Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 9-5-19 E-edition

Thursday, September 5, 2019 | A11 | Mid Valley TiMes New software helps Dinuba
manage its streets and sidewalks
MVT Staff Report
A new software is helping the city of Di- nuba efficiently manage its streets and sidewalks, allowing the city to bet- ter manage pavement repair and rehabilitation, reported City Engineer Jason Watts at the Aug. 27 Dinuba City Council meeting.
According to Watts, the city of Dinuba has about 103 centerline miles of paved streets, and about 13 percent of it is considered to be in poor or very poor condi- tion. But on a good note, the city’s Pavement Con- dition Index (PCI) of 68 is above the California average (65).
“We are also above Tulare County’s average of 62,” added Watts.
Watts explained that the city’s PCI is calcu- lated by taking into ac- count the type, quantity and severity of ‘failures’ observed throughout town. He also note that 52 percent of the city’s pavement is in very good condition.
The city’s PCI index is rated with a numerical value between 0 and 100 (100 being the condition of a brand new street. A PCI index of 70 to 100 is considered very good.
But the city of Dinuba may struggle to break in- to the very good category over the next few years. Budget cuts, and a loom- ing revenue loss from a possible new internet tax bill, means the city will have to be creative in dealing with maintain- ing its pavements.
Watts shared that the struggle of properly main- taining roads is shared amongst most cities.
“It’s very common for cities not to be able to maintain current infra- structure,” said Watts. “Dinuba is not alone in this.”
For that reason, grants are made avail- able to help with pave- ment rehabilitation.
On average, the city of
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
In previous years, students walking from the Viscaya neighborhoods in Dinuba walked through a sometimes muddy and dusty dirt path to get to Roosevelt Elementary School. Seeing the need for more adequate access, the city of Dinuba was able to acquire $200,000 in Measure R funding to construct the Roosevelt Paseo pathway on the north side of the school. The project was completed July 29, just in time for the beginning of school.
Dick Sheppard / Mid Valley Times
City manager Tim Chapa explained police and fire statistics and answered most questions at the town all meeting. Chapa handled the heavy lifting when it came to explaining statistics showing the increased calls for service of the fire and police departments.
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Dinuba spends approxi- mately $550,000 annu- ally to maintain its pave- ments. Of that, Watts rec- ommended that the city budget for 20 percent to be used for preventative maintenance and 80 per- cent to be used for reha- bilitation.
As for the software, called StreetSaver, Watts said the software goes a long way in helping agen- cies make informed de- cisions regarding their streets. He explained that the software helps make the best use of funds by diagnosing the city’s network of pave- ment in order to plan the most cost-effective ap- proach.
The goal of the pave- ment management sys- tem is to maintain the condition of the city’s streets in good to very good categories. Watts recommended the city look into preventative measures consisting of crack-filling and seal treatments, something he said is far less expensive than full rehabilitation projects or reconstruc- tions. He said that pre- ventative measures can cost as little as $2-$10 per square yard, where- as rehabilitation and re- constructions can cost as much as $30-$120 per square yard.
The information was well received by the Di- nuba City Council, who unanimously agreed to move forward with the recommendations for pavement maintenance.
The council also ap- proved a Notice of Com- pletion for the Roosevelt Paseo Project, a land- scaped pathway that now connects Roosevelt Elementary School with residents, school chil- dren, living in the Vis- caya neighborhood.
Prior to the project, many children would walk through at dirt pathway that sat just north of Roosevelt El- ementary School. Both the city and school dis- trict saw the need for a paved pathway after see-
ing students trek through muddy and dusty condi- tions.
At a cost of nearly $159,000, the project was completed by July 29, just in time for the beginning of school, in large part thanks to the cooperation of Dinuba City Works. To expedite the project, city staff worked side by side with contractors to install landscaping and irriga- tion facilities.
To cover the cost, the city of Dinuba was able to secure $200,000 from Measure R Bike and Pe- destrian funding.
A ribbon cutting cer- emony for the Roosevelt Paseo Project will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12.
TOWN HALL Continued from page A1
drug addicted, mentally unstable homeless peo- ple, almost everyone in the audience seemed to become involved.
Comments ranged from, "They [homeless drug addicts] are going to take over the town if something isn't done," to "The council should reconsider its priorities and include one that in- volves dealing with the problem."
Julie Mendoza who runs HOPE Sanger pointed out that there are many kinds of homeless people in Sanger right now and that not all are drug ad- dicted or mentally un- stable. She said several homeless families are currently being housed
at HOPE Sanger. Kevin Carter doubt-
ed there was much the city could do by itself. "It's a statewide problem and the state needs to do more," he said.
Several comment- ed on the diminishing number of facilities able to deal with the kinds of mental health issues that seem to pre- vail among many of the homeless.
The discussion went on in the school parking lot long after Hurtado pointed out how late the meeting had run and thanked everyone for coming and participat- ing.
She and Chapa were urged by many at the meeting to put the homeless issue on an upcoming city council agenda.
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