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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20190318 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4:00 PM I. King Street Drainage Alternatives II. Castle Creek and Hallam Street Improvement CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 18, 2019 4:00 PM, City Council Chambers MEETING AGENDA King Street Drainage Alternatives Castle Creek and Hallam Street Improvement Project Close Out P1 Page 1 of 9 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and Council FROM : Michael Horvath, P.E., Civil Engineer II THROUGH: Trish Aragon, P.E., City Engineer April Long, P.E., Stormwater Manager DATE OF MEMO: March 1, 2019 RE: King St. Infrastructure Improvements – Follow up to Council Work Session Alternative Design Options for the Roadway SUMMARY: During the Critical Pedestrian Connection Work Session held on January 8th, staff reviewed the sidewalk connection proposed on King Street with Council. During this discussion, Council directed staff to assess alternative options for the drainage implementation that did not involve the use of curb and gutter. The following memo describes alternatives that could be applied to the King Street roadway that would effectively manage the stormwater flooding. BACKGROUND: Several years ago, staff began to receive concerns from residents of King Street regarding a drainage issue that flooded the entire width of the roadway during storm events. There is no stormwater conveyance system for this street and there is a low point located in the middle of the street. This flooding issue was highlighted during the development of the Smuggler Hunter Master Drainage Plan (completed in 2015) and infrastructure improvements on King Street were added to a list of capital improvement needs in that area. In the fall of 2017, King Street residents experienced more frequent flooding during snowmelt events that threatened flooding a nearby home and created unsafe driving and walking conditions. They notified staff that they would like improvements made to address this flooding. Staff attempted a quick and simple in-house solution that involved a shallow roadside gravel- filled trench. However, the attempt was not successful and in the winter of 2017-2018, the City’s Streets Department regularly responded to requests from adjacent property owners to remove ponding to prevent downstream flooding. Therefore, staff worked to design a more effective and permanent solution – King Street Infrastructure Improvements - as recommended in the Smuggler Hunter Drainage Master Plan. P2 I. Page 2 of 9 The design included two inlets located in the low spot, connected to the Neale Ave main storm line by 260 linear feet of 18-inch stormwater pipe. It included curb and gutter to convey drainage to the inlets and prevent downstream flooding, and a 4 ft sidewalk on the north side to provide public connectivity between Neale Avenue and Smuggler trailhead as recommended in the 2015 Bike and Pedestrian Masterplan. The design was based on public outreach that was performed throughout the design project. Conceptual plans were presented at an open house on April 5, 2018. All residents that live within 300 ft of King St were notified of the open house. Citizen feedback was split 50/50 on the addition of a sidewalk. It was communicated to citizens that curb and gutter was necessary to solve drainage issue with extensive tree removal. Numerous King St residents were met with or communicated with via email following the open house to discuss the design and how final design was settled on. The King Street Infrastructure Improvements contract with Aspen Digger was approved by Council on December 10, 2018. At that time, and due to concerns voiced by residents, Council indicated they would like more discussion on the proposed sidewalk. As requested, staff followed up on the sidewalk connection on King Street during the Critical Pedestrian Connections Council Work Session on January 8, 2019. Council discussed the scope of the King Street project with staff and residents in attendance. Council directed staff to suspend the project until alternatives, specifically ones with a more natural aesthetic, could be fully vetted. DISCUSSION: At Council request, staff has prepared four alternatives to the originally proposed design for King Street Infrastructure Improvements (one is a do-nothing alternative, which leaves the street in its existing condition). A cross section and narrative for each design option, including the original, is provided in Attachment A. Staff has included “advantages” and “disadvantages” as well. P3 I. Page 3 of 9 Only Option B has been fully designed. The other cross sections are conceptual and may have further impacts or not be feasible. To provide opportunity to review the design, the contract with Aspen Digger (approved in December 2018) was put on hold. Cancelling this project will result in a breach of the executed contract. RECOMMENDATION: Having reviewed and considered potential alternatives, staff continues to recommend Option B as the option most capable of alleviating the flooding issue and meeting the recommendations of the Smuggler Hunter Master Drainage Plan and the Bike and Ped Master Plan while meeting all other City requirements and standards. ATTACHMENT A – King Street Design Options ATTACHMENT B – King Street Public Engagement Log P4 I. Page 4 of 9 ATTACHMENT A OPTION A - EXISTING CONDITION: The existing asphalt pavement section on King St. varies considerably in width from 17 ft to 27 ft. The existing roadway section includes an 8 ft parking lane for the majority of the roadway and a travel lane that varies between 9 ft and 19 ft. The City of Aspen Engineering Design Standards require a travel lane of 11 ft. Parking is prohibited in the section where the roadway does not meet a minimum 11 ft of width. During the January 8th work session, citizens described vehicle speeds being high and staff concludes this could be due to a widened road. Citizens also described pedestrians travelling within the road, but view this as part of the character of the neighborhood. P5 I. Page 5 of 9 OPTION B - RECOMMENDED CROSS SECTION: The proposed design includes an 8 ft parking lane similar to existing conditions, 11 ft vehicle travel lane, curb and gutter, and 4 ft sidewalk on the north side of the drive. This cross section was included in the plans that are under contract with Aspen Digger. Advantages · Alleviates drainage issue utilizing curb & gutter as conveyance · Curb & gutter creates a solid raised barrier that significantly reduces risk to structures from flooding · The travel lane is narrowed to reduce vehicle speeds for traffic calming · The travel lane is consistent which creates user predictability · Sidewalk allows for safe pedestrian passage · Sidewalk allows for fire department required drive lane width · Protects underground utilities · Meets City of Aspen Engineering Design Standards · The sidewalk meets the intent of Pedestrian and 2015 Bicycle Masterplan for connectivity Disadvantages · Removes 7 trees for inlet installation & 3 for sidewalk · Modifies the historic character of the street · The neighborhood is split on the need for a sidewalk without a consensus. P6 I. Page 6 of 9 OPTION C - CROSS SECTION WITHOUT SIDEWALK: The proposed design includes an 8 ft parking lane, 11 ft vehicle travel lane, and curb and gutter. Advantages · Alleviates drainage issue utilizing curb & gutter as conveyance with stormwater capture · Curb & gutter creates a solid barrier that significantly reduces risk to structures from flooding · The travel lane is narrowed to reduce vehicle speeds for traffic calming · Protects underground utilities Disadvantages · The roadway width does not meet the current fire department agreement-Engineering would be required to obtain permission from the fire department to proceed with this design · Removes 7 trees for inlet installation · Curb & gutter can be viewed as an adjustment to the historic character of the roadway · Reduces the safety for pedestrians and increases the interaction between users P7 I. Page 7 of 9 OPTION D - SWALE CROSS SECTION WITH PARKING: The proposed design includes an 8 ft parking lane, 11 ft vehicle travel lane, and swales on both sides of the road. The southern swale is deeper to provide capacity to protect structures. Advantages · Reduces risk for drainage issue utilizing swales as conveyance · Swales reduce the risk to structures from flooding · The travel lane is narrowed to reduce vehicle speeds for traffic calming · Protects underground utilities · More natural aesthetic Disadvantages · The roadway width does not meet the current fire department agreement-Engineering would be required to obtain permission from the fire department to proceed with this design · Removes 7 trees for inlet installation · An estimated 20 additional trees for swales-This has not been fully vetted through the Parks Department and may not be permitted · Historical character of the neighborhood is modified with the substantial tree removal · Reduces the safety for pedestrians and increases the interaction between users · Prevents sidewalk extensions in the future · Requires further above ground utility relocation P8 I. Page 8 of 9 OPTION E - SWALE CROSS SECTION WITHOUT PARKING: The proposed design includes an 11 ft vehicle travel lane, and swales on both sides of the road. The southern swale is wide and deeper to provide capacity to protect structures. This section does not include on street parking. Advantages · Alleviates drainage issue utilizing swales as conveyance · Swales protect homes from flooding · The travel lane is narrowed to reduce vehicle speeds for traffic calming · Protects underground utilities · Meets City of Aspen Engineering Design Standards · More natural aesthetic Disadvantages · Removes on street parking · The roadway width does not meet the current fire department agreement-Engineering would be required to obtain permission from the fire department to proceed with this design · Removes 7 trees for inlet installation · An additional 3 trees for swales · Historical character of the neighborhood is modified with the substantial tree removal · Reduces the safety for pedestrians and increases the interaction between users · Prevents sidewalk extensions in the future P9 I. Page 9 of 9 OPTION F – PERVIOUS PAVERS AT ROADWAY LOW POINT: The proposed design includes an 8 ft parking lane similar to existing conditions, 11 ft vehicle travel lane and permeable pavers for a portion of the roadway. Advantages · Reduces the ponding that occurs at the low point of the roadway · Infiltrates minor storm events and creates positive water quality · Tree removal is not required · Reduces the impact on the character of the neighborhood Disadvantages · Difficult to implement · A higher degree of maintenance is required · Reduces the safety for pedestrians and increases the interaction between users · Snow removal is complicated and often damages streets that change material midblock · A degree of risk in flooding of structures during large storm events · High cost · Winter functionality of system is minimal · No conveyance of stormwater to infiltration area allowing stormwater to flow onto private property · The roadway width does not meet the current fire department agreement-Engineering would be required to obtain permission from the fire department to proceed with this design P10 I. Number Date Activity Audience Notes 1 8/24/2017 Email received from Bill Lipsey about flooding, Response: City to investigate Public Significant flooding, spots 6" deep, covers entire street 2 10/2/2917 Ponding on site (see photos). April met with property owners on site at their request. COA Steve Barwick received call from property owners on King St requesting assistance with the drainage problem. COA went on site to investigate 3 10/10/2017 City streets dept installs gravel along street to increase infiltration COA Stems from complaints received 4 10/16/2017 Email from neighborhood messures taken not successful Public Further investigation and staff time 5 10/20/2016 Staff responds to impacted homeowners Public Response includes that City will review frastructure improvements 6 10/23/2017 Homeowners respond, restating that temp fixed did not resolve issue and requesting a resolution 7 Winter 2017 Streets installed roadside gravel bed but it did not resolve the issue. Staff monitored over winter and still found ponding to be an issue. Engineering summary to City Manager stated the roadside gravel bed was not effective. Permanent infrastructure is required. 8 3/20/2018 239 letters about open house sent:Time, location, and topics for meeting listed in letter Neighborhood Neighborhood=anyone within 300' of King St. 9 3/23-30/2018 Email from Citizens stating received letter and want more information as project progresses Public Noted by City staff 10 4/5/2018 Open House to discuss improvements, improvemtns noted: pedestrian, traffic, and drainage 6 attendees Addentees split on sidewalk 50/50, understand curb andgutter is necessary for drainage, conceptual plans shown 11 4/9/2018 Sent conceptual options to Judith Kolberg, Stone Davis via email Public No responses neagtive or positive 12 4/11/2018 Meet w/ Jackie Kasabach one on one Public Disucssed design and concerns, main concern was flooding be handles through project 13 5/8/2018 Present plan to fire dept Fire Department Need mountable curb on northside and sidewalk to hold outrigger 14 6/27/2018 Potholing notice delivered by hand to King St residents, notice mentions project this spring Public Potholing required for stormwater system design 15 7/18/2018 Email chain with King St residents concerning projects, and design options Public Sidewalk decision was going to be left to Council 16 7/21/2018 Bid docs sent to Bill Lipsey Public Plan set sent 17 8/3/2018 Met one on one with Bill Lipsey Public Discussed design and other options, explained how this design was least impactful to trees and parking King Street Public Engagement Page 1 P11 I. Number Date Activity Audience Notes 18 8/22/2018 Continued emailed updates about bid process to neighborhood Public Discussed pricing and next steps 19 late August Op Ed by Trish included King Street in list of fall projects Public Article in paper 20 8/29/2018 Mayor met with several concerned homeowners Council 21 9/5/2018 Mayor emailed several concerned citizens Council Mayor received response on 9/7 22 9/12/2018 Email sent to enighborhood stating project delayed until spring 2019 Public Understood public and schedule concerns with project delayed 23 9/18/2018 PABST (Ped and Bike Safety team) discussed other design options for King St pedestrians Public Other options not as safe, suggestion: sidewalk 24 10/3/2018 Continued emails with neighborhood about design options and best way to move forward Public Sidewalk decision was going to be left to Council 25 12/3/2018 Emailed nieghborhood about council meeting on dec 10th for contractor contract, also noting critical ped connection walkway on Jan 8th Public Noted sidewalk to be decided on Jan 10th, this was just construction contract 26 12/10/2018 Consent item for contract for construction Public & Council Approved by council 27 1/8/2018 Critical Pedestrian Connection Work Session Public & Council Council requested cross sections for the design of drainage that included more natural features that does not impact the asthetic character of the street. 28 1/8/2019 Sent plans to Heidi Hoffmann b/c she could not attend work session Public 29 3/1/2019 Sent Design Options to Mayor & Council Council Memo provides advantages and disadvantages of each design option 30 3/6/2019 Sent Design Options to King St citizens Public 31 3/13/2019 Met with citizens on site to discuss options Public Further explained design options to citizens out on King St & encourages citizens to attend work session 32 3/18/2019 Email exchanged with citizens Public Emails noted proposed design & encouraged citizens to attend work session 33 3/18/2019 Council Worksession Public & Council Discuss design options Page 2 P12 I. MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Peter Rice, PE, Senior Project Manager, Engineering Dept Mike Tunte, Planning, Design and Construction Manager, Parks Hailey Guglielmo, EIT, Development Engineer, Engineering Dept THRU: Trish Aragon P.E., City Engineer Austin Weiss, Director, Parks & Open Space Department John Krueger, Director of Transportation DATE OF MEMO: March 15, 2019 MEETING DATE: March 18, 2019 RE: Hallam Street and Castle Creek Bridge Improvements Project Update SUMMARY: City staff seeks to provide an update to Council regarding the construction of the pedestrian and bicycle improvements for the Castle Creek/Hallam Street Connectivity project. The goals for the work session include the following: · Project Update · Project Schedule BACKGROUND HISTORY: As early as 2013, The City of Aspen Open Space and Trails Board along with Engineering, Parks, and Transportation staff identified the Castle Creek Bridge and Hallam Street corridor as a deficient link in Aspen’s bicycle and pedestrian network. Due to topographic, property, and geometric constraints safe and efficient travel options for cyclists and pedestrians are limited through this area. The project design has been a collaboration with many stakeholders including the departments in the City of Aspen including Transportation, Streets, Engineering, Parks and Utilities. Colorado Department of Transportation and the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority have been critical stakeholders through the design of this project. P13 II. 2 In the spring of 2014, the City contracted with Loris & Associates to develop a conceptual plan that would improve the corridors overall function and safety. The conceptual planning process included multiple public meetings to solicit input on alternative designs for the project. Staff directed Loris & Associates to proceed with construction drawings following the January 22nd, 2016 council meeting. The projects key components included an eight-foot concrete trail from Bugsy Barnard Park across the north side of Castle Creek bridge to 7th street and Hallam, new BRT bus shelters both in and outbound, guard rail between vehicles and pedestrians on the bridge, new intersection design and crosswalk locations to improve pedestrian safety, new landscaping bike parking and paint for the bridge. In the October 27th, 2015 work session, Council directed staff to continue planning for the Living Lab Experiment due to public and stakeholder concerns that narrowing the roadway lanes on the bridge would have a negative impact on traffic and congestion. During the summer of 2016, staff implemented the experiment which did mimic the proposed design to assess real conditions. The experiment determined that there are no substantial impacts to traffic flow and traffic patterns created by the proposed design. January 22, 2018, Resolution #2, Series of 2018, consent for the construction of the project was awarded. Construction started on April 1st, 2018 by Gould Construction. On June 12th, the project began the period of construction that could not impact the flow of vehicular traffic on Hallam Street and Castle Creek Bridge based on feedback from the community. The project started up again on September 5th, 2018 and finished a few weeks into November. DISCUSSION: Project Update: The project is substantially complete. The scope of the project included storm system replacement along the corridor, ditch pipe replacement at 8th Street, electrical conduit upgrades with new connections and rack, concrete roadway placement at the corners for the “s” curve, the upgraded bus shelters are constructed, the crosswalk has been relocated and new asphalt pavement is placed on Hallam Street. The bus shelters and snow melt on the plaza have provided a substantial improvement for bus users during this heavier winter period. The most exciting component completed is the new trail that extends from the west side of Castle Creek Bridge to 7th Street along Hallam Street. People can safely cross Castle Creek Bridge and continue along a wider trail. This trail adds safety in crossing 7th and 8th Streets with improved interactions between users at the bus shelter after relocating the trail behind the bus structure. P14 II. 3 Staff and Gould considered the traffic impact during peak periods and revised the schedule to meet the needs of the community after listening to their concerns. Although this schedule presented several challenges, the project finished on time and within budget. Remaining items are typically warranty repair items or plantings that need to occur during the spring periods. The items listed below will be completed during the period from April to May of 2019: · Real time sign for the bus stop will be installed on the outbound station. This sign will mimic BRT stops with information on the time, temp, bus and the time for arrival. Due to the long lead time and coordination with RFTA on the sign, the placement will be done in early April. · Landscaping finishes will be completed. This includes flowering plants and grasses that will be planted along the corridor. All major landscape items including trees and irrigation were placed during the fall. Items not completed during the fall need the spring and summer seasons to grow and establish roots. · Repair of the ADA ramp on the inbound bus stop. The repair will include a stronger edge that will protect the snowmelt electrical system. · Replacement of the USFS sign that was damaged during a snow storm. Mitigation measures may be placed in the landscape to protect the sign in the future. · Review of the asphalt and concrete roadway that was placed by the contractor to assure it’s meeting specifications and the warranty. · Striping will occur on Hallam Street, 7th Street and Castle Creek Bridge. The replacement of striping is typical during every spring period after the snow removal process, but the work will be done in conjunction with the work on the bridge to utilize the traffic control. This will reduce the impact on traffic. Castle Creek Bridge Repair: The most impactful item remaining for the spring work is the repair of the pothole on the outbound lane of Castle Creek Bridge. The bridge deck is flat with three existing drains on each side. Typical design of bridges includes an adequate slope to drain water, but this wasn’t typical for a bridge constructed back in 1962. Slopes on the asphalt can not increase due to the additional weight created when adding thicker lifts of asphalt. A low point developed when placing the asphalt this past fall due to the length between the existing drain and the west joint of the bridge. Historically water would drain through this joint creating several issues and yearly repairs. Staff determined an additional drain will alleviate the water in the problem area on the outbound lane and alleviate the additional drainage that has been directed to the west joint historically. The replacement of asphalt and placement of this drain is anticipated to begin in early May once temperatures meet CDOT requirements. This will require the Power Plant Road traffic detour that was in place for the project in 2018 for approximately three days this spring. P15 II. 4 Inbound traffic would utilize Castle Creek Bridge and outbound traffic would be routed through the west end via 6th Street and Power Plant Road. Project Schedule: The project will begin work once the ground is thawed and temperature warms. It is anticipated the work could begin in late April. There will be advertisements and outreach prior the beginning work on the pothole with details on the time frames and the detours required. Staff will continue to the monitor the corridor throughout the year. Staff will update Council with bus stop usage, speed data for vehicles and place counters for bicycles in three locations. One bicycle counter will be placed on Hallam Street between 6th and 7th Street and the other two counters will be placed on Castle Creek Bridge and the Marolt underpass. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: P16 II.