[0:12] Hello, my name is Barb Mundle. I'm a [0:14] civil engineer with the city of St. Paul [0:16] public works department. Today we're [0:19] going to talk about a will [0:22] reconstruction phase two. Um we'll cover [0:26] scope and scheduling, design, [0:28] construction assessments, and finish up [0:31] with contact information. [0:33] So the scope and schedule um so as as [0:37] you know uh phase one of the will [0:40] reconstruction project has is well [0:42] underway. Um that's the area shown in [0:45] blue here. Um [0:49] the areas shown in gold and green are [0:53] for the phase 2 [0:56] um [0:57] reconstruction project and that will be [0:59] in the summer of 2026. [1:02] Um here's a map showing just phase two. [1:06] Um the solid lines are reconstruction [1:09] total reconstruction. The dashed lines [1:13] are streets that have been reconstructed [1:15] in the past and will be milled and [1:17] overlaid as part of this project. [1:21] Um, some schedule information. Uh, last [1:25] June in 2024, we did send out a a notice [1:29] to the neighborhood saying, "Hey, this [1:31] is coming." Um, the virt this virtual [1:35] presentation will be posted on the [1:37] website on October 1st. We'll have an [1:40] in-person open house on October 23rd and [1:43] that will be at the Northdale Recreation [1:45] Center. Um [1:48] after that October 23rd meeting, we'll [1:52] have a virtual office hours on November [1:55] 6 after everyone's had a chance to view [1:58] either one of the presentations. And [2:00] that openhouse will be to answer any [2:02] additional questions. [2:04] There is a public hearing scheduled at [2:06] in front of the city council on December [2:09] 10th. Um another opportunity to um [2:14] express uh [2:18] opinions um before the city council. And [2:21] this this is not design details. This is [2:25] just um approving the funding so the [2:28] project can go forward. Um I I am happy [2:31] to meet with individual property owners [2:33] by appointment and that can be ongoing [2:36] throughout the winter and spring. Um you [2:39] know just give me a call and with your [2:41] questions. Um we we do plan to open bids [2:45] um February of 2026 [2:48] and then lead water service replacement [2:51] by the St. [2:52] Regional water services should begin in [2:55] early spring around April and then the [2:58] street reconstruction will follow that [3:00] those lead service replacements and that [3:04] will be around May. Of course, all of [3:06] this [3:07] this part is um weather dependent. [3:12] Um [3:14] the average street on the this Wheelock [3:16] Gretto area varies between 28 ft wide to [3:20] 32 feet wide in 60 ft right ofways. Uh [3:25] most streets have sidewalks on both [3:27] sides. [3:28] The new roadway will essentially be the [3:30] same width as the existing widths. Um [3:34] the caveat to that is sometimes [3:36] boulevards without curbs tend to erode [3:39] and makes the street appear much wider. [3:42] But we will um put the street back as [3:47] it's um as it's platted. [3:51] Um East Ko Boulevard is an exception [3:53] that varies between 24 ft wide and 28 ft [3:56] wide. Does have a sidewalk on the east [3:59] side. Um we're still looking at the [4:03] appropriate width. It won't be narrower [4:05] than 24 and it won't be wider than 28. [4:08] Um and we will be replacing that [4:10] sidewalk on the east side. [4:13] Um some of the existing conditions [4:18] out there um there's a lot of retaining [4:20] walls that um are in various various [4:24] conditions. Um most of them are on [4:27] private property and we will not be [4:29] touching your retaining wall. Um there's [4:33] a few that that maybe are over into the [4:37] right of way. Again, we will try not to [4:39] touch those. Um but we will ask the city [4:42] will ask you to um take out a no fee [4:45] encroachment permit to document that the [4:48] wall is on city rightway. [4:53] Um there's a lot of of um carriage walks [4:59] out in this neighborhood that those are [5:01] the sidewalks, the little sidewalks that [5:04] run parallel to the roadway. Um those [5:07] will be taken out when we install curb [5:09] and the city does not res replace those. [5:13] Um the outwalks are the walks that go [5:17] perpendicular to the roadway and some of [5:21] them have steps. We will try to regrade [5:24] the street so that um those steps are [5:27] not necessary. Um that's something we're [5:29] still working on. Um but we will try and [5:33] eliminate this the need for boulevard [5:35] steps where possible. Um some improve uh [5:41] proposed improvements will be new curbon [5:44] gutter, new roadway pavement, lot of [5:47] utility upgrades, um sidewalk [5:50] replacement, and then some new sidewalks [5:52] where none exist, uh ADA compliant ped [5:56] ramps, uh lantern style street lighting [5:59] and tree planting at the end. [6:03] Uh the city, the St. Paul City Council [6:06] did pass a sidewalk policy back in 2017 [6:10] recommending sidewalks on both sides of [6:12] an improved street. Um we are there's [6:16] only a couple of