02-10-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 23 of 30 (10. WATERTOWN ROAD FEASIBILITY STUDY – PRESENTATION, Continued) McMillan stated the other issue that would be worth exploring as part of this project is improving Stubbs Bay Road between Watertown and Bayside. McMillan stated she would like to know how that will be repaired as well as the costs associated with the work so the Council could perhaps factor it into this project. McMillan noted the old pavement management plan has it listed as a reconstruction but perhaps it could be reclaimed as well. Struve indicated it might be as easy as obtaining some new soil borings to determine what would be the appropriate method. Struve indicated he can work with Mr. Martini to obtain some costs and put together a preliminary feasibility study. Levang asked if Mayor McMillan is thinking of redoing all of Stubbs Bay or just the south side. McMillan indicated it would be the MSA portion. Bremer stated the MSA runs between Watertown and south of Bayside. Levang commented it is really the south side of Stubbs Bay Road that is most in need of repair. McMillan stated the Council will also need to know more about financing options. Struve indicated Staff can speak with State Aid representatives to see what options are available and bring that information back to the Council. Levang asked when the City would receive its next MSA payment. McMillan stated the City receives state aid funds every year but that some of those funds are going toward other projects that have already been completed. McMillan stated normally Orono receives around $200,000 a year. Levang stated she was interested in knowing how much the City would have by the end of 2015. McMillan stated the City will need to discuss the financing further. Struve indicated he will work with Mr. Martini on those costs and the City’s options. Bremer asked whether there is a possibility the project will exceed the 20 percent threshold and what could be found during the work that might make it go past 20 percent. Martini stated enough is known about the subgrade that he is not anticipating exceeding the 20 percent and that they are limited to shorter sections that have to be dug down further. Martini stated it is always a possibility that they will find something that they are not aware of, but based on the information obtained so far he does not believe that is the case. Martini stated the area’s where there is 14 inches of blacktop tends to imply a subgrade problem. Levang asked if the City could get a variance from the MSA.