Wilbur Street Retaining WallMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Wilbur Street Retaining Wall
DATE: July 31, 2013
Dubuque
band
AI- America City
1
2007 • 2012 • 2013
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is transmitting information on the need to replace a failing
private retaining wall located in the City right -of -way along 610 Wilbur Street. The
Engineering Department will seek competitive quotations on the wall replacement using
the Iowa Code emergency repair provision §26.14.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Wilbur Street Retaining Wall
Dubuque
M- Amesica City
1111 �r
2007 • 2012 • 2013
DATE: July 30, 2013
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information on the need to replace a
failing private retaining wall located in the City right -of -way along 610 Wilbur Street.
DISCUSSION
On July 12, 2013, City staff and IIW Engineers & Surveyors, PC, (IIW) observed that a
section of the retaining wall next to 610 Wilbur Street had recently moved.
Measurements were taken and the movement was confirmed from prior measurements
taken in March 2013. The wall is bowed and has open joints in the limestone wall. (Note
attached photographs.)
Due to public safety concerns, the property owner of 610 Wilbur Street has been
notified of the current state of the retaining wall. The property owner is being asked to
advise their tenants to not use the private sidewalk adjacent to the retaining wall.
City staff have surveyed the wall and provided the information to IIW so they can design
a new wall. Top Grade Excavating, Inc. has been retained to remove the existing wall
and stabilize the slope within the next week. The utility companies have all been notified
and they have relocated their associated lines to away from the wall.
Based on the City's survey data, it is the intent of IIW to provide the design and
associated cost estimate in the next couple of weeks. Engineering will seek competitive
quotations on the wall replacement using the Iowa Code emergency repair provision §
26.14.
BUDGET IMPACT
The current preliminary estimate is in the $200,000 range. Based on a FY13 budget
balance of $132,499 and potential savings in the 18th Street Retaining Wall Project,
Engineering is optimistic that any shortfall can be funded through other capital
improvement projects if needed. Some of the cost of the wall will be assessed to the
abutting property owner.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
As additional information becomes available, the Engineering Department will provide
an update. If you have any questions in the interim, please contact me.
Prepared By: Jon Dienst, P.E.
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Rich Russell, Building Services Manager
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Nate Kieffer, Land Surveyor
K: \PROJECTS \RETAINING WALL PROJECTS \Wilbur Street Wa11\2013 07 -30 -13 re Failing Wilbur Street retaining
Wall.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 242 -13
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE RETAINING WALL
ADJACENT TO 610 WILBUR STREET AND THE WILBUR STREET PAVEMENT
Whereas, a private retaining wall adjacent to 610 Wilbur Street is failing and the
pavement on Wilbur Street will be affected as the result of the failing private retaining wall; 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 shall 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 610 Wilbur Street and the Wilbur Street pavement.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to proceed with instituting such
emergency repairs as provided by law.
Passed, adopted and approved this 5th day of August, 2013.
Attest:
Q.)1641:7SLO2.6sco)--,
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
July 31, 2013
Gus Psihoyos P.E.
c/o Jon Dienst, P.E.
City of Dubuque - Engineering Department
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Re: Wilbur Street Retaining Wall
IIW Project No: 10226-01
Dear Gus and Jon:
We have observed the condition of the existing limestone retaining wall parallel to Wilbur Street
adjacent to 610 Wilbur Street. The wall has been monitored since the summer of 2012 under a
monitoring program implemented by IIW and performed by the City. This wall is currently
endangering adjacent
property, including a
residential apartment
building. Since it
also supports a street
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. Due to
movement evidenced
under the monitoring
program, 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.
Iowa Reg. No. 18076, renewal 12/31/2013
IIW, P.C.
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