about what the
"City"is supposed to be preserving–rural qualities, not suburbia.
• Light traffic/slower traffic. I love Pilar Road.
• The juxtaposition of trees to the roadway creating an archway of foliage. Pilar
Road should become a designated scenic road w/trees remaining to road edge &
pave the existing base.
• We like the fact that our road is not paved.
• Not used as a through road–unsurfaced & lots of curves.
• Gravel surface on a meandering roadway through a heavily wooded area.
• Rustic charm with trees galore.
2. What is the single characteristic you like the least about the existing roadways?
• Only thing I can think of is the trees (branches) take out the electric wires when it
gets windy.
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• The dust, when it has been dry for a long time. But the spray helps, although I do
not know how that affects the plants & water. •
• Nothing
• The dust!!! You can't keep the windows or screens clean because of the dirt.
Before the road is sprayed in the spring, you have to keep the windows, it's so
bad.
• It breaks up in some areas in the spring.
• Mud and dust!
• There are too many trees hanging onto the roads making it dark.
• Not in front of 16123 Pilar Rd.
• The dust, mud & gravel.
• People drive too fast.
• There are few country roads, such as Pilar, where we can enjoy the true quietness
of the"country".
• During spring thaw a portion I travel gets a washboard effect and deep pot holes
at the corner of Pilar & 95
• We are on gravel now— seems like it always needs to be graded �
• Washboard & dusty
� Concerned about excessive speed
• City/Township brush cutter
• They are. Changing (paving) the roads would increase traffic & traffic speed
which I wouldn't like. It would also negatively impact trees.
• Least is traffic—the high volume of traffic now using roads—Pilar especially as a
shortcut—driving too fast— seeming to respect no value as a scenic road?
� Some people not obeying speed
� Dust & washboard effect. But that defines a rural road & Pilar Road is one of the
best maintained in America.
� Maintenance of the roadside often leaves a mess in its wake— shredded shrubs
and mangled trees —that diminishes the scenic quality of the road.
• Washing in certain areas when it rains.
• City/township brush cutter.
• Beer cans & dust
3. Are you aware of any problematic drainage issues in the project area(standing water in the
roadways, ditch, culverts, or front yards)? If so please explain what the problem is, and where it
is:
• No! There are a few places where the small ditches that were put in 3-4 years ago
are now getting filled back in by road grading but they do not back up drainage so
that goes over the road.
• No
• Culvert across road in front of 15740. Culvert drains into telephone pole &
junction box before entering seasonal pond.
� Standing water, from snow melt, on the sharp corner.
• No
2
• No
. • Corner on Paris Ave N floods in the spring when the snow melts.
• None that I can see.
• Soft spot on hill by Westermeiers. Water pools at bottom of Perkins. Road too
narrow at Doolittles, Kees, Froberg.
• No
• No
• 1) The North East corner of Pilar and Paris has a large landscape hill and when
they fly over the road hill going west toward Olinda and your sitting on Paris you
can't see them due to the landscape hill. I can't tell you how many times I have
almost been hit there. I know nothing can be done about the road hill but if we
could move back the landscape hill we could see better....2) When Olinda Tzail
project was done land was given as easement to the South of Pilar so that the road
could be straightened out and it would be easier to enter Olinda from Pilar.
That was the only reason the land was give,but now several years later the
electric pole is sitting 1 foot off the road as the grader has been slowly moving the
road bed back to the north? If you want to slowly widen and move the road let
move it to the South where most of the easement lies. Small trees need to be cut
down in that ditch growing right on the edge of the road. That corner really needs
some attention now,just for the graders sake. As the grader has widen that road
to the North now the North side washes out in a good rain. It did not do that
before the widening. 3) The first straight away area on Paris needs to be shifted
to the East as it is not sitting center�of its easement at this time.... And has ponds
on both sides that are part way in the easement area with a culvert running
between them. 4) There is a cement cow passing culvert that needs to be dealt
with under Paris. 5) 'There is a sharp 90 degree bend on Paris that no one can see
around and its hill on one side with trees that will need to be landscaped back.
The bend also needs to be shifted back to the east into its easement. The grader
has pushed this corner over the fence to the west of the road.... There are lots for
sale down there and more traffic will come from there in the future.
• No
• We live on Penfield Ave N there are only 3 homes on this road and it gets little
maintenance. Plus it is a hill and drainage and erosion are problems—when it
rains heavily there is a lot of erosion.
• No
• No
• Erosion is a problem now and we think it could become worse with blacktopping
(asphalt). We believe the whole idea of black-topping the entire township was
flawed from the beginning and was then probably based on a pro-development
model and not in any way on preserving the rural qualities or the environment.
Unfortunately, it is now a fait accompli!
• None
� Not recently. When one builds & creates impervious surfaces which channel
excessive water to the roadway, the homeowner should be encouraged to mitigate
runoff via gutters, downspouts to holding tanks.
• None on our stretch of the road.
3
• Sometimes after or as the thaw happens we have a lot of standing H20 at the end
of our driveway. '
4. Are you aware of any issues in the project area that become problematic seasonally, such as
during the spring thaw, during winter travel, after a rainfall event? If so please explain what the
problem is, and where it is:
• Since the road (Pilar) was improved a few years ago there seems to be very few
problem areas. Any frost boils are minor.
• Drainage used to be a problem but that resolved with culvert improvements some
years ago.
• 1/3'� mile from 95 on Pilar Rd is a culvert from swamp across to farmland (40
acres). The 100' of roadway is always bad wet, thaw. All curves are problems
slippery, wet, thaw on entire road.
• Answer to question 3 (Standing water, from snow melt, on the sharp corner.)
• The east half of the road tends to break up more in the spring.
• There is one prominent frost boil in the right lane traveling west on the hill
approaching Olinda. Washouts everywhere.
• Paris Ave N becomes really muddy and soft during the spring thaw.
• NO NEED in front of 16123 Pilar
• Heavy rains cause big ruts alongside any hills. Kees driveway washes out onto
road.
• No
• No
• See# 1 above (The rural feel of the road with al] the curves and bends. The trees,
the wild flowers)
• Heavy rains this spring have resulted in a lot of erosion on Pilar Ave
• Washout in a few places, problem is fixed quickly
• The first corner from County Road 3 on Pilar is dangerous. (Needs banking)
� Some soft spots due to clay boil up in the spring thaw. Generally occurs in
inclined portions of the road. Pothole formation in certain flat portions due to
poor water drainage.
• None
• We do not think anyone really knows the effect of"dust reduction"measures
employed on roads or its consequences to the environment? The roads seem to
take a long time to dry out after a rain event and in winter the roadways seem to
be holding more water. This becomes problematic and could be an expensive
problem under blacktop with erosion, washouts etc, when saturated?
• Slow to react to snowfalls— plowing etc.
• Not recently.
• Some stretches of the road to the west of our property (about a mile away)
become difficult on warm winter days.
• When it rains, certain areas drain onto road & it washes.
4
� Some soft spots due to clay boil up in the spring thaw. Generally occurs in
. inclined portions of the road. Pothole formation in certain flat portions due to
poor water drainage.
5. 7'he City may be able to reduce tree impacts by constructing curb and storm sewer, but this
may increase costs as compared to past paving projects. Should the City use curb and storm
sewer to reduce tree impacts? Would you be willing to pay higher special assessments to reduce
impacts to trees?
• No! I'm not interested in higher anything. I'm retired and do not have any way to
increase my income. I don't see how curbs would even apply to this road and I
have more trees then I need.
• I think Pilar& its adjoining roads should be left unpaved. It would be a hardship
to pay any assessments for what we do not consider improvements.
� No
• No
• Yes. No. Dig out road bed in the problem areas. Put regrinds (?) on the whole
road. It will be more durable than gravel and maintain character while saving
much money that is wasted on tar.
• I do not believe so. I am willing to pay any reasonable assessment to expedite the
paving.
• I myself would like to see curb and storm sewer. However it would not be
necessary if it costs too much.
• Yes
� (special assessments) NO. (curb & storrn sewer) NO or just in impossibly
narrow areas.
