The Snowflake Town Council approved an amendment to the memorandum of understanding with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) for participation in the sign inventory project last week.

Public Works Superintendent Terry Cooper noted that the council had previously approved the agreement.

He gave an overview of the process, noting that the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is authorized under the current federal transportation act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, and provides for the goal of achieving a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads, including non-state-owned public roads and roads on tribal lands.

The HSIP requires a data driven, strategic approach to improving highway safety, and is administered in Arizona by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), which, in turn, coordinates with the councils of governments and metropolitan planning organization for the disbursement of funds for use on non-state roads. NACOG serves four counties in northern Arizona and acts to identify, prioritize and program HSIP projects.

One fourth of the $600,000 received annually by NACOG goes to Navajo County, but the number of eligible projects is limited, explained Cooper, noting that it has been determined that sign upgrades and rehabilitation programs are eligible.

In order to meet the HSIP requirement of projects being data driven and implemented by a strategic approach, a sign inventory was required before they could proceed with any upgrades or rehabilitations.

The council entered into an agreement on May 27, 2013, with NACOG to execute the procurement process for consultant selection to complete the required inventories for continuance of the sign panel replacement program, which has been completed. Upon acceptance from local agencies of those inventories, the project will proceed with panel construction and replacement.

Cooper explained that NACOG submitted Amendment 1 to the original agreement to be able to complete the project.

Amendment 1 assures that access to the rights of way will be granted by the town to the contractor selected for the panel replacements.

Cooper noted that NACOG will administer the procurement process, and it is fully funded by the HSIP, requiring no match or expenditure of local funds.

The council approved the amendment to the agreement with NACOG for participation in the sign inventory project.

“In other words, we’re going to give them a right of way permit,” Cooper said.