Ankeny Boulevard (U.S. Highway 69) and First Street Intersection Improvements

Notice of Intent to Commence a Public Improvement Project and to Acquire Property Interests

The action before the City Council is the adoption of a Resolution regarding the Ankeny Boulevard (U.S. Highway 69) and First Street Intersection Improvements project, which involves publishing a Notice of Intent and setting a Public Hearing date on the acquisition of property for the project.  The City is undertaking the design and property acquisition of the Ankeny Boulevard (U.S. Highway 69) and First Street Intersection Improvements project at this time.  The project will improve traffic safety and mobility through the intersection by modifying the east and west approaches to provide a single westbound left turn lane and a dedicated westbound right turn lane.  The project will also provide pedestrian and landscaping enhancements including colored concrete and new plantings at the four corners of the intersection and within the raised medians on First Street.  The project is currently scheduled for construction in 2018.  In order to preserve the construction schedule for the project, the property acquisition process needs to begin at this time.

The limits of the proposed project show a need to acquire temporary construction easement from two (2) properties in the vicinity of the intersection.  To facilitate the acquisition process, a Public Hearing needs to be scheduled and a Notice of Intent needs to be published.  The notification will allow the affected property owners the opportunity to review the plans for the project and the need for acquiring the temporary construction easement.

Following the publication of the Notice of Intent, a Public Hearing will be held by the City Council to officially initiate the acquisition process for the project.  Pending City Council approval, a schedule for the proceedings is as follows:

1.  Set Date of Public Hearing:  November 20, 2017

2.  Publish Notice of Intent:  December 1, 2017

3.  Public Hearing (5:30 P.M.):  December 18, 2017 at City Hall Council Chambers

It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:

1.  Adopt a Resolution setting the Public Hearing date as December 18, 2017 for the Ankeny Boulevard (U.S. Highway 69) and First Street Intersection Improvements project in accordance with the Notice of Intent to Commence a Public Improvement Project to be published in the Des Moines Register on December 1, 2017.

November 3, 2017:  Property owners were notified of the upcoming Project Information Meeting that was held on November 16, 2017.

November 17, 2017:  Property owners were notified of the need to acquire property for the proposed public improvement project.

Action: Consider motion to adopt a RESOLUTION fixing a date for hearing on intent to commence a public improvement and to acquire property interests for the Ankeny Boulevard (U.S. Highway 69) and First Street Intersection Improvements project. (date of hrg:  12/18/17 @ 5:30 p.m.)