Council debates Washington Boulevard trail design amid cost, grant and public‑notice concerns

Kelsey Morton, a design representative for American Structurepoint, presented a $181,110 fee proposal to design the Washington Boulevard multipurpose trail, outlining preliminary, environmental, final design and geotechnical services for the project.

Council members pressed for more residential examples and technical clarity. Councilmember Christopher Cooney said the consultant’s sample projects appeared to be urban or wide‑open corridors rather than a narrow, tree‑lined residential street like Washington Boulevard; Morton said she would provide closer comparables.

Councilmember Winifred Weizer said she had reviewed records and raised three central concerns: whether the administration had adequately informed residents, whether a NOACA grant acceptance signed by the mayor required separate Council approval, and the long‑term maintenance burden on the city. ‘‘I do find it interesting that we on council are being asked to fund the design of a trail that has what I would call a mysterious grant, little to no public communication and a lot of miscommunication associated with it,’’ Weizer said.

Law Director Brad Bryan answered a legal question about mayoral authority, telling Council that a mayor does not have unilateral power to commit the city to spending above his authorized limit without Council approval. The administration and Structurepoint confirmed that design fees are hourly‑based, that preferred path width guidance had shifted to 11 feet (10 feet allowed in constrained areas), and that optional services such as enhanced public involvement were estimated separately ($22,000 for a meeting and a hosted project website).

Councilmember John Rach reviewed the city engineer’s 2024 probable construction estimate of $1.6 million and translated project costs into a longer program total—adding construction administration fees ODOT would assess and engineering costs—to illustrate how the city’s share could approach roughly $1.0 million under the packet assumptions. Rach proposed shorter and narrower alternatives: shifting the alignment one street south (via Bushnell) to shave approximately 530 linear feet and considering an 8‑ft path rather than 11‑ft to reduce construction costs. Rach estimated those changes could reduce University Heights’ share substantially.

City Engineer Brenda Mockbee and Morton discussed tree impacts, right‑of‑way width differences (Washington Boulevard’s larger tree lawn is an advantage) and which reports were included in Structurepoint’s fee. Morton said the team would aim to avoid tree removal and noted opportunities for localized width reductions in sensitive locations.

After extended exchanges on scope, assumptions, grant documentation and alternatives, Council did not make a motion to authorize Structurepoint’s design proposal and likewise did not move to approve the separate Bromwell survey contract. Mayor Brennan noted the two contracts are separate but said taking only the survey made little sense if the design authorization did not proceed.

Next steps: Council members asked for further information on funding sources, a clearer public‑engagement plan and cost comparisons for alternate alignments before any authorization. No formal action to retain Structurepoint or Bromwell was taken at the meeting.