Agenda - Public Works Committee - 12/16/2025

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Public Works Committee Meeting Date: 12/16/2025 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: 5. 5. Create a positive image for residential neighborhoods, business districts and key corridors. Title: Discuss Repairing Irrigation Damage Associated with Improvement Projects Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to consider recommending repairing irrigation damage associated with improvement projects. Background: The typical street reconstruction project will impact the boulevard within 6 to 8 feet from the existing edge of pavement or back of curb. In both urban and rural settings, the city includes repairing any damage caused to existing driveways, landscaping, turf, mail boxes, retaining walls (essentially any visible infrastructure) within the public right-of-way. In rural settings any private driveway culverts are considered the home -owners responsibility to maintain; if the project necessarily impacts a driveway culvert the city does repair as part of the improvement project. Since 2017, the city has put the responsibility to repair any damage caused to underground irrigation and/or invisible dog fences during the reconstruction projects on the property owner. This change in practice was a reaction to the difficulties with irrigation repairs during 2015 and 2016 improvement projects. The primary driver was the number of staff hours inspecting the irrigation system functionality after the project was complete. Since 2017, staff has included notices in the project update letters that private lawn irrigation systems may be impacted by the work and that relocating and/or repairing private irrigation systems within public right of ways as needed to accommodate construction is the responsibility of the property owner. During construction, because the irrigation systems are not visible, at least some impacts are unavoidable. During the first few construction seasons after 2017, this typically generated a few conversations on each project with property owners to clarify the policy. In general, with the city's primarily sandy soils, irrigation is necessary to maintain a quality turf lawn, which is often desired for better curb appeal. Commercial developments, though not specifically requiring irrigation systems by code, do require sod and plantings (unless given City Council approval for alternative restoration), which in turn generally requires irrigation to survive. As we complete reconstruction and overlay projects on newer subdivisions, it is apparent that irrigation systems are more common. In new subdivisions, the vast majority of properties install an irrigation system. During ADA pedestrian ramp improvements, almost all pedestrian ramps have irrigation heads adjacent to the work, and will have significant impacts. It should be noted that under the current system, there is not a financial incentive for the contractors to reduce damage. Where there's been obvious negligence by the contractor, staff does its best to help property owners come to an agreement with the contractor for reimbursement or repairs, but negligence is often difficult to prove. Based on the type of construction, there are times where the irrigation lines are simply in the way and impeding construction. This is associated with the standard procedure for irrigation installation is to run main lines at or near the back of curb or edge of pavement and placing irrigation heads at the edge of the pavement(s). In staffs opinion, including irrigation repairs will provide the following benefits to city improvement projects: