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Public Works lays out major projects, seeks grants for Vision Zero safety measures
Summary
Public Works Director Mark Morardi told the committee the department manages the city's extensive infrastructure and listed major projects (NB Flush Phase 3, John Downey reconstruction, McKinley drainage, Beline Trail) while pushing Vision Zero safety work, automated camera enforcement and grant applications for concurrent pedestrian phasing.
Mark Morardi, director of Public Works, told the committee May 7 that the department manages a large portfolio of city infrastructure and described several multi-million-dollar projects and safety initiatives.
Morardi quantified the department's responsibilities and ongoing work: a $60 million water treatment plant, more than 170 miles of roads, hundreds of pieces of equipment and roughly 125 authorized positions. He listed active construction and design efforts including NB Flush Phase 3, the John Downey Drive reconstruction (about $5.3 million), McKinley/Osgood drainage improvements, a $2.7 million paving program and multi-phase work on the Beline Trail.
On safety, Morardi said the city is advancing a Vision Zero safety action plan after analyzing crashes and serious injuries, and is proposing changes such as concurrent pedestrian signal phasing downtown. He said the administration has submitted a resolution to enable discussions about automated traffic camera enforcement and is pursuing grant opportunities including an SS4A application for key intersections.
Morardi also explained the clean water (stormwater) fund mechanism, which charges properties based on impervious area. He said the fund has financed about $800,000 of McKinley-area work and underpins an expanded catch-basin cleaning program.
Council members asked about project schedules and contractor pace; Morardi said McKinley was about a month behind schedule but still due for completion in August and noted winter construction challenges had affected timing.
The committee did not vote on any Public Works-specific ordinance at the meeting; the department's budget remains under committee review.
