"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #1022, May 16, 2022
Issue #1022, May 16, 2022
Mark Milstone explained that the old 10 year road maintenance plan expires at the end of June. This new document analyzes the existing road conditions throughout the town and the most cost effective way to maintain them. Carefree partnered with an infrastructure software corporation called Roadbotics that mounts a Smartphone on a vehicle and drives throughout the town taking a picture every 10 feet. They then use AI to prioritize the roadway improvements. It is cutting edge technology.
This multi year plan offers a systematic approach to maintenance that provides long term financial savings, protects the overall pavement condition, extends pavement life, and improves the roadway safety.
Mayor Les Peterson asked Mr. Milstone to explain how the cost escalates with the postponing of routine maintenance. He replied that a dollar not spent now could become $6 to $10 later. It's not good procedure to spend a lot of money on the worst roads because the middle roads and higher grade roads fall apart just as quickly as the poorer performing roads. It's important to spend your money wisely.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked what percentage of Carefree's roads fell into the different categories according to conditions. Mr. Milstone noted that 10 years ago, the roads were rated at about 72-75% on a scale from 1 to 100. Now, 10 years later, they are rated at about 65%. It is getting more expensive to maintain the roads, so it's important to spend the money correctly.
Councilman Mike Johnson asked what it costs to repave per square foot. Mr. Milstone replied that the most expensive is a mill and overlay, which was done on part of Cave Creek Road. It costs about $84 per square foot. If all roadways in Carefree had to be redone from scratch, it would cost about $23 million. It's one of the Town's most expensive and necessary resources. People need to get to work. They need to get to healthcare. They need to buy groceries. We need our road system.
Vice Mayor John Crane asked if this high tech plan meshes up with where the previous 10 year plan says we ought to be. Mr. Milstone said it didn't. The costs have risen and the Town has limited funds. But with the new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the funding, he expects to bring it back to, if not surpass, that forecast. The Vice Mayor pointed out that some of the planned maintenance was postponed due to Covid. Mr. Milstone added that some was postponed because the Town was conducting water pipe improvements as well. The preventative maintenance will be done on those roads after the pipes are installed.
Vice Mayor Crane noticed that some streets on the west side were slated for 2027 or 2028, which doesn't mesh with the CIP that was recently approved. Mr. Milstone explained that the CIP is a 5 year plan, and the Pavement Preservation Plan (PPP) is a 10 year plan. If everything was done as a mill and overlay, the Town would not be able to do everything that needs to be done, so it was stepped down to be a chip seal with a micro-seal on top of it, which provides about 80% of the lifetime of a mill and overlay, but it costs about 60% less.
Vice Mayor Crane asked if a citizen queried him when a particular street would be maintained, should he fall back on the CIP or on the PPP. Mr. Milstone recommended falling back on the PPP. The 1st year of the CIP is "written in stone" but the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years will be revised as the Town moves down the line. Carefree didn't have this document when the CIP was completed, and the road maintenance costs will be rising.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher noted that those who live in Cow Track Estates are "the winner of potholes", and he asked what's going on there. Mr. Milstone replied that not much has been done in that area for many years, and it shows. That is now the highest priority, and where the CIP dollars are going in this next fiscal year (FY). That's what happens when roads are not maintained for 10 years. Sentinel Rock will be done the following year.
Mayor Peterson noted that the population density is very low at Cow Track, and the tendency is to spend money where there is a greater population density and the roads are used more. Population is a part of it, but there are also culverts and bridges and wash-outs which have to be added on to the maintenance costs, and those are big dollar expenditures.
Mr. Hatcher brought up the grant the Town will be receiving for a big drainage project, which Mr. Milstone said he is very happy to be getting. Carefree will be getting nearly a half a million dollars to fix one of the biggest drainage concerns that goes back as far as aerials go on the County website, since at least the 1960s. It's badly needed. There was some incredible flooding in that area last August. The grant can't be used until the FY starting July 1st, but at that point, Mr. Milstone will tell the consultant to begin the design. It may take 6-9 months before a design is ready to go out to bid to make repairs.
The motion to approve the 10 year PPP passed unanimously.
https://vimeo.com/706737736
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
This multi year plan offers a systematic approach to maintenance that provides long term financial savings, protects the overall pavement condition, extends pavement life, and improves the roadway safety.
Mayor Les Peterson asked Mr. Milstone to explain how the cost escalates with the postponing of routine maintenance. He replied that a dollar not spent now could become $6 to $10 later. It's not good procedure to spend a lot of money on the worst roads because the middle roads and higher grade roads fall apart just as quickly as the poorer performing roads. It's important to spend your money wisely.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked what percentage of Carefree's roads fell into the different categories according to conditions. Mr. Milstone noted that 10 years ago, the roads were rated at about 72-75% on a scale from 1 to 100. Now, 10 years later, they are rated at about 65%. It is getting more expensive to maintain the roads, so it's important to spend the money correctly.
Councilman Mike Johnson asked what it costs to repave per square foot. Mr. Milstone replied that the most expensive is a mill and overlay, which was done on part of Cave Creek Road. It costs about $84 per square foot. If all roadways in Carefree had to be redone from scratch, it would cost about $23 million. It's one of the Town's most expensive and necessary resources. People need to get to work. They need to get to healthcare. They need to buy groceries. We need our road system.
Vice Mayor John Crane asked if this high tech plan meshes up with where the previous 10 year plan says we ought to be. Mr. Milstone said it didn't. The costs have risen and the Town has limited funds. But with the new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the funding, he expects to bring it back to, if not surpass, that forecast. The Vice Mayor pointed out that some of the planned maintenance was postponed due to Covid. Mr. Milstone added that some was postponed because the Town was conducting water pipe improvements as well. The preventative maintenance will be done on those roads after the pipes are installed.
Vice Mayor Crane noticed that some streets on the west side were slated for 2027 or 2028, which doesn't mesh with the CIP that was recently approved. Mr. Milstone explained that the CIP is a 5 year plan, and the Pavement Preservation Plan (PPP) is a 10 year plan. If everything was done as a mill and overlay, the Town would not be able to do everything that needs to be done, so it was stepped down to be a chip seal with a micro-seal on top of it, which provides about 80% of the lifetime of a mill and overlay, but it costs about 60% less.
Vice Mayor Crane asked if a citizen queried him when a particular street would be maintained, should he fall back on the CIP or on the PPP. Mr. Milstone recommended falling back on the PPP. The 1st year of the CIP is "written in stone" but the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years will be revised as the Town moves down the line. Carefree didn't have this document when the CIP was completed, and the road maintenance costs will be rising.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher noted that those who live in Cow Track Estates are "the winner of potholes", and he asked what's going on there. Mr. Milstone replied that not much has been done in that area for many years, and it shows. That is now the highest priority, and where the CIP dollars are going in this next fiscal year (FY). That's what happens when roads are not maintained for 10 years. Sentinel Rock will be done the following year.
Mayor Peterson noted that the population density is very low at Cow Track, and the tendency is to spend money where there is a greater population density and the roads are used more. Population is a part of it, but there are also culverts and bridges and wash-outs which have to be added on to the maintenance costs, and those are big dollar expenditures.
Mr. Hatcher brought up the grant the Town will be receiving for a big drainage project, which Mr. Milstone said he is very happy to be getting. Carefree will be getting nearly a half a million dollars to fix one of the biggest drainage concerns that goes back as far as aerials go on the County website, since at least the 1960s. It's badly needed. There was some incredible flooding in that area last August. The grant can't be used until the FY starting July 1st, but at that point, Mr. Milstone will tell the consultant to begin the design. It may take 6-9 months before a design is ready to go out to bid to make repairs.
The motion to approve the 10 year PPP passed unanimously.
https://vimeo.com/706737736
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.