Initial procedure for starting an improvement project

(a) The council shall, by resolution, request the mayor to direct the director to investigate and prepare a preliminary report to the council that shall include: (1) Preliminary data concerning the highways, sanitary sewer system, storm drainage system, water system, sidewalk, street lighting system, or other public facility or improvement proposed to be opened or improved; (2) The general character and extent of improvements proposed to be opened or improved; (3) Whether such improvements may be assessed on a frontage or area basis, or some other method or basis of assessment; (4) Whether it will be necessary to acquire any new land, the estimated cost of acquiring any such land and the proportion of such cost that may be borne by the city; (5) The materials recommended to meet the conditions of the improvements; (6) The boundaries of the improvement district to be proposed and any subdistricts or zones therein as to which different portions of the cost may be charged; (7) The estimated cost of the improvements; (8) The portions of the cost to be borne by the city; and (9) The portions of the cost to be specifically assessed against the land specially benefitted, with the estimated total amount of assessment to be made against each property according to the method of assessment proposed. Further, such resolution shall request the mayor to direct the director to prepare and furnish all necessary preliminary surveys, maps, plans, drawings and other data, details and specifications for the improvements and any other matters intended to apply thereto. (b) The preliminary report, when so furnished and filed with the council, shall also be provided to the neighborhood board or boards, if any, in the area included within the proposed improvement district, and the director, or the director’s representative, shall make a presentation to the board, or boards, on the proposed improvement district. (c) If the work proposed to be done includes the improvement of a water system or the laying or installation of conduits, pipes, hydrants, or any appliance for supplying or distributing a water supply, the director shall obtain from the board of water supply preliminary plans and estimates for such proposed water system. The director shall then furnish the board of water supply with preliminary plans of the proposed improvements that will enable the board of water supply to make its plans and estimates for the proposed water system. The director shall incorporate such preliminary plans and estimates of the board of water supply in the director’s preliminary report to the council. )