Council accepts TIB grant for Porter Way sidewalk project; authorizes mayor to execute agreement

Director Madden presented the Porter Way sidewalk grant agreement and asked council to accept Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funds to complete a missing sidewalk link between 7th Avenue and Juniper Street, connecting sports fields, city hall and recent improvements on 5th Avenue.

“Tonight's item is, to permit the City of Milton, to start work on a sidewalk extension project,” Director Madden said, noting the city applied in August 2024 and the TIB awarded the project in November 2024. Madden told council the TIB award would cover 84.9% of project costs and that matching funds were budgeted in Fund 310 (sidewalk/missing-link fund). The project will be combined with a stormwater capital project identified in the 2025 budget for Porter Way culvert extensions.

Councilmember Whelan moved to authorize the mayor to execute the TIB grant agreement and sign the project funding-status form; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitaker. Council discussed timing and delivery: staff said they will bid in February with a 30-day bid period, aim to award at the end of March, complete design coupled to the stormwater work, and anticipate construction as early as late 2025 or early 2026 depending on design and stormwater solutions.

Councilmember White and others spoke in support, citing pedestrian safety and narrow conditions on the route. The motion carried 7–0.

Ending: Staff will proceed with bidding and design and return procurement actions and schedule updates to council as the project moves from design to construction.