Eddie S. Maddock, Guest Writer SedonaEye.com Opinion Column
Sedona AZ (February 5, 2011) – In an e-mail dated January 8, 2011 to the seven voting members of the Sedona City Council, I questioned why it had been decided to conduct a professional telephone survey relating to the proposed AZ State Route 89A acquisition from ADOT instead of opting for a more personalized, individualized contact with Sedona voters by way of direct mail.
To the five who responded I herewith offer my heartfelt thanks. In busy and often troubled times, it’s very impressive to know when our elected representatives care enough to squeak in an extra few minutes to acknowledge they are still aware of our presence in the community.
Rob Adams cordially advised me, “Yes, a poll will be conducted. It will be made via random calls.” He further emphasized the extensive time and money spent by the city and that at some point: “We have to say enough is enough and make a decision,” adding that no matter what the outcome there will be residual criticism.
Mark DiNunzio maintained a solid position of support for the telephone poll, touting “the selection of a survey firm that has impeccable credentials based on a long, significant history of conducting surveys in Arizona.”
Cliff Hamilton expressed, “A growing discomfort with a telephone poll given the problem of unlisted numbers, those who use only cell phones and don’t even have a land line, and those who move into Sedona but keep their Cottonwood, Cornville, etc. phone numbers.” He suggested perhaps pursuing a mailing to only registered voters which could potentially mimic an actual election process.
Barbara Litrell, zooming in on my specific question of “Why would you not mail a questionnaire to all residents of Sedona, as has been done in the past?” said, “I am going to propose this tomorrow night if I have the right opportunity.”
Sedona City Council
Mike Ward, in addition to assuring me that he “and other members of the City Council will exercise due diligence before making a decision on the transfer of the major public infrastructure,” further expressed confidence “that a valid statistical sample when done correctly should accurately reflect the views of the larger population.”
As it now appears, this has evolved into a proposed online opportunity whereby everyone who so chooses will be able to visit the City Website and vote on the question of whether or not the City of Sedona should assume the responsibility of accepting the turn-back being offered by ADOT. (Details will be forthcoming.)
One month from this date, on February 22, 2011, the Sedona City Council will be casting votes of their own to make the final decision.
You, too, will be given a voice prior to that date, and if you don’t avail yourselves of the opportunity, then shame on you.
You can’t win if you don’t play.
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
The opinion poll is now available at http://www.SedonaAZ.gov/Council.
Click on “SR 89A Route Transfer Meetings & Information.” Within the information dialog you will find, in blue, the appropriate place to click for the survey. The survey will be available until noon on Monday, February 7th.
found city poll here after checking dotbiz & appreciate Sedona Times quicker & better coverage – seems like Maddock spurred some action – like all the writers – altzheimers article a good read – CV festival news put it on our calendar – number one news in our book Times ‘er Eye –
Phil
Dear Sedona Friends,
Please visit this website for the Sedona City Council and go to the online survey.
Select the second box to give 89A ownership to the city of Sedona and the control will be away from ADOT and the state.
We will get 15 million dollars with the ownership of the road and we will upkeep it and add medians, plants, art, making it safe for pedestrians to cross the road and no over head lights ruining our dark skies!
Below are the facts.
http://www.sedonaaz.gov/Sedonacms/index.aspx?page=728
Blessings to all,
Kristin
West Sedona 89A Route Transfer Facts
Stay Informed
The Sedona City Council is immersed in an information-gathering process to determine whether a route transfer is in the best interest of the City of Sedona. The section of roadway in question is West Sedona’s 89A, from Red Rock High School to L’Auberge Lane in Uptown. It would include a small section of SR179 from the Y to Ranger Road.
1. At issue is 24-hour safety. Sedona’s accident record breaks down as follows:
* From 2007-2009, 85% of accidents and 85% of injuries on SR 89A in West Sedona, occurred during the day. Before the speed limit was changed to 35mph, the accident rates were even higher. Of 966 crashes that occurred on the stretch of 89A between Southwest Dr and Soldiers Pass Rd between 1998 and 2009, fewer than 5% occurred at night.
*Many accidents in Sedona are caused by insufficient safe crossings for pedestrians.
*Another cause for Sedona’s accidents is the “suicide lane”. It is called a suicide lane for a reason. *Additionally, angle crashes between Southwest Drive and Coffee Pot Drive, are two times the state average. *Another accident cause is cars exiting and entering curb cuts, and then colliding with bicycles.
