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Home My WebLink About07-13-26 Special Study Session Agenda PacketSPECIAL STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Monday, July 13, 2026 Meeting will start at the conclusion of the Regular City Council Meeting which starts at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at: 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers. City Council members and City staff members will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting. The public may participate in these ways: 1. Attend the meeting in person at City Hall. Use the appropriate roster to sign up to speak upon arrival. 2. Provide comment in advance at www.wheatridgespeaks.org (comment by noon on July 13, 2026) 3. Virtually attend and participate in the meeting through a device or phone: Click here to pre-register and provide public comment by Zoom (You must preregister before 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2026) 4. View the meeting live or later at www.wheatridgespeaks.org, Channel 8, or YouTube Live at https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/view Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. The City will upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services leading to effective communication for people with disabilities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments. To request auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or document in a different format, please use this form or contact ADA Coordinator, (Kelly McLaughlin at ada@ci.wheatridge.co.us or 303-235-2885) as soon as possible, preferably 7 days before the activity or event. Public Comment on Agenda Items 1. 38th Avenue West Project Update Item No. 1 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager FROM: Kent Kisselman, Public Works Director DATE: July 13, 2026 SUBJECT: 38th Avenue West Project Update ISSUE: The City continues to advance the design of the 38th Avenue West project between Youngfield Street and Kipling Street. The project is intended to improve safety, accessibility, multimodal connectivity, stormwater drainage, and overall corridor function while accommodating existing and future transportation needs. As design progresses toward the 60% milestone, a significant component of the project is the undergrounding of Xcel Energy's existing overhead electrical facilities. Staff are providing City Council with an update on overall project design, schedule, and estimated costs, along with information regarding utility undergrounding requirements, funding implications, and coordination necessary to maintain the planned construction schedule. PRIOR ACTION: On December 6, 2021, staff met with Council to discuss moving this priority project forward. Consensus was received from Council to prepare a scope of work to conduct a planning effort to modernize 38th Avenue West into a complete street that serves automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians. On June 6, 2022, the scope of work for the 38th Avenue West Study was discussed with Council at study session. Consensus was received to proceed with selecting and hiring a consultant to conduct a planning effort to combine public input with technical analysis to develop recommended alternatives. On March 13, 2023, City Council awarded Ayres Associates, Inc. a professional services contract to complete the 38th Avenue West planning and design effort. Study Session Memo – 38th Avenue West Project Update July 13, 2026 Page 2 On February 10, 2025, City Council awarded Ayres Associates, Inc. a professional services contract to complete the 38th Avenue West construction documents. On April 27, 2026, City Council approved a contract amendment to the Ayres Associates, Inc contract to account for changes and additions to the scope of work identified during the design process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Professional design, engineering, and construction document services are estimated at approximately $1.7 million. Right-of-way acquisition and roadway construction are currently budgeted in the 2J Bond Fund at approximately $20.5 million, with the current 60% design construction estimate totaling $21.64 million. Xcel Energy has provided an estimated cost of $9.8 million to underground existing overhead electrical facilities along the corridor. Approximately $3 million is currently available within the City's 1% fund for utility undergrounding. The remaining balance would require additional City funding through available capital funding sources. BACKGROUND: The 38th Avenue West project encompasses approximately 1.75 miles between Youngfield Street and Kipling Street. Planned improvements include: • Sidewalk construction and ADA accessibility improvements • Bicycle accommodations • Roadway reconstruction and intersection improvements • Stormwater drainage infrastructure • Lighting improvements • Streetscape enhancements Following completion of the 30% design in July 2025, City staff and Ayres Associates identified several improvements that would strengthen the overall project. Amendment No. 1 added side street bump-outs, revised storm sewer outfall design, expanded lighting coverage, utility test holing, and additional survey work. To offset these additions, other project elements—including portions of pavement reconstruction, landscaping, and bioswales in constrained areas—were reduced. Study Session Memo – 38th Avenue West Project Update July 13, 2026 Page 3 After a brief pause in early 2026 to evaluate project costs, coordinate utility relocation with Xcel Energy, and complete the amended scope of work, design activities resumed. The project remains on schedule with: • 60% design – Late July/Early August 2026 • 90% design – November 2026 • Final plans – February 2027 • Construction anticipated – Summer 2027 A critical component of the project is relocating existing overhead electrical distribution facilities underground. Existing utility infrastructure conflicts with several proposed roadway, drainage, sidewalk, and multimodal improvements. Completing utility undergrounding prior to roadway construction is necessary to avoid delays, minimize conflicts during construction, and support the long-term functionality and appearance of the corridor. City staff have initiated coordination with Xcel Energy regarding project scope, scheduling, design requirements, and implementation responsibilities. DISCUSSION: Ayres Associates will present the current 60% design concept and provide an overview of the corridor improvements, project schedule, and updated construction estimate. Staff will also discuss the proposed Xcel Energy undergrounding effort, including: • Utility relocation requirements • Estimated project costs • Funding considerations • Construction sequencing • Coordination with final roadway design Key discussion topics for Council include: • Confirmation that the City will fund utility undergrounding as part of the corridor improvements. • Potential use of the City's 1% fund toward the undergrounding costs. • Identification of additional capital funding necessary to complete the utility work. • Coordination of utility relocation to maintain the planned Summer 2027 construction schedule. • Overall impacts of utility undergrounding on project budget and delivery. NEXT STEPS Staff request Council feedback regarding: Study Session Memo – 38th Avenue West Project Update July 13, 2026 Page 4 1. Acceptance of the utility undergrounding cost as part of the overall 38th Avenue West End Improvements project. 2. Direction regarding use of the City's 1% fund and other funding sources to complete the undergrounding work. 3. Confirmation to continue final design and coordination with Xcel Energy toward construction in Summer 2027. ATTACHMENTS: 1. 38th West Concept Plan Presentation 2. Cost Estimate 38th West Corridor Updates JULY 2026 Current Status Finalizing major design elements Intersection layouts Centerline & flowline profiles Cross slopes Sidewalks, ramps, and driveways Finalizing project footprint Refining/finalize ROW impacts Refining utility conflicts Refining lighting layout Identifying construction phases Identify special details/needs Refining cost estimate Increasing accuracy of individual pay items Decreasing percent and contingency items 60% Design 38th West Anticipated Schedule 38th West 60% Plans Submittal Preliminary ROW Plans Const. Specifications 90% Plans & Specs Final ROW Plans Final Const. Plans & Specs ROW Negotiations Anticipated Advertisement Anticipated Construction Late July Late July Late August Early November Late November Late January December – April 2027** May 2027 June 2027 – October 2028 60% Construction Cost Estimate 38th West