City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  August 19, 2003

Item No. 25:   

Recommendation: That the Common Council consider adding Southbranch Boulevard, Ridgeview Drive, and S. 20^th Street (Southbranch Industrial Park) to the 2003 paving program.  

Background: The streets in the Southbranch Industrial Park are in terrible condition.  They are among the lowest rated streets based on the Paser Rating System.  Money had been requested to begin this project the last five budget years.  No money has been approved to date for these streets.  The ultimate project would eliminate the median islands, add curb and gutter, move street lighting to the sides of the road, adjust the storm sewer system, as well as replace the existing wear surface and sub base. The cost of this approach increased significantly when it was learned that excavated macadam pavement must be landfilled as a solid waste.  The cost of the envisioned approach is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $3,000,000.

As an alternative, the City could buy five years (plus or minus) by pulverizing the existing pavement and overlaying with 5 inches of asphalt.  This would address none of the other issues other than the wear surface.  The estimated cost range is $400,000 to $500,000.

A major consideration for the Council may be the issue of assessments.  To the best of my knowledge, the City has never overlayed an industrial street.  Should the costs be assessed?  If the industries are assessed for the overlay, should they be assessed for all or a part of the ultimate fix in five years (plus or minus)?

Time is short to complete this work in this calendar year.  The cost is beyond the amount that could be added to our existing paving contract.  A new contract would have to be bid and awarded and the weather would need to hold into December.  If assessments were to be computed, noticed, and a hearing held prior to contract award, it is improbable that construction would occur this year.     

Fiscal Impact: At the next Council meeting, if the Council directs staff to proceed on the overlay, staff will prepare a list of projects that could be reduced/delayed to fund the paving. 

Prepared by: Wayne St. John, P.E. Director of Public Works	Respectfully submitted, Robert L. Kufrin City Administrator
	Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk

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