Kristen, a staff member, updated council members on the Hickman Viaduct Trail, a long-delayed project that required coordination with the railroad. The contract with Shikar Engineering covers roughly 2,100 linear feet of 10-foot shared-use path, about 1,100 linear feet of retaining wall work and roughly 300 linear feet of safety railing; the construction cost reported was about $700,000.

Kristen said the trail, walls and slope protection are complete and that the permanent safety rail has been dry-fit and removed for powder coating; a temporary safety rail is in place and staff expect the permanent rail to return within a few weeks for final installation. She said the temporary rail allows trail users adequate width and protection in the interim.

Council members asked whether final railing installation would require temporary trail closure. Kristen said she would check with the railing manufacturer but expected installation would take a couple of days to fit and tighten all fasteners; staff agreed to notify the public in advance if the trail must close for final work. Staff also noted some seepage observed beneath a retaining wall after an unusually wet season; they said the seepage diminished after a week without rain and that the team would monitor the area in spring to determine if additional work is needed.

Discussion: staff described the remaining work steps — powder coating and final railing installation — and affirmed a temporary rail is currently installed for safety. Direction: staff to coordinate with the railing manufacturer for schedule and to notify the public ahead of any closures. No formal council action was taken.