HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/17/2004 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDO ITEM NUMBER: 13 A-C
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: August 17, 2004
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Tom Frazier
Kathleen Reavis
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Mason Transportation Corridor Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and of the Ordinances on First Reading.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The State's Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) program has awarded an $80,000 grant to the City
of Fort Collins to help build the Mason Transportation Corridor(MTC)trail project.This new grant
funding will be added to the existing BCC funds and the grant funds from the Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT) to fully fund the first phase of trail construction from the Spring Creek
trail to the future Fossil Creek trail along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad corridor.
In addition, staff is requesting that$1,000,000 be temporarily transferred from the existing general
fund reserve identified for transportation purposes to the MTC trail project budget. This temporary
transfer of funds would be re-paid to the general fund reserves in 2005 by the MTC BCC funds
available in 2005. This temporary fund transfer is necessary to bid the whole trail project for
construction in 2004, which is likely to result in more favorable construction bids. Without this
temporary transfer, the City would be required to bid a portion of the trail project for construction
in 2004 and then have a separate bid process in 2005 for the remaining portion of the trail
construction. Splitting the bid process into multiple years would likely result in higher construction
costs and timeline delays for the project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Resolution 2004-095 Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with the State
Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund in Order for the City to Receive Grant
Funding for the Mason Transportation Corridor Trail Project.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 129,2004,Appropriating Funds to the Building Community
Choices (BCC) Capital Projects Fund, Mason Transportation Corridor (MTC)
Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project,from The State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust
Fund.
August 17, 2004 -2- Item No. 13 A-C
C. First Reading of Ordinance No. 130,2004,Appropriating Funds to the Building Community
Choices (BCC) Capital Projects Fund, Mason Street Transportation Corridor (MTC)
Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project,from the General Fund Reserves on a Temporary Basis to
Allow the City to Contract for all of the Construction Improvements to the Mason
Transportation Corridor Trail Project in 2004.
This Council action will authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with The State Board of the
Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the City to receive $80,000 for the MTC trail project as
well as appropriate these new grant funds into the project's budget. In addition, this action will
appropriate$1 million into the MTC trail project's budget on a temporary basis until it can be repaid
by the sales tax cash flow in 2005. The MTC project's budget will repay the$1 million back to the
City's General Fund reserve account in 2005. These funds will be used in 2004 to construct the
bicycle/pedestrian trail in a more timely cost effective manner. Currently,the MTC project does not
have sufficient funds appropriated in 2004 to bid the entire trail segment. A portion of the MTC
funding is in the 2005 budget. In transferring these funds,the MTC project will be able to advertise
for bid the entire trail segment insuring a more competitive bid and completion of trail construction
earlier in 2005. This transfer will have no negative financial impact on the General Fund reserves
account.
BACKGROUND
Transportation Services is nearing completion of the engineering phase of the Mason Transportation
Corridor (MTC) bicycle/pedestrian trail. Staff anticipates advertising for construction bids in
September 2004 and the construction process being completed by Spring 2005.
The MTC trail construction budget is approximately $2.8 million based upon the most recent
engineering estimate for the project. This includes construction of the trail from the Spring Creek
trail to the Fossil Creek trail(approx. 3.5 miles).Of the construction budget,approximately$1.8 has
already been appropriated in the 2004 budget from Building Community Choices (BCC) and
Colorado Department of Transportation(CDOT)grant funds. Pending approval of this agenda item
by City Council,the new grant funding from GOCO would be added to the available funds for 2004.
The remaining $1 million needed for construction was to be appropriated in 2005 as part of the
regular BCC funding appropriation schedule.
Without this advancement of funds from 2005 to 2004, the MTC trail project will need to be
advertised in two separate bid packages. The first would be done in September 2004 for
approximately 1.5 miles of trail and the second would be in January 2005 for the remaining two
miles. By doing these relatively small segments separately, the City limits the potential of
economies of scale for the contractor and increases the costs associated with mobilization of
crews/materials due to the need to stage two separate projects at different times.
