Memorandum 15-180 HART Projects Proposed by Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

Memorandum 15-180

TO:                       Honorable Mayor Wythe and Homer City Council

FROM:                 Katie Koester, City Manager

DATE:                  October 26, 2015

SUBJECT:         HART Projects Proposed by Parks and Recreation Commission

Three proposed HART projects did not make it onto the proposed FY16 list of capital project requests in the draft budget presented on October 12. The three Parks and Recreation recommended projects were included in your October 26 packet. Staff has since reviewed the initial requests and made corresponding scope and cost adjustments. In order to be funded in 2016, these projects will need to be added to the 2016 budget by amendment.

Calhoun Trail Improvements $12,500

This trail needs improvement to reduce grades and improve gravel surfaces. This work will make the trail safer and more accessible. Funding:  HART Trails.

West Homer Elementary School/Soundview Avenue Safety Improvements $35,000

This project will take the experience learned from the Old Town Pedestrian Improvements project to improve pedestrian/bike safety along Soundview Avenue. The proposed improvements being considered include road re-striping to narrow lanes, installation of speed humps, signage, pedestrian/road delineators, crosswalks and electronic speed sensing devices. These improvements will improve pedestrian/bike access safety to the elementary school along the Soundview Avenue corridor. Funding:  HART Roads.

Soundview Sidewalk Improvements $315,000

The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended extending the sidewalk on Soundview Avenue. Traditionally sidewalks are funded by the area residents. For example, in the neighboring subdivision the City of Homer required the developer to install the sidewalk. A strong safety argument can be made for completing this section of sidewalk near West Homer Elementary. However, striping and pedestrian improvements proposed above will greatly increase safety in the area. My recommendation would be that instead of funding a sidewalk with 100% HART funds in the 2016 budget, the Council work on a process and criteria on how sidewalks can be constructed in any Homer neighborhood and how the costs might be shared by adjacent property owners.