AGENDA #4g
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorization of Contract and other Costs for Process to Develop Measures for Improving Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road
DATE: May 22, 2006
PURPOSE
This is a follow-up report on the development of a process for identifying pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to execute professional services contracts with Mr. Charlie Zegeer (UNC Highway Safety Research Center) and Dr. Joe Hummer (N.C. State University Transportation Engineering Department) to lead a Council-appointed work group charged with analyzing and identifying alternatives for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road.
The attached budget ordinance would authorize the use of $22,000 in interest earnings to cover the cost of consultant services and supplies necessary to facilitate the work group.
We recommend adoption of the attached resolution and enactment of the attached budget ordinance.
At its April 10, 2006 meeting, the Council authorized the Manager to:
Solicit applications to serve on a work group and present applications for the Council’s consideration and selection of work group members.
Negotiate a contract with Mr. Charlie Zegeer (UNC Highway Safety Research Center) and Dr. Joe Hummer (N.C. State University Transportation Engineering Department) to lead the work group in analyzing and identifying options for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road and return to the Council for authorization to execute the contract.
A copy of the April 10, 2006 Council Resolution is provided in Attachment 2.
DISCUSSION
WORK GROUP MEMBERS:
The Town advertised in local newspapers and mailed approximately 400 notifications to citizens and others, soliciting interest in serving on the work group. The Council will receive the applications in a separate item at tonight’s meeting for consideration and appointment of work group members.
FACILITATORS AND WORK GROUP SCOPE/SCHEDULE:
Both Mr. Charlie Zegeer and Dr. Joe Hummer agreed to co-facilitate the work group in analyzing and identifying options for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. If the Council authorizes the Manager to execute the necessary service contracts, they will lead and assist the work group in soliciting and evaluating public input, conducting detailed site reviews, developing recommendations for improvements, preparing the work group report, and presenting findings to the Town Council for consideration. Key elements of the consultants’ contracts are provided below:
Objective
The objective of this project is to lead the work group in analyzing and identifying options for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation, and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road in Chapel Hill. In addition, the project will include conducting a detailed site analysis and writing a report which recommends safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists on this section of Fordham Boulevard.
A series of work group meetings will be scheduled, to be facilitated by Mr. Zegeer and Dr. Hummer. Eight work group meetings are tentatively planned, including:
Week of June 12: Kick-off work group meeting to discuss initial concerns and ideas, and to establish a process and agenda for subsequent meetings and work items.
Week of June 26: Discuss existing conditions of the area and identify specific problems to be addressed.
Week of July 10: Identify and discuss potential problems and solutions.
Week of July 24: Perform initial evaluation of solutions and prioritize.
Week of August 7: Perform detailed evaluations of priority solutions.
Week of August 21: Prepare and discuss improvement recommendations.
Week of September 4: Prepare and discuss draft report document.
Week of September 18: Present final report to the Town Council.
The estimated cost for the consultants’ work is approximately $20,000 based on the above described schedule. We think that an additional $2,000 will be necessary for supplies, report production and other reimbursable costs. Therefore, we propose that the Council authorize use of $22,000 in interest earnings to cover the cost of consultant services and supplies necessary to facilitate the work group.
At its April 10, 2006 meeting, the Council also directed the Manager to have “Watch for Pedestrians” signs installed on Fordham Boulevard near Manning Drive. We discussed this with the State and the signs including orange alert flags will be installed on both directions of this segment of Fordham Boulevard within the next two weeks.
Additionally, Town staff is working with Duke Power, the NCDOT, and the University to develop street lighting plans in this area. We intend to seek funding assistance from the University for installation and operation of the new street lighting.
CONCLUSION
Subject to Council action to appoint members of the work group and to authorize the Manager to execute service contracts with Mr. Charlie Zegeer and Dr. Joe Hummer, the work group will begin meeting based on the schedule described above.
A report will be presented to the Council in September of this year, including recommendations for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road.
Because Fordham Boulevard, Manning Drive, and Old Mason Farm Road are all State maintained roads, the North Carolina Department of Transportation would need to agree to any modifications to the roadway and/or the traffic signals. The Town staff will work with and through the State to implement recommended improvements.
That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Manager to execute professional services contracts with Mr. Charlie Zegeer (UNC Highway Safety Research Center) and Dr. Joe Hummer (N.C. State University Transportation Engineering Department) to lead a Council-appointed work group charged with analyzing and identifying alternatives for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road.
The Manager also recommends that the Council enact the attached budget ordinance that would authorize the use of $22,000 from available interest earnings to cover the cost of consultant services and supplies necessary to facilitate the work group.
