Council directs staff to prioritize three sidewalk segments, seeks public hearing

The Keene City Council on an unspecified date reviewed proposed locations and cost estimates for new sidewalks and instructed staff to prioritize three segments labeled A, B and E, with a plan to put the project on a public hearing next month.

City staff presented a set of possible sidewalk locations and maps and said the budget currently includes about $200,000 for sidewalks. "So I know in the budget, we set aside about $200,000 for sidewalks," the staff presenter said while outlining six mapped segments and itemized footage and ramp needs. The staff member provided per-segment figures: A, roughly 240 feet at about $15,000; B, about 411 feet at about $27,000; C, roughly 140 feet at about $9,000; D, about 270 feet at about $17,000; E, about 620 feet at about $40,000; and F, about 950 feet (cost not broken out in the packet). The presenter said the contractor's local rate is roughly $61 per linear foot for a five-foot sidewalk and that ADA ramps add roughly "a hundred and something" dollars each.

The presenter said he selected the listed locations to avoid trees, utilities and retaining walls so sections could be built without extensive engineering. He told the council that for locations with hills, utility conflicts or retaining walls, engineering is required and that the Texas procurement rules mean projects over $20,000 typically require engineered plans. "If you look at the procurement rules in the Texas local government code, it says above $20,000 engineering needs to be engineered," the presenter said.

Council members discussed safety near Chisholm Trail Academy and along Eastern/Southeastern streets, with several members noting narrow roads, parked cars and evening darkness as factors that increase pedestrian risk. One council member moved that the council start with segments A, B and E; another council member seconded the motion. The motion was approved; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally.

Council and staff also agreed to place the sidewalk/CIP projects on the agenda as part of a public hearing next month so the public can comment before further budget action. Staff advised that some projects require published notices depending on total cost and project type; the council was told that state law requires public feedback for projects over certain thresholds and that smaller projects can be covered by agenda notice.

Why it matters: The council’s direction will determine which neighborhoods get sidewalks first, affect safe walking routes to Chisholm Trail Academy and set the city’s use of the sidewalk allotment in the coming fiscal year. The council emphasized starting with flat sections to minimize engineering costs and accelerate construction.

Next steps: Staff will include the sidewalk/CIP items in next month’s public hearing and return with any required engineering cost estimates and more detailed scopes. The council indicated it may proceed in phases to keep individual projects under engineering thresholds where feasible.

Votes at a glance: The council accepted the minutes earlier in the meeting (motion by Mister McCullough, second by Schoenberg; outcome recorded as unanimous). For the sidewalk priority motion, a mover and a second were recorded and the motion carried; the transcript does not contain a full roll-call tally.