Agenda Item Wording:
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Presentation by the Streets Maintenance Division - Presentation and updates from the Streets Maintenance Division’s annual tasks and accomplishments.
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Deadline for Action: 2/3/2025
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Danny Galindo, Public Works Manager, danny.galindo@visalia.city <mailto:danny.galindo@visalia.city> , 713-4186
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.city <mailto:nick.bartsch@visalia.city> ,713-4052
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that Council receive the presentation and updates from the City of Visalia Streets Maintenance Division.
Background Discussion:
The Streets Maintenance Division currently maintains approximately 525 miles of City-owned roadways with a crew of eight employees. There are multiple pavement preservations methods that are used to maintain these roadways, such as pothole patching, crack sealing, dig-outs, thin skin overlays, reclamite rejuvenation, and cape seal. The goal is to maximize the lifespan of the City’s streets. The City utilizes a pavement management system to forecast needs based on data driven assessments. Streets are selected for repairs based on multiple factors. The overall pavement condition is used to determine when a repair or replacement is required. Forecasting work is key. It enables prioritized repairs, minimizing delays. Efficient pavement preservation relies on scheduling ahead, maximizing resources, and addressing issues before they become major problems.
Pothole patching is a repair method that involves filling a pothole with material and compacting it to create a level surface. In 2024, the Street Maintenance Division patched an estimated 4,000 potholes using 500 tons of material. Citizens can report potholes or other street issues by calling or reporting them online.
Crack sealing is performed to fill cracks and joints in asphalt to prevent water from penetrating the pavement, that would otherwise cause premature pavement failure. In 2024, the Streets Maintenance Division repaired 112,414 square yards of roadway using this method.
Dig-outs are used to repair highly damaged sections of pavement by completely reconstructing isolated areas of the roadway. This method is used when other maintenance techniques are no longer effective.
Thin skin overlays are a pavement preservation technique that involves applying a thin layer of asphalt over areas of damaged roadway where the structural section is still intact. This prolongs the wearing surface and extends the life of the street. Thin skin overlays can be cape-sealed later to further prolong its useful life. In 2024 the Streets Maintenance Division applied 4,062 tons of asphalt in thin skin overlays, encompassing 177,248 square yards.
The reclamite rejuvenation process restores and preserves the durability of existing asphalt by applying a rejuvenating agent used to penetrate the surface of the pavement and restore asphalt flexibility by replenishing components of the asphalt that are lost from the elements and the aging process. In 2024, the City applied this preservation method to the northwest quadrant, encompassing 54 miles of streets, (1,851,827 square yards).
Cape Seal consists of an application of a chip seal followed by a micro-surfacing application onto the selected roadways. The chip seal consists of applying an asphalt-rubber seal binder combined with a heated application of aggregate cover material. After the chip seal has cured, the micro-surfacing application is applied. This secondary application consists of a mixture of aggregate, emulsified asphalt, mineral filler, and other additives that create a new drivable surface over the chip seal. In 2024, the City completed 10 miles of roadway (232,398 square yards) with this application.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No motion required.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Streets Division Presentation