• Do a shape and pave with curb only where absolutely necessary.
• No
• I don't want to count on this as no trees are on our side of roadway
• No—curbs not necessary
• Installing curb and gutter in such a rural area is not feasible. Let's look for a more
natural way to handle runoff— rain gardens? And, please consider ribbon curbs— '
much better alternative for our area. Consider trap rock for road sides and areas
prone to erosion.
• Yes
• No—No
• I fail to see how curb and storm sewer would reduce tree impacts. Just the
opposite effect is likely. Just pave the existing road surface and destroy the rural
character of the area in a word addressing the last question—NO!
� Please, no curbs or storm sewers! Keep the rural character.
• The idea of suggesting curb and storm sewer does not seem practical, is the wrong
question for this area, and may have little or no effect on tree impacts? It is not
even environmentally sound. For example, Pilar road has a unique bog complex—
a sphagnum-tamarack circular bog that is the only one like it in N. Wash. Co. —
5
threatened species — Blanding's turtle, bog copper butterfly, rose pogonia orchid,
and other rare aquatic plants and animals, etc. Curbs alone could be an -
insurmountable death trap for Blanding's turtle and other wildlife. This bog
needs special protection by the City and is the MNDNR biological survey. The
MNDNR may also need to be involved in this project.
� Totally against the paving & any improvements on Pilar Road. The road is for the
tenants. Paving will make a current shortcut from 3 to Hwy 95, or vice versa,
more attractive. This will increase traffic, speed & danger.
• I think the converse would be true— especially w/storm sewer. Simply pave the
base which is in place. Absolutely no clear cutting as on 220`h. Trees must stay
¬ be impacted by paving.
• No the higher assessments! The city must communicate its plans for each stretch
of frontage with that homeowner, and send an engineer or planner to discuss the
issues. Curbs would destroy the scenic quality of the roadway, as would the
destruction of trees. There must be mechanisms in place to help homeowners and
the city find alternate solutions.
• Depends upon how much more & where. Minimize impact of tree removal on
homeowners—only use if homeowners are greatly impacted. Investigate use of
ditches & culverts. Study current drainage patterns.
• I fail to see how curb and storm sewer would reduce tree impacts. Just the
opposite effect is likely. Just pave the existing road surface and destroy the rural
character of the area. In a word addressing the last question—No!
6. The City may need to acquire additional permanent and temporary easements for road
construction. Paying for easements will increase the cost of the project and could delay the start �
of the project. -Are you willing to work with the City in good faith to provide easements and to
reduce overall project costs?
• Sure I would think the value of the easements would probably equal the cost of
the road work.
• I'm not sure what this would mean. Perkins right of way/easements are the City's
already. I would hate to see them widened more, or to see Pilar widened as it
would change its character completely. I moved here because of the incredible
beauty of Pilar Rd.
• No only if in good faith you don't charge me to put the stupid road in. (Ha-Ha)
• No
• NO, I DON'T WANT IT PAVED!!!
• Yes
• Yes, I will work good with the City of Scandia
• N/A
• No
• Yes
• Not necessarily as I don't want to see the road paved. I like it the way it is. Want
the rural nature of the road to remain as is. i.e. curves, w/o shoulders.
6
• Yes — we'd be willing to discuss it.
• Yes
• No
• The easements of Penfield Road are not in accordance with the property lines.
This issue needs resolution before any road improvement projects are initiated.
• I think there are already easements on our property.
• The answer is no to the question at this time. First of all, the City needs to
demonstrate that it too will operate in good faith be deeds, not just words. We
believe that City needs to recognize the uniqueness of these remaining un-
blacktopped roads. We strongly recommend that the City designate these roads as
"scenic"with the full protection that the term implies. These roads are right at the
apex to the City's "Wind in the Pines"and the MNDNR's Fall's Creek Scientific
and Natural Area (SNA) which has been described as one of the last remaining
intact example of the original St. Croix white pinery. The whole area is also part
of their natural drainage system. Furthermore, the Green Corridor project has
included the area in its target corridor because of its high quality, natural habitat
values. If the City is really serious about preserving "rural values"this would be
a great opportunity to actually demonstrate it. We would work with the City only
if it seriously demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship.
