HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 01.16.2024MINUTES
CITY OF
CITY COUNCIL i
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16,2024
A Council Workshop was held in Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Dave Waggoner
at 6:30 p.m. on January 2, 2024.
_x_ Tom Canape
_x_ Heidi Sparks
Michelle Mize
_x_ Jessica Banks
_x_ Casey Wheeler
_x_ Iry Wilke
Richard Klose
_x_ Jodi Mackay
Michele Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
Brittney Harakal, Council Administrative Assistant
Matt Wheeler, Public Works Director (left at 6:50 p.m.)
Ryan Welsh, KLJ
Public Input:
There were none.
General Items
MTD Presentation - W. Railroad.
Thaddeus Lesnik, with MDOT, and Katie Kay, with Sanderson Stewart, presented the attached
information.
It was questioned if the County would pay for part of this project. It was clarified that this project
is not a State or County route. This is an Urban Route and, therefore, using the Urban Route
Funds. Those funds available are 5.2 million.
It was questioned if the gas line would be under the roadway. It was clarified that was not known
at this time, and a full design of the project has not been completed.
It was questioned if any grants could be applied to help pay for this project. It was clarified that
they could apply for the RAISE grant.
It was noted that the attached memo notes of truncating the project. It was questioned what part
of the project would not be completed. It was clarified that many of the unnecessary items have
already been removed from the estimate. The only item left to reduce is the length of the road
included in the project. Council noted that the entire section of road needs to be redone.
It was noted that inflation is estimated to be $850k. It was questioned if that was for each year or
both years. It was clarified that the inflation estimate is based on the two years needed before the
start of the project.
It was questioned to the two Council Members representing Ward 1 how important this project
is. It was stated that this project is a very big priority. In 2017, the City did the Pacer study to
rank the road conditions. The City addressed the 5s, Gs, and 7s first not to have additional
deterioration while working on the larger projects.
It was noted that at one point in time, there was discussion about using TIF funds for the portion
within the TIF District.
It was questioned if the refinery would be willing to partner with the City to replace this road. It
was clarified that this option could be explored.
2. Appointment of Emelie Eaton to the Public Works Committee.
There was no discussion on the item.
Executive Review
3. Resolution - A Resolution Of The City Council To Adopt An Official Schedule Of Fees
And Charges For The City Of Laurel And Repealing All Previous Resolutions That Set
Fees Or Charges That Conflict With The Schedule Attached Hereto Upon Its Effective
Date.
There was no discussion on the item.
4. Resolution - Resolution Of The City Council Calling For An Election On The Question
Of Conducting A Local Government Review And Establishing A Study Commission.
Council questioned what kind of education would be done so the public would know what this
ballot measure pertains to. They noted that the last time this was before the voters, there seemed
to be a lot of confusion about what was being asked. It was clarified that there would be an
educational piece. The state is also working on education opportunities as well.
It was questioned if the City of Laurel was the only one doing this. It was clarified that this is
Statewide.
Council Issues
Council Member Mackay stated that she does things for the Outlook on occasion. This week, she
had the opportunity to photograph a house fire. The Fire Department did an amazing job.
Mayor Waggoner added that Public Works also came out to help with that fire as well. They
needed to drain the hydrants so they would not freeze. They also loaded up frozen hoses and
transported them to the City Shop to thaw.
Council Member Klose thanked the Public Works Director and his crew for assisting with
picking up wreaths at the Cemetery. They were able to have all the wreaths picked up within an
hour.
Other Items
Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting
All Council Members present will be in attendance at the next scheduled meeting.
Announcements
Monday, there will be an Emergency Services Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Council
Chambers. The Public Works Committee will directly follow the Emergency Services
Committee meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The council workshop adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for
the listed workshop agenda items.
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Department of Transportation
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To: Laurel City Council Members
From: Thaddeus Lesnik, P.E.
Malcolm "Mack" Long, Director
Consultant Design Project Engineer
Date: January 16, 2024
Subject: STPU 6902(5)
West Railroad Street - Laurel
UPf\J 10/21000
2701 Prospect - PO Box 201001
Helena MT 59620-1001
1ntroChu Cti0n
Thank you for placing the West Railroad Street project on the agenda for funding discussion. This project
is partially funded through Montana's Surface Transportation Program -Urban (STPU). The STPU program
provides funding to the state's 20 urban areas (population of 5,000 or greater) through a statutory formula
based on each area's population compared to the total population in all urban areas. STPU funds are
primarily used for resurfacing, rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing facilities; operational
improvements, bicycle facilities; pedestrian walkways and carpool projects on Montana's Urban Highway
System. If STPU funding is insufficient to complete an urban area's priority project, local funds can be
contributed to achieve the desired project scope.
This project was nominated by the City of Laurel in 2018 and conceptual design began in the spring of
2023, following execution of a project funding in which the City agreed to a local funding contribution of
$2,500,000. The cost estimate currently prepared exceeds the budget originally forecast when the project
was nominated due to uncertainty in the initial estimate, escalating cost of construction, and inflation.
STPU allocations will continue to be less than sufficient to reconstruct this roadway even if project
elements remain the same and STPU funds accumulate.
Proposed Scope of Work
The proposed scope of work for this project is to reconstruct W. Railroad St. (U-6902) in Laurel from
S. 8th Ave. to S. 1st Ave. The work is anticipated to include new curb and gutter, ADA installations, storm
drain installation, and utility relocations. This project is intended to address poor pavement condition and
substandard curb and gutter on W. Railroad St.
Sanderson Stewart has been selected as the consultant for this project. Sanderson Stewart will be
responsible for developing the design and contract documents. MDT staff will provide direct assistance
and overall coordination of the work.
Preliminani Cost Estimate
Costs
Funding
Project Engineering & Design **
$1,400,000
STPU Funds FFY 2026 $5,200,000
Construction Cost
$5,846,000
Laurel Funding $2,500,000
Administration during construction CE
$672,000
Utility Relocation Costs IC
$375,000
Right of Way Temp, Easement, etc. *%
$50,000
Total of costs above:
$8,343,000
Inflation —10.2%
$848,017
MDT IDC 13.56%
$1,246,302
Total Costs
$10,437,318
Total Funding $7,700,000
The costs above noted with are estimated due to the current (early) development. Future funds may need to add effort for plan
development currently not scoped between MDT and Sanderson Stewart.
" ` The R/W phase cost may be unnecessary if no R/W, easements, or construction permit are required.
Each year $217,402 is added to the Laurel urban area's STPU fund balance. The shortfall of funds in
Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 is calculated as Total Costs subtract Total Funding, or $10,437,318
Laurel City Council Funding Discussion
STPU 6902(5), West Railroad Street - Laurel, UPN 10121000
EPS Project Manager: Thaddeus Lesnik Page 2 of 2
subtract $7,700,000 which equals a $2,737,318 shortfall for the 2026 FFY. The Laurel Urban Area has
the opportunity to borrow up to five years of their STPU allocation, approximately $1,000,000, to
contribute to offsetting the shortfall of this project. Utilization of the STPU borrow would result in a
negative STPU balance and potentially delay future STPU projects.
Requested Action
Several options will be presented to you tonight. One option is to fund the deficit with additional funds
from the City of Laurel to continue development for the full project length. A second option is to truncate
the project length to ensure the project scope aligns within available funding. During the council meeting, I
hope you have enough facts to consider and provide direction. The decision on this matter will influence
the scope of design services between MDT and Sanderson Stewart. Acting without delay is important to
continue project development and bring reconstruction of this roadway into reality and minimize cost of
inflation.
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