Council Report

City Council Report
Date: November 2, 2026
To: City Council
Through: Marc Heirshberg, Assistant City Manager
From: Erik Guderian, Transportation Director
Sabine King, Assistant Transportation Director
Subject: Sossaman Road and Germann Road Intersection Improvements
City of Mesa CIP Project No. CP1098
Town of Queen Creek Project No. A0904
Intergovernmental Agreement with Maricopa County and Town of Queen
Creek
Council District 6
Purpose and Recommendation
The purpose of this report is to request Council approval of a resolution authorizing the
City of Mesa (City) to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Maricopa
County (County) and the Town of Queen Creek (Town).
The IGA establishes the transfer of jurisdiction over right-of-way associated with
improvements to the Sossaman Road and Germann Road intersection and the Union
Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at-grade crossing (Project).
Refer to Exhibit A for the Project location.
Staff recommends Council approve the resolution and authorize the City Manager to
execute the IGA on behalf of the City. The IGA defines each party's responsibilities for
transferring the Project right-of-way to the Town and establishes the Town's
responsibility for property acquisition and future operation and maintenance.
Background
The Sossaman Road and Germann Road intersection is in southeast Maricopa County,
with the City to the north and the Town to the south. Portions of the future Project right-
of-way and easements are within the City and unincorporated Maricopa County. In July
2015, the parties completed a final alignment study evaluating the intersection, the
UPRR at-grade crossing, and traffic impacts to Pecos Road and Rittenhouse Road. The
parties are in the process of completing the Project design, which is currently at 90%.
The construction will be the sole responsibility of the Town.
In 2022, the parties entered into a separate IGA defining their roles and financial

responsibilities for design of the intersection improvements. The current IGA addresses
the jurisdictional changes needed for the Project and does not supersede the 2022 IGA.
Discussion
Public agencies are authorized under A.R.S. Section 11-951 et seq. to enter into IGAs
for services and joint or cooperative actions.
After the Project design is approved by all parties, UPRR, and the Arizona Corporation
Commission, the County will allow the Town to annex the Project right-of-way and
easements within unincorporated Maricopa County. The City will deannex the portions
of the future Project right-of-way within its current limits, and the Town will then annex
those areas. The affected areas include portions of existing Germann Road and
Sossaman Road right-of-way, UPRR property, and adjacent parcels needed for the
Project, as shown in Exhibit B.
The Town will serve as the lead agency and acquire all rights-of-way, easements, and
property interests needed to construct the Project. The Town will be solely responsible
for the acquisition costs, including appraisals, negotiations, relocation assistance, legal
services, and any condemnation proceedings, settlements, or judgments. The Town will
also prepare the legal description, annexation exhibit, and draft ordinance for County
review. After construction, the Town will be responsible for operating and maintaining
the intersection and traffic signal.
The IGA will remain in effect for ten years or until the parties have completed their
responsibilities. The maintenance and indemnification obligations will continue after the
IGA terminates.
Alternatives
The City Council could choose not to enter into the IGA. This is not recommended
because the parties would not have an agreement establishing the jurisdictional
transfers needed for the Project or the Town's future operation and maintenance
responsibilities, which could delay the Project.
Fiscal Impact
The IGA does not assign right-of-way acquisition costs to the City. The Town will be
solely responsible for all acquisition-related expenses, at no cost or financial obligation
to the City or County. The IGA does not change the financial responsibilities established
in the 2022 IGA.
Coordinated With
This Agreement has been coordinated with the Engineering Department.