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09/19/1988 - 00010594ki�i'i � THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL OE SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 The Special Meeting of the Fridley City Council was called to order at 7:37 p.m. by Mayor Nee. PLEDGE OE ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nee led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiznce to the E1ag. ROLL CALL• MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Nee, Councilman Rillir.gs, Councilman Eitzpatrick, Councilman Schneider and Councilwoman Sorgenson MEMBERS ABSENT: None 1, nISCUS5I0N OE THE SOIL INVESTIGATZON IN THE HORIZON ➢RIVE AN➢ HORIZON CIRCLE AREA• Mayor Nee stated this special meeting was called by the City Council to � discuss the problems in the Horizon Drive and Horizot: Circle neighborhood. He stated the Council would like to assist in whatever way possible and realizes this is a difficult situation, however, there are limitations on the expenditure of public funds. Mr. David Newman, Assistant City Attorney, stated there are strict standards the City must adhere to in dealing with the e�cpenditure of public funds. He stated if public funds are expended, which would taenefit particular individuals, that is an inappropriate expenditure. He stated if the expenditure of funds benefa.ts the public, as a whole, then it is permitted. Mayor D7ee stated a.t is difficult for the Council to become directly anvolved, however, he feels relatively secure that what has been done to date is in the public's interest. Mr. Flora, Public Works Director, stated Mr, David Aausler and Mr. Robert Tanssen from Braun Engirteering and Mr. Engstrom from Acme Construction were present this evening to discuss the problems (in the Horizon axea) and possible solutions. Mr. Hausler stated he has seen some of the liomes in this area and believed there wae a serious problem. He stated he would like to discuss potential solutions to these problems and provide some information on soil mechanics. Mr. Hausler stated there are basically three types of soil; sand, silt, and ' clay. He stated in Braun's report to the City, the clay was referred to as fat clay. He stated these fat clays are prone to shrinkage and swelling and are expansive which is not necessarily the case with sards and silts. He stated the ma�ority of clays in the City are non-expansive and there are -1- : ;11�R ERIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 � only a few areas in the 'I+ain Cities that have expansive clays. Mr. Hausler demonstrated hcw fat clays swe11. He added water to some f at clay pellets and over a period of about 45 minutes, it was shown how the clay expanded. He explained when these clays dry out, they shrink and ke believed this is the problem with most of the homes. Mr. Hausler stated Braun Engineering conducted ten soil borings in the neighborhood and some showed expansive clays and others only sands. He stated he did not believe any of the borings showed clays only and the predominant soiis are sands. He stated the clays tested were found to Ue very expansive. Mr. Hausler stated one method of ineasuring the shrinking and swelling potential of clays is by the plasticity. }Ie stated the clays they found in the '6orings had a plasticity index of about 70 which is a very high swell potential. He stated with the drought, he believed the settlement probles is associated with the shrinkage of the fat c1�y. Mr. Hausler stated there has been discussion about remov2l of trees or limiting the extent that tree roots can grow. He stated the trees are not , the problem, but contribute to the problem Uy drawing mossture out of the clay. He stated trees can draw lOD gallons of water a day out of the soil. Mr. Hausler stated the real problem is the clays in the soil. Mr. Aausler stated in their report to the City, there was discussion about remedial measures such as removal of trees, restoration of wzter znto the clays, and underpinning, he stated in regard to removal of trees, many people place a lot of value on them for their aesthetics, but ic is sometimes necessary to evaluate the problens they may cause. He stated as an alternative to removal of trees, a trench or ditcb method may be nsed to prevent the tree roots from damaging the foundations. rTr. Hausler stated this solution may not be applicable in all cases, especially where the clay is deep. He stated all the possible solutions discussed should be iurthex evaluated on an individual basis. Mr. Hausler distributed some technical information dealing with clays and wnich outlined some of the alternatives discnssed in their report to the City. He statecl the chart shows the relative success �f different methods. He pointed out that, in some cases, tree removal was very successful. Mr. Robert Janssen stated it is Braun's opinion that the severe settlement of these homes was caused by the drying and shrinkage of the clays. He stated he would discuss the alternative of the use uf auger holes. He stated the purpose of auger holes is to restore water to the clays so they can swell to their original volume. Mr. Janssen stated if this methcd is ' used, it is important that the homeowner make sure water is available to che clsys, especially during dry periods. He stated these auger holes should be placed around the perimeter of the foundation, filled wath a coarse sand. or gravel, and water placed in the holes so the clays can swell. Mr. Janssen -2- G�� �� ERIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19. 