Resolution 14-063(A) Expressing Support for the ADOT/PF Pioneer Avenue Rehabilitation Project Scope of Work

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                           Mayor

RESOLUTION 14-063(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (ADOT/PF) PIONEER AVENUE REHABILITATION PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK AND PROVIDING SPECIFIC COMMENTS.

               WHEREAS, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT/PF) Central Region planners and engineers visited the City Administration on May 23, 2014 to discuss State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Amendment Number 9 and specifically, a proposed scope of work for the Pioneer Avenue Rehabilitation Project; and

               WHEREAS, The City had proposed a STIP project for Pioneer Avenue that included a widened roadway, five foot bike lanes on either side of the road, a reconstructed drainage system, new sidewalks, new lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian safety improvements (described as a 3R project); and

               WHEREAS, DOT/PF informed the City that the formula for distributing federal highway funds has changed resulting in significantly less money for community roads, that the $10,164,000 price tag for the City request was unaffordable, and that if the City stood firm on its request, it could set the project back years and possibly jeopardize funding altogether;  and

               WHEREAS, DOT/PF has proposed a scaled back, $3,498,000 project that attempts to incorporate some of the City’s requests; particularly with respect to bike lanes and pedestrian safety (described as a 1R project); and

               WHEREAS, DOT/PF’s proposal includes narrowing the driving lanes and the center turn lane to 10 feet, adding 4.5 foot bike lanes on either side of the road, adding pedestrian refuges, repaving, and adding a stop control beacon at the intersection of Pioneer and Main; and

               WHEREAS, If this project were accepted by the City, design could start late this year with construction potentially taking place in 2016; and

               WHEREAS, DOT/PF stated that limited drainage work could be done as part of this project however, major systematic upgrades would require more funds than they had available and waiting for those funds could set the project back years; and

               WHEREAS, DOT/PF indicated further that it was willing to wait for the City to raise funds on its own from other sources to do drainage work and sidewalk and lighting upgrades but if it took too long, the existing money could be jeopardized and moved to another project; and

               WHEREAS, The City indicated to ADOT/PF that it was not inclined to assume ownership responsibility for Pioneer Avenue unless the roadway and right-of-way is widened, and some the major drainage issues were addressed first.

               NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby expresses its support for ADOT/PF’s Pioneer Avenue Rehabilitation Project Scope of Work.

               BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council offers the following specific comments for consideration:

1.            The pedestrian walkway islands be painted into the road as opposed to raised platforms.

2.           The State consider putting in flashing LED walkway signs and push button activation at crosswalk signs.

               PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL this 9th day of June, 2014.

                                                                                          CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                          ______________________

                                                                                          MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR    

ATTEST:

____________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note:  N/A