Adopt Resolution #18-111 Accepting Bids and Approving Joint Powers Agreement for Sunwood Drive and Armstrong Boulevard Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements, Improvement Project #17-08

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #18-111 accepting bids and approving Joint Powers Agreement for Sunwood Drive and Armstrong Boulevard Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements, Improvement Project #17-08.

Background:
Flashing yellow arrows (FYA) are gaining momentum as an alternative to a simple green ball light for left-turning motorists. They signal to the motorist that it is safe to turn left so long as they yield to oncoming vehicles, which have the right of way. These permitted left turns are unlike protected left turns, where the left-turning motorist does not need to consider opposing traffic because those vehicles have a red light.

The Anoka County Highway Department constructed FYA modifications to signal systems at eight different intersections across Anoka County in 2017. Three of the signal systems were located in the City of Ramsey along Bunker Lake Boulevard/CSAH 116 at the intersections of Dysprosium Street/Thurston Avenue, Sunfish Lake Boulevard/CSAH 57, and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56. These FYA’s are operational during different times of the day at different intersections.

Anoka County annually budgets approximately $100,000 to convert 4 to 10 of their 200 signal systems to FYA operations each year. Typical costs to convert newer signal systems to incorporate FYA operations run between $20,000 and $50,000 per signal system.

Anoka County utilizes SEH, Inc. to study their signal systems for FYA conversions. The County requested that the City also use SEH to study the signal system at the intersection of Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 & Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue for potential FYA modifications when City staff contacted County staff to discuss public requests for adding FYA operations to this signal system. Anoka County uses SEH solely to help ensure that evaluations are performed consistently County-wide for safety and liability purposes.

In 2016, SEH was authorized to study the signal system at Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 & Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue for potential FYA improvements. This analysis was completed and a copy of the SEH Study is attached. SEH’s Study generally showed that FYA’s could be considered for nearly all times of a typical weekday, as well as the entire weekend. However, initially they recommended that FYA operations not be used on weekdays between the hours of 6 and 9 am, and again between 3 and 7 pm, due to the higher posted speeds and traffic volumes. Anoka County is reviewing operations at this intersection to determine allowable hours of FYA operations, which may then be expanded in the future if there are no safety issues or significant increases in traffic volumes noted.

No notifications are required for this case.

Observations:
Anoka County is currently reviewing bids for constructing FYA improvements to their three signal systems, including the signal system at Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 & Bunker Lake Boulevard/CSAH 116 in Ramsey.
 
Per the attached Joint Powers Agreement, Anoka County cause the FYA conversion of the signal system to be completed as part of the 2018 Anoka County Flashing Yellow Arrow Conversion Improvement Project.  This City will therefore not be required to pay for their project administration costs.  The City will only be required to pay for construction and construction engineering costs based on actual project costs.
 
Accepting the low bid of Collins Electrical Construction Co. in the amount of $29,760.00 and approving the attached Joint Powers Agreement will allow construction of the FYA improvements at Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue NW & Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 to be coordinated with Anoka County’s FYA improvements at Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 & Bunker Lake Boulevard/CSAH 116.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #18-111 accepting bids and approving Joint Powers Agreement for Sunwood Drive and Armstrong Boulevard Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements, Improvement Project #17-08.

Alternative #2 – Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #18-111 at this time.

SEH’s Study estimated costs to convert the signal system at Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 & Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue to FYA operations at $40,000. This cost was further refined during preparation of plans and specifications to $39,500.  The low bid for said improvements as submitted by Collins Electrical Construction Co. is $29,760.00.
 
Public Improvement Revolving funds would pay for 100% of the FYA modifications.  This fund has a projected year-end balance of $3.3M.

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the attached Joint Powers Agreement.

The Public Works Committee previously recommended that the City Council authorize preparation of plans and specifications for Improvement Project #17-08, Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements at Sunwood Drive & Armstrong Boulevard.  Unfortunately, Staff was not able to request their recommendation for this case due to the timing of the bid opening.

Adopt Resolution #18-111 accepting bids and approving a Joint Powers Agreement for Sunwood Drive and Armstrong Boulevard Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements, Improvement Project #17-08.