AGENDA #12i

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

FROM:            Bill Letteri, Public Works Director

SUBJECT:       Retrofits to Stormwater Inlet Grates

DATE:             April 27, 2005

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board has requested that the town use either stormwater utility funds or regular maintenance funds to cover costs to retrofit stormwater inlet grates in streets and/or to paint warning lines. Such measures are requested to enhance safety.

BACKGROUND

We previously have responded to similar requests, including reports to the Council on problems raised and actions we have taken. The major concerns that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (subsequently referred to as the “board”) relate to drainage grates which are lower than the surrounding asphalt in bike lanes along roadways. Some of corrective steps have included

• installation of pavement markings along major roadways as warnings of approaching grade changes

• selective milling of streets to minimize problems related to uneven riding surfaces

DISCUSSION

Along with staff from the town’s Engineering Department, we have reviewed use of stormwater utility funds as suggested by the board and agree that such use is outside the purview of stormwater management. Rather, the aim of such improvements relates more to safe use of roadways by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Our current practice along town maintained streets scheduled to be resurfaced is to either raise the grates where practical, or paint warning markings. We plan to continue this practice, consistent with aims expressed by members of the board.

In addition, our present budget allows limited opportunity to paint advanced warning markings alerting bicyclists on those town streets not scheduled for resurfacing. We will work with the board to set priorities as to which streets will receive these improvements. With respect to state streets, where some of the highest priority needs exist, we will seek state funds from the Bicycle Section of the Transportation Improvement Program to raise grates. We must recognize that such use of limited funds will have to be weighed against other needs, including installation of additional bike lanes.