Main St Town Clock openingMEMORANDUM
December 12, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Main Street Reconstruction, 5th to 9th Streets
Sealed bids were received for the Main Street Reconstruction, 5th to 9th Streets. Public
Works Director Mike Koch recommends award of the contract to the Iow bidder, Portzen
Construction, Inc., in the amount of $1,864,870.39, which is 20.3% under the engineer's
estimate. He further recommends an amendment of the Preliminary Schedule of
Assessments.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen ~'
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
December 11, 2001
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
Main Street Reconstruction, 5th to 9th Streets
INTRODUCTION
The enclosed resolution provides for the award of the construction contract for the
Main Street Reconstruction Project - 5th to 9th Streets. Also attaohed is a resolution
amending the Preliminary Schedule of Assessments to correct two errors.
DISCUSSION
The reconstruction of Main Street from 5th to 9th Street includes the complete
removal of the existing Plaza surface in preparation of the construction of a two-
way, 24-foot wide concrete pavement with sidewalks and amenities behind the
curb. The Town Clock would remain in its Present location and traffic would be
diverted around both sides of the clock structure, The design will allow cars,
busses, small trucks, and fire engines to maneuver around the clock in either
direction.
The street would include cutouts for short-term parking on both sides of the street
in select areas. These parking areas were tailored for each business's needs.
Diagonal parking will be provided in front of Graham's. In those areas without
parking, there will be additional space for trees, benches, trash receptacles, and
streetlights.
Sealed bids were received on December 6, 2001. The Iow bid was submitted by
Portzen Construction, Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa, in the amount of 91,864,870.39.
The bid is 20.3% under the engineer's estimate. The bid should lower the
assessments by approximately 19.07%.
The following is a summary of the bid proposals received:
Portzen Construction, Inc. $1,864,870.39
Tschiggfrie Excavating Co. $2,268,236.36
The bid includes an early completion bonus of $2,500 per day prior to August 31,
2002, with a 30-day maximum for 975,000.
The project is assessable, with 25 percent (25%) of the street cost assessed, less
watermain, fiber optic conduit, and other typical items paid totally by the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Since the preliminary assessment notices were mailed, a couple of errors were
pointed out in the City schedule of assessments. An assessment levied against
American Trust & Savings Bank should have been levied against AmTrust; and
there was an incorrect parcel number for a property parcel owned by Security
Partners, L.P. Attached is a resolution amending the Preliminary Schedule of
Assessments to correct these two errors.
I recommend that the construction contract be awarded to Portzen Construction,
Inc. in the amount of $1,864,870.39.
Because Main Street is an assessable project, there are special voting requirements
needed for passage of the project by the City Council pursuant to State Code.
In order to award the contract, a simple majority vote (4-3) will be required. There
is, however, a higher standard required for the adoption of special assessments.
The adoption of any special assessment requires a three-fourths vote (6-1) of the
Council. Should written petitions against the project representing 75 percent or
more of the dollar amount being assessed be filed with the City Clerk, a unanimous
vote (7-0) of the Council is required to approve the assessments.
BUDGET IMPACT
The construction cost estimate for the Main Street Reconstruction Project - 5th to
9th Streets is as follows:
Estimate Bid
Construction Contract
Contingency
Inspection
Construction Staking
Early Completion Bonus
$2,341,105.87
234,110.59
221,000.00
30,000.00
75,000.00
$1,864,870.39
234,110.59
221,000.00
30,000.00
75,000.00
Total Project Cost $2,901,216.46 $2,424,980.98
The project will be funded as follows:
Estimate Bid
Street Construction Funds
Local Option Sales Tax Fund
Special Assessment To Property
Owners
Special Assessment To City-
Owner Property
402,774.54 $402,925.14
1,873.831.44 1,516,541.88
543,082.37 439,531.08
81,528.11
65,982.88
Total Project Funding
$2,901,216.46
$2,424,980.98
The project will be funded from the Street Construction and Local Option Sales Tax
Funds, utilizing funds from Fiscal Year 2003 ($1,446,700) and 2004 ($781,903).
The project, as outlined, will require $1,446,700 in City funds, leaving a balance of
$243,153.10 in the City funding which was originally designated for this phase of
the Plaza redevelopment.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to adopt the attached resolution awarding the
construction contract to Portzen Construction, Inc., through the adoption of the
enclosed resolution.
MAK/vjd
Prepared by Michael Felderman
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001-486d
RESOLUTION NO. - 01
AWARDING CONTRACT
Whereas, sealed proposals have been submitted by contractors for Main Street
Reconstruction Project, 5th to 9th Streets, pursuant to Resolution No. and notice to
bidders published in a newspaper published in the City of Dubuque, Iowa on the 23rd day of
November, 2001.
Whereas, said sealed proposals were opened and read on the 6th day of
December, 2001, and it has been determined that the bid of Portzen Construction, Inc. of
Dubuque, Iowa, in the amount of $1,864,870.39 was the lowest bid for the furnishings of all
labor and materials and performing the work as provided for in the plans and specifications.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the contract for the above improvement be awarded to Portzen Construction,
Inc. and the Manager be and is hereby directed to execute a contract on behalf of the City
of Dubuque for the complete performance of the work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That upon the signing of said contract and the approval of the contractor's bond, the
City Treasurer is authorized and instructed to return the bid deposits of the unsuccessful
bidders.
Passed, approved and adopted this day of
,2001.
Attest:
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Dfrector Address: 50 W. 13~ S~'eet, Dubuque, IA 5200%4864
RESOLUTION NO. - 01
RESOLUTION AMENDING PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF
ASSESSMENTS FOR MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT -
5TM TO 9TM STREETS
Whereas, the City Council passed Resolution No. 505-01, dated November 19,
2001, approving the Preliminary Schedule of Assessments for the reconstruction of
Main Street, from 5th to 9th Streets; and
Whereas, it has been determined that the Schedule of Assessments contained
two errors which need to be corrected.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the following amendments, as shown on the attached sheet, be made to
Resolution 505-01, Preliminary Schedule of Assessments, for the reconstruction of Main
Street, from 5th to 9th Streets.
Passed, approved and adopted this day of
,2001.
Attest:
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
December 12, 2001
Dubuque City Council Members
City of Dubuque
50 West 13t~ Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:
First and foremost, we again appreciate the time you all have spent on various downtown projects,
especially your attention to the Town Clock Plaza. This has been a long process.
We, the owners, the property tax payers, and the individuals responsible for the assessments, would
like to have Mare Street open from 5t~ to 9m Streets, with short-term parking available.
The legitimate bid before you is a fair proposal, submitted by a competent, local contractor. The
nonpartisan thing to do is approve and fund this contract, allowing the development of our downtown
to move fonvard.
Thank you for "doing the fight thing" by reopeulng Main Street.
Sincerely,
Name Nich~as J. Schrup III Business
American Trust & Savings Bank~
Date
Business Date
Business Date
Name Business Date
Nme / Bus~e~ ' ~ Date
N Bus.ess Date
Nanle
Business
Business
Date
Date
Business Date
Business ' Date
Nanle
cc: Mike Van Milligen
Business
Date
Cedar Rapids Waterloo
Dubuque Iowa City
Dec. 10, 2001
Jeanne F. Sclmeider, Ci~' Clerk
CiO Hall
50 West 13m street
Dubuque, Iowa 5200144864
Fr: Dubuque TV Limited Partnership
Re: Assessment to 744 Main Street of $10,881.61
Parcel 10.25.205.003
This is my letter of protest to the proposed assessment to me as a properl3j owner on _.'Mai~t
Street in Dubuque, Iowa. This is a project promoted by the cid~ staff and some misguided
members of the Ci~' Corn,ell. Il'they, in good conscious, can spend 2.6 million dolhrs of
the tax payers money for such a questionable project then so be it,. but don't expect me to
help pay for it. This project is not supported by a majoriB~ of thc property owners
involved and I do not believe that it is supported by a majority of ~he taxpayers in
Dubuque. I see no possible benefit from it to my bt~siness. Therefore, I am totally
opposed to an3' assessment to me as a l~'operty ow~aer.
Thomas G. Bond
General Partner
Dubuque ~' Limited Parmership
O ::= ~
744 Main Street , Box 1090, Dubuque,la 52004 , Phone: 563-556-4040 , Fax: 563-585-0108
IOWA OFFICE
DUBUQUE BUILDING
700 LOCUST ST STE 701
DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001-6824
TELEPHONE (563) 557-1354
FAX (563) 557-5086
DAVID W. LEIFKER LAW OFFICES
December 7, 2001
WISCONSIN OFFICE
EAGLES BLUFF
1000 WHISPERING LANE
HAZEL GREEN, WISCONSIN 53811
TELEPHONE (608) 748-4740
Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
City Hall
50 West 13th St
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Destruction Of Town Clock Plaza
Dear Mayor and City Council:
I have written many letters and I am sure my position, which is shared by
most interested persons, is well known to you.
I submit Central Avenue is living, or should I say dying proof, that street
traffic will not revitalize the downtown commercial area. The Walsh Store
stands as stark testament to the demise of the downtown as a vibrant retail
commercial area!
The logic of a couple of council persons is faulty at best. Each City has
to be looked at individually and you ean't make wholesale assumptions based
upon what other cities have or have not done.
Parking tickets and the creation of the west side malls and accompanying
ancillary businesses have irrevocably removed the commercial heart of the
city to the west side.
Lets get on with renovating the Town
DWL:lak
David
wz
Clock P~a.
ifker
KIELTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
1473 CENTRAL AVE
DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001
12/12/01
Mayor Terry Duggan
Members of the City Council
Dubuque, Iowa
This letter will serve as our written disagreement with, and opposition to, the
proposed street assessment of $38,968.59 for the real property commonly known as
the Nesler Centre, 799 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001. This letter is written on
behalf of the property owners: Banner Investments. The proposed assessment is
for the planned Main Street Reconstruction.
Banner Investments had been recently assessed $24,842.97 for the past Eighth Street
Reconstruction. As part of the Eighth Street Reconstruction project, it was
recommended to us that we should replace the water main leading to the Nesler
Centre. The water main is located under Eighth Street and future repairs, if
required, would have been more expensive once the new Streetseape was completed
for Eighth Street. Overall costs for this project was $18,500.00.
During the Eighth Street Reconstruction project, Tim Moerman, the Assistant City
Manager at that time, had indicated to me that if any future street assessments
would be planned for Main Street, Banner Investments would be given
consideration for reduction of assessment percentage. It was considered reasonable
to anticipate an assessment adjustment in the range of 25% to 40%, depending
upon the actual total amount of thc projected assessment. It was my understanding
that all of the property owners located on the Eighth and Main intersection would
receive this assessment consideration since we were affected by both reconstruction
projects.
Based upon the projected assessment for the Main Street Reconstruction, Banner
Investments would have spent over $80,000.00 for costs related to the two street
reconstruction projects. This amount of money is a hardship for any property
owner, but adding to the burden is the additional interest paid while amortizing the
assessment. I would ask that you reconsider the projected assessment for not only
the Nesler Centre Building, but also for the other three buildings located on Eighth
and Main Streets.
Thank you for your attention to the matter. I can be reached at 582~9043 at any
time to discuss the assessment costs with any member of the City Council, or with
the City Staff.
Partner, Banner Investments
I urge you to not encttrnber the city nor its taxpayers with the costs associated with the
redevelopment of the downtown plaza area.
It seems incongruous that such would even be considered when a look-back reveals that
the forbears of the present petitioners were the petitioners who brought the existing plaza
into being, all without the assessment of any of the benefiting adjacent property owners.
I watched downtown when the Penney and Kresge stores were still in operation and
witnessed many of the local shop owners locking their doors whenever they felt it
reasonable for them and irregardless of the support needed by the two anchor stores still
present..
Can anyone imagine how long Kennedy Mall would survive were individual stores be
allowed to set their own hours? Not very long!! And yet some on our council are ready
to rush pell-mell into millions in expenditures without the slightest binding commitment
from the property owners and business operators.
This is not good business and is unfair to all other propea~ owners throughout the
community.