blocks that don't have [6:18] sidewalk and we are still looking at [6:21] survey data to um assess the feasibility [6:25] of putting sidewalks on both sides. [6:28] Um if we do put sidewalks in, we will [6:30] try to locate them as recommended by St. [6:33] forestry to minimize impact to trees. [6:39] Some other improvements is um bicycle [6:42] boulevard striping or [6:46] markers I should say um on East Ko [6:49] Boulevard. Yeah, this this is not like [6:52] bike lanes. It's it's simply um the bike [6:56] boulevard symbols on the pavement [6:58] reminding people to share the road um [7:02] for this connection that goes from [7:04] Milton to the the trail on East [7:08] Ko Lake Drive. [7:13] Um, we are proposing a slight change to [7:16] the median on East Como Boulevard at the [7:20] intersection of Lake View and that is to [7:23] try and um increase make a safer [7:26] crossing for bicycles and pedestrians to [7:29] get again onto that trail. [7:35] Um we will be replacing curb and gutter [7:39] or or installing curbon gutter and um [7:44] replacing all of the drainage structures [7:46] along with that. [7:50] Uh we will be replacing the the street [7:53] pavement [7:56] uh again of replacing the ad the [7:59] pedestrian ramps with ADA compliant [8:02] pedestrian ramps. [8:04] Um we will be replacing driveway aprons [8:08] with concrete and that is regardless [8:10] whether you have a gravel [8:13] um [8:15] uh driveway apron or whether it's brick [8:17] or some other special material. Um all [8:20] of them will be replaced with a concrete [8:22] driveway. [8:25] Uh we will be replacing the wood pole [8:28] street lighting with the lantern style [8:30] street lighting. Um [8:33] we do they we will be taking measures to [8:36] deter wire theft from this um from new [8:40] street lights. [8:43] Um trees. There's a lot of mature trees [8:46] that are um in the neighborhood. Some of [8:48] them are pretty close to where the new [8:51] curb is going to be. Um, we will have [8:54] St. Paul Forestry assess the impacts of [8:57] new curb on these trees. Um, [9:02] there's also a lot of other other [9:05] potential impacts to trees. There's, you [9:08] know, if you opt to have your sewer [9:09] service replaced or lead water service [9:12] replacement or other utility conflicts [9:15] could impact trees. Um there's the [9:18] overall tree health that um is taken [9:20] into account and then um proximity to [9:25] curb or other concrete hard surfaces. [9:31] A lot of the trees that we took down on [9:34] phase one were rotting and decaying on [9:37] the inside. They looked fine on the [9:38] outside, but they were hollow on the [9:41] inside. Um so again we work very closely [9:45] with um forestry to um assess tree [9:49] health and determine which trees need to [9:52] be taken down and which ones can um [9:54] survive construction. [9:57] At the end of the project we um we will [9:59] be replacing trees and planting new [10:02] trees. Um here's an example of the [10:05] pallet of species that the city plants. [10:09] um these these species they they try and [10:12] not have a monoculture so they they they [10:16] vary the trees with even within a block [10:19] and tree species selection will be [10:22] determined by St. Paul parks and [10:24] forestry. [10:28] Uh one of the other um amenities uh that [10:31] the project can provide is the city of [10:34] St. Hall is uh partnering with Capitol [10:37] Region Watershed District to um offer an [10:40] opportunity for residents to have [10:42] Boulevard rain gardens. Um [10:47] these are the the gardens. They take [10:49] storm water runoff um and filter it [10:52] through a garden in the boulevard um [10:55] before it is before any of that water is [10:59] um dumped back into Ko Lake. Um [11:02] so for more information about um [11:07] Boulevard rain gardens you can contact [11:09] uh Chris Kuzzek at Capital Region [11:11] Watershed District and um he can assess [11:15] the feasibility of a rain garden at your [11:18] property. [11:20] All right, we've talked a lot about [11:22] surface amenities and that's really just [11:25] the tip of the iceberg. Um there will be [11:28] a lot of utility improvements with this [11:30] project. Um not only is the the the city [11:35] utilities but the private utilities [11:37] often take this opportunity to upgrade [11:39] their facilities. Um a lot of like Excel [11:44] communications, Excel gas and other you [11:46] know Comcast, Century Link, other [11:49] communication companies will also um [11:52] upgrade their their facilities with [11:54] these projects. [11:56] Um and then of course St. Paul Regional [12:00] Water Service and St. Paul Sewers will [12:02] also be upgrading their facilities. [12:06] Um so with this project we'll be [12:09] replacing water man. Um it's usually [12:12] about 8 to 10 ft deep. So there'll be [12:15] some pretty deep holes out there. The [12:18] the water man is replaced by our our [12:21] paving contractor under the supervision [12:23] of St. Paul regional water. Um and then [12:27] there's even after the