1988 � stated there is some risk when a significant amount of water is addeG ad�acent to the home's foundation. He stated in order to reduce this risk, PVC pipe should be installed within the acger holes to act as a conduit directing the water on top of the clays and away from the fcundation. Mr. Janssen stated this method will help mini�ize, but not eliminate the risk of future settlement. He stated it is a relatively cheap alternative compared with underpining. He stated to virtually elaminate the risk of settlement, it would be necessary to extend foundations below the clay layer and support the home on a new foundation. Mr. Janssen stated Mr. Engstrom of Acme Construction was present ta discuss this aethod. Mr. Engstrom, Acme Construction, stated his company had done underpinning on one home in this area and the homeowner is not having any problems. He stated underpinning means shoring up a home, instvlling columns down to solid ground, and filling them with concrete snd steel in order to tie ir_to a grade beam on which the wall can be rebuilt. Mr. Engstrom statee the cost for this work, assuming the solid ground is no more than six feet below the basement floor, is abont $170 a running foot. fIe stated if the clay is deeper, the cost would increase. Mr. Fngstrom stated the strength of the sand below the foundation would determine how far apart the columns would have to be installed. A gentleman in the audience asked if only a portion of a wall is damaged, if � they have to replace the entire wall. Mr. Engstrom stated it is best tc do the entire wall. A gentleman in the audience asked if only two wa11s were damaged, if they had to replace all four walls. Mr. Engstrom stated only the two walls that are affected would have to be replaced. Mr. Flora asked if an engineer would be necessary tc design the columns and beams. Mr. Engstrom felt once a drawing was obtained. the same one coL�ld be used fcr each home. A lady in the audience asked if the floor had to be xeplaced at the same time the underpining is done. Mr. Engstrom state3 they do uot have to remove the floor, but it would be necessary to remove so�e concrete along the edges. She asked Mr. Engstrom if there is z guarantee for this work. Mr. Engstrom stated their bonding insurance requires them to guarantee the work for two years. A lady in the audience a�ked if the basement floor is cracked if it could be leveled. Mr. Engstrom stated there are companies that mud�ack, but he has no experience with it. Mr. Janssen stated, with mud�acking, if water is restored to the clays, it may hea�e the basement. � Mr. Hausler stated he would suggest four soil borings be taken for anyone considering underpinning. He stated these borings should be at each corner of the ho�e and the cost would be about $1,700. Mr. Hausler stated the:e may be some advantage in having this work done as a groixp, as it may be less —3— �fiwO FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 ' costly. Mayor Nee asked the chances of the home recovering by natural ir_�ection of water. Mr. Hausler stated restoring moisture to the clays is qnite effective. Ae stated with a few wet years, it may recover to very close to its criginal volume. He stated there are some homes where the foundation walls have been displaced laterally so they will not line up. Mr. Hausler stated if the homeowner wishes to proceed with an alternative, other thzn underpinning, he would suggest the auger holes with the PVC pipe. A lady in the audience asked if they proceed with the auger hole methor, if soil borings are necessary. Mr. Hausler stated he would advise that soil borings be taken. Dr. Burns asked the length of time it would take ior the auger holes to produce results. hlr. Hausler stated probably several weeks to months. Dr. Burns asked if the test hales could also serve as auger 1-ioles. Mr. Hauser stated they could, but they should be spaced closer. Councilman Schneider asked how much water should be placed in the auger � holes and how one could tell when at is sufficient. Mr. .Tanssen stated if PVC pipe is used, it is left full until the maximum amount of swelling is achieved. He stated a.f there is several feet of pipe into the clay, the homeowner can probe and iL it is dry, water can be added, He stated it probably would require several gallons a day in each auger hole. Mr. Janssen stated it is suggested auger holes be installed at five foot intervals around the affected area. Dr. Burns asked if too much water could be added and heave the basement floor. Mr. Janscen stated there is that risk, but he did not know the odds. A lady asked if there are other areas in the City that have these clays. Mr. Hausler stated there are, but in the Twin Cities they are not large. He stated the glacial history is such that there happetts to be a deposit in this neighborhood. Mr. Hausler stated 30 years ago, when most of the homes were built �n this neighborhood, soil testing was in its infancy and only done on very ma�or pro�ects. Mr. Flora stated in the study presented by Braun Engineering, one alternative is to stop the tree root penetration which v2ay contribute to the loss of moisture ir, the clay. He stated another method was to drill auger holes into the clay layer and install PVC pipe Ln order to add water to the � clay so it would swell. He stated it is hoped this method would restore the footings back to their original location. ke stated there is no guarartee it would be successfnl, but it is an attempt to restore the clay to its pre—condition be£ore the drought. tIr. Elora stated Lhe ultimate solution is —4— � �1 �� FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19,. 