Council adds Brighton Avenue to sidewalk/traffic-calming reconciliation list amid staffing and funding questions

Devin McNally, housing and community development staff, presented the city’s sidewalk and traffic-calming recommendation list and explained staff used a technical score plus context and feasibility to prioritize projects. He told councilors many recommended projects were feasible and that consultant-led design reduces in-house staffing burdens, though construction will require significant staff time.

Daryl Braithwaite, public-works director, said smaller sidewalk segments (for example short connectors on Ritchie Avenue and Kansas Lane) can be designed in-house and constructed within FY27, while more complex projects require consultant design and likely carryover. Councilors pressed staff on environmental impacts, tree conflicts, ADA access and how some projects interact with traffic studies for particular wards.

Council member Hansack proposed adding Brighton Avenue (design estimate $45,000) to the reconciliation list to address an area of the city with few recent traffic-calming investments; staff said the addition is workable but noted private street lights and tree impacts could complicate design. The mayor confirmed Brighton will be placed on the reconciliation list and that the council will vote on the final sidewalk and traffic-calming project list at the next meeting.

Staff summarized funding: approximately $200,000 for general fund traffic-calming projects and $300,000 in the red light/stop-sign camera fund for sidewalk design/construction; adding Brighton would slightly raise the red-light fund total and potentially require moving other items to balance funding.