water man is [12:29] installed, there are lots of tests that [12:32] um have to happen before that that water [12:36] main is put into service. [12:41] Um so in the meantime um the city or St. [12:46] Paul Regional Water will um [12:49] be providing temp temporary water means. [12:52] Um these are the yellow pipes that you [12:54] see on the sidewalk and those will be [12:57] installed and then fully bacterial [12:59] tested before they hook them up. Um so [13:03] the water department will need to access [13:06] your home to hook up to the temporary [13:09] water mains. um [13:13] that and that will happen, you know, [13:15] prior to the project. Um they want to [13:18] note that that sometimes and if it's [13:21] really hot out that that the water from [13:23] the temporary mains might be warm. Um [13:26] just run it and it'll cool down pretty [13:29] rapidly. Um, and then the other thing to [13:32] note is that there you will not be [13:35] metered for water during during [13:37] construction when you're connected to [13:39] temporary water. [13:43] Um, and then here's just how they back [13:45] feed the the temporary water into the [13:49] into your home. They'll use a um a Y [13:52] installed where your garden hose is [13:55] connected. Um again they will need to [13:59] get into your house. So they will um [14:04] they will notify you and make [14:07] arrangements [14:10] prior to connecting. Obviously, um [14:15] they they um will after after the new [14:19] water man is installed, they'll [14:21] reconnect to the main once that's been [14:24] fully tested and deemed safe. Um [14:27] they will um [14:31] Oh, sorry. Um most most existing copper [14:35] services are reconnected with with only [14:38] excavation at the water main but that if [14:40] they're lead services they'll be [14:42] replaced with copper and and that is at [14:45] no cost to the property owner. Um St. [14:48] Paul Regional Water will will cover that [14:50] cost. And then just um there is a [14:56] also a program lead free uh for um lead [15:01] services in private property to be [15:04] replaced by St. Paul Regional Water at [15:06] no cost to the homeowner. [15:08] And for more information about uh water [15:12] services or water manes, you can contact [15:16] Bokeenya Chun. Um she is an engineer [15:19] with St. Paul Regional Water Service. [15:24] And also as part of this project, there [15:26] will be a lot of sewer work. Um we will [15:28] be replacing some storm sewer means and [15:32] some uh sanitary means. Um we we are [15:37] also providing an opportunity for [15:40] homeowners to replace their sewer [15:43] service [15:44] um from the from the main to the [15:48] property line. So to back up a little [15:51] bit um the sewer services [15:55] are fully owned by the property owner. [15:59] Um but there there are two sections. [16:02] There is a section in the public right [16:04] ofway and that's the one shown here in [16:06] red and that is the one that um can be [16:10] replaced as part of this project. There [16:12] is an additional assessment [16:15] um for that work and then there is also [16:19] the private side between the property [16:21] line and the home and that work would [16:25] need to be done by a private contractor [16:27] that would be hired by the property [16:29] owner. [16:31] Um, again, just another visual of [16:36] uh your your um private sanitary sewer [16:40] service. [16:41] Um if you're experiencing any of these [16:45] symptoms [16:46] um for your from your water service like [16:49] they slow drains, sewer or odors, [16:54] um you know, sink holes, [16:57] it could be time to replace your water [16:59] service or I'm sorry, sewer service. Um [17:03] some common problems that we see is tree [17:06] intrusion into the sewer service. And [17:09] then another common problem is that the [17:12] connection between the sewer main and [17:14] the sewer service can sometimes drop and [17:18] and those are also um good reasons to [17:22] replace your sewer service as part of [17:23] the project. Um [17:26] some some benefits of of doing that [17:30] during construction is that um you don't [17:34] have to pay for the street [17:35] reconstruction [17:37] uh or the street restoration. Um and [17:40] it's at a fixed rate and you can um when [17:43] it's an assessment like that, you can [17:45] pay it over 20 years. [17:48] And here's some typical costs. Usually [17:51] during construction, the cost because [17:54] it's at a fixed rate is approximately [17:55] around $3,500. [17:58] But if you wait until after construction [18:00] with including the restoration costs, it [18:02] can be um up to 5,000 or more. [18:09] All right. Um Oh, and just to back up on [18:12] on sewer service replacement, the sewer [18:15] department will be sending out waiver [18:18] forms this winter. um with more [18:21] explanation and more information about [18:23] your individual sewer service and um [18:27] just explaining [18:29] that process a little bit more and then [18:31] the sewer waiver would be sent back to [18:35] them and then we