Committee weighs fall RFP versus a multi-year paving strategy and expanded sidewalk program

The committee reviewed attachments listing streets repaved in previous rounds and discussed whether to move quickly with a fall RFP or take additional months to develop a more comprehensive, multi-year repaving strategy. Staff noted fall is prime paving season but warned that ARPA timelines and procurement lead times could compress the schedule.

Members recounted a prior job where milling uncovered a collapsed box under a street and consumed most of the paving funds, and suggested RFPs include flexibility (priority lists, optional milling) to accommodate unforeseen subsurface repairs. Committee members asked staff and Jim (maintenance) to perform a field survey to identify streets whose conditions have worsened since the initial study.

Separately, the committee discussed the sidewalk improvement program and a proposal to have the city contract to complete a batch of segments annually (for example, 10 segments a year) rather than depend on property owners to coordinate grants and three-bid quotes. Members asked staff to bring back cost estimates and options for program redesign.