Council Communication Office of the City Manager	Date	March 10, 2008
	Agenda Item No. 8C Roll Call No. 08- Communication No. 08-120 Submitted by: Jeb E. Brewer, P.E. City Engineer

AGENDA HEADING:

Ordering construction of the following: Pennsylvania Avenue Widening - Buchanan Street to Filmore Street - Receiving bids, (3-25-08), and Setting date of hearing, (4-7-08). (Construction Estimate - $435,760).

SYNOPSIS:

Recommend the City Council proceed with construction of the improvement and set dates to receive bids and hold a public hearing, as required by Iowa Code, utilizing the method of financing referenced below. Currently Pennsylvania Avenue between Buchanan Street and Filmore Street narrows from a four lane roadway both north and south of this location to a three lane roadway. This project will widen Pennsylvania Avenue at this location to provide four continuous through lanes which will improve the capacity and safety of this section of Pennsylvania Avenue.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Amount: $435,760 City Engineer's Estimate

Funding Source: 2007-2008 CIP, Page Street-34, Pennsylvania Avenue Widening - Buchanan Street to Filmore Street, STR230, Being: $243,210 in G. O. Bonds and $112,485 from Des Moines Water Works for water main replacement, with a transfer of $80,065 in Strom Water Utility Funds from City-wide Storm Water Utility Projects, Page Storm-4, STE057.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Engineering Department staff met with representatives of the Capitol Park Neighborhood Association at their February 14 board meeting to present the proposed project design and answer any questions. The board was supportive of the project as presented, but requested that the raised island on the north side of the intersection at Buchanan Street be modified rather than removed. The modified island would allow a small neighborhood flower bed to be planted, similar to what was done before this intersection was reconstructed as part of the I-235 interchange. The island will further provide a small area protected from traffic to make it easier for pedestrians to cross Pennsylvania Avenue at this intersection. This modified island has been added to the project plans as requested by the neighborhood board.

The Engineering Department has prepared plans, specifications, form of contract documents, and City Engineer’s estimate for the construction of the Pennsylvania Avenue Widening - Buchanan Street to Filmore Street, 06-2007-018. The improvement includes widening with 10-inch thick full-depth Portland cement concrete and 2-inch thick Hot Mix Asphalt overlay; together with pavement removal, excavation, water main construction, storm drainage, driveways, sidewalks, sodding, traffic signal modifications, and miscellaneous associated work including cleanup; in accordance with the contract documents, including Plan File Nos. 487-076/109, on Pennsylvania Avenue from north of Buchanan Street to Filmore Street, Des Moines, Iowa.

The estimated construction cost is $435,760. The proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract documents are available for public inspection in the City Engineer's Office.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S): NONE

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS:

Anticipated actions include public hearing, receive and file bids, designate lowest bidder, and approve contract and bond; also partial payments to the contractor and final acceptance of work.

For more information on this and other agenda items, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive. Council agendas are available to the public at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council meeting. Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to cityclerk@dmgov.org.