Thrussell: A second opinion
The Public Works Committee on Wednesday approved 8-2 a peer review contract for the Russell and Third Streets draft Environmental Impact Statement. This from Councilwoman Stacy Rye, who with Councilman Bob Jaffe pitched the idea to hire an outside firm to scrutinize the draft EIS. Citizens, including some who had served on an EIS advisory committee, raised questions about the recommendations in the document.
The contract is for $186,000 — more than originally expected — and it’s with Kittelson and Associates, based in Portland, Ore. From their Web site*: “Our goal is to develop solutions that improve the performance of highway, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit systems.”
Can they “improve” in time for the project to get on the “shovel-ready” list? Might be nice but I’m guessing unlikely.
According to Rye, the full council takes up the matter Monday under committee reports. That could mean some discussion on the floor.
– Keila Szpaller
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:15 am
Ward 3 Councilman Bob Jaffe provided this link to the contract in his government listserv:
ftp://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/packets/council/2009/2009-01-12/Referrals/HKMPeerReviewAmend4.pdf
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
I wonder how big the bumps on each side of the Russell st. bridge will be by the time the shovels are ready. The one exiting the bride in the south bound lane is clearly a public safety hazard. My truck clears it just fine, but I worry for the lower-front wheel drive cars. That bump is like a foot high.I bet it is getting close to hitting some folks oil pans.
Can Kittelson and Associates fly someone out with a tape measure? I agree that they don’t have time to get the entire street rebuild on the “shovel-ready” list, but they might be able to get a crew out there to grind down those bumps.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:02 am
[...] more background see: The contract with Kittelson and Associates that passed council, or Keila Szpaller’s post at Missoula Red Tape. « Save the People! | [...]