The MTC bicycle/pedestrian trail system will be a significant enhancement for the Fort Collins
community,offering a convenient north/south route for cyclists and pedestrians along the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe railroad corridor. The MTC trail system will be designed as a shared bicycle and
pedestrian facility with signalized street crossings at Harmony, Horsetooth, and Drake roads. The
City will continue to pursue any funding options that include federal,state and local sources,as well
as public-private partnerships,to further enhance the project with such features as bicycle/pedestrian
grade-separated structures (underpasses) in the future.
August 17, 2004 -3- Item No. 13 A-C
The City will not be proceeding with the other elements of the MTC at this time, such as the Bus
Rapid Transit system, improvements through Colorado State University, or conversion of Mason
and Howes Streets to two-way travel in the downtown area.
The MTC trail was committed to and funded by the 1997 "Building Community Choices" 1/4 cent
sales tax and by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant from the Colorado
Department of Transportation and the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning
Council. In addition, the MTC trail project has been awarded additional grant funds from Great
Outdoors Colorado.
MTC Trail Cross Section
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August 17, 2004 -4- Item No. 13 A-C
May of MTC nroiect
City is only pursuing the Bike/Pedestrian Trail portion of the project
from the Spring Creek Trail to the Fossil Creek Trail
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RESOLUTION 2004-095
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO
TRUST FUND IN ORDER FOR THE CITY TO RECEIVE GRANT
FUNDING FOR THE MASON TRANSPORTATION
CORRIDOR TRAIL PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City is nearing completion of the engineering phase of the Mason
Transportation Corridor(MTC) bicycle/pedestrian trail and it is anticipated that construction bids
will be advertised in September 2004 and that the construction process will be completed by Spring,
2005; and
WHEREAS,the Colorado State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund(GOCO)
has awarded an $80,000 grant to the City to assist in building the MTC trail project; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City that the
Mayor enter into an agreement with GOCO in order for the City to receive the $80,000 in grant
funding for the MTC trail project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Colorado State
Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund in order for the City to receive a grant in the sum
of$80,000 to assist in the funding of the Mason Transportation Corridor bicycle/pedestrian trail
project.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 17th day of August,
A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 129, 2004
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE BUILDING COMMUNITY CHOICES
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN TRAIL PROJECT, FROM THE STATE BOARD
OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND
WHEREAS, on April 8, 1997, the voters of the City approved Ordinance No. 30, 1997,
authorizing the imposition of a quarter cent sales and use tax for the purpose of generating revenues
to construct certain transportation projects described in the"Building Community Choices"("BCC")
capital improvement program; and
WHEREAS, one such project approved for funding by the voters was the Mason
Transportation Corridor project, Phases 1 and 2; and
WHEREAS, included within the scope of the Mason Transportation Corridor project is the
construction of a bicycle/pedestrian trail (approximately 3.5 miles) along Mason Street from the
Spring Creek Trail to the Fossil Creek Trail,offering a convenient north/south route for cyclists and
pedestrians along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad corridor,and including signalized street
crossings at Harmony, Horsetooth, and Drake Roads (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS,the State's Great Outdoors Colorado("GOCO")program has awarded the City
an $80,000 grant to help build the Project; and
WHEREAS,the City Council adopted Resolution 2004-095,on August 17,2004,authorizing
the City to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with State Board of the Great Outdoors
Colorado Trust Fund for the receipt of GOCO funds to be used for construction of improvements
to the Mason Transportation Corridor project; and
WHEREAS, Transportation Services is nearing completion of the engineering phase of the
Project and staff anticipates advertising for construction bids in September 2004 and the construction
process being completed by Spring 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Project budget is approximately$2.8 million based upon the most recent
engineering estimate for the project and of the construction budget,approximately$1.8 has already
been appropriated in the 2004 budget from BCC and Colorado Department of Transportation
("CDOT") grant funds; and
WHEREAS,Article V, Section 9,of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins permits the City
Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year,
provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations,in combination with all previous
appropriations for that fiscal year, does not exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated
revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, City staff has determined that the appropriation of proceeds from the Great
Outdoors Colorado grant as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the
Capital Projects Fund- Mason Transportation Corridor project to exceed the then current estimate
of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS,it is the desire of the Council to appropriate the sum of$80,000 from the GOCO
Board for the purpose of designing and constructing the MTC Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated revenue in
the Building Community Choices Capital Projects Fund, Mason Transportation Corridor
Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project,the sum of EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS($80,000)from the
State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, for the purpose of designing and
constructing the MTC Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 17th day of
August, A.D. 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of September, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 7th day of September, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 130, 2004
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE BUILDING COMMUNITY CHOICES CAPITAL
PROJECTS FUND, MASON STREET TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN TRAIL PROJECT, FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES ON
A TEMPORARY BASIS TO ALLOW THE CITY TO CONTRACT FOR ALL OF THE
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
TRAIL PROJECT IN 2004
WHEREAS, on April 8, 1997, the voters of the City approved Ordinance No. 30, 1997,
authorizing the imposition of a quarter cent sales and use tax for the purpose of generating revenues
to construct certain transportation projects described in the`Building Community Choices"("BCC")
capital improvement program; and
WHEREAS, one such project approved for funding by the voters was the Mason
Transportation Corridor project, Phases 1 and 2; and
WHEREAS,included within the scope of the Mason Transportation Corridor project is the
construction of a bicycle/pedestrian trail (approximately 3.5 miles) along Mason Street from the
Spring Creek Trail to the Fossil Creek Trail,offering a convenient north/south route for cyclists and
pedestrians along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad corridor,and including signalized street
crossings at Harmony, Horsetooth, and Drake Roads ("Project'); and
WHEREAS, Transportation Services is nearing completion of the engineering phase of the
Project and staff anticipates advertising for construction bids in September 2004 and the construction
process being completed by Spring 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Project budget is approximately$2.8 million based upon the most recent
engineering estimate for the project and of the construction budget, approximately$1.8 has already
been appropriated in the 2004 budget from BCC and Colorado Department of Transportation
("CDOT") grant funds; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2002, City Council adopted Resolution 2002-081, adopting a
strategy for long-term transportation capital fimding for the City; and
WHEREAS,one of the elements for funding transportation capital projects,included in the
aforementioned Resolution, was an annual General Fund allocation of$1,000,000 to be used for
transportation capital projects, including the improvement and extension of the Mason
Transportation Corridor project; and
WHEREAS, staff is recommending using the proceeds from the $1,000,000 from General
Fund prior year reserves designated for transportation capital, and $1,720,000 in existing unspent
and unencumbered appropriations in the Building Community Choices - Mason Street Corridor
project to construct the Project improvements; and
WHEREAS,the City's 2005 Annual Appropriation Ordinance will include an appropriation
of$1,373,051 in the Building Community Choices-Mason Street Corridor project, from 0.25 cent
sales and use tax,of which$1,000,000 will be used to reimburse the City's General Fund for the use
of the prior year reserves recommended for funding the Project in 2004; and
WHEREAS,Article V,Section 9,of the Charter also permits the City Council to appropriate
by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be available from
reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not previously
appropriated; and
WHEREAS,it is the desire ofthe Council to appropriate the sum of$1,000,000 from General
Fund prior year reserves,to be used with existing appropriations,totaling$1,720,000,to be used for
construction ofbicycle/pedestrian trail improvements to the Mason Transportation Corridor project,
from the Spring Creek Trail to the Fossil Creek Trail.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated from prior year reserves in the General Fund,
the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000), for transfer to the Capital Projects Fund -
Building Community Choices - Mason Street Transportation Corridor project, and appropriated
therein to be used for construction of bicycle/pedestrian trail improvements to the Mason
Transportation Corridor project, from the Spring Creek Trail to the Fossil Creek Trail.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 17th day of
August, A.D. 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of September, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 7th day of September, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk