Title
Resolution No. 1 - Prepare Plans and Specifications for the Proposed Pontiac Trail Sidewalk Special Assessment Project (District #65)
Memorandum
Approval of the attached resolution directs staff to prepare plans, specifications, and cost estimates to fill the sidewalk gap along the west side of Pontiac Trail from Dhu Varren Road to Montana Way as a special assessment project. This sidewalk gap scores in the “High” category in the City’s sidewalk gap prioritization system.
City Code allows for the construction of new sidewalks without special assessment, however this excludes non-taxable parcels. This segment of Pontiac Trail includes five township parcels, thus creating the need for the special assessment district.
The project is intended to be designed and constructed as part of the 2027 Pontiac Trail Dhu Varren Roundabout Project, with construction occurring in 2027. It is anticipated that the project will require some temporary easements, as well as the construction of some retaining walls.
The attached resolution directs staff to provide and share detailed cost estimates for this work and establish the composition of the special assessment district. If authorized to undertake this work, staff will reach out to affected residents and stakeholders to conduct a thorough public engagement effort. Following those meetings and further development of the engineering design, staff will return to Council with Resolutions 2 and 3, which define the individual costs to each parcel and establish a public hearing date, respectively.
Below is a tentative schedule for the project:
June 2, 2025: Council Meeting - Resolution 1
August/ September 2025: Public Meeting / Administrative Hearing
January 2026: Council Meeting - Resolution 2
June 2026: Resolution 3
November 2026: Public Hearing & Resolution 4
Spring 2027: Begin construction
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The Pontiac Trail (Dhu Varren to Montana) Sidewalk Project is included in the Capital Improvements Plan (Project Number TR-AT-26-02). While the entire sidewalk adjacent to township parcels will ultimately be paid through special assessment, the City will initially fund the cost of designing and constructing the project with the New Sidewalk Millage. The assessed amounts would then be recovered at the time that the parcels annex into the City.
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas S. Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Jordan Roberts, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Council deems it appropriate to construct the Pontiac Trail (Dhu Varren to Montana) Sidewalk Project, which will consist of:
The installation of new sidewalk in places where it does not currently exist on the west side of Pontiac Trail between Dhu Varren Road and Montana Way;
RESOLVED, The City Administrator be directed to prepare plans and specifications for said improvement project, and an estimate of the cost thereof;
RESOLVED, The City Administrator be directed to file a report of same with the City Clerk, including a recommendation as to what proportion of the cost should be paid by special assessment and what part, if any, 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.