• This is a backwoods road filled with quietude & silence conducive to a magnitude
of wildlife. Also accompanying this are wonderful resourceful neighbors.
Wishes not to give or sell easement for paying project.
• Yes, we are willing to work, in good faith, with the City.
� Only within reason. Given that the pavement of this roadway is for the City's
convenience, and given that we (and many others on the road)prefer that it not be
done, I would be reluctant to provide easements I considered unreasonable.
• I understood already have easements.
• The easements on Penfield Road are not in accordance with the property lines.
This issue needs resolution before any road improvement projects are initiated.
• Perhaps; it would be on a case by case basis.
7. Please provide additional feedback with other concerns you may have regarding this City
improvement project.
• Pilar Road is a very scenic road —narrow and winding—if 15 feet ditches were
put in on each side it would not only require major trees removal and earth
moving but it would also destroy the nature of the road. I feel it is necessary to
use some type of modified approach to retain a small scenic road and a smaller
ditch system. All these road fit this category.
• See last 2 comments (6&7). Although we don't live on Old Marine Trail, we feel
the same about it. It is lovely to walk or bike these roads, and just fine to drive
them. 1 cannot imagine how paving them wil] "improve" them. Instead we will
lose trees, endanger wildlife, change ground water access, and encourage
speeding on these lovely rural spaces. If paving was request by most others living
on these roads, couldn't it be done ala Wisconsin where the asphalt is laid over
7
the existing road bed and additional damage (widening, trees removal could be
avoided? Are notices sent out with estimates of costs to residents? Would these -
include choices (no widening vs. widening) & their different costs??
• I don't want the progressive improvements. Keep country style. Money
problems don't do it. Tell the City folk to move back to the city if they want all
those horrific benefits.
• The cost of this project will far exceed any savings of grading weekly for many
years. By that time it will have to be resurfaced and extend the payback time
even farther. You need a grader for snowplowing anyway and it is better to run it
once a week than to let it sit all summer just because someone decided to have all
street years ago doesn't mean it has to be done.
• Every year that this project is delayed the cost is increasing. Also we are paying
for the dust control which is needed. However, this is a band aid on a broken leg
and money that should go to permanent corrections.
• The sharp corner on Paris Ave N has poor visibility and should be looked into.
The hill and trees on the south side of the road could be removed to fix the
problem.
• Please keep roadbed to a minimal width. Don't try to straighten out any curves as
that slows the traffic, plus makes the road more picturesque. There is no shortage
of trees on Pilar, cut what you have�too but seek resident feedback before cutting.
• Too many to mention!
• I feel if Pilar is paved, cars are going to be speeding down the road using it as a
thru road. I love the feel of this unpaved rural country road. Paving Pilar is
definitely going to take away from our rural atmosphere. I also feel that if Pilar is
paved, they will straighten out all the"S" is,thus taking away the rich name
Snake Road.
• Please try to reduce impacts to the"natural" feel of our area (Pilar& Penfield)�
The winding nature of these roads, along with the trees, is one of the things that
attracted us to this area. The winding nature of the road also reduces speed on
these roads.
• I've been waiting for our road to be paved for 10 years. I am very excited about
this project to happen, cannot wait!
• Prefer the road the way it is!! Concerned about excessive traffic, speeding, theft
and vandalism and noise.
� Paving Pilar Road will result in excessive speeds and a major safety risk for
school age children and pedestrians that walk the road for exercise. Are speed
bumps going to be installed on the entire length of Pilar?? What about wetlands
preservation on several segments of Pilar Road.
• I like the wooded meandering character of the roads. I would hate to see them
widened or straightened or to see trees cut down.
• It is time for the City to actually step us to the plate on "preserving rural values"
beyond just works and focus groups. This means such things as keeping these
roads narrow, and designating them as scenic. The City plan for the project
should include the use of rain gardens, swales, and other environmentally sound
containment devices and strategies to control runoff, as well as the restoration of
road ditches with native plantings or seeding where appropriate—not curbs and
8
storm sewers! The Watershed should also be involved. [t is also possible that the
. age of only petroleum-based solutions may well be over, is coming to a close, or
may become cost prohibitive for certain projects? Sometimes a simple solution
may be the best and most cost effective as well as provide employment for our
own local citizens.
