Title
Resolution No. 1 to Approve a Special Assessment Project for the Clague Safe Routes to School Sidewalk.
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval, please find a resolution to direct staff to proceed with a special assessment project to fill in a sidewalk gap along Nixon Road from approximately the Clague Middle School driveway to Haverhill Court. This project also includes the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) on Green Road, west of Kilburn Park.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
Bids for the project were opened by MDOT in October, 2014. The low bid exceeds engineer's estimate, but is competitive with other bidders, and was determined to accurately reflect the current bidding environment and the actual cost of building the project. Estimated Project Costs are as follows:
Construction Bid $ 222,761.90
Construction Contingency 22,276.19
Planning/Design 33,017.52
Const Eng/Project Admin/Inspection/Testing 44,552.39
Total Cost $ 322,608.00
The original project cost estimates were planned to be funded by the Safe Routes to School Grant, Alternative Transportation Fund, and the Special Assessment. Due to the increased bid results, the Street Millage Fund will be utilized to fund the RRFB installation. Although the school cannot be assessed, a contribution will be requested as per other assessable properties. Below are the anticipated Project Revenues:
Safe Routes to School Grant $ 172,067.00
Alternative Transportation Funds 95,000.00
Special Assessment 14,537.00
AAPS Contribution 3,828.00
Street Millage (RRFB installation) 37,176.00
Total Revenue $ 322,608.00
Background
In May of 2012, City Council approved a resolution supporting a Safe Routes to School grant application for Clague School. The City received grant funding approval from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT); and proceeded with design of a new 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk to be constructed on the east side of Nixon Road from the Clague School driveway entrance to Haverhill Court, and RRFBs at the crosswalk on Green Road, west of Kilburn Park.
The completed plans were submitted to MDOT in July 2014 and bid through MDOT in October, 2014. Subsequently, City Council passed a resolution on October 20, 2014 to approve the City-State agreement with MDOT for the project.
Special Assessments
As called for in Chapter 13 of City Code, the cost for the addition of new sidewalk where none currently exists is borne by the parcels that benefit from the improvements. The new sidewalk on Nixon road is adjacent to two single family residences, Northbury Condominiums, and Clague School. The two single family residences and the Northbury Condominiums would be assessed based on their respective frontage. The Ann Arbor Public Schools cannot be assessed, but will be asked to contribute an equivalent amount based on the length of frontage.
Next Steps
If authorized to undertake this work as a special assessment project, staff will invite the affected property owners to an Administrative Hearing to describe the project and its associated costs. Following that hearing, staff will return to Council with Resolutions 2 and 3 which define the individual costs to each parcel and establish a Public Hearing Date.
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, P.E., Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, It is desirable to construct the new sidewalk along Nixon Road at the following location:
A sidewalk fronting the east side parcels along Nixon Road, between the Clague School driveway and Haverhill Court; including sidewalk fronting 2700 and 2760 Nixon Road, and the Northbury Condominiums; which are currently not served by sidewalk on Nixon Road.
Whereas, The installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at the Green Road crossing west of Kilburn Park would help increase safety for pedestrians using this crosswalk;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to file a report with the City Clerk, including a recommendation as to what proportion of the cost should be paid by special assessment and what part should be a general obligation of the City, the number of installments in which the assessments may be paid, and the land which should be included in the special assessment district; and
RESOLVED, The City Clerk shall present said report to the Council and make it available for public examination.