Title
AUTHORIZATION TO CONVEY A DRAINAGE EASEMENT AND DEDICATE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO THE CITY OF GLENDALE
Staff Contact: Jack Friedline, Director, Public Works
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Purpose and Recommended Action
Recommendation
This is a request for City Council to authorize the City Manager to convey a drainage easement and dedicate right-of-way from property owned by the City of Glendale along the north side of Myrtle Avenue as a condition to complete a federally funded Safe Routes to School project. The proposed project to construct pedestrian and drainage improvements requires the easement and rights-of-way for roadway realignment of Myrtle Avenue, between 62nd and 65th avenues.body
Background
The City of Glendale Transportation Division has secured funding from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Safe Routes to School Program to improve pedestrian safety and access to local schools. The funds cover both the design and construction of sidewalk, curb, gutter and drainage improvements on Myrtle Avenue, from 62nd to 65th avenues, immediately south of the City of Glendale Field Operations Complex. The project will construct new sidewalks on both the north and south sides of Myrtle Avenue and connect existing sections of sidewalk, providing a continuous east-west pedestrian facility. The new sidewalk sections will be ADA compliant and construction will also include upgrading an existing pedestrian curb ramp at the northwest corner of Myrtle and 62nd avenues to ADA standards.
Analysis
The continuous sidewalk and sidewalk curb ramps along this section of Myrtle Avenue are intended to enhance the safety of pedestrian routes traveled by schoolchildren and other users, and encourage children to walk to several of the schools in the vicinity. These improvements will require realigning Myrtle Avenue to the north in this area, necessitating the use of the additional right-of-way and land for a drainage easement. Widening to the north is also necessary to avoid potential conflicts with the irrigation ditch associated with the Myrtle Avenue Residential Historic District located along the south side of Myrtle Avenue. The attached aerial map shows the areas of new right-of-way and the easement required for the proposed project.
The City of Glendale currently owns the properties along the north side of Myrtle Avenue that would be impacted by the proposed realignment (see the attached aerial map). Under the terms of the project's intergovernmental agreement (IGA), all property necessary to construct and maintain the proposed improvements must be legally designated as right-of-way. Therefore, the city (as "Owner" of the properties) must convey the easement and right-of-way to the city (as the "Municipality") to assure the improvements, as provided by the project, are secure and will remain under city ownership in perpetuity.
Further, there will be no impact on city departments, staff or service levels as a result of this action, and there are no additional costs incurred by the city.
Previous Related Council Action
On October 22, 2013, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an IGA with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the design and construction of the Myrtle Avenue Infrastructure Improvements.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
This drainage easement and right-of-way dedication will allow the Myrtle Avenue Safe Routes to School project to be constructed using federal funds. No sidewalk currently exists along either side of Myrtle Avenue, from 62nd to 65th avenues, where students can walk to or wait for the bus. A narrow dirt path exists along the south side of the roadway and when it rains, the path is muddy or submerged under water.
The proposed five-foot-wide sidewalk will provide students and their parents with a defined sidewalk to travel the entirety of Myrtle Avenue between 62nd and 67th avenues. This sidewalk will enhance safety and encourage students to walk-rather than drive-to school. There are also two public transit routes with bus stops on Myrtle Avenue that will be served by this facility. This project will complete the street by including new pavement, curbs and gutters.
The proposed project received positive public input from citizens attending annual GO Program open houses and from presentations to the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission. On April 25, 2013, and April 23, 2014, preliminary design plans were presented at the Glendale Onboard Transportation Program Open Houses held at the Glendale Civic Center.
Budget and Financial Impacts
There is no cost associated with the right-of-way dedication or Conveyance of Easement for this project.
Operating and maintenance costs associated with this project are anticipated to be minimal and will be absorbed by the Transportation CIP O&M account (1660-16590-523600).