The City Council on May 20 approved infrastructure work to resurface Peck Road and Mountain Avenue and to add pedestrian safety improvements but voted to defer upgrading the Mountain/Lemon traffic signal.

City staff presented a combined project to resurface about 1.3 miles of Peck Road (curb to curb), 0.8 miles of Mountain Avenue, pedestrian safety improvements including bulb-outs, and a proposed upgrade to the Mountain/Lemon traffic signal. Public Works staff reported the full scope was estimated at approximately $5.3 million in the lowest bid, under the city's funding allocation of about $5.9 million. Staff said removing the signal upgrade would save approximately $632,000 from the bid amount and increase available funds to be used elsewhere.

Alex, a city staff presenter, summarized the scope: "we are proposing to improve approximately 1.3 miles of Peck Road" and described the proposed alignment and bulb-out changes at the Mountain and Lemon intersection intended to improve sight lines and slow traffic. Councilmembers debated whether the dedicated left-turn phasing and signal upgrade would materially improve safety. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Kelly said, "Money's great, but saving lives," while noting she favored the option that staff ultimately recommended in discussion (proceeding without the signal) if the signal would not demonstrably reduce collisions.

City Manager Dylan Feek told the council the street sits over aging underground infrastructure and that larger water and utility projects could be required in the future, saying: "At some point, we're gonna have to redesign our own water system, which is alone is probably a $10,000,000 project." Staff noted that the resurfacing is expected to extend the roadway life about 10 years and that conduit would be installed now to allow a signal upgrade later if needed.

Council member Sergio Jimenez recused himself from the discussion and vote because he has property directly affected by the contract; he left the chambers before the vote. The council recorded a motion to adopt the staff-recommended option that removes the signal upgrade and proceed with the road resurfacing and pedestrian improvements. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call: yes by Edward Belden, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Kelly, and Mayor Shevlin (three yes votes). The motion passed with Jimenez recused.

There were no amendments to the scope recorded at the meeting. Staff will proceed with awarding the construction contract consistent with the council direction and the bid results, and the city will retain the option to add the signal upgrade later if post-construction monitoring or future underground utility projects warrant it.