Madison Street Retaining Wall Emergency Repair AuthorizationMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Madison Street Retaining Wall Emergency Repairs
DATE: September 27, 2011
Dubuque
Latta
All-America City
I
2007
There is a public retaining wall of limestone block that supports the west side of
Madison Street (between 1805 Madison Street and 1829 Madison Street) and the
abutting sidewalk. As a result of a heavy rain event in 2010, this wall partially collapsed
and is in a state of impending collapse.
IIW, P.C. was retained by the City of Dubuque to provide structural engineering design
and analysis on the retaining wall. It is IIW's recommendation that approximately 45
feet of wall be repaired. IIW estimates the wall and the associated street and sidewalk
repairs will be $67,000 for the repair of the damaged section (45 feet) or an estimate of
$120,000 to replace the entire wall section (approximately 80 feet).
The City has secured funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) in the amount of $62,123.67.
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos requests City Council authorization for the emergency
repair of the Madison Street retaining wall and associated street pavement and sidewalk
portions in the interest of public safety and welfare.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahi, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer cif
SUBJECT: Madison Street Retaining Wall Emergency Repairs
DATE: September 27, 2011
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
AI- Amedca City
2007
This memo requests the City Council to approve emergency repairs to the public
retaining wall along Madison Street and the associated street pavement and sidewalk
portions.
DISCUSSION
There is a public retaining wall of limestone block that supports the west side of
Madison Street (between 1805 Madison Street and 1829 Madison Street) and the
abutting sidewalk. As a result of a heavy rain event in 2010, this wall partially collapsed
and is in a state of impending collapse.
IIW, P.C. (IIW) was retained by the City of Dubuque to provide structural engineering
design and analysis of the retaining wall. It is IIW's recommendation that approximately
45 feet of wall be repaired. (Note letter attachment.)
Engineering is proposing to initiate the project to repair the 45 -foot wall section, with an
alternate bid to replace the entire wall section (approximately 80 feet) with a concrete
modular block wall system (wall units that look like natural stone and are cast with
concrete). It would be the intent to complete this work by year -end, with weather
permitting.
IIW would continue to be involved with the design, development, and construction
phases of the project.
BUDGET IMPACT
IIW estimates the wall and the associated street and sidewalk repairs will be $67,000 for
the repair of the damaged section. The estimate for the alternate bid of the segmental
concrete wall system is $120,000.
Based on the cooperative efforts of the Engineering and Public Works Departments, the
City has secured funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in
the amount of $62,123.67. The remaining funding would be from the Stone Retaining
Walls Capital Improvement Project (CIP 3501029), with a current balance of
$122,633.84. It should be noted that the 7th Street retaining wall project will also need a
portion of the Stone Retaining Walls CIP.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The Engineering Department requests the City Council to authorize the emergency
repairs of the Madison Street retaining wait and associated street pavement and
sidewalk portions in the interest of public safety and welfare through adoption of the
enclosed resolution.
Prepared by Jon Dienst, PE
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
John Klostermann, Street & Sewer Maintenance Supervisor
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Dennis Waugh, IIW, PC
Brad Mootz, IIW, PC
2
RESOLUTION NO. 329 -11
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE RETAINING WALL ON
MADISON STREET AND THE ASSOCIATED STREET PAVEMENT AND SIDEWALK
PORTIONS
Whereas, a public retaining wall adjacent to Madison Street has failed and has damaged
the pavement and sidewalk portions along Madison Street as a result of the wall failure; and
Whereas, Iowa Code § 384.103 provides that when emergency repair of a public
improvement is necessary and the delay of advertising and a public letting might cause serious
Toss or injury to the city, the governing body shall, by resolution,; make a finding of the necessity
to institute emergency proceedings and shalJ,procure a certificate; from a competent registered
professional engineer or architect, not in the regular employ of the city, certifying that
emergency repairs are necessary, and that in that event the governing body may contract for
emergency repairs without holding a public hearing and advertising: for bids; and
Whereas, Iowa Code § 364.12(3)(c) provides that a city may require the removal, repair,
or dismantling of a dangerous structure and if_the_property owner does not perform the action, in
an emergency a city may perform the action and assess the costs to the property owner.
Whereas, the City Council finds that the condition of the retaining wall is a dangerous
structure and constitutes an emergency and that an emergency repair.of the retaining wall and
adjoining public street supported by.the retaining wall is necessary and the delay of advertising
and a public letting might cause serious loss or injury to the city; and
Whereas, the City has procured a certificate from a competent professional engineer
registered in the State of Iowa, not in the regular employ of the City, certifying that emergency
repairs to the retaining wall and street are necessary.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The City Council finds that it is necessary to institute emergency proceedings
to repair the retaining wall along Madison Street including the .associated street pavement and
sidewalk portions.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to proceed with instituting such
emergency repairs as provided by law.
Attest:
Passed, adopted and approved this 3rd day of October 2011.
n Fi nstahl, City Clerk
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
September 22, 2011
Gus Psihoyos
City of Dubuque - Engineering Department
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Re: Madison Street Retaining Wall
IIW Project No: 10226-01
Dear Mr. Psihoyos:
We have observed the condition of the existing limestone retaining wall parallel to Madison Street
between 1805 Madison Street and 1829 Madison Street, a portion of which has already failed. This
wall is currently endangering adjacent property, including a residential apartment complex. Since it
also supports a street and sidewalk that is a principal access to several properties, restoring the use
of this street and sidewalk is essential for public safety, especially emergency vehicle access.
Considering the recent heavy rains, it is necessary to replace this wall immediately because of the
imminently dangerous conditions.
Pursuant to the Emergency Work provisions of Section 384.103 of the Code of Iowa, I hereby certify
that this is necessary work for this public improvement and that delay of advertising and public
letting might cause serious loss or injury to the City and public safety.
I hereby certify that this engineering document was prepared by me and that I am a duly licensed
Professional Engineer under the laws of the State of Iowa.
Sincerely,
IIW, P.C.
Bradley J. Mootz, P.E.
Iowa Reg. No. 18076, renewal 12/31/2011
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