The intent of the Engineering Standards and Specifications is to provide information on minimum acceptable design and construction practices for new infrastructure in the City of Flagstaff. The last update to these standards was made in 2017. Since then, through regular use and enforcement of the standards, Engineering staff have identified some necessary amendments. These amendments have been proposed to correct errors and omissions, incorporate best practices, incorporate new technologies, improve the ease of interpretation of the standards, and provide consistency with other adopted codes and standards.
 
Proposed Schedule for Discussion and Adoption:
02/27 Work Session: Council will provide initial comments to staff regarding proposed amendments
03/19 Council Meeting: Finalize any discussions and read Ordinance for the first time
04/02 Council Meeting: Read Ordinance by title only for the final time/adopt Ordinance

Background/History:
The City of Flagstaff last made major amendments to Title 13 of City Code entitled "Engineering Design Standards and Specification for New Infrastructure" (also referred to as the Engineering Standards) in Ordinance 2017-22. The City also made minor amendments to the Engineering Standards in Ordinance 2020-10.

The proposed and ongoing amendments to the Engineering Standards ensure that the City continues to address and improve public safety. These standards also ensure high performing infrastructure that will improve and reduce maintenance in the future. 
 
The proposed amendments to the Engineering Design Standards are the result of input and review from an internal stakeholder committee, which were then presented to the professional community including, two public open houses, the Business Advocacy Division, the Transportation Commission, the Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Commission on Inclusive and Adaptive Living, and City Council. Comments were solicited at these meetings and through the City's online community forum. The proposed amendments have been available on the City's website for the last month and a half and have been updated based on internal and external comments received, when appropriate.

Upon approval of the proposed amendments, Engineering will begin another regular revision cycle. Staff will include the same stakeholders, and involve key community partners, as we work through the next revision cycle. Staff will bring proposed revisions generated in the future revision cycle proposed revisions to Council in approximately two to three years. Staff anticipate that other code revisions that include amendments to Engineering Standards driven by Council priorities and/or adopted policy may occur prior to the next cycle of regular administrative amendments

Key Considerations:
Below are some of the highlighted amendments made to the Engineering Design Standards:

- Allow cost consideration for Engineering Standards modification requests
- Utility easement restrictions to limit obstruction to maintenance access
- Electronic submittal process
- Scheduling of temporary traffic restrictions and providing public notice
- Allow roll curb in new single-family residential subdivisions with narrow lot widths
- Pedestrian and bicycle facilities updates

See the attachments for the full amendment document along with a summary of all of the amendments made.

Community Benefits and Considerations:
The community benefits economically by providing public infrastructure that is designed and constructed to serve the public in the most efficient way possible. This includes minimizing cost of operation and maintenance. The proposed updates are intended to correct inconsistencies and errors, clarify vague language, address issues with interpretation or implementation, and to ensure that our Code reflects current construction and design practices. They are intended to be cost-neutral overall for developers.

Options and Alternatives:
1.  The Council may choose to accept or reject any or all of the proposed amendments.
2.  The Council could choose to make different amendments.
3.  The Council can postpone adoption of the standards as a public record in order to gather more information or public input.