Cave Creek approves ADOT agreement to administer federal PM10 paving grant for Morning Star, Spur Cross and 64th

Staff presented an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Arizona Department of Transportation for administration of a MAG PM10 federal grant to pave selected unpaved town roads. The project list in the IGA includes Morning Star, 64th (noted previously as 54th in some outreach), and Spur Cross Ranch Road. Staff said the town was awarded roughly $1.35–1.4 million in grant funding, covering about 95% of eligible costs, and that the town must use ADOT to administer federal funds and manage bidding.

To expedite delivery the town hired Logan Simpson and CWJ for design and environmental work rather than waiting 18–24 months for ADOT design. Staff told council the town budgeted a $30,000 ADOT administration fee in this fiscal year to cover ADOT’s initial review and procurement work.

Staff explained design constraints: the federal program requires formal design plans and ADOT’s standards will guide construction. The town intends to keep existing travelway width (roughly a 22-foot travel surface), avoid curb-and-gutter or driveway reconstruction, and focus on dust abatement and maintaining rural character where feasible. Depending on final funding and design, the surface could be double chip seal or paved asphalt.

Councilmembers and residents raised safety and character concerns. Council asked how the town will respond if pavement increases vehicle speed; staff said pavement generally improves safety but added they will deploy new speed-monitoring software and work with Maricopa County for enforcement if speeds rise. A resident urged chip-seal rather than full asphalt to preserve rural character and to limit speed increases; staff noted timing and contractor choices will affect final surfacing.

After public comment the council moved, amended the motion to explicitly include Morning Star, 64th, and Spur Cross Ranch Road in the IGA, and approved the agreement; the record states 'Motion carries. 6.' Staff said construction timing will follow ADOT's procurement schedule and that the town will continue trimming roadside vegetation before work begins.