Council authorizes up to $15,000 for feasibility work on 10th Avenue SE improvements

The New Prague City Council authorized city engineering staff to proceed with an updated feasibility report for the 2026 Street improvement project (10th Avenue Southeast) and approved an hourly not-to-exceed fee of $15,000 for that work.

City engineering staff said the updated work will refresh assessment rolls, cost estimates and conceptual drawings prepared in 2024 and will focus on a mill-and-overlay approach rather than a full reconstruct. The proposal includes potential targeted intersection medians (for example at 3rd Street SE) or spot center medians to improve crossings and calm speeds. Staff noted that landscaping or full-length landscaped medians may not be eligible for state aid and added cost estimates for medians could require a fee amendment.

Council members discussed whether to include assessments to adjacent properties (the city’s assessment policy allows reduced assessments for mill-and-overlay projects) and whether additional study funds should be approved for median options. The engineering team said only a small number of corner properties would likely receive assessments and that the project would not necessarily trigger the full 04/29 assessment hearing process if the council opts not to assess.

After discussion, the council approved staff’s proposal to proceed and accepted the hourly not-to-exceed fee of $15,000 to complete a feasibility report, schedule public outreach and prepare for a potential ordering of the project at a later meeting. The motion passed 5–0.

The consultant/staff will return with updated cost tables, public hearing materials and, if requested, revised estimates for median options.