1988 1 to bypass the clay, with underpinning, construct a series af cclumns through the clay into another bearang surface and constrnet a reinforced beam on which the walls can be constructed. Mr. Flora stated these options were submitted for the homeowners to consider. He stated every situation is different. He felt each homeowner has to detexwine the alternative on which they wish to proceed. Mr. Flora suggested it may be beneficial if groups or committees were formed so everyone who wished to proceed with the same alternative may check into the costs and possibly have the work completed at a reduced cost. Ms. Carol Kummers, representing Representat-!ve Wayne Simoneau's cfface, stated Representative Simoneau would propose an amendment to any legislation relating to the drought to cover this situation. Ms. Kummers stated she did not know how much this would help now, as it seems repairs on these homes have to be made this fa11. She statee Representative Simoneau's office is continuing the effort to try and find out what assistance may be available to these homeowners. Mr. Doug Johnson, whose mother resides at 5325 Horizon Drive, stated several different proposals have been made for ways to repair these homes. He � stated some people have large crack� in their foundations and a lot of homeowners do not have the funds to fix ttxeir homes by this winter. He asked what plans the City has to assist them as far as financir_g. Councilman Billings stated he would refer Mr. Johnson to the commente made by the City Attorney regarding the expenditure of publzc fur.ds. Mr. Johnson asked about relief as far as taxation. NSayor Nee stated there is a very real possibility that the market value of these homes may be affected. Mayor Nee stated in terms of financial relief, the City does not have any grant funds available. He stated there is some hope of Representat�.ve Simoneau obtaining relief from legislation cover7.ng the drought. Councilman Fitzpatrick stated he has attempted to try and find a way to assist the homeowners. He stated the actual rcarket value on these homes may very well be lower which would result in reduced taxes. Mr. P]ewman stated the City is really limiteci in the use of publc funds for the benefit of private property owners. He stated there may be son�e exceptions, such as the Housing and Redevelopment Authoritv becoming involved, but tends to doubt this would qualify as an HRA pro�ect. Councilwoman Jorgenson stated she felt committees have to be formed within � this neighborhood in order to have a spokesperson. She stated she wished the City could help with financing, but legally the Council's hands are tied. She stated the City would try and taelp �n any other way possible avd will work with Representative Simoneau to try and get some legislation —5— � � 2. 3 � i( E���) .rr FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 passed to benefit the hameowners. Mayor Nee stated Representative Simoneau has no acta.ve commitment, but he would try to have legislation passed to benefit these property owners. Mr. Qureshi, City Manager, stated the Minneseta Housing Einance Agency covld provide low cost financing for persons within certain income guidelines. Councilman Eitzpatrick stated if e person's annual income is 57,000 or less, he believed the interest rate is very low- The Council requested Mr. Flora, Public Works Director, to subLU.t additional information to the residents for their neiohborhood meeting on Tuesday, September 20 at the Fra.dley Library. This information should include such items as costs for repairs and soil testing and names, addresses, and phone numbers of fircis kho would be able to provide these services. A gentleman in the andience stated there is a lot of truck traffic on 53rd Avenue and was wondering about re-xouting this traffic durzng the period when homes were being repaired. Councilwoman Sorgenson asked staff to check ir.to the posslbility of re-routing this traffic. A lady in the audience stated the residents vleet 2uesday evenings at the Eridley Library from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. She stated any member of the Council or staff is welcome to attend. She also stated the} do have a spokesperson for the residents, Joe Dzubak. RECESS• A recess was called by Mayox Nea at 9:06 p.m. RECONVENED: Mayor Nee reconvened the meeting at 9:2D p.m. All Councilmerabers were present. �ONSIDERATION OF RECEZVING THE STATEMENT OF CANVASS FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION OE SEPTEMBER 13. 1988: MOTION by Councilman Schneider to receive the State of Canvass fox the Pr�.mary Election of September 13, 1988. Seconded by Conncilwoman Jorgenson. IIpon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion carried unanimously. CONSI➢ERATION OF RECENING READVERTISED SIDS FOR THE FAIDLEY CIVIC CENTER REMODELING• Mr. Robertson, Community Development Director_ stated khen the Council received and awarded bids on August 22, 1988 some of the items were re�ected and readvertised. He stated Item 05500, Miscellaneous Netals was re�ected, � ' � t �123 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19. 