"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 #936, July 26, 2021
Issue #936, July 26, 2021
Mayor Les Peterson introduced Mark Milstone, the new Town Engineer, and said Mr. Milstone is doing an outstanding job. The Mayor asked Mr. Milstone to present the final amendment to the contract with Rick Engineering for design services for the pedestrian crosswalks improvement project. Mr. Milstone thanked the Mayor and said he is excited to be part of this wonderful town and is looking forward to meeting each of the residents in the future.
Mr. Milstone had Dale Miller, the consultant from Rick Engineering, with him to discuss the field reconnaissance done with the Council members last March, and the amendment which moves the current 60% design plans ahead to 100% plans of the specifications and the estimate. The Town will be rolling the crosswalks project into the Cave Creek Road pavement maintenance project.
Mr. Miller explained that the crosswalks on Tom Darlington Drive are the "meat and potatoes" of the project. Traffic on Tom Darlington is already funneled into one lane in a couple of areas. This takes the concept from north of Wampum Way to just short of Cave Creek Road and does the same in reverse. This would be implemented through pavement markings to direct traffic through the 2 block stretch of single lane road. Medians and curb bulb-outs to direct traffic safely through intersections would be the hardscape improvements to help keep traffic in the correct lane.
The most important feature is the upgrade of the pedestrian traffic signal at Ho Road and the installation of a signal with a raised platform crosswalk to slow traffic. The same raised platform concept would be used at the north side of Wampum Way, with a new red pedestrian activated signal there. Temporary pedestrian traffic signals would be placed on Cave Creek Road at Carefree Drive and at Hum Road at the existing crosswalks. These signals can be moved and reused, depending on future plans for Cave Creek Road.
Along with the other points that had already been presented, these improvements would include solar powered signals and low level signal activated lighting with flashing lights at pedestrian eye level so they can be assured that the red light is on, the crosswalks would be ADA/PROWAG compliant, bike lanes would be maintained and enhanced, traffic circle sizes would be increased using reflective delineaters, curbed medians for pedestrian refuge would be installed, curbs would be painted yellow, reflective pavement markers would be added, there would be brick pavers in the medians, there would be new pavement markings and stop bars for signals,
the landscaping would be restored, and the streets would be microsealed through the project. A future sidewalk connection is planned at the southeast corner of Hum Road.
Next Steps:
1. Contract Amendment #1 to add the final design plans and specifications
2. Final documents within 2-3 months
3. Project ready for bid in September
4. Commence construction in November
5. Completion in February, 2022
Construction could be delayed until after the holidays, beginning in January instead of November if the Town should wish to do so.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher noted that compliance with the flashing red light at the signaled crosswalk tends to be low. He asked about the possibility of installing traffic cameras to issue tickets. Mr. Miller replied that he believed, but was not certain, that the companies that install the cameras do so at no cost to the communities because they get revenue from those systems. He would investigate it further if the Council so wished. However, he thought that once the improvements were implemented, compliance would be significantly higher. He suggested the Town adopt a "wait and see" attitude. Mr. Hatcher agreed that "wait and see" would be the smart move.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that Cave Creek had gotten some grant money for their crosswalks and asked if there was any chance of Carefree getting some grant money from the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Gary Neiss explained that the Town had been in contact with MAG and has representation on their pedestrian committee. They made an application for the project, but one criteria is fatalities. There are a number of projects in the metropolitan area with higher risk factors than Carefree's, and Carefree didn't meet the funding criteria. Cave Creek had received some design funds but it was a nominal amount. Design funds can't be applied for after the fact, and Carefree had already paid for that. Carefree had applied for construction funds. It was rated but did not qualify. Councilman Vince D'Aliesio said he was grateful that Carefree did not qualify for funds based on fatalities. There was general agreement with that sentiment.
The Vice Mayor asked if the consultant would come back to the Town for final input prior to the plans being at 100%. Mr. Milstone replied that they would present the plans at 95% completion for last minute minor input and/or corrections. If there were none, they would take them to 100% quickly. Vice Mayor Crane felt that it was important for those who would be using the crosswalks to have an opportunity to provide final input at a public meeting. He was glad to be moving ahead for the sake of safety, so that people would be able to walk into the downtown district to visit Carefree's restaurants and retailers. The Town can also see how well this works and if there are other places where similar measures are needed.
Mr. Milstone agreed that the public should be on board and
about the importance of keeping them safe. In his 38 years of experience, public safety has always been his #1 priority.
Mr. Hatcher asked if the intersection by the Shell gas station was part of this project. Mr. Miller explained that the project ended just before the Shell station, so there would be no changes there. Mr. Hatcher hoped that it would be integrated into a future project, because it is a problem site as well.
Mr. Neiss explained that it would be integrated into the Redevelopment Plan for the Town Center. Many factors, including additional crosswalks, would be considered, but they must make the existing crosswalks safe now. They can't just paint lines and call it a day. There would be a comprehensive study of circulation, signage, and parking in the Town Center, and more crosswalks could be part of that. There would be a second phase of this overall project.
