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Council continues $199,600 traffic study to clarify scope and funding
Summary
Councilors raised questions about scope, timing (winter counts vs. summer congestion) and funding before continuing a proposed $199,600 contract with Bowman Consulting for a transportation study of a multi‑street area; the continuation was set for the council's second October meeting to resolve funding and scope concerns.
The council moved to continue a proposed award (not to exceed $199,600) to Bowman Consulting Group to conduct a comprehensive traffic study for a mapped area bounded by Thames Street, Memorial Boulevard, Bellevue Avenue and Morton Avenue after several councilors questioned scope, timing and the source of funds.
Staff described a multi‑component study using both in‑person counts and cellular‑data analysis. "The cost is, I had already mentioned 199,600," a staff presenter said while outlining the scope. Several councilors said they supported the study in principle but were worried the proposed timing (with counts scheduled in January) would not capture summer congestion; one councilor called the award amount "borderline absurd" for the scope. The director of public services described the procurement under a master price agreement and said a review panel had judged technical merit before price was revealed and negotiations reduced the award amount.
The council asked staff to return with clearer funding options — including council contingency, reassigning CIP funds, or a policy on using unassigned fund balance — and to consider rescoping the study to better match local needs. The body voted to continue the item to the second council meeting in October for further review of funding and scope.