1988 at that time, because staff felt they could abtain a better price. Ae stated there were some procedural irregular�ties in the Drywal? bids and those were also rebid. Mr. Robertson stated the bid for the steel work was lower, however, the drywall bid was higher. He stated, with this set of bids, the City is appi-oximately $4,000 over budget, He stated there is about $27,000 in small miscellaneous bids tc be awarded for the Civic Center and Eire Station and abuut $55,000 to be awarded for the Plaza Ramp. i;e stated Mr. Ken Braun, Bossardt � Christenson, felt some of this $4,000 wocld be offset with the remazning bids. Mr. Braun stated the bia from Minnetonka Iron includes materials and labor for miscellaneons metals and the bid from KMH Erection and Dann.y's Rrection includes only the labor for steel erection. He stated in the bid that was re�ected, the eost for miscellaneous metals material only, and no labor, was $36,000. Councilman Schneider asked of the $30,106 bid from Minnetonka Iron, how much was for labor and how much was for materials. Mr. Braun stated they are badding a comUined figure for both labor and materials, but about $22,000 would be for materials, Councilwoman ,Torgenson asked if the bid for the steel has already been accepted to which Mr. Sraun answered in the affirmative. He stated the bid for the labor involved with the steel erection is before the Council this evening for consideration. MOTION by Councilman Fa.tzpatrick to receive the bids (at_tached as Exhibit A) and award the contract for Miscellaneous Metals, Labor & Material to Minnetonka Iron iu the amount of $30,106 and award the bid for Steel Erection to KMH Erectzon in the amount of $11,763. Seconded by Counciiwoman Jorgenson. Mayor Nee stated an ordinary intelligent person cannot distinguish the reality of these b�_d results. Mr. Robertson stated it is unfortunate the way the bids were received that they were not all consistent. Councilman Schneider stated it is difficult to look at these numbers and understand them. Mr. Robertson stated the sheet showing the bid results indicated the budgeted amount for these items and, at this time. the pro�ect is zbout ' $4,000 over budget, but some funds remain in the fire station ar.d parking ramp budget. Mr. Qureshi, City Manager, stated he has asked Mr. Robertson to seek legal —7— �I ' ' �11z} FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 assistance, through the City Attorney's Office fox all bidding procedures, and has been assured the City is following all the legal grocedures. Dr. Burns asked if the City gained by giving the bidders so much flexibility and wondered if the bidding procesc should be tightened. Mr. Braun stated at this stage, he didn't know if it a�ould work. He stated the City is benefiting by individual speclfications so the iowest bidder can be chosen. He stated it is a little more worl: in receiving and tabulating bids, but finds it offers the City some savings. Dr. Burns stated he wondered if the savings was that great to offset the lack of clarity and confusion that the presentation format seems to produce. Mr. Braun stated maybe the way the bids were indicated to Mr. AoUertson lent itself to the confusion. UPON A VOICE VOTE TAKEN ON THE ABOVE MOTION, all voted aye, and Mayor Nee declared the motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Councilwoman Jorgenson to award tbe bid for Cold—Formed Metal Framing to Mulcahy Drywall in the amount of $162,885 and 2ward the bid for Exterior Insnlation and Finish System to A. E. Conrad in the a¢iount of $58,900. Seconded by Councilman Schnea.der. Mr. Sraun stated when the drywall was first bid, the bid from the lowest bidder was removed based on procedural errors in the bidding process. He stated this bidder, Conrad Systems, did not re6id and, as he understands, they made a mistake the first time they bid and rather than submit another ba.d showing an increase, decided not to bid zt all. Mr. Qureshi asked for an explanation as to why the drywall was 2bout $25,000 higher than what was budgeted. Councilman Schneider also asked the amount budgeted for drywall when the plans were approved. Mr. Braun stated there were changes after t:he initial budget. He stated it could be a number of factors such as addit�_onal design items or increased height of walls. He stated there was also a change from acoustical to drywall ceilings. UPON A VOICE VOTE TAKEN ON THE ABOVE MOTION, a11 voted aye, and Mayor Nee declared the motion carried unanimously. Councilman Billings stated on any further bids that are submitted to the Counca.l, a written narrative may be helpful. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Councilwoman Jorgenson to adiourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilman Schneider. Upoa a voice vote. all voting aye, Mayor. Nee declared � � � 1 (r12 � FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OE SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 the motion carried unanimously and the Special hieeting of the Fridley Gity Councal of September 19, 1988 ad�ourned at 9:4II p.m. Respectfully submitted, . � .��� �i,f��rx-��— Carole Haddad Secretaxy to the City Council Approved: �' / �i � r n"�/ �,-��'�P/�,w�� �` � � William S. Nee May or