Aberdeen council sets Feb. 12 public hearing on Transportation Benefit District 2025 project plan

The Aberdeen City Council voted to set a public hearing on Feb. 12, 2025, for the Transportation Benefit District(TBD) annual project plan for 2025, adopting what staff identified as Resolution No. 25-1.

The resolution will place the TBD project plan before the public for comment and allow the city to finalize and file the plan by the end of February to meet state and local submittal deadlines.

Public Works Chair Ramsey moved the resolution and it was seconded. Council members approved the motion by voice vote; the minutes record an affirmative voice vote and "Motion carries," with no recorded roll-call tally.

City transportation staff described the plan as broader than street overlays. Director Sander told the council the TBD plan includes categories for concrete panel replacement, asphalt overlays and sidewalks; the plan also includes an "emergent projects" category to allow the city to add jobs from a prioritized database if schedule or funds permit. The administrator said the resolution was scheduled so the city could hold a hearing, collect public input and still submit a final plan by the end of February.

Council members asked whether the TBD plan covers sidewalks and bike lanes; Director Sander confirmed sidewalks are included and said the plan presents projects by category and by what the city believes it can reasonably accomplish.

The counciladopted schedule aims to avoid the past practice of holding a public hearing and adopting the plan on the same day, which staff said left too little time for public comment to influence the adopted plan.

The council recorded the action as the resolution setting the Feb. 12 hearing; staff noted the item will return after the hearing for final adoption and filing.

The hearing is now scheduled for Feb. 12, 2025; the resolution was identified in the meeting as Resolution No. 25-1.