Title
Resolution No. 2 - Scio Church Sidewalk Special Assessment ($1,626.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to establish the special assessment costs and distribution for the Scio Church Sidewalk Project (Resolution No. 2 for Sidewalk District #43). The sidewalk is proposed to be constructed along the south side of Scio Church Road from Maple Road to Delaware Drive.
A separate resolution is on the Council Agenda to appropriate additional funding from the General Fund for this project.
The Scio Church sidewalk will be combined with the Barton Drive sidewalk to be bid as one project through MDOT with construction funded in part by the Federal Surface Transportation Fund (STPU). The City's ability to use federal funds for this project has created the opportunity for the private property owners to receive the sidewalk improvements at a lower cost and to reduce the city-share non-recoverable funding amount.
Background
In August of 2012, a petition was received by the Public Services Area Administrator's Office requesting the installation of sidewalks on the south side of Scio Church Road between Delaware Drive and Maple Road. Providing this walkway would allow neighbors to access such facilities as the Ice Cube and the Pittsfield Library without having to cross Scio Church Road at midblock points. The petition was signed by approximately 75 residents of the Churchill Downs neighborhood, located on the south side of Scio Church Road.
Subsequently, City Council approved two resolutions appropriating funding for staff to evaluate and later design the sidewalk (R-12-525 and R-13-344).
Special Assessments & Resident Input
As called for in Chapter 13 of City Code, the cost for the addition of new sidewalk where none currently exists is borne by the parcels that benefit from the improvements. Because this is a federal-aid project, up to 80% of the construction cost of the sidewalk is eligible to be paid by federal Surface Transportation Funds. The remainder of the costs will be local share.
On November 7, 2013 City Council approved Resolution 1 (R-13-344) authorizing staff to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates for this work as a special assessment project. Because most of this sidewalk abuts the rear lots of parcels or is along City-owned land, only three properties are assessable.
All three affected property owners were invited to share their thoughts at an Administrative Hearing on March 6, 2014 where staff explained the project and the estimated assessment amounts. All three residents have stated they understand the benefit of the sidewalk. Two of the residents expressed that the assessment and snow maintenance will be a burden.
The total estimated cost of the Scio Church sidewalk is $365,100.00 of which an approximate $164,000.00 will be paid from the Federal Surface Transportation Funds. The remaining $201,100.00 local share is proposed to be funded by the General Fund (see the resolution titled Scio Church and Barton Sidewalks Project Appropriation of Funds from the General Fund included as a separate item on this Council Agenda) and by special assessment ($1,626.00).
The special assessment amounts will be distributed to the properties in proportion to the length of sidewalk that will be installed adjacent to each property.
Staff
Prepared by: Nick Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Plans and specifications have been prepared for the Scio Church Road Sidewalk Project (Maple Road to Delaware Drive), District #43;
Whereas, in accordance with Chapter 13 of City Code, the cost for the addition of new sidewalk is borne by the benefitting parcels;
Whereas, a construction estimate and appropriate funding sources have been established; and
Whereas, Federal Surface Transportation funding is available to fund a portion of the construction costs;
RESOLVED, That the City Council determines the total cost of said Scio Church sidewalk improvement including all incidentals, to be $365,100.00, and that of said cost, the sum of $201,100.00 be a local share;
RESOLVED, That of the local share $1,626.00 be paid by special assessment upon the properties specially benefited;
RESOLVED, That the following described lots and parcels of land be designated as constituting the special assessment district against which the cost of said improvements shall be assessed, or against which an improvement charge shall, pursuant to Section 1.278 of the City Code, be levied:
SEE ATTACHED; and
RESOLVED, That the City Assessor is herby directed to prepare a special assessment roll in accordance with the foregoing determinations of the City Council and to file the same, together with his certificate attached thereto, with the City Clerk for presentation to the City Council.