Robert O'Brien -
17 December 2001
2198 St. John Drive
Dubuque, IA 52002
nicc. edu
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar · Peosta · Dubuque · Oelwein · Manchester · New Hampton
President
Robert ~. Denson
December 12, 2001
Secretary to
President and Board
danet Bullerman
Linus Rothmeyer
President
Calmar
De Kenneth Reimer
Vice President
Elkader
Ross Edwards
Fredericksburg
Jim Anderson
Decorah
Jean Sharff
Oelwein
Daniel Willenbring
Dyersville
Daniel White
Dubuque
Larry B latz
Dubuque
Ronda Kirkegaard
Dubuque
Jeanne F. Schneider
City Clerk's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Dear Ms. Schneider:
The Northeast Iowa Community College Board of Trustees at their
December 10 meeting discussed at some length the opening of Main Street
to through traffic. The Board of Trustees has not changed its position
regarding its opposition to reopening Main Street.
When the College committed nearly $3 million to purchase and remodel the
Dubuque Center, it was done with the understanding that the plaza would be
updated and would remain closed. The second phase of remodeling was
done without concern for the kind of noise and distractions that will be
created by opening the street to through traffic.
Karla Berns, Provost Of the Peosta Campus and Dubuque Center; will be
attending the meeting on December 17 as a representative of the Board of
Trustees and to speak on their behalf.
Sincerely,
Janet Bullerman
District Secretary
Office of the President, P. O. Box 400, Calmar, lA 52132
Phone 563.562.3263 or 800.728.2256, ext. 201 FAX 563.562.3719
densonr~nicc.cc.ia.us
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Property Owner:
Assessed Address:
Mailing Address:
Parcel Number:
Banner Investments
1473 Central
1473 Central
Dubuque, IA 52001
10.25.204.002
Public Improvement.~
Valuation with Improvement:
Net Paving Assessment:
Deficiency Assessment:
Gross Assessment:
Water Service Assessment:
Total Net Assessment:
$1,105,298.59
$38,968.59
$o.oo
$38,968.59
$0.00
$38,968.59
City Clerk's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 520014864
(563) 5894120 office
(563) 589-0890 fax
ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org
November 30, 2001
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS
Notice is given that there is now on file for public inspection in the office of the
City Clerk of Dubuque, Iowa, a proposed Resolution of Necessity, an estimate of cost,
and a plat and schedule showing the amounts proposed to be assessed against each
lot of the valuation of each lot within a district approved by the City Council of Dubuque,
Iowa, for an improvement of the type(s) and in the locations(s) as follows:
Main Street Reconstruction
The reconstruction of Main Street from 5Ih to 9th Street includes the complete
removal of the existing Plaza surface in preparation of the construction of a two-way,
24-foot wide concrete pavement with sidewalks and amenities behind the curb. The
Town Clock would remain in its present location and traffic would be diverted around
both sides of the clock structure. The design will allow cars, busses, small trucks, and
fire engines to maneuver around the clock in either direction.
The street would include cutouts for short-term parking on both sides of the street
in select areas. These parking areas were tailored for each business's needs.
Diagonal parking will be provided in front t of Graham's. In those areas without parking,
there will be additional space for trees, benches, trash receptacles, and streetlights.
Brick tree grates, rather than open grates, will be used for pedestrian safety. Tables will
be placed at various locations throughout the Plaza. The benches will be black
ornamental benches and would be placed back-to-back, perpendicular to the street.
The benches should be located within 8 to 10 feet of the tree planters to allow for ease
of conversation in various seating arrangements.
The street will be constructed of standard concrete; the parking areas in red-
colored concrete; the planting areas in stamped-colored concrete in a brick pattern; and
the sidewalk will be buff-colored concrete similar to the colors surrounding City Hall.
The street amenities will include Iow monuments/kiosks, which can be used to
close Main Street during special evens. It is anticipated that the closures would utilize
some sort of banner strung between the two monuments. The monuments will be
placed to allow for various combinations of closures on Main Street.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Main Street, 5m to 9m Street
All property abutting along the line of the described improvement.
The City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., on the 17th day of December, 2001, at
the Public Library Auditorium, at which time the owners of property subject to
assessment for the proposed improvement or any other person having an interest in the
matter may appear and be heard for or against the making of the improvement, the
boundaries of the district, the cost, the assessment against any lot, or the final adoption
of a resolution of necessity. A property owner will be deemed to have waived all
objections unless at the time of hearing the property owner has filed objections with the
City Clerk.
Any visual or hearing-impaired persons needing special assistance or persons
with special accessibility needs should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4120
or TDD (563) 589-4193 in the Human Rights Department at least 48 hours prior to the
meeting
L~/Jeanne F. Schneider City Clerk