Farmington council approves Alliant Engineering contract for Sunnyside-area street redesign

Farmington City Council on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, approved a professional services agreement with Alliant Engineering Inc. for final design and bidding on the 2025 Street Improvement Project covering Sunnyside, Fairview, Centennial Drive, Centennial Court and Sunnyside Circle.

Why it matters: the project would narrow typical pavement from 36 feet to a 32-foot curb-to-curb standard in the project area, add storm sewer catch basins to address standing water, replace portions of the city’s water main, and is estimated at $3.8 million—about $800,000 above the $3 million target in the capital improvement plan. Council and staff discussed funding options, tree impacts, and pedestrian/bicycle accommodations before voting.

City staffer John introduced the feasibility work and described the proposed scope, saying the preferred geometric change was a 32-foot width between curb faces. "We're proposing and recommending a 32-foot width between the curb faces," John said, arguing the narrower cross-section reduces impervious surface, lowers maintenance costs and can help reduce vehicle speeds. He described three neighborhood open houses during design, reviewed pavement sections and geotechnical recommendations, and noted drainage problems similar to last year’s 6th Street work.

Key technical and design points presented by staff and discussed by council: - Pavement and drainage: existing curb-to-curb widths are typically 36 feet; the recommended section is 32 feet between curb faces to reduce impervious area and maintenance. Additional catch basins and storm sewer are proposed to move water off the roadway and reduce pavement deterioration. - Water and sewer: the main on Sunnyside Drive would be replaced with a 12-inch ductile-iron trunk main; other replacements would be 8-inch laterals. Sanitary sewer lining is proposed under a separate 2025 sewer-lining contract. - Trees and landscaping: staff estimated 47 trees would be removed as part of construction, including ash trees; the city’s natural resource specialist (Ben Humble) will mark trees and coordinate outreach and a future tree-planting contract to restore canopy. - Right-of-way and walkways: property owners’ driveways will be extended to the new curb line; the project team said there was insufficient right-of-way to install separated sidewalks, trails or a safe on-street bike lane per the 2019 Bike and Ped Plan without widening the pavement. - Cul-de-sac alternatives: staff showed two cul-de-sac designs and said they will solicit property-owner feedback before finalizing the design in the final plans. - Schedule and warranty: staff said plans and specifications would return to council in about a month, with a bid opening in early April, pre-construction in April, substantial completion targeted for the end of September and final completion in mid-October; a two-year warranty period would extend to October 2027 or two years after final payment if that payment occurs later.

Funding and budget discussion: the feasibility estimate of $3.8 million includes contingency and an 18% indirect-cost allowance the presenter said was likely conservative. Staff explained the typical funding split: street work is financed with general obligation street bonds, sanitary work from the sanitary sewer fund, storm work from the storm sewer fund and water work from the water fund or water trunk fund for mains exceeding 8 inches. John said the city can reduce scope before bidding if the engineer’s estimate remains above available funding.

Council members and staff also debated bicycle accommodations. Council member Steve and others said the neighborhood lacks the right-of-way for a safe on-street bike lane or separated trail; staff said ADA corrections will be made where required but the project would not add a bike lane without widening. Council member Holly asked for plain-language clarification on the $3 million CIP target versus the $3.8 million estimate; staff said the city prefers to design with sufficient scope and then pull back on nonessential elements if estimates exceed funding.

Vote and next steps: Council moved to approve the professional services agreement with Alliant Engineering Inc. for final design and bidding. Motion by Council member Jake, second by Council member Steve; the roll call vote was recorded as yes by Council members Burnette, Cortes, Lane and Wilson and by Mayor Hoyt. Staff will return final plans and engineer’s estimate to council before bidding, and the city plans a neighborhood meeting with the awarded contractor prior to construction.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the agenda: moved by Holly; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve the consent agenda: moved by Nick; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve professional services agreement with Alliant Engineering Inc. for final design and bidding for the 2025 Street Improvement Project (Sunnyside/Fairview/Centennial area): motion by Council member Jake; second by Council member Steve; outcome: approved by roll call vote (Burnette: yes; Cortes: yes; Lane: yes; Wilson: yes; Mayor Hoyt: yes).

Ending: Staff will return with final plans and a refined engineer’s estimate for council approval before going to bid; if the estimate remains above available funding, council expects to consider scope reductions and funding adjustments rather than abandoning the project.