Council Communication Office of the City Manager	Date	October 8, 2007
	Agenda Item No. 59 Roll Call No. 07- Communication No. 07-601 Submitted by: Jeb E. Brewer, P.E. City Engineer

AGENDA HEADING:

(1) Approving the East Indianola Avenue Corridor Study, and (2) Approving the Professional Services Agreement with Snyder & Associates, Inc. (David Moeller, P. E., President, 501 SW Oralabor Road, Ankeny, Iowa 50021), for the East Indianola Avenue Roadway Design, total not to exceed $988,908.

SYNOPSIS:

(1) Approving the East Indianola Avenue Corridor Study between SE 14^th Street and East Army Post Road as prepared by Snyder & Associates and approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 17, 2007, and (2) Approving and authorizing the execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Snyder & Associates (David Moeller, P. E., President, 501 SW Oralabor Road, Ankeny, Iowa 50021) for the East Indianola Avenue Roadway Design, SE 14^th Street to East Army Post Road, compensation not to exceed $988,908.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Amount: Not to exceed $988,908

Funding Source: 2007-2008 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget, Page Street - 16, East Indianola Avenue Widening – SE 14^th to Army Post Road, Project STR213.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

On July 25, 2005, by Roll Call No. 05-1773, the City Council approved the professional services agreement with Snyder & Associates for engineering services in conjunction with the East Indianola Avenue Corridor Study.

This study involved several public meetings. The first meeting was held on October 26, 2005, at Jackson Elementary School. At this meeting, area citizens were encouraged to provide their thoughts and ideas about the existing corridor conditions, voice concerns about any possible alternatives, and offer recommendations for the future corridor. The second meeting was held on February 20, 2007, also at Jackson Elementary School. This meeting also served as the public hearing for the project’s “Environmental Assessment” document. At this meeting, staff showed the design recommendations and discussed alternates, and also received public input prior to finalizing the corridor report. Other informal meetings were held with representatives of the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, since the proposed project traverses through Ewing Park.

The study looked at existing conditions, analyzed the projected traffic, obtained public input, and made recommendations regarding the number of lanes, intersection improvements, sidewalks, drainage, and right-of-way impacts on East Indianola Avenue between S.E. 14^th Street and East Army Post Road. Due to the limited corridor width in the northern end of the study area, several street cross-sections are proposed. Between SE 14^th Street and Evergreen Avenue, a 5-lane roadway is identified. From Evergreen Avenue south to near Watrous Avenue, a 4-lane, undivided roadway is proposed. Between Watrous Avenue south to the north edge of Ewing Park, a 5-lane roadway is identified. Through Ewing Park and south to East Army Post Road, a 4-lane, divided boulevard is proposed. The proposed project will include on-street bicycle lanes for the majority of its length, and also include a multi-purpose recreational trail for the entire length of the project, in accordance with the “Complete Streets” concept. As the design progresses consideration will be given to staging and budget constraints. The ultimate 4-lane cross-section on the southern sections may be initially constructed with fewer lanes. The remaining lanes would then be constructed as part of a future project.

The estimated project cost for the entire corridor as proposed is approximately $16 million. To date, the City has received $4.9 million in federal funding for this project. Additional federal funds will be requested in future years. The project is proposed to be constructed in stages, beginning at the north end. It is anticipated that this work could begin in 2010, which would include work from SE 14^th Street south to near Jackson Elementary School.

The Executive Summary of the East Indianola Avenue Corridor Study is attached to the roll call. The final report will be on file at the City Engineer’s office. A copy of the “Finding of No Significant Impact and 4(f) De Minimis Impact Finding”, as approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 17, 2007, is also on file in the City Engineer’s office. The completion of this report, and the July 17, 2007 approval, allows Federal funds to be expended on the project.

As part of the East Indianola Avenue corridor consultant selection process in 2005, staff received proposals from seven engineering firms. A committee composed of City staff from the Engineering Department, Parks Department, and Public Works Department reviewed these proposals and recommended that Snyder & Associates, Inc. be selected for this study. A major factor in recommending Snyder & Associates, Inc. was their extensive past involvement in projects near or within this corridor. Because of this extensive prior involvement, and since this consultant has now prepared the Corridor Study, they are the most appropriate consulting firm to be retained for the design portion of this project.

Staff has negotiated a Professional Services Agreement with Snyder & Associates, Inc., for an hourly contract not to exceed $988,908.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

Date: July 25, 2005

Roll Call Number: 05-1773

Approving Professional Services Agreement with Snyder & Associates, Inc. (Stephen P. Rowe, President, Ankeny) for engineering services in conjunction with East Indianola Avenue Corridor Study from SE 14^th Street to E. Army Post Road, not to exceed $223,200. (Council Communication No. 05‑413) Moved by Brooks to adopt. Motion Carried 6-1.

Date: March 7, 2005

Roll Call Number: 05-0535

Authorization to proceed with Corridor Preliminary Design and Appropriate Sections of Final Design of East Indianola Avenue Widening – SE 14^th to Army Post Road. (Council Communication No. 05-097) Moved by Hensley to adopt. Motion Carried 7-0.

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S):

Traffic Safety Committee review on September 18, 2007 – Information item

Plan and Zoning Commission review on October 4, 2007 – Information item

Parks and Recreation Board review anticipated on October 9, 2007 – Information item

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS:

Request for additional funding through various state and federal sources and normal construction approvals.