Carefree Truth

Issue #395, May 15, 2015

 

 

 

Planning Director Stacey Bridge-Denzak presented an update on the bike lane project.  It is being funded by a combination of two Federal grants, and local cost sharing.  The grants were awarded to Cave Creek as the applicant, with Carefree as the partnering agency.  The first grant was for the design phase, which has been completed.  The current one is for construction.  

 

 

 

The presentation was based on the numbers that were available in March when the documents were 60% completed.  Cave Creek used these numbers for their Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and they will be used for the IGA between Cave Creek and Carefree.  The Federal share will be $3,538,480, and the local share will be $215,629.  Carefree's share will be $140,158.85, which is based on the scope of work, as more of the roadway is located in Carefree. Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) funds, which are supplied by the state from gasoline taxes and are restricted to transportation uses, will be utilized.  The total cost of the project is $3,754,109.   

 

 

 

The final numbers may change slightly, but the IGA will accommodate for that.  Carefree will pay its full share in advance of the construction contract.  The final figure will be determined when the contract is awarded, at which time Cave Creek will either invoice Carefree for the balance owed or will refund any overage.  This is standard procedure when working with Federal or ADOT funding. 

 

 

 

100% of the documents will be completed in May, the bid will be ready in late May, will be advertised in June, and will be opened in July.  It was recently discovered that approval of ADOT's board is required, which will take place in August, and construction will begin in September.  Carefree will coordinate with ADOT on any events scheduled during the construction period.

 

 

 

A landscape architect worked with the Town on median plant salvage assessment, based on plant health and location.  90% of the plants will be unaffected, 7% will be removed, and 3% were considered salvageable.  In some cases, it makes more sense to replace with new plants the plants that don't stand a good chance of surviving a move.  7% of the existing medians will be shortened, 19% will be narrowed equally from both sides, and 81% will remain unchanged.  Much of the plantings are located more towards the center of the medians, so narrowing them won't affect the plants as much.  

 

 

 

Some traffic lanes will be narrowed to 11', but 11' wide lanes currently exist in both Carefree and Cave Creek, and are within normal standards.  Drainage impact is inconsequential.  Carefree has had conversations with Scottsdale about connecting Carefree and Scottsdale bike lanes on Tom Darlington Drive and on Pima Road.  It is on Scottsdale's "radar".  Signs will inform bicyclists where the bike lanes begin and end.

 

 

 

Vice Mayor John Crane questioned who would be paying to move salvaged trees.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said that if there is money left over after construction, the contract allows money to be spent for plant salvage.  The Vice Mayor suggested that perhaps extra plants could be sold to a local landscaper.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak replied that the Arizona Department of Agriculture is aware that material may be available.  

 

 

 

Councilman Mike Farrar asked what defines a plant that is not salvageable.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak explained that it is determined by health, size, and general transplant survivability of the plant in question.  Mr. Farrar suggested perhaps extra plants could be donated to Carefree merchants to increase their landscaping.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said the Town Pubic Works Department could also salvage and replant some specimens, and agreeed that there are many options.  The Town will have a better idea of what can be done after the next meeting with the landscape architect.

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Crane broached concerns expressed by  residents about narrowing some traffic lanes from 14' to 11' to accommodate bike lanes, but noted that 11' lanes already exist in parts of  Carefree.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak confirmed that very qualified traffic engineers have taken it into account.   

 

 

Mr. Farrar asked if Rural/Metro (R/M) had been consulted about the reduced lane width.  Mayor Les Peterson asked if it would negatively affect the turning radius for the fire trucks.  Councilman Glenn Miller explained that the fire department would be contacted after the construction timeline is complete so they would be aware of lane closures or restrictions.  R/M Fire Chief John Kraetz, who was in the audience, responded, "11' works for us."  The Chief said bike lanes enable cars to pull over to allow emergency vehicles to pass.  There are already single lane areas, and the emergency vehicles get through just fine.  They don't anticipate any issues.  Councilman Gene Orrico pointed out that the bulk of streets in Cave Creek are currently 11' wide.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said there are also several in Carefree.

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Crane suggested the work start on Tom Darlington Drive so it could be finished there before the festivals begin.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak expected the contractor would come to that conclusion too.  The Vice Mayor pointed out that part of the deal is getting the affected streets slurry sealed, which is worth a lot more then $140,000, and he asked Gary Neiss about the cost.  Mr. Neiss responded that it cost $580,000 just to slurry seal Cave Creek Road the last time it was done.  He assured the Council that Carefree is getting a great value. 

 

 

 

Mayor Peterson commented that even though there had been many public meetings and communications, the Town still receives questions.  He suggested that Carefree continue to communicate the timing and general information about the project regularly so that residents know what to expect.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak replied, "Absolutely."

 

 

 

The Mayor asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak.  Ralph Pipp asked if the project would be funded from the highway funds or from the General Fund, and from which of these funds maintenance would be paid.  Mrs. Bridge-Denzak answered that project funding would come from HURF but maintenance will fall within the regular roadway maintenance program paid from the General Fund.  While some parts will have new pavement, most will remain within the existing pavement, with re-striping.  Mr. Neiss explained that with the new slurry seal applied, that maintenance will be "kicked down the road" 7-10 years.  Otherwise, the slurry seal would have required reapplication within the next couple of years, making this a considerable benefit to the Town.

 

 

 

Mayor Peterson asked for a motion to approve signing the IGA.  It was approved 7-0.  Project overview slides can be seen at the end of the video.

 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/127329804/280057a124

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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