Applying 2007-2009 crash and injury data from the Sedona Police Department to the Crash Reduction Factors used by both ADOT and CivTech (an engineering firm recently hired by the City to study 89A safety), we see that Continuous Roadway Lighting (CRL) would eliminate 7 crashes at night per year while methods recommended by the Safety Panel and CivTech (see below) would eliminate more than 60 crashes per year. Moreover, these methods are less expensive and provide 24 hour safety, thereby serving our community, with its record of daytime accidents. It should be noted that only one pedestrian crash (non-fatal) occurred at night in the most recent study period (2007-2009).
CivTech has proposed measures similar to those suggested by the 89A Safety Panel (city sponsored and including 6 ADOT members). These incorporated two areas of strategic medians, on-demand crosswalks, and median refuge areas for pedestrians and bicyclists, providing 24-hour safety to 89A. Medians with directed pedestrian crossings are judged by many state agencies and by the Federal Highway Association (FHWA) as being up to 50 % safer than two-way left turn lanes (e.g. a suicide lane), and 30% cheaper than CRL. Additionally, they have little or no yearly maintenance and energy costs. The lighting to be installed by ADOT, if it retains ownership of 89A, would cost the city $15,000 per year to maintain. Most important, the measures recommended by the Safety Panel and CivTech provide both daytime and nighttime safety, while CRL provides nighttime safety only.
2. The City has only two choices. ADOT has forced the city into considering a route transfer. ADOT told the City that there was no way it would consider installing those safety measures that it had agreed earlier were effective, and that if the City wanted those measures to be installed, it would have to take over ownership of the road. ADOT additionally stated that it had the legal right to simply abandon the route, leaving the City with ownership and full liability, but without installing safety remedies and without giving the City any money to do so.
3. Owning the road means we can make decisions about the character of our City Road 89A without needing ADOT’s approval. Route Transfers have occurred for these reasons in Flagstaff (2009), Winslow (2005), Quartzite (2007), Yuma County (2010), Yuma Somerton (2010), Prescott (2006), and Wickenburg (2010). Sedona city staff has learned that none of the cities regrets its decision to take over operation of the roadway. These cities wanted LOCAL control.
If Sedona owns the road, it will delay construction activity (other than the installation of a signalized light at Andante Drive) for at least two years. The City would use those two years to conduct a public education and input process, to determine which safety improvements would be installed. This delay in construction would give local businesses a much needed opportunity to keep doors open, unimpeded, during this difficult economic time.
If ADOT maintains ownership of 89A, it will begin construction activity in 2011, which will include installation of 108 35 ft, 200Watt CRL, road repaving, including restriping for bike lanes, and a traffic signal at Andante. There will be no public input process; ADOT has already demonstrated, abundantly, its refusal to listen to Sedonans.
4. FINANCIAL: At this time the $15 million package negotiated with ADOT looks good. The $15 million would be offered in this way: $8 million upfront, then $7 million of road improvements, including the signal at Andante and repaving, to be done by ADOT over the next four years. $8M offered as cash by ADOT, could be placed in a secure interest bearing account, to be saved strictly for future 89A repaving and improvements. Managed correctly, this will be more than adequate for the next 15 years. Currently, it costs $70,000. per year to maintain the road, which cost would come out of this invested capital.
By 2027, the sewer debt, which currently costs the City $6.2 million annually, will be paid off. That $6.2 million could be invested by the City, and some of that could be used annually for road maintenance, and for repaving, which needs to be done approximately every fifteen years.
The first payment of $8 million ADOT is offering would be spent as follows: 1) $ 1,125,000 for Operations and Maintenance ($75,000 per yr for 15 yrs), 2) $ 3,060,500 for other Improvements (i.e. Rock- fall mitigation, drainage issues), 3) $3.4 million dollars for future repaving (taking the City 15 years out), and 4) $250,000 for a Transportation Enhancement Project, which is as yet undetermined. Item 1 will be administered by the city. If bidding the various maintenance projects is required, the city will put out the bids and select the contractor/s. Items 2, 3 and 4 also will be administered solely by the city.