Councilman Tony Geiger reiterated that this had been delayed for a year, and this is Phase 1. Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said they need to make sure that those across Cave Creek Road know that will be part of Phase 2, but she believed that Rick Engineering had good solutions to make them safer in the near term.
The motion to approve the amended contract with Rick Engineering was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/573422713
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.
Mr. Milstone had Dale Miller, the consultant from Rick Engineering, with him to discuss the field reconnaissance done with the Council members last March, and the amendment which moves the current 60% design plans ahead to 100% plans of the specifications and the estimate. The Town will be rolling the crosswalks project into the Cave Creek Road pavement maintenance project.
Mr. Miller explained that the crosswalks on Tom Darlington Drive are the "meat and potatoes" of the project. Traffic on Tom Darlington is already funneled into one lane in a couple of areas. This takes the concept from north of Wampum Way to just short of Cave Creek Road and does the same in reverse. This would be implemented through pavement markings to direct traffic through the 2 block stretch of single lane road. Medians and curb bulb-outs to direct traffic safely through intersections would be the hardscape improvements to help keep traffic in the correct lane.
The most important feature is the upgrade of the pedestrian traffic signal at Ho Road and the installation of a signal with a raised platform crosswalk to slow traffic. The same raised platform concept would be used at the north side of Wampum Way, with a new red pedestrian activated signal there. Temporary pedestrian traffic signals would be placed on Cave Creek Road at Carefree Drive and at Hum Road at the existing crosswalks. These signals can be moved and reused, depending on future plans for Cave Creek Road.
Along with the other points that had already been presented, these improvements would include solar powered signals and low level signal activated lighting with flashing lights at pedestrian eye level so they can be assured that the red light is on, the crosswalks would be ADA/PROWAG compliant, bike lanes would be maintained and enhanced, traffic circle sizes would be increased using reflective delineaters, curbed medians for pedestrian refuge would be installed, curbs would be painted yellow, reflective pavement markers would be added, there would be brick pavers in the medians, there would be new pavement markings and stop bars for signals,
the landscaping would be restored, and the streets would be microsealed through the project. A future sidewalk connection is planned at the southeast corner of Hum Road.
Next Steps:
1. Contract Amendment #1 to add the final design plans and specifications
2. Final documents within 2-3 months
3. Project ready for bid in September
4. Commence construction in November
5. Completion in February, 2022
Construction could be delayed until after the holidays, beginning in January instead of November if the Town should wish to do so.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher noted that compliance with the flashing red light at the signaled crosswalk tends to be low. He asked about the possibility of installing traffic cameras to issue tickets. Mr. Miller replied that he believed, but was not certain, that the companies that install the cameras do so at no cost to the communities because they get revenue from those systems. He would investigate it further if the Council so wished. However, he thought that once the improvements were implemented, compliance would be significantly higher. He suggested the Town adopt a "wait and see" attitude. Mr. Hatcher agreed that "wait and see" would be the smart move.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that Cave Creek had gotten some grant money for their crosswalks and asked if there was any chance of Carefree getting some grant money from the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Gary Neiss explained that the Town had been in contact with MAG and has representation on their pedestrian committee. They made an application for the project, but one criteria is fatalities. There are a number of projects in the metropolitan area with higher risk factors than Carefree's, and Carefree didn't meet the funding criteria. Cave Creek had received some design funds but it was a nominal amount. Design funds can't be applied for after the fact, and Carefree had already paid for that. Carefree had applied for construction funds. It was rated but did not qualify. Councilman Vince D'Aliesio said he was grateful that Carefree did not qualify for funds based on fatalities. There was general agreement with that sentiment.
The Vice Mayor asked if the consultant would come back to the Town for final input prior to the plans being at 100%. Mr. Milstone replied that they would present the plans at 95% completion for last minute minor input and/or corrections. If there were none, they would take them to 100% quickly. Vice Mayor Crane felt that it was important for those who would be using the crosswalks to have an opportunity to provide final input at a public meeting. He was glad to be moving ahead for the sake of safety, so that people would be able to walk into the downtown district to visit Carefree's restaurants and retailers. The Town can also see how well this works and if there are other places where similar measures are needed.
Mr. Milstone agreed that the public should be on board and
about the importance of keeping them safe. In his 38 years of experience, public safety has always been his #1 priority.
Mr. Hatcher asked if the intersection by the Shell gas station was part of this project. Mr. Miller explained that the project ended just before the Shell station, so there would be no changes there. Mr. Hatcher hoped that it would be integrated into a future project, because it is a problem site as well.
Mr. Neiss explained that it would be integrated into the Redevelopment Plan for the Town Center. Many factors, including additional crosswalks, would be considered, but they must make the existing crosswalks safe now. They can't just paint lines and call it a day. There would be a comprehensive study of circulation, signage, and parking in the Town Center, and more crosswalks could be part of that. There would be a second phase of this overall project.
Councilman Tony Geiger reiterated that this had been delayed for a year, and this is Phase 1. Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said they need to make sure that those across Cave Creek Road know that will be part of Phase 2, but she believed that Rick Engineering had good solutions to make them safer in the near term.
The motion to approve the amended contract with Rick Engineering was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/573422713
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.