Agenda - Public Works Committee - 06/21/2022

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Figure 1 shows 2021 PASER ratings for all City streets. Staff typically recommends reconstructing pavement sections with PASER ratings between 1 and 4. Overlays are typically recommended for pavement sections with PASER ratings of 5 and 6. Cracksealing is typically recommend for pavement sections with PASER ratings between 7 and 10. By proactively performing these pavement management operations on a scheduled basis, the useful life of the pavement is maximized as cost-effectively as possible. If proactive maintenance operations are not applied, pavement sections will generally require reconstruction every 30 years, which adds considerable cost to a pavement management program. Street Reconstruction Bubble Between 1975 and 1985 approximately 40-percent of all City streets were constructed. At the time these streets were constructed their anticipated useful design life was 40-years, after which reconstruction would be required. These streets have all now either reached, or are nearing, the end of their useful lives. This means approximately 40-percent of City streets need to be reconstructed now or in the immediate future. And while it has generally been known for a decade or more that this "street reconstruction bubble" was approaching, it has become even more apparent this year that current Pavement Management Program funding levels need to be increased to acceptably maintain the condition of City streets. Pavement Management Program Funding Needs Staff has received a steady increase in calls in recent years from businesses and residents complaining about the poor condition of City streets and asking when the City plans to patch, overlay or reconstruct the streets serving their businesses and homes. Based on the increasing number of complaints received each year, on the fact that 40-percent of public streets are generally at the age that they need to be reconstructed, and considering that Public Works Staff struggles to adequately maintain the pavement on City streets, Staff is seeking a recommendation from the Public Works Committee to the City Council on how many more streets to reconstruct and/or overlay each year, over and above the amount of Pavement Management Program (PMP) projects identified in the 2022 — 2031 CIP. Figure 2 shows all public streets proposed to be reconstructed between 2022 and 2031 as identified within the current 10-year CIP, which totals 25.38 miles. The figure also shows streets that currently qualify for reconstruction since they have PASER ratings of 4 or less, but are not yet identified in the CIP. These streets total 18.50 miles. Of these streets less than one mile are non-residential streets, and less than one -quarter mile are Municipal State Aid System routes, qualifying for use of MSA funds. Figure 3 shows all public streets proposed to receive mill and overlay improvements between 2022 and 2031 as identified within the CIP, which totals 34.84 miles. Figures 4 through 7 shows which City streets have PASER ratings of 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are the PASER ratings typically targeted for identifying future PMP projects within the 10-year CIP. PASER ratings for bituminous pavements decrease over time which allows Staff to determine specific street segments for future PMP projects within the 10-year CIP. Expanding the PMP program to account for the increased immediate needs due to the current street reconstruction bubble the City is facing will require a significant increase in annual PMP funding. Currently, approximately $2,750,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are available for additional street reconstruction and/or overlay projects in 2023. In the future, such funding may not be readily available so Staff is seeking direction from the Public Works Committee on how much additional funding should be allocated annually for PMP projects, if any. Traditional funding sources for PMP projects include the general levy, bonds, special assessments, Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds, and/or franchise fees. Finance Director Diana Lund will be in attendance to address questions Committee members might have on these funding sources including availability, reliability, interest rates, fund balances, etc.