The second payment of $7 million ADOT is offering would be spent as follows: 1) $ 4.4 million dollars to repave the roadway by 2015, 2) $ 400,000 to install a traffic signal at Andante, 3) $2.8 million dollars for safety improvements. Items 1 and 2 must be completed before the end of 2015, per the negotiated agreement. The City will determine dates for these two items within this framework. The work will be administered by ADOT. ADOT will put out the bids and select the contractors. Item 3 will be administered by either ADOT, or the City, based upon funding sources. The city will administer the projects if funds are provided by ADOT (state funds). If the funds are provided by the Federal Highway Administration, through ADOT, ADOT will administer the projects.
5. LIABILITY: Doing the right things now would actually reduce City liability. Now that the actual roadway and safety liabilities have been established by two commissions, the insurance liability lies in not installing the recommended measures. ADOT has stubbornly refused to address daytime safety measures along the corridor where random pedestrian crossings, bicycle accidents, and the “suicide lane” are at issue. ADOT has not served us well. Its refusal to address the actual safety problems leaves the City with a liability that can only be fixed by addressing the safety issues with actual remedies.
The City of Sedona already carries $12 million in liability insurance. A City-owned road would only cost an extra few hundred dollars per year to insure, according to the City’s insurance provider.
6. Medians do not affect businesses negatively. Studies authorized by Texas, Iowa, Florida, Kansas and Utah DOTs have shown that although medians disrupt traffic during construction (as does any other construction), restricted access following construction does not disrupt economic activity, and in fact, allows for more safety and better traffic flow, and, therefore, improved business activity. Even delivery truck drivers, interviewed for these surveys, indicated that making the deliveries became safer after the medians were installed, and that they felt no negative impact of median installation, once it was completed.
7. The proposed CRL in fact are not the same as other lights in and around town, as it has been stated. The proposed lights have significantly different pole heights and fixture brightness than the pedestrian sidewalk lights in Uptown or near Hillside, the streetlights at the roundabouts, or lighted intersections.
LOCATIONS
Height (ft)
Bulb (Watts)
Extension Arm (ft) Style
Proposed 108 Streetlights
35
200
2.5 Monterrey
Present traffic signals
35
250
15 Cobra
Round-a-bouts
30
250
None Monterrey
SR179 Hillside Pedestrian Sidewalk Lights
15
150
None Monterrey
Uptown Pedestrian Sidewalk Lights
15
70
None
The proposed 108 new streetlights would bring the total number of lights on the stretch of 89A in question to 132.
8. Experience: The City already manages/repairs the roads in Sedona and does much of the repairs for 89A with ADOT sharing the cost. The City already owns 89A in the Uptown area; we have learned much from that experience.
9. ADOT’s website documents the advantages of Raised Medians.
“Installing medians and turning bays on major roads, as shown in the photo below, improve through traffic movement and safety. Raised medians have been shown to reduce crashes 40 to 60 percent.”
Nonetheless, they have consistently refused to install them. Once we know the research proving that raised medians reduce the number of injuries on roadways, we know that it is imperative to install them, regardless of one’s position concerning CRL. Because ADOT refuses to install any safety measures other than CRL, the city must install recommended measures to protect its citizens and visiting tourist.
10. Replacing two-way left turn lanes with raised medians saves money. By installing raised medians that include landscaping, the owner of the roadway avoids the cost of repaving that section of the roadway. Maintenance costs associated with the center of the raised median area are much lower than the cost of repaving and maintaining a Two-Way Left turn Lane (TWLTL). This is especially true if native plants are included as part of the landscaping. “… A study for Florida DOT by Chris Warren of Lake City Maintenance compared 6.44 km (4.0 miles) of median versus TWLTL maintenance costs and found medians save an average of 40% of maintenance costs based on a 20 year roadway life…” (dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/handbooks_and_research/ped12_15.pdf)
11. West 89A has exceeded the traffic capacity safety levels for two-Way Left Turn Lanes (TWLTLs).
Numerous state and local agencies have engineering guidelines which state that when the roadway’s current traffic volume, or the estimated future volume, reaches a specified level , TWLTLs should be replaced by raised medians. These values range from 20,000 cars per day to 32,000 cars per day. The 2009 daily traffic volume at Willow Way in West Sedona was 28,000 cars per day.
12. Medians and pedestrian barriers can be, and often are, beautiful additions to streets. The oft-conjured image of four feet high concrete walls is inaccurate and outdated. Medians and pedestrian barriers can be comprised of native planting of varying heights, decorative fencing, such as split rail fencing, or planters with a variety of seasonal native plants, for example. During the City’s community input phase, creative Sedonans can make suggestions that meet safety standards. An additional benefit of this type of median or barrier is the reduction of glare in drivers’ eyes, caused by oncoming headlights. Remember, when traffic and pedestrian activity is controlled for safety, roads are more user-friendly.
A thought is matter, you create your own reality. Kristin
I Can, I AM, I Have, I Will, I Love, I Choose, I Create, I Enjoy…
February 2, 2011 West Sedona SR 89A Route Transfer UPDATED Information from members of the 89A Safety Coalition:
Sedona City Council has undertaken an information gathering process to determine whether a route transfer is in the City’s best interest. The section of roadway under consideration is the contiguous section of SR 89A, from Sedona Red Rock High School area to the Y round-about and the small section of SR 179 to Forest Road (4.95 miles).
Some important facts to consider:
1. The City already owns 89A in the Uptown area and learned how to make a more logical approach in such circumstances. The City already manages/repairs the roads in Sedona and handles the maintenance for 89A and shares the cost with ADOT.
2. The City has only two choices. By Feb 22, 2011 Sedona must either choose the route transfer or ADOT will begin construction and installation (from Dry Creek to Airport Road) of (108) 35ft/200Watt continuous roadway lights (CRL) in four months (April, 2011), including the light at Andante, repaving, and bicycle lane striping the entire road.
3. Twenty-Four (24) hour safety is not addressed by ADOT. Since 2007 258 daytime accident and 48 night time accidents have occurred. in both cases 85% of accidents and 85% of injuries are due to pedestrian crossings at random (not in crosswalks); turns into and from the ‘suicide lanes’; and poor bicycle safety enforcement (cars exiting/entering curb cuts colliding with bicycles).
With around the clock safety measures 60-70 injuries per year will be prevented while CRL’s will prevent two injuries at night.
4. Acceptance of the route transfer option delays any construction/road surfacing for at least two (2) years until 2013-2014. Likewise, the safety improvement decisions would be made over the next two (2) years through a City designed public input process. The signalized intersection at Andante will be constructed in 2011 in either case.
5. Local ownership of SR 89A allows us to determine the road’s character; since 66% of Sedona residents live there, this is of utmost importance. ADOT’s interest in turning over highways that run through Arizona cities has been underway since the publication of this policy in 2003. For the past four years, transfers have occurred in at least eight (8) Arizona cities including
Sedona: Flagstaff (2009), Winslow (2005), Quartzite (2007), Yuma County (2010), Yuma Somerton (2010), Prescott (2006), and Wickenburg (2010). These cities wanted LOCAL control.
6. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: At this time the $15.4 million package negotiated with ADOT looks sustainable. The eight million dollars ($8M) cash should be secured in an interest bearing restricted account in or around June, 2011. Of the $8 million, $3.4 million will be designated solely for future repaving and the additional funds in the account would be used as needed for
road improvements in the corridor. By 2027, the City will have satisfied its sewer debt thereby allowing an additional $6.2M (or some part of it) that we currently pay yearly to be a potential source of funds for any new maintenance or paving needs due to occur around 2040. The remainder of ADOT’s offer, $7 million of Federal Highway money consists of ADOT sponsored funds for
the up-coming paving, the Andante signal, and other safety improvements decided by the City.
7. LIABILITY: The extra insurance cost to the City is a few hundred dollars per year. Doing the right things now would actually reduce City liability. ADOT has not served us well. Our primary obligation is a safe roadway 24 hours a day. ADOT has stubbornly refused to address daytime safety measures along the corridor where random pedestrian crossings and the “suicide” lane are the issue.
8. The City’s consultant (CivTech) has proposed measures similar to those recommended by the former SR 89A Safety Panel, including the possibility of two (2) areas of strategic low medians (with breaks for businesses) and extra crosswalks – among other possible safety improvements, to provide 24-hour safety to SR 89A. Medians with directed pedestrian crossings are judged
safer, 30% cheaper than lighting, and save energy.
9. Studies authorized by Iowa, Texas and Utah DOT’s show that although construction of medians disrupts traffic, restricted access does not disrupt economic activity and, in fact, gives greater safety, business activity, more efficient signalization, and traffic flow.
