HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/20/2004 - RESOLUTION 2004-086 SUBMITTING COMMENTS TO THE NOR ITEM NUMBER: 26
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: July20, 2004
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Don Bachman
SUBJECT
Resolution 2004-086 Submitting Comments to the North Front Range Transportation and Air
Quality Planning Council on its Draft 2030 Regional Transportation Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council (also known as the North
Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO) is preparing the 2030 Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP). This RTP, required by Federal and State transportation planning
regulations, will be the guiding document for the next three years in facilitating transportation
system development for this region. The 2030 RTP will be incorporated into CDOT's statewide
plan. To be eligible for federal or state funding,transportation projects must be included in the RTP.
At the June 22,2004 City Council study session the MPO presented Council with a Draft 2030 RTP
and invited comments. City Council directed staff to prepare a resolution transmitting two
fundamental comments: (1) that the RTP reflect the City's multimodal priorities; and (2) that the
City Council acknowledges the current funding difficulties for transportation projects.
BACKGROUND
The State of Colorado receives federal transportation funding assistance. A portion of these funds
are distributed to local agencies. Federal regulations require states to prepare a multimodal
transportation plan. The North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization is one of fifteen
transportation planning regions designated by the state to prepare Regional Transportation Plans,
which are the basis of Colorado's 20-year transportation plan. Member agencies of the MPO are
Fort Collins, Greeley, Evans, Loveland, Berthoud, Garden City, Windsor, Johnstown, Milliken,
Timnath, and Larimer and Weld Counties.
The MPO is required to update its RTP every three years. The preparation of the 2030 RTP has
been underway for several months. The purpose is to assemble a comprehensive multimodal plan
for the region,reflecting the transportation improvements envisioned for the 25-year period ending
in 2030. The undertaking involves identification of funding sources and distributing them by mode;
establishment of transportation goals and corresponding project criteria; and prioritization of
July 20, 2004 -2- Item No. 26
transportation projects submitted by the member agencies and CDOT. Representatives of the
member agencies have been involved in the process throughout. The result will be a region-wide
prioritized listing of projects by mode. In order for an agency's projects to be funded,they must be
included in the plan. The source of the project submittals for Fort Collins is the Capital
Improvement Plan recently adopted by City Council as part of the Transportation Master Plan.
In total there are 344 projects in the Draft 2030 RTP,costing about$4.6 billion. However,less than
$1.2 billion in potential federal funding has been projected for the plan period. In the first few years
of the plan it is anticipated that, due to the economy and other state commitments, very little
discretionary money will be available to the region for most programs, particularly roads.
RESOLUTION 2004-086
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUBMITTING COMMENTS TO THE NORTH FRONT RANGE
TRANSPORTATION AND AIR QUALITY PLANNING COUNCIL
ON ITS DRAFT 2030 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN
WHEREAS, as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization in the North Front
Range, the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council is responsible
for the preparation of the Regional Transportation Plan in accordance with Federal and State
requirements; and
WHEREAS, transportation projects in the region must be programmed in the Regional
Transportation Plan to be eligible for Federal and State funding assistance; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins is a member agency of the North Front Range
Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council; and
WHEREAS, the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council
staff has presented to the City Council a draft 2030 Regional Transportation Plan and requested
City Council's comments on the plan.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS, COLORADO as follows:
Section 1. The City Council hereby accepts the multimodal transportation project
priority process used by the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council
for the 2030 RTP provided that the City of Fort Collins' transportation priorities are generally
acknowledged.
Section 2. The City Council hereby acknowledges the projected limits on available
State and Federal transportation funding and requests that the North Front Range Transportation
and Air Quality Planning Council strive to place the region in the most favorable position
feasible for attracting new State and Federal funds.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins,
Colorado held this 20th day of July, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk