Carefree Truth
Issue #734, March 30, 2019
Mayor Les Peterson said that street maintenance is an extremely important component of what the Council does for the Town. Gary Neiss then presented street maintenance information for those Council members who were not in place when the last street maintenance project took place.
The topics presented were: Why we do pavement preventative maintenance, What the Town has done in the past, and What is being proposed now. Mr. Neiss began by going over the components of asphalt and how its longevity is affected by its environment.
Issue #734, March 30, 2019
Mayor Les Peterson said that street maintenance is an extremely important component of what the Council does for the Town. Gary Neiss then presented street maintenance information for those Council members who were not in place when the last street maintenance project took place.
The topics presented were: Why we do pavement preventative maintenance, What the Town has done in the past, and What is being proposed now. Mr. Neiss began by going over the components of asphalt and how its longevity is affected by its environment.
The Asphalt Institute of America created a universal program to evaluate the condition of asphalt. The highest rating is 100%. Carefree's streets average in the mid 80s, which means that Carefree has done a good job of maintaining the asphalt. There are a menu of options to extend asphalt life.
Micro-surfacing is the strongest and best surface to apply to cracked streets. It would cost over $35 million to apply new asphalt to all the streets in Carefree, and there is no guarantee that new asphalt would not start to crack again in a couple of years as a result of our desert environment.
Maintenance cycles in Carefree take place every 5-7 years. They are based on groupings of areas to create uniform applications and achieve economy of scale, the level of distress the streets are experiencing, and the funding level to support treatments. The last cycle ran between 2011-2015, and a variety of treatments were used, creating an appearance that was not uniform and attractive. This cycle will combine crack sealing with fiber micro-surfacing, which consists of a high strength, quick setting blend of polymer modified asphalt emulsion that works great on streets with patches, trenches, and cracks. The finished product is rougher when first applied, but smooths out over the next 6 months as the asphalt is pushed down. This process is being used in many of the larger communities. Carefree would be piggybacking on Scottsdale's and Goodyear's upcoming streets maintenance projects for staging economy of scale.
About 25% of the streets in Carefree were included in the proposed project for this fiscal year (FY). The street maintenance cycle will continue over the next 3-4 FYs.
The current proposed project will start in the Town Center and radiate out. The area just south of the Town Center is the subdivided area known as the original Carefree tract, with Tom Darlington Dr. on the west, Stagecoach Pass on the south, Mule Train Rd. on the east, Cave Creek Rd. on the north, and Bloody Basin Rd. on the northwest. To the north are the 2 original subdivisions south of the Resort. The stand alone streets of Mule Train, from Carefree Dr. to Stagecoach Pass, and Stagecoach Pass between Mule Train and Tom Darlington would be included. A thicker solution would be applied to these 2 minor collector streets due to their heavier traffic. The area with the condos and townhouses to the north of the Town Center would be included in the project this FY, as well as the Velvet Shadows and Carefree Rolling Hills subdivisions to the east, for a staging economy of scale and a uniform appearance.
Piggybacking with Scottdale's and Goodyear's streets maintenance projects ensures that a publicly procured contract is used with the lowest price, and that the high standards/specifications of the large communities are employed. Carefree will be working with the leading high quality company, VSS International, which specializes in Fiber Micro-Surface Treatments. VSS has been utilized by Scottsdale and Goodyear for a number of years. The total cost comes to $677,600, including the standard 10% contingency. This includes crack sealing, fiber micro-seal types II and III, traffic control barricading, striping and the surveying associated with stripping.
Should funding be approved, the bond and insurance requirements would be posted, the contract executed, and the notice to proceed issued. VSS would establish a construction schedule and residents would be notified via COINS and door hangers. Work was anticipated to begin in mid April and conclude within 6-8 weeks, dependent on favorable weather conditions. Street maintenance projects are typically scheduled in the spring, which tends to be drier and more temperate.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked how many miles of roads there are in Carefree. Mr. Neiss replied that the Town is responsible for approximately 112 lane miles. Mr. Hatcher asked if the Town planned to do maintenance on 25% of the roads the following year. Mr. Neiss said the Town is benchmarking 20-25% each year, depending on the budget and other potential conflicting projects.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio noted that he already knew the answer to this question, having talked to Mr. Neiss previously, but he wanted it on the public record. He asked how much Carefree would save by piggybacking onto Scottsdale's and Goodyear's streets projects. Mr. Neiss replied that Carefree would save $60,000-$80,000 between advantageous pricing and incurring no staging costs. That provision was put into the contract to entice other municipalities to participate. Mr. D'Aliesio commented, "I'd say you just earned your salary!"
Councilman Mike Krahe admired Mr. Neiss' presentation. He asked how the road PCI score is determined and by whom. Mr. Neiss explained that the Town staff evaluates the streets. They go to many seminars to learn about the latest products, to get educated on street distress and pavement, and how to package and bid out projects. Dr. Krahe said kudos to what Mr. Neiss and the staff do to keep the roads in fantastic condition. He thanked them. Mr. Neiss replied that it's quite a bit of work. He walked almost every street in Carefree during the summer 7 years ago. It's a very labor intensive process.
Mr. D'Aliesio noted that if the savings are the same each time, it should amount to a total of $300,000. Mr. Neiss replied yes if you do the quick math, but it would depend on the packaging of the project, so he couldn't say for sure. Vice Mayor John Crane pointed out that it is contingent on a contract to piggyback on, and there might not be such a contract out there in the future. Mr. Neiss commented that Carefree is lucky that Scottsdale is applying this product to all of their residential streets. Scottsdale is 185 square miles. This is a rolling project and he hoped they would continue with VSS. This is year 3 for Scottsdale and they love the product. Scottsdale has a whole department dedicated to measuring the chemistry of the product and evaluating it. It is a very high quality product.
Mayor Peterson noted that petroleum prices are currently low, and will probably not drop much further, so it behooves Carefree to move as quickly as possible. Petroleum is the largest component of this product. He thanked Mr. Neiss for all of his work and research.
The motion to fund the project and to proceed passed 5-0, with Council members Gene Orrico and Cheryl Kroyer absent.
https://vimeo.com/325998116
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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.
Maintenance cycles in Carefree take place every 5-7 years. They are based on groupings of areas to create uniform applications and achieve economy of scale, the level of distress the streets are experiencing, and the funding level to support treatments. The last cycle ran between 2011-2015, and a variety of treatments were used, creating an appearance that was not uniform and attractive. This cycle will combine crack sealing with fiber micro-surfacing, which consists of a high strength, quick setting blend of polymer modified asphalt emulsion that works great on streets with patches, trenches, and cracks. The finished product is rougher when first applied, but smooths out over the next 6 months as the asphalt is pushed down. This process is being used in many of the larger communities. Carefree would be piggybacking on Scottsdale's and Goodyear's upcoming streets maintenance projects for staging economy of scale.
About 25% of the streets in Carefree were included in the proposed project for this fiscal year (FY). The street maintenance cycle will continue over the next 3-4 FYs.
The current proposed project will start in the Town Center and radiate out. The area just south of the Town Center is the subdivided area known as the original Carefree tract, with Tom Darlington Dr. on the west, Stagecoach Pass on the south, Mule Train Rd. on the east, Cave Creek Rd. on the north, and Bloody Basin Rd. on the northwest. To the north are the 2 original subdivisions south of the Resort. The stand alone streets of Mule Train, from Carefree Dr. to Stagecoach Pass, and Stagecoach Pass between Mule Train and Tom Darlington would be included. A thicker solution would be applied to these 2 minor collector streets due to their heavier traffic. The area with the condos and townhouses to the north of the Town Center would be included in the project this FY, as well as the Velvet Shadows and Carefree Rolling Hills subdivisions to the east, for a staging economy of scale and a uniform appearance.
Piggybacking with Scottdale's and Goodyear's streets maintenance projects ensures that a publicly procured contract is used with the lowest price, and that the high standards/specifications of the large communities are employed. Carefree will be working with the leading high quality company, VSS International, which specializes in Fiber Micro-Surface Treatments. VSS has been utilized by Scottsdale and Goodyear for a number of years. The total cost comes to $677,600, including the standard 10% contingency. This includes crack sealing, fiber micro-seal types II and III, traffic control barricading, striping and the surveying associated with stripping.
Should funding be approved, the bond and insurance requirements would be posted, the contract executed, and the notice to proceed issued. VSS would establish a construction schedule and residents would be notified via COINS and door hangers. Work was anticipated to begin in mid April and conclude within 6-8 weeks, dependent on favorable weather conditions. Street maintenance projects are typically scheduled in the spring, which tends to be drier and more temperate.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked how many miles of roads there are in Carefree. Mr. Neiss replied that the Town is responsible for approximately 112 lane miles. Mr. Hatcher asked if the Town planned to do maintenance on 25% of the roads the following year. Mr. Neiss said the Town is benchmarking 20-25% each year, depending on the budget and other potential conflicting projects.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio noted that he already knew the answer to this question, having talked to Mr. Neiss previously, but he wanted it on the public record. He asked how much Carefree would save by piggybacking onto Scottsdale's and Goodyear's streets projects. Mr. Neiss replied that Carefree would save $60,000-$80,000 between advantageous pricing and incurring no staging costs. That provision was put into the contract to entice other municipalities to participate. Mr. D'Aliesio commented, "I'd say you just earned your salary!"
Councilman Mike Krahe admired Mr. Neiss' presentation. He asked how the road PCI score is determined and by whom. Mr. Neiss explained that the Town staff evaluates the streets. They go to many seminars to learn about the latest products, to get educated on street distress and pavement, and how to package and bid out projects. Dr. Krahe said kudos to what Mr. Neiss and the staff do to keep the roads in fantastic condition. He thanked them. Mr. Neiss replied that it's quite a bit of work. He walked almost every street in Carefree during the summer 7 years ago. It's a very labor intensive process.
Mr. D'Aliesio noted that if the savings are the same each time, it should amount to a total of $300,000. Mr. Neiss replied yes if you do the quick math, but it would depend on the packaging of the project, so he couldn't say for sure. Vice Mayor John Crane pointed out that it is contingent on a contract to piggyback on, and there might not be such a contract out there in the future. Mr. Neiss commented that Carefree is lucky that Scottsdale is applying this product to all of their residential streets. Scottsdale is 185 square miles. This is a rolling project and he hoped they would continue with VSS. This is year 3 for Scottsdale and they love the product. Scottsdale has a whole department dedicated to measuring the chemistry of the product and evaluating it. It is a very high quality product.
Mayor Peterson noted that petroleum prices are currently low, and will probably not drop much further, so it behooves Carefree to move as quickly as possible. Petroleum is the largest component of this product. He thanked Mr. Neiss for all of his work and research.
The motion to fund the project and to proceed passed 5-0, with Council members Gene Orrico and Cheryl Kroyer absent.
https://vimeo.com/325998116
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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.