Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/21/2025

Home

Councilmember Riley asked for more details on the transfers from the PIR fund to the general fund as projected, noting that could be a potential source of funding. He agreed that it is in the best interest of the City to convert the gravel roads and wants to make that a priority, especially since the grader is not planned for replacement. He stated that he would not want to bond for this project and would like to see additional funding options, perhaps phasing this conversion over a few years. He stated that these neighborhoods have never paid for one level of road and therefore the assessment policy would seem to apply. He explained that in every neighborhood with paved roads, those residents have paid for those roads in one way or anotherand therefore it would seem fair that these residents share in that cost. Councilmember Specht commented that those residents pay taxes the same as everyone else and therefore are paying for road projects. He noted that these are not original property owners and should not be responsible for what did, or did not, occur in the past. Chairperson Olson referenced the proposed sequence for priority and asked how those projects rank in cost. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby provided the different cost estimates for those segments. Chairperson Olson referenced the grading that was mentioned that would still be necessary and asked how that would be done if the grader is not replaced. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby stated that the 1999 grader is still in use and is able to be maintained, although the more it is used, and the heavier the use, the greater the maintenance needs will be moving forward. He stated that for the limited grading that would remain after the road conversions, different equipment could be used, or equipment could be rented. He stated that while he would like to see the conversion done sooner, it could be spaced out as well. He noted that he could speak with the Finance Director to gather more information on funding options that would not include bonding. Chairperson Olson agreed that this should be a priority. Motion by Councilmember Specht, seconded by Councilmember Riley, to direct staff to prepare a draft Gravel Road Elimination Policy that explores estimated project costs for each gravel road segment in more detail, includes a project prioritization schedulewith area F having the highest priority, and identifies recommended funding sources. Further discussion: Councilmember Riley stated that additional discussion should occur on whether the additional grading needs should become the responsibility of the private property owners in the future. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Olson, Councilmembers Specht and Riley. Voting No: None. 6.COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT Public Works Committee / January 21, 2025 Page 7 of 8