can put it on the plans [18:38] for reconstruction. [18:40] Um what's it like to live through a [18:42] construction project? Well, many of you [18:44] are experiencing adjacently that right [18:48] now. Um, as you know, it's noisy and and [18:52] inconvenient. [18:54] It's either dusty or muddy. Um, [18:57] we uh we do have specifications [19:01] stating that the contractor needs to um [19:04] wet the surface to try and control dust [19:07] um mud and sweep up mud as as they can. [19:12] Um but it it's a constant battle. [19:17] Um, [19:18] some other things to know, your street [19:20] will be dug up numerous times and that [19:24] is because there are different [19:27] contractors doing different types of [19:29] work that you know a private utility [19:32] might dig up your street uh to replace [19:35] the communication line and then you know [19:38] two weeks later somebody else is going [19:39] to dig it up to replace your sewer [19:41] service or you know lead water service. [19:44] um that there is a method to the madness [19:47] that um but it does happen um that that [19:52] there will be multiple excavations on [19:55] the same street [19:57] sequentially. Um [20:00] plan on four to five months of [20:02] disruption for the entire project. That [20:04] doesn't mean four or five months in [20:05] front of your property. It just means [20:07] four or five months for the whole entire [20:09] area. Um they they are required to [20:13] maintain vehicle access to businesses [20:16] and emergency vehicles at all times. [20:21] Um all of the construction is done by [20:23] private companies. We we um bid them [20:27] out. Um they're all licensed and bonded, [20:30] but it does go to the lowest bidder. Um, [20:33] a lot of road work is weather dependent [20:36] and um, rain will delay the work and if [20:39] we get a lot of rain, they may wait a [20:41] day to let things dry out before they [20:43] get back on site. Uh, contractors work [20:48] 5 to 6 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 [20:51] p.m. And the city of St. Paul will have [20:54] an on-site inspector [20:57] um, [20:58] to inspect the contractor's work. [21:02] There's two types of road closed signs [21:05] that you will see out there once [21:06] construction begins. A road closed to [21:09] through traffic means you can go around [21:11] those signs, but you're not going to get [21:14] through to the end of that street. It'll [21:17] maybe be too mid block. Um, and then [21:21] there's the road closed signs. Those [21:24] mean do not enter. Like it's not safe. [21:27] There's probably a big 20 foot deep hole [21:31] beyond that road close sign. So go you [21:35] can go around these but not these. [21:40] um you will receive well multiple [21:43] letters from me um [21:46] you know during the design process and [21:48] then you'll get a letter prior to the [21:50] start of construction and on that it's [21:53] nice to keep that one um because [21:55] there'll be the names of our inspectors [21:58] who are your your first call and then um [22:02] you know the the the contractors and [22:06] other contact information that that is [22:08] handy to have [22:10] Um we will they will flyer the [22:13] neighborhood a week before construction [22:15] starts on your particular block. Um they [22:18] do hang those flyers on the front door. [22:21] Um and again as I mentioned earlier that [22:24] a project assigned project inspector [22:27] will would be your first call because [22:29] he's the one that's on site and knows [22:32] schedule to the minute. And then of [22:34] course we will have weekly updates [22:36] posted on the city's website. [22:42] See, and there's some here's just some [22:45] milestones of the construction project. [22:48] Um you'll you'll see the first thing [22:51] you'll see is of course is those deep [22:52] holes for the utility cuts. And then but [22:55] once you see grading happening, next [22:58] thing will be curb and there there are a [23:02] few steps between curb and paving um [23:04] namely sidewalks and driveways um street [23:08] lighting um foundations. But just to [23:12] give you an idea of um [23:14] of the process [23:16] and then of course what is it going to [23:19] cost? um assessment rates have not been [23:23] um determined yet. Um there will be a an [23:26] independent appraiser that will be [23:28] coming out looking at properties. Um I [23:33] there there is a separate assessment [23:37] um [23:39] um video that that you I invite you to [23:42] watch to explain more about assessments. [23:45] Um, and then of course you can view in [23:48] more information at st [23:50] paul.govassessments. [23:54] And then here are a couple of um contact [23:59] um information. Again, I'm Barb M B M B [24:01] M B M B M B M B M B M B M B M Bundle. [24:01] You can reach me at 651-266112. [24:05] And then there um if you have questions [24:08] about other aspects of the project um [24:11] here are the general lines. And thank [24:14] you so much for listening and I look [24:17] forward to working with you. Thank you.