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City staff outline DPW priorities: catch‑basin spray foam, street lights, tree planting and sidewalk work
Summary
DPW staff told council the department will pursue spray‑foam lining for manholes and catch basins, continue decorative lighting upgrades downtown, expand right‑of‑way tree plantings and pursue painting/pavement marking bids for main streets.
Brighton's public works staff described a set of operations and maintenance priorities during the council budget work session, telling members the DPW will continue several asset‑preservation measures and pursue contract bids for striping and pavement markings.
Marcel (DPW) said a spray‑foam lining for manholes and catch basins has been used on and off for several years and helps to seal structures against freeze–thaw and water infiltration. "It's pretty stout ... it actually has specifications that an engineer has wrote out for the company," Marcel said, describing the foam as a closed‑cell product used to improve longevity and reduce roadway deterioration around manholes.
Staff described other priorities on the fiscal year list: repainting and power washing the amphitheater seating and stairs, continuing decorative lighting upgrades downtown (replacement of older sodium lights with LED over time), striping and pavement markings (city staff plans to bid jointly with nearby cities and do in‑house parking spot painting on Second Street and Main), and a possible gravel or paved lot on a CSX parcel the DDA is leasing to increase downtown parking — staff cautioned CSX cooperation had been limited.
Tree program: Staff said right‑of‑way tree plantings are driven by resident requests and the city coordinates neighborhoods where residents opt in; the council asked if the city could expand planting on Main/Grand River commercial corridors and staff said they would investigate feasibility given underground utilities and permit constraints. Council member Pettengill noted the microclimate and neighborhood benefits of mature street trees when advocating for more planting.
Sidewalks and crosswalks: Staff said sidewalk easements and sidewalk gap construction (examples: Williamson, Flint) are included in the capital plan and that the city will pursue ADA ramp work and a biannual roadway painting and marking contract. For one pedestrian crossing (Sixth Street island), staff said they plan to repave and reestablish crosswalk markings and that a solar crossing light is possible at an estimated additional cost of about $40,000.
Why it matters: These are asset‑preservation and safety actions that affect everyday use of streets, pedestrian access and utility longevity. Staff framed several items as preventive maintenance that reduces long‑term reconstruction costs.
What's next: Staff will return contract bids for pavement marking/striping near the July 1 budget start if council approves the budget. Staff also asked for council input on site choices for street reconstruction funded from bond proceeds and other sources to meet construction timing.