(Case Studies of Economic Impacts on Raised Medians on Adjacent Businesses: Study, methodology, and Results [Eisele and Frawly];
udot.utah.gov).
10. The proposed CRL vary significantly from those lights already installed. Pole heights are 2 1/3 times higher than the pedestrian lights and have brighter fixtures than the pedestrian sidewalk lights in Uptown, or near Hillside on SR179.
LOCATIONS
Height (ft) Bulb (Watts) Extension Arm (ft) Style
Proposed (>100) 89A Streetlights
35
200
2.5
monterrey
Present traffic signals
35
250
15
cobra
Round-a-bouts
30
250
none
monterrey
SR179 Hillside Pedestrian Sidewalk Lights
15
150
none
monterrey
Uptown Pedestrian Sidewalk Light
15
70
none
monterrey
I would like to express my appreciation for this post. I liked the first part so much as the information is detailed and clear.
I too appreciate the time taken by the 89A Safety Coalition Writes to prepare this fine report. Unfortunately the takeover is predicated on the funding being provided as planned by ADOT. We also need to be cautious as we seriously consider the takeover of State Route 89A. The eagerness demonstrated by ADOT in making this transfer concerns me. Is it because they expect the funds to dry up? If so, we will surely be left holding the bag.
If one looks at the data available in the Council Packets for today’s workshop session, it’s obvious that the City Attorney and staff are cautioning the Mayor and the City Council that there is no guarantee that the funds promised by ADOT will be forthcoming for the next 15 years.
If the figures being provided are solid and the City doesn’t use the money for other unrelated projects, the transfer should be seamless….but it never is! In addition, there is an assumption that in 15 years, when ADOT’s money is gone, there will be alternate funding available to the City. One of the murky assumptions is that, as stated, “Also, the City could set aside a portion of future annual budget surpluses in the restricted road fund to accumulate and earn interest, and then be used for future road projects on SR 89A.” Has that ever worked for the City of Sedona before? If it hasn’t , why assume that it will work then?
Could it be that there are some other reasons having nothing to do with dark skies? Could it be that the City or someone else backing this transfer have plans to redevelop that area and the takeover would allow them to do it? Obviously they can’t do it while it’s under ADOT’s control.
Are there people in town or on the City Council who stand to gain from the redevelopment and are pushing certain members of the Council to do it?
In today’s packet the following is given as the reason for the tranfer:
• The route transfer of SR 89A would allow the City of Sedona to determine its own destiny in any future comprehensive redevelopment planning process for the West Sedona SR 89A corridor.
• The route transfer of SR 89A would allow the City of Sedona to have greater control over the future look and character of SR 89A.
When an area is declared as “blighted” to bring about redevelopment, the owners of that property are usually given far more than the appraised value and they purposely hold out till they get the figure they want. Cities are generally VERY generous when they are trying to redevelop a particular area. In most cases, all you need to do is “follow the money”…Are there people sitting on the Council (now, but gone when the project begins), their relatives, friends, campaign supporters who stand to gain from this Transfer?
As taxpayers of Sedona, we need to look at all of the facts before the transfer is signed and sealed. The decision that will be made on February 22nd of this month will have serious repurcussions for the rest of our lives and should be carefully examined. As members of the silent majority we need to make our feelings known NOW.
We owe it ourselves to do it!
Excellent points, Concerned Citizen #1. At this point in time, I wonder if ADOT isn’t so fed up with Sedona politics that it will do whatever it takes to heap both SR89A and SR179 onto City plates.
How will the city handle emergency calls when the traffic lights fail or there are rock falls during heavy rains? (Even though some mitigation was made on 179 during upgrading, that danger is forever present in untested areas.)
What about keeping those two State Routes snow plowed and salted during winter storms and freezing weather? How will City be able to afford a new highway department or to contract with specialized services when the financial well runs dry? Is this city council so into themselves and their own arrogance of power that they don’t give a hoot what the distant future will hold because of their actions today?
Sadly it appears that the voices of the silent majority, even if they speak up now, will fall on deaf ears. Sure we owe it to ourselves to do it but it doesn’t appear that the City Council or staff believe they owe us the time of day.
Didn’t the endorsement of the turn-back by the Planning & Zoning Commissioners speak volumes?