• Pilar Road is a lonesome road & cunently not subject to a great deal of crime.
Road improvements will lead to greater accessibility & in the end increase crime.
• Pilar Road should become a scenic road with trees & foliage intact. There is an
abundance of wildflowers along the existing roadway. Seed collectors/organic
preservationists often procure seeds for various agencies. Please pave the existing
road as it functions well & is aesthetically pleasing. An 18' road would suffice.
Many major& minor paved roads in New England are very narrow—many minor
roads less than 18' W. This reduces traffic speed when a road is widened &
paved it increases both traffic flow & speed. Less is more. Less road to pave the
greater the savings.
• We purchased this property in part because it was on a gravel road. We are now
expected to pay thousands of dollars for something we don't want.
Given how property taxes are spiraling upward (our Scandia portion went up 24%
last year) it seems to me that responsibility for keeping costs down belongs to the
City—not to homeowners. The City also owes it to homeowners to preserve the
scenic quality of this roadway. To do otherwise would adversely impact property
values, which are already plummeting.
• Road should continue to have 30 MPH speed. Do not improve to increase speed
limit.
� Paving Pilar Road will result in excessive speeds and a major safety risk for
school age children and pedestrians that walk the road for exercise. Are speed
bumps going to be installed on the entire length of Pilar?? What about wetlands
preservation on several segments of Pilar Road??
• My preference is to leave this as a rustic road; which is treated in spring for dust.
No trees should be felled for a road paving project.
9
. �
Ned H. Froberg
� 15400 Pilar Road North
Scandia, Minnesota 55073
May 6, 2009 �
Re: gravel roads
To: Property Owners along Pilar Road North
It looks like Pilar Road is not scheduled for paving anytime in the immediate future. Roads are
always a big issue at every level of government.
The "PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN," City of Scandia, September 19, 2008, Project
Number: 000568-08137-0 should be read by everyone in Scandia. It is available through
Scandia's web site, http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us/. Then click on Services, click on Streets-
Pavement Management Plan and finally click on Pavement Management Plan to download the
PDF.
The Plan is straightforward, concise and easy to understand. It explains the road condition rating
system as a road goes through its lifecycle. The Plan list improvements and maintenance
procedures used on city blacktop streets such as; seal coating, crack filling, patching, mill andlor
overlay, pavement reclamation and full reconstruction.
It also gives an example, Table 4 - Option Cost Comparison, of how spending more on
maintenance in a streets lifecycle can extend the life of the street, consequently costing the
taxpayer less in the long run.
Table 6 in the Plan is a list of the things you have to do to an existing bituminous road during its
lifecycle to make the road last as long as it can. Table 6 includes the maintenance operations,the
year it should be preformed and the cost per lineal foot.
Table 6- Lifecycle Cost Per Lineal Foot
Maintenance Year CosbLF
Seal Coat & Crack Fill 6 $7.00
Seal Coat & Crack Fill/Patch 12 $11.00
MillOverlav 16 $40.00
Seal Coat/Patch 21 $11.00
Seal Coat/Patch 26 $11.00
Reclaim/Reconstruct 31 $70.00
Cost over 31 vear/ife $150.00
Cost per foot per vear $4.84
In other words, we start with a new blacktop road. Then we do the prescribed maintenance at
years 6, 12, 16, 21 and 26. Then at year 31 we have to reclaim/reconstruct the street and we are
! -
back to where we started 31 years ago and the process is started all over again. If we do less
maintenance than the Plan advises during years 6 - 26, we shorten the lifespan of the pavement,
thereby increasing the cost per foot per year because we have to reconstruct sooner.
To find the cost per mile per year multiply $4.84 per foot per year by 5280 feet per mile and we
get $25,555.20 per year per mile to maintain and rebuild a paved road for one lifecycle in 2008
dollars. That is to say every mile of paved road in Scandia, using the most cost effective
maintenance schedule, will cost, on average and over the 31 year life of the road, $25,555.20 per
year.
