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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8A - PW Design Manual DATE: 8A KEN SHERMAN, ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 96-21 APPROVING THE PUBLIC WORKS DESIGN MANUAL FEBRUARY 20, 1996 AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION: This Agenda item requests approval of Resolution 96-21 approving the Public Works Design Manual. The manual has been used for approximately five years. Because the manual is referenced in the subdivision ordinance, the City attorney has recommended that it be approved by the City Council. Council approval of the manual is therefore requested. BACKGROUND: The Public Works Design Manual is a technical reference for developers and their engineering consultants for the design and construction of subdivisions in the City of Prior Lake. The manual's forward provides this description: In order to standardize engineering requirements for Developers and their Engineers performing work within the City of Prior Lake, it is important that certain guidelines be adopted. This manual outlines certain requirements and standards that should be incorporated into the preparation of plans and specifications for grading, erosion control, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main and street construction within the City of Prior Lake. We feel this will provide quality projects and assure uniform performance standards for the citizens of Prior Lake. The manual, which incorporates standards similar to those used by other cities, has been compiled, refined and used by engineering staff over the past five years. Each year, including this year, the manual is updated to reflect current technology. As a work in progress, it has been outsourced as a reference for developers and engineering consultants, and is referred to as a standard in the City's Subdivision Ordinance. 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E.. Prior Lake. Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The Public Works Design Manual contains the following information: . Developer agreements . Permitting requirements . Grading, drainage and erosion control standards . Design standards for utilities, streets and site restoration . Construction Plan requirements . Construction inspection and testing . Detail plates showing construction standards A copy of the manual is included with this agenda package.The requirements and standards detailed in the manual are lengthy and technical. Accordingly, a detailed presentation of the manual will not be made unless the Council requests. Staff will be present to answer questions. DISCUSSION: Council is requested to affirm the Public Works Design Manual and approve its use as the definitive source of technical data for design and construction in Prior Lake. The Council is requested to approve the manual because it is referenced in the subdivision ordinance. The manual provides the following: 1. Designers of public works and subdivision projects will know our standards saving time for both them and the staff of Prior Lake. 2. Developers can use the manual to arrive at development costs when purchasing land in Prior Lake. The design standards, construction techniques and inspections detailed in the manual are tailored to provide long lasting, quality construction in Prior Lake with the least environmental impact. Developers, typically, are interested in short term, financial considerations. Their interest in a project departs when the last lot is sold. City staff are obligated to consider the long term financial and environmental impact of construction on the City and the welfare of its citizens. Our interest is in the optimal return of service and lowest long-term cost. PWMANUAL.DOC 2 ISSUES: ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDATION: PWMANUAL.OOC This manual will be subject to change from time to time as technology changes. Many of our standards, for instance, are based on technical documents researched by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. As better construction techniques are developed, we will want to take advantage of improvements and apply them to our standards. As technology may change during the year or the City attorney may request modifications to the Developer's Agreement, it is requested that the Public Works Director be granted the authority to make changes to the manual. Any change would be reported to the Council in the weekly Update Memorandum. Additionally, the manual will be submitted annually to the Council for approval. All changes to the manual would be reported at this time also. Council approval of the Public Works Design Manual gives developers and builders a clear understanding in writing of the City's standards. The Council adoption gives City staff more authority to enforce the design standards presented in the manual. The City's zoning and subdivision ordinances are not detailed enough to cover the technical aspects of the design of public works facilities. Therefore, the Public Works Design Manual has been prepared to address the technical details. The approval of the Design Manual should not be controversial. The City has updated the manual and added some minor items from last year's version. In the future, if any major items need to be revised in the manual, staff will present the items to the Council to receive permission. The alternatives are as follows: 1. Make a motion and second to approve Resolution 96-21 approving the Public Works Design Manual. 2. Approve Resolution 96-21 with amendments. 3. Deny Resolution 96-21 for a specific reason. Recommendation is for Alternative No.1. 3 ACTION REQUIRED: PWMANUAL.DOC A motion and second to approve Resolution 96-21 approving the Public Works Design Manua . 4 RESOLUTION 96-21 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLIC WORKS DESIGN MANUAL MOTION BY: SECOND BY: WHEREAS, a Public Works Design Manual would provide a valuable resource for developers and engineering design consultants, and WHEREAS, this manual would contribute to the efficiency of the design process and reduce developer and staff time, and WHEREAS, Council is requested to affirm the Public Works Design Manual and direct the Public Works Director to make technical revisions, as needed, throughout the year to keep up with changing technology, and WHEREAS, the City Council will review and approve the Public Works Design Manual on an annual basis. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, that the Public Works Design Manual be approved. Passed and adopted this 20th day of February, 1996. YES NO Andren Andren Greenfield Greenfield Kedrowski Kedrowski Mader Mader Schenck Schenck I {Seal} City Manager City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E.. Prior Lake. Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER