At its Jan. 5 meeting, the Blaine City Council approved an order for improvement and authorized the preparation of plans and specifications for a street reconstruction project in the Meadowbrook area. Council Member Jess Robertson cast the lone dissenting vote, objecting to the use of bonding to fund the project.
Public Works Director Daniel Schluender said an open house for the project was held Dec. 17, with several property owners in attendance. The project area includes streets in the 126th Avenue and Madison Street neighborhood, connected to 126th Avenue and Jackson Street Northeast.
According to the feasibility report, the estimated project cost exceeded what had been included in the city’s five-year capital improvement program. Staff recommended splitting the project into two phases over two years to reduce bonding needs. The west half of the project would be completed in 2026, with the east half scheduled for 2027.
The total project cost is estimated at approximately $4.1 million. Of that, about $910,000 will be assessed to benefiting properties over a 15-year period. Schluender said sanitary sewer improvements are estimated at $95,000, with water main improvements estimated at about $513,000. Those costs would be funded through the city’s public utility funds.
The remaining $2.6 million would be funded through the city’s pavement management program.
During the public forum, resident Roseanne MacKenthun, who said she lives on 125th Lane Northeast, questioned who determined whether curb replacement was necessary, saying the curb along her yard was in excellent condition.
MacKenthun who has a disability and that her neighbor’s child uses a wheelchair, asked how residents would maintain access to their properties during construction.
Schluender said staff plans to remove all asphalt as part of the project, noting that leaving partial sections would result in trenches that would not properly settle. He said the goal is to replace only curb sections that are broken or damaged.
“Once we get over 35%, though, it’s actually cheaper to replace it all than to do the spot repairs,” Schluender said. “Because the contractor has to cut it all, and especially the equipment to pull it in.”
Another resident Jason Kadlec said the asphalt and curbing in his area were in good condition and asked how much would need to be removed to replace the water line. He lives near an area where curbing had been marked for replacement and noted that his concrete driveway was installed 35 years ago.
“It’s spotless,” Kadlec said. “No rock, chips, no cracks, nothing like that. Now, I’ve seen some of the jobs, when they come in to replace the concrete (for the) homeowners, that concrete’s garbage.”
Kadlec said he wanted his driveway restored to its original condition and to last after the project is completed.
Schluender said the city would use Minnesota Department of Transportation concrete standards for driveway replacements and is obligated to restore affected areas to a condition that is equal to or better than what existed before construction.
Resident Jeannie Theade said many residents in the project area are on fixed incomes and noted that the 15-year assessments would accrue interest.
Council Member Chris Massoglia said the council needs to hear from residents if there is strong opposition to the project.
“Typically, once these projects get going, they are on the docket, we’re paying money for all these studies, all these things,” Massoglia said. “We do want to move forward with them.”
Massoglia also noted that information on special assessment hardship options is available on the city’s website, including provisions for senior citizens, total disability and active military duty.
On the same 6-1 line, the Council approved a contract with SEH for design and construction for the 2026 portion, in the amount of $341,000. This was brought up to $375,000 by a 10% contingency fee.