Just maintaining a paved road is expensive. Using Table 6 from Scandia's road plan and taking
out the reclaim/reconstruct item that would be paid for with a special assessment is illustrated
below.
Table 6 - Lifecycle Cost Per Lineal Foot
Maintenance Year Cost/LF
Seal Coat & Crack Fill 6 $7.00
Seal Coat & Crack Fill/Patch 12 $11.00
MillOverlav 16 $40.00
Seal Coat/Patch 21 $11.00
Seal Coat/Patch 26 �11.00
Reclaim/Reconstruct 31
Cost over 31 ey ar life $80.00
Cost per foot peryear �2.58
To find the cost per mile per year multiply $2.58 per foot per year by 5280 feet per mile and
we get $13,625.81 per year per mile to maintain a paved road for one lifecycle in 2008
dollars. The above maintenance items are things the city should do to make the roads last as
long as it can. According to the Plan, Scandia has 65.3 miles of paved road. That means
Scandia should be spending $889,765 per year on paved road maintenance.
The Pavement Management Plan recommends "increase the maintenance budget in an effort to
maintain streets with a condition rating of 7 or higher"with Options 2, 2a or 3 in Appendix C
calling for a budget of$573,375 a year for 5 years. Yet the budget for 2009 indicates no increase
over the $250,000 the city has allotted for street maintenance in the past. The city government is
building roads and then choosing not to maintain them, which is going to cost more in the long
run because the pavement will have to be replaced sooner than necessary.
What are the options? Obviously gravel is one option. When is a gravel road a good option and
how much does a gravel road cost?
Gravel can be a good option if the road is a low volume and low speed road. Dead end roads,
loop roads and non-collector roads are all candidates. These are roads that serve mainly the
people living on the road. The rule of thumb is if a road has under 500 annual average daily trips
it does not need to be paved.
Estimates for the cost per year per mile for a gravel road are found in "Economics of Upgrading
an Aggregate Road" published by Minnesota Department of Transportation Research Services
Section. The costs for a gravel road were based on high speed, high volume county roads,
graded 21 times a year and regraveled every 5 years with the average annual cost calculated to be
$4160 per mile per year. Adjusting for inflation,the average cost per year per mile for a gravel
road is about $5,000. No dust control or road surface stabilization measures were used.
Calcium chloride is used to stabilize roads in Scandia with good results. Dozens of road
stabilization (dust control) products are available including synthetics, chemicals and organic
based treatments. These measures not only keep the dust down, but also stabilize the road
surface preventing washboarding so less grading is needed and the need to regravel is decreased,
among other benefits. Road stabilization has been reported to not only offset its own cost but to
actually cut the total cost of maintaining a gravel road. One source for good gravel road
maintenance practices is "Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance for Dirt and Gravel Roads"
sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Road aggregate is readily available in this area. The oil needed for the initial construction, seal
coating,joint filling, patching, mill and overlay and then the eventual replacement or
reconstruction of asphalt paved roads is not. Road stabilization products such as soybean oil
soapstock are available in Minnesota. A properly maintained gravel road is environmentally
sound, economically sustainable and can easily meet the needs of local residents living on a low
volume, low speed road.
There is a big difference between $25,555 per year per mile for a paved road and $5,000 per year
per mile for a stabilized and well maintained gravel road. Clearly this city government does not
understand the biggest single expense the city has, the costs of building and maintaining roads.
Black top roads may be an unnecessary luxury we cannot sustain. There are now and always
will be much bigger problems making demands on our limited resources. We cannot continue to
pave our streets with gold.
Sincerely,
Ned H. Froberg
CC: Property Owners on Pilar
Scandia City Council
Jim Miller, Executive Director, League of Minnesota Cities
Kris Busse, President, Minnesota City/County Management Association
Cliff Buchan, Editor, Forest Lake Times
Kyle Weaver, Editor, Country Messenger
Deb Barnes, Editor, The Citizen