Item 8BAGENDA ITEM # 8B
MAY 10, 2010
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Resident Concerns about the Robert Street Ditch
SUBMITTED BY: Rick Carper, P.E., Public Works Director
DATE: May 3, 2010
BACKGROUND: At the April 26th meeting, the Commission heard from residents living near
the Robert Street Ditch about concerns for safety, The residents expressed great
concern for the continuing erosion /growth of the ditch, the poorly constructed temporary
repairs, the depth of the water pool at the headwall on Robert Street, the lack of guard
rail /handrails at road /ditch crossings here and at Lewis Street and the need for
sidewalks. At an earlier meeting with residents, an additional concern for erosion
undercutting the ditch banks, especially north of Lewis Street, was expressed.
This ditch is a shared responsibility drainage ditch with the two block portion between Roberts
Street and Dudley Street belonging to FDOT and the remaining block between Dudley
and Dutton Island Road an unplatted drainage easement running through private
property but maintained by the City of Atlantic Beach 0700 feet total length). The FDOT
segment of this ditch is not included in the maintenance agreement between AB and
FDOT, meaning Atlantic Beach is not reimbursed for any work done here. We contract
with Bluewater Environmental to perform aquatic weed control and "weedeat slopes and
remove debris" from the entire ditch.
The residents requested that the City and FDOT enclose the ditch either by piping it or
bulkheading and fencing as was done with the Hopkins Creek ditch in Neptune Beach.
Either of these options would be very expensive and piping the ditch may also require
providing alternative stormwater treatment (e.g., pond) to compensate for water quality
impacts.
Staff has contacted FDOT concerning work to correct the erosion and water pool issues at the
ditch end at Robert Street. The District Two Maintenance Engineer has indicated their
intention is to reconstruct the sand cement bulkhead originally installed in March and to
fill the deep sump at this junction. The reconstructed bulkhead is to be extended and
raised to more effectively combat erosion along the east bank of the ditch. As an
alternative to the sand cement bag bulkhead which is a temporary fix, Staff proposed a
cost share project with FDOT to construct a cast in place concrete bulkhead joined to the
existing concrete endwall on the south, but they have declined this offer. Construction of
a bulkhead along the east bank, which should include ~30 LF of ditch pavement to fill the
sump at the junction and preclude continued erosion, would be a permanent repair. A
rough cost estimate for the bulkhead and ditch paving is $30,000. FDOT will do a field
survey of the Lewis Street bank issues to determine necessary repairs in that ditch
segment.
FDOT considers that guardrail for the protection of vehicular/pedestrian traffic on Roberts St., a
local two-way street, is the City's responsibility. After bulkhead repairs or construction,
Staff proposes to install City standard wooden handrails (resident primary concern is
safety of children, not vehicles), rather than FDOT metal guardrail, here and at the Lewis
Street crossings. Cost per handrail installation will be about $500 for materials and 30 to
40 Staff manhours. We are seeking quotes from contractors to see if that is a more cost
effective method for installation.
A standard four foot wide sidewalk will be constructed on Dudley Street from George Street to
AGENDA ITEM # 8B
MAY 10, 2010
Mayport Road later this summer, using CDBG funds (estimated cost $25,000). There is
no other sidewalk construction budgeted in the current fiscal year, or projected in the FY
2010-2011 Budget Request. Other than the planned Dudley Street sidewalk and
extension of the existing sidewalk on Dutton Island Road, there have been no previous
requests to Public Works for sidewalks in this neighborhood. As a result, actual cost
estimates have not been made for Robert or Lewis Street, but cost is expected to be
similar to the Dudley Street sidewalk. When the Police Department did a Safety Survey
of sidewalk needs in 2008, they recommended sidewalk on Dudley, Robert and / or
Lewis because of the large volume of pedestrian traffic, but noted that the right of way
width on Robert and Lewis (30 feet) was probably too small for sidewalks. Dudley Street
has a 50 foot right of way and was chosen for the sidewalk installation.
RECOMMENDATION: Commission direction as to whether Staff should pursue the
permanent fix of bulkhead construction discussed above or additional sidewalks in the
neighborhood. Staff will install handrails at the Robert Street and Lewis Street crossings
after necessary bank and ditch bottom repairs are completed.
BUDGET: The repairs discussed in this report are not funded. If the cast in place
bulkhead is the desired repair method, a budget modification ordinance will be required
to fund these repairs.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: