Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.28.24 - Study Session NotesSPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO (Hybrid - Virtual Meeting) OCTOBER 28, 2024 This meeting was conducted both as a virtual meeting and hybrid, where some members of the Council or City staff were physically present at the Municipal building, and some members of the public attended in person as well. A quorum of members of Council were present in Council Chambers for this session. The Mayor explained the virtual/hybrid meeting format, how citizens will have the opportunity to be heard, and the procedures and policies to be followed. 1. Call to Order Mayor Starker called the Special Study Session to order at 8:28 p.m. 2. Attendance Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Rachel Hultin (via Zoom), Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites, Dan Larson (via Zoom), and Scott Ohm. Absent: Leah Dozeman and Janeece Hoppe. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck, Police Chief Chris Murtha, Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea, Public Works Operations Supervisor Mike Ivancich, and Senior Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer. 3. Public’s Right to Speak Wheat Ridge Speaks Kelly Blynn - 4175 Brentwood Street Wheat Ridge, 80033 Comment: Thank you for taking up this issue. The ATATs have been focused on improving snow removal on sidewalks and in bike lanes for the past several years, and it's disappointing to not see a more proactive approach outlined to ensuring clear sidewalks at least on our major corridors and at transit stops. We thought there was a study session last winter in which it sounded like there would be a more proactive approach where the city would clear certain stretches of commercial corridors, as well as do more code enforcement -- we really hope Council will direct staff to focus on this. In the past few winters, there have been times where sidewalks on our major corridors like 44th, 38th, etc. have been impassable for days and even weeks, making it impossible to access RTD bus stops and other key destinations. We have seen people operating motorized wheelchairs in the streets and otherwise resorting to very dangerous options as a last resort. We really hope the city will see this as a very basic equity and safety issue and prioritize ensuring snow and ice is cleared (whether the city does it or enforces the code) on our major arterials and especially to access bus stops and other key destinations. We understand the city does have at least one ATV with a snowplow that can clear sidewalks and hope this can be used more extensively. Thank you for your consideration. 4. City Snow and Ice Control Program Overview City Manager Patrick Goff introduced this item and turned it over to Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea for the presentation. Issue This is an overview of the city’s response to snow events including priorities, storm classifications, public communication, and the city’s available resources for addressing this critical function. Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea and Public Works Operation Supervisor Mike Ivancich jointly gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the snowplow route maps, priority street designations, and storm classifications. They spoke to the personnel, equipment and materials used. They spoke about the plowing agreement with neighboring jurisdictions, the public communication and education regarding sidewalk clearing and coordination with the Police Department’s Community Services Division. Council Comments Council Member Hultin – stated that Wheat Ridge does an exceptional job of clearing the streets. She asked about trail clearing. D’Andrea stated that the Parks Department is responsible for snow removal on the trails. Council Member Larson – recognize Public Works for their performance over the last four years. He asked about a certain road that gets plowed in sections because it runs through Arvada. Ivancich explained that the City of Wheat Ridge will be plowing the Arvada portion this winter, as needed. Council Member Ohm – thanked staff and asked about the sidewalk plowing on 38th which is problematic. D’Andrea stated that they do try to stay away from the curb and use a little of the street lanes; however, when it’s wet, even moving slowly, there is splashing. She stated that they work hard, but sometimes there is no place for the snow to go. 5. Wadsworth Improvement Project Construction Update City Manager Patrick Goff introduced the item and turned it over to Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea for a presentation. Issue The Wadsworth Improvement Project remains on schedule, with completion expected by spring of 2026 and active construction finishing by late 2025. Additional work was added, such as permanent improvements at the 38th Avenue intersection and extending the work to the original southern limits at 35th Avenue. This was announced in the fall of 2023 and will ensure long-term cost savings and benefits. Today, over 75% of the project is complete, including all northbound traffic lanes on concrete pavement. Completion of the concrete paving for the southbound lanes, may finish ahead of schedule. In addition, the following items are or are nearly complete: Underground private utilities (Xcel, Century Link, etc.) relocated All wet utilities (storm water, water, and sanitary sewer) • Eastbound and westbound dual turn lanes at 44th Avenue • Sidewalk (west side of street) and bike/ped trail (east side) The purpose of this item is to provide the City Council with a brief update on project status and remaining steps to reach completion. No action is requested. Maria D’Andrea, Public Works Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation and an update on the project. She stated the project is 75% complete. She spoke to the addition of Phase II which included lanes to 35th Avenue. She reported that all concrete pavement is generally complete; final completion is still Spring of 2026. She stated the majority of the pavement is done and there are only a few remnants left to be paved. In the Spring, artwork will be on top of the wall, medians will be completed, installation of permanent traffic signals will take place, irrigation and landscaping, and the municipal intersections will be complete. D’Andrea gave an update on the concrete contract and moving funds from one year to another to allow for paving.and completing construction. Council Comments Council Member Ohm asked if park staff would eventually take care of the plantings in the median. D’Andrea said yes. He also asked about the ability to have another crosswalk north of 44th Avenue. D’Andrea stated it was something she would talk to CDOT about, as it would be their responsibility. Council Member Ohm and Larson asked when the batch plant would be removed. D’Andrea stated it would be after the first of the year. However, the area may still be used to store a few materials until all the work is complete. Council Member Larson asked about any possible historical findings. D’Andrea stated that there was an old building that looked like it was imploded at some point, but there was nothing of historical value. She stated that they did have to bring out a geologist to review the old building to ensure there was nothing of historical value. She stated that did have to mitigate some asbestos found on the site. There were also old pipes and debris under Wadsworth which had to be mitigated. She spoke specifically to obtaining reimbursement from the Wheat Ridge Water and Sanitation District regarding some upgrades to their underground facilities. Council Member Hultin – asked about the sequencing of adding another pedestrian crossing regarding CDOT, as she stated people will try to cross at that location and it is very dangerous. D’Andrea stated there is an issue with space on the median and how to handle that issue. She stated once data is collected regarding pedestrian traffic, staff will take it to CDOT for their consideration. Council Member Hultin – recommended moving forward with requesting a Region One Traffic Engineer study the access and move forward with an evaluation for a crosswalk north of 44th Avenue. 6. Staff Report(s) None. 7. Elected Officials’ Report(s) None. 8. Adjournment With no further business to come before Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the Study Session at 9:20 p.m. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Senior Deputy City Clerk ______________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem