Finance Committee Agenda and Packet 2024 10 17

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City Council Finance Committee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2024 Page 2of8 Improvement Plan. The City Manager Recommended CIP Plan Summary and the project request forms were included in the packet. Committee Comments: Councilmember Hoefner suggested that the Via Appia pedestrian improvements might be a good place to start the discussion, noting that Via Appia has been identified as a primary corridor for the community. He requested an overview of what the proposed Via Appia improvements are and if we removed them from the budget what the impact is and when the city may be able to complete the project. The Director of Public Works responded that it was to supplement the paving program for the corridor. This concrete would add directional crosswalks and relocate crosswalks, so they are at more of the main intersections to create pedestrian refuges in the middle. It also included additional median work towards S. Boulder Road, bump outs to shorten crosswalks. We moved this project out and we can revisit it in two years because we can continue to observe the road, rescope the design to maybe bring the budget down, and resubmit the project with safety improvements in two years. Councilmember Hoefner asked if doing it in two years is more consistent with the notion of doing it as a pilot and evaluating when it's time to resurface the road. The Director of Public works responded that about a year ago we were planning on striping it in two years from then and we just re -striped it this year. It will depend on seasonal weather effects on how long it can be pushed out; currently two years is a good timeframe to plan for. Councilmember Kern commented that she hears from the community that improved safety is needed sooner rather than later. She asked if, instead of waiting for two years for bigger changes that are possibly going to occur on Via Appia, is it possible that those could be implemented sooner, and these funds would allow for that. She asked if these funds aren't allocated in 2025 for this project, where would we find the funds should we need to make enhancements in 2025. The Director of Public Works responded that if the funds were not allocated in 2025, general fund balance transfer or re -prioritization of other projects would need to be done. He noted that he would like to work through with City Council and the community to define what people are envisioning. We understand there is a desire for additional safety, and we feel there is a lot of safety out there, so we would want to have a good conversation to ensure we meet expectations. Councilmember Kern asked the Director of Public Works if his suggestion is to spend the next two years working on that and not putting anything towards making those improvements and not have the money set aside in case maybe in the next six months of reviewing it you can come up with some really good ideas. The Director of Public Works responded that he is open to either way, noting that he thinks we have a safe road, and he understands that people want it to be safer. What is currently scoped is maybe different from where we will end up and it's possible that the budget request may be different depending on what Council and the community are looking for. Councilmember Hoefner commented on $100K of design and engineering in 2025, asking if there is merit in keeping the design and engineering portion in 2025 and revisiting the construction budget next year after careful consideration. The Director of Public Works responded that there is merit in keeping that funding allocation for design and engineering. Councilmember Fahey commented that she has heard from a lot of residents who were initially opposed to the restriping of Via Appia and are now noticing that people are driving slower feel safer in their cars and on their bicycles. She asked if we could maintain what we have while ensuring two lanes in both directions for evacuations. The Director of Public Works responded that we would keep two lanes in both directions, adding that some of the budgeted improvements included bump outs but after discussions with 11/87