Council CommunicationOffice of the City Manager	Date	February 23, 2009
	Agenda Item No. 8B Roll Call No. 09- Communication No. 09-120 Submitted by: Jeb E. Brewer, P.E. City Engineer

AGENDA HEADING:

Ordering construction of the following: Waveland Trail - 40th Street to 42nd Street - Receiving bids, (3-10-09), and Setting date of hearing, (3-23-09). (Construction Estimate - $188,000).

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. This project provides for construction of a 12.5-foot-wide Portland Cement Concrete combination sidewalk and recreational trail to improve pedestrian access from the 40th Street Pedestrian Bridge over I-235 to 42nd Street and provide recreational opportunities. Staff has worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT), neighborhood leaders, surrounding residents, and the Hubbell Elementary School principal regarding options for the sidewalk/trail alignment and in coordination with the I-235 noise wall construction.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Amount: $188,000 City Engineer's Estimate

Funding Source: 2008-2009 CIP, Page Parks-22, Recreation Trails, PKS045, G. O. Bonds

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

IDOT completed the replacement of the pedestrian bridge over I-235 near 40^th Street. It was encouraged by the neighborhoods on the north side of I-235 to provide a connection to the existing sidewalk system. After several meetings with neighborhood residents, IDOT opted to connect the pedestrian bridge only to the sidewalk along 40^th Street. The previous pedestrian bridge had a sidewalk connection to both 40^th Street and 42^nd Street via a 4‑foot wide sidewalk that ran parallel to I-235 along the right-of-way. IDOT did not replace this sidewalk connection to 42^nd Street because there would be a noise wall constructed along this area.

A request was made by a neighborhood resident that the sidewalk from the pedestrian bridge to 42^nd Street be replaced when the noise wall is constructed. City staff met with neighborhood leaders, surrounding residents, the Hubbell Elementary School Principal, and IDOT to talk about options for replacing the 4-foot sidewalk. City staff recommended that the sidewalk not be replaced unless it is widened to trail standards and becomes part of the proposed Waveland Trail, which would continue east toward Cottage Grove Avenue.

On August 22, 2006, a neighborhood meeting was held with the Drake, North of Grand, and Waveland Park Neighborhoods. City staff presented the recommended alignment for the Waveland Trail from the 40^th Street pedestrian bridge to 42^nd Street that would follow the route along the noise wall. Some in attendance had safety concerns about this route. On October 9, 2006, under Roll Call 06-1986, the City Council approved the current trail alignment.

The Engineering Department has prepared plans, specifications, form of contract documents, and City Engineer’s estimate for the construction of the Waveland Trail - 40th Street to 42nd Street, 11-2007-006. The improvement includes construction of a twelve and one-half (12.5) foot wide, six (6) inch thick portland cement concrete (PCC) pedestrian trail from the 40th Street pedestrian bridge to 42nd Street on the north side of the I-235 noise wall, including grading, PCC sidewalk, lighting and fencing; all in accordance with the contract documents, including Plan File Nos. 461-046/060, in the City of Des Moines, Iowa.

The estimated construction cost is $188,000. The proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract documents are available for public inspection in the City Engineer's Office.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

Date: October 9, 2006

Roll Call Number: 06-1986

Action: Trail Alignment and authorization to proceed acquiring right-of-way for the Waveland Trail, 40^th to 42^nd Streets. (Council Communication No. 06-630) Moved by Vlassis to adopt. Motion Carried 6-0.

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.