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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-08 City Council (19)TO: ATTENTION: City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL POLICY & SERVICES COMMITTEE 2 FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: Public Works AGENDA DATE:April 8, 1996 CMR:213:96 SUBJECT:Policy for Cost Sharing of Replacement of Public Sidewalks over Existing Basements REQUEST This is a request for Council to refer a policy for cost sharing of public sidewalk replacement over existing basements to the Policy and Services Committee. The policy would provide for the City’s participation in sharing the cost of replacing sidewalks (and curb and gutter if necessary) subject to certain conditions and requirements. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that Council refer the attached sidewalk repair policy to the Policy and Services Committee for review and comment (Attachment 1). Staff also recommends that the Committee consider applying the policy retroactively to the property at 180 University. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Approval of this policy is consistent with the City’s effort to improve the appearance and infrastructure of the University Avenue Business District. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Currently, the property owner is responsible for the cost of sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement when remodeling a basement encroaching into the public right-of-way. In the spirit of fostering support for improving the appearance and infrastructure in the University Avenue Business District, staff has developed a policy on sharing the cost of sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement in these cases. This type of situation exists in several sites in the University Avenue Business District. Under this policy, the sharing of cost by the City would serve as an incentive for property owners to replace deteriorated basement structures, which experience water leakage and structural damage. The leakage most often comes from the overhead sidewalk which acts as a roof to the basement. Replacing the sidewalk and separating it from the basement roof CMR:213:96 Page 1 of 3 will benefit both :the City and property owner by ensuring that damage/leakage from one will not adversely affect the other. Staff recommends that the City contribute 50 percent of the replacement cost if the following conditions exist and the following requirements are met: Conditions ¯The condition of the existing sidewalk is in a deteriorated and/or unsafe state as evidenced by cracking, chipping, etc. °The sidewalk replacement/repair is performed in conjunction with reinforcing and waterproofing an existing encroaching basement, which results in the structural separation of the basement roof deck and sidewalk. °There is no existing encroachment permit assigning responsibility for the sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement/repair to the property owner. Requirements ° A cost sharing agreement for the sidewalk will be executed between the City and property owner prior to commencing work. The agreement will also apply to any required handicap ramp and/or curb and gutter located above the encroaching basement. °The property owner’s contractor will perform all work in accordance with City standards. Street-opening and encroachment permits will be issued to the contractor and property owner respectively. °The property owner will assume full responsibility for the cost and implementation of basement and building related issues, including structural reinforcement, waterproofing, roof drains, etc. o The City’s contribution would be based on costs using current City contract unit rates for concrete replacement. Any additional cost associated with special sidewalk treatments will be borne solely by the property owner. If the Committee recommends approval of the policy, staff would ask that it be applied retroactively to a recent project at 180 University Avenue (Ross store). At this location, there is a basement that extends 12 feet under the sidewalk (and a portion of the curb and gutter) for a length of approximately t00 feet along Emerson Street. The improvement plans included the removal of the sidewalk and installation of a new metal deck system to provide adequate structural support for the basement ceiling and City sidewalk. Due to the construction schedule, which called for work to be completed before the winter rains, the project application was processed by staff prior to seeking approval for the cost sharing policy. In this case, all conditions and requirements of the policy have been met except for the issuance of an encroachment permit. The total City’s share of the improvements under the policy is estimated to be $7,000. (Attachment 2.) CMR:213:96 Page 2 of 3 If approval is given for retroactively applying the policy to this property, staff would require the property owner to obtain the encroachment permit and enter into an agreement with the owner for payment of the $7,000. FISCAL IMPACT The City’s share of the cost is available from the Sidewalk Repairs, CIP 18903. Due to the conditions and requirements contained in the policy, as well as the high cost to retrofit a basement, it is anticipated that no more than two or three applications would be processed under this policy in the foreseeable future. Based upon an average $7,000 City cost participation per location, the effect on the $400,000 annual Sidewalk Repairs CIP budget would be minor. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This policy request is not considered a Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). "project" for the purposes of the California ATTACHMENTS 1 - Policy 2 - Cost estimate PREPARED BY: George Bagdon, Assistant Director of Public Works DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: GLENN S. ROBERTS Director of Public Works CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: __ Manager CC: JimBaer CMR:213:96 Page 3 of 3 Attachment 1 POLICY FOR COST SHARING OF REPLACEMENT/ REPAIR OF SIDEWALKS, CURB AND GUTTER BUILT OVER EXISTING BASEMENTS In the spirit of fostering support for improving the appearance and infrastructure in the University Avenue. Business District, the City has developed a policy on sharing the cost of sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement in those cases which there is an existing basement encroaching into the public right of way. This type of situation exists in several sites in the District. The City will contribute 50% toward the cost of replacement/repair of sidewalk, curb and gutter over the basement if the following conditions exist and requirements are met: Conditions The condition of the existing sidewalk is in a deteriorated and/or unsafe state as evidenced by cracking, spalling, etc. The sidewalk replacement/repair is performed in conjunction with reinforcing and waterproofing an existing encroaching basement which results in the structural separation of the basement roof deck and sidewalk. There is no existing encroachment permit assigning responsibility for the sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement/repair to the property owner. Requirements A cost sharing agreement for the sidewalk will be executed between the City and property owner prior to commencing work. The agreement will also apply to any required handicap ramp and/or curb and gutter located above the encroaching basement. The property owner’s Contractor will perform all work in accordance with City standards. Street-opening and encroachment permits will be issued to the contractor and property owner respectively. The property owner will assume full responsibility for the cost and implementation of basement and building related issues, including structural reinforcement, waterproofing, roof drains, etc. The City’s contribution would be based on costs using current city contract unit rates for concrete replacement. Any additional cost associated with special sidewalk treatments will be borne solely by the property owner. Attachment 2 180 University Avenue, Sidewalk Improvements 1. SIDEWALK (Includes demo) 2. CURBS and GUTTERS (Type A- 6 ft.) 3.PAVING (3" thick) 4.STRIPING 5.BARRICADES l Unit Sq. ft LF Quantity 683 98 Rate $7.5O $62.50 Sq.Ft. LS LS 294 $3.75 TOTAL SAY: NOTE: Overhead, profit and demolition are included in the unit rates. Amount $5,122 $6,125 $1,102 $625 $625 I ,ooo