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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/02/2008 - RESOLUTION 2008-080 REAFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF ITEM NUMBER: 19 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: September 2, 2008 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Pete Wray SUBJECT Resolution 2008-080 Reaffirming the Commitment of the City of Fort Collins to Continued Cooperation with the Town of Windsor in the Planning,Design and Construction of the Interchange at Interstate Highway 25 and State Highway 392, and Approving Certain Basic Principles Related to That Cooperative Effort. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY While both the Windsor Town Board and the Fort Collins City Council have committed to the 1601 Study to accelerate the planning,design and construction of the interchange improvements project, conditions have changed in the past few months. As a result, staff determined the timing was right to meet together again and discuss the ongoing partnership. The principles were identified and agreed to during a joint work session between the Fort Collins City Council and Windsor Town Board members held on August 4, 2008, relating to the on-going partnership for I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvements Project. The joint meeting provided an opportunity to step aside and reconfirm the partnership and identify common ground, or differences, on a separate track, while at the same time keeping progress moving forward. BACKGROUND The joint Elected Officials' Meeting between the City of Fort Collins and Town of Windsor to continue partnership discussions for the I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Project was held on August 4,2008 at the REA Building,located at 7649 REA Parkway,Fort Collins. The meeting was facilitated by Barbara Cole, consultant with Community Matters, Inc., in conjunction with Darin Atteberry,Fort Collins City Manager and Kelly Arnold, Windsor Town Manager. Staffs from both the City and Town were also in attendance to assist in the discussion. The purpose of the meeting was to reaffirm the level and type of commitment each jurisdiction has to the I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Project; to reach concurrence on additional areas of agreement to enhance the 1601 process and partnership;and to outline commonly held concerns and issues and determine what parameters and principles are needed to resolve these issues. September 2, 2008 -2- Item No. 19 The primary focus of the discussion included a review of the draft fundamental principles and identification of amendments to this draft, listed as revised principles (see attached Meeting Summary and Revised Fundamental Principles). These ten fundamental principles represent an important basis for the collaborative partnership between these two municipalities. These principles also represent the criteria that Fort Collins and Windsor will use to guide their decision-making for the I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Project. At the conclusion of the August 4, 2008 joint work session, town and city staff were instructed to prepare appropriate resolutions for consideration by the Town Board and the City Council at the next available meeting dates, setting forth the principles upon which the shared vision of the cooperative effort between the municipalities is grounded. Finally, both staffs were directed to identify a revised schedule for the remaining process to complete the 1601 Study for approval, including all remaining joint work sessions to be conducted jointly by both the Town Board and City Council as combined meetings. ATTACHMENTS 1. Summary of Joint Elected Officials Meeting between the City of Fort Collins and Town of Windsor held on August 4, 2008. ATTACHMENT City Manager's Office Clt Of City Hall Fort Collins Fort LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 970.221.8303 970.224.6107•fax kgov.com MEMORANDUM DATE: August 21,2008 TO: Mayors and Members of the Windsor Town Board and Fort Collins City Council THRU: Kelly Arnold,Town of Windsor,Town Manager Darin Atteberry,Fort Collins City Manager ID L FROM: Diane Jones,Deputy City Managerx RE: Summary of Joint Elected Officials Meeting between the City of Fort Collins and Town of Windsor held on August 4th1 2008 to continue partnership discussions for the I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Project. Elected Officials in Attendance: Fort Collins City Council Windsor Town Board Doug Hutchinson,Mayor John Vazquez,Mayor Lisa Poppaw Mike Kelly Diggs Brown Nancy Weber Wade Troxell Richard Drake David Roy Robert Bishop-Cotner Matthew O'Neill Jon Slater The Joint Elected Officials' Meeting between the City of Fort Collins and Town of Windsor to continue partnership discussions for the I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Project was held on August 4",2008 at the REA Building,located at 7649 REA Parkway, Fort Collins. The meeting was facilitated by Barbara Cole of Community Matters, Inc., consultant and in conjunction with Darin Atteberry, City Manager and Kelly Arnold,Town Manager. Staffs from both the City and Town were also in attendance to assist in the discussion. The agenda included purpose of the work session,overview of interview results,identifying fundamental agreements and principles and next steps in the 1601 Study process. Individual interviews were facilitated by the consultant for each elected official prior to the meeting and the results were summarized. The purpose of the meeting was to reaffirm the level and type of commitment each jurisdiction has to the I-25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Project; to reach concurrence on additional ATTACHMENT City of F6rt Collins areas of agreement to enhance the 1601 process and partnership; and to outline commonly held concerns and issues and determine what parameters and principles are needed to resolve these issues. The reconnaissance interview findings were attached to the agenda and highlights of the elected officials responses were presented by Barbara Cole. Additional attachments included draft fundamental principles, 1601 process and project assumptions, and existing resolution and agreements approved to date. The primary focus of the discussion included a review of the draft fundamental principles and identification of amendments to this draft, listed as revised principles(see attached Revised Fundamental Principles). These ten fundamental principles represent an important basis for the collaborative partnership between these two municipalities. These principles also represent the criteria that the City and Town will use to guide their decision-making for the I-25lSH 392 Interchange Improvement Project. At the conclusion of the August a joint work session,Town and City staffs were instructed to prepare appropriate resolutions for consideration by the Town Board and the City Council at the next available hearing dates, setting forth the principles upon which the shared vision of the cooperative effort between the municipalities is grounded. Finally,both staffs were directed to identify a revised schedule for the remaining process to complete the 1601 Study for approval, including all remaining work sessions to be conducted jointly by both the Town Board and City Council as combined meetings. The Meeting concluded and adjourned on time at 9:30 p.m. ATTACHMENT Fort Collins Windsor Fort Collins Joint Meeting August 4,2008 Revised based on Joint Meeting Discussion These ten[]0j fundamental principles, which are not mutually exclusive, represent the criteria that the City of Fort Collins and Town of Windsor will use to guide their decision-makingfor the I-251392 Interchange improvementproject. These ten[10]principles represent the basisfor the collaborative partnership between these two municipalities. DRAFT and REVISED Fundamental Principles DRAFT: 1. Transportation Safety/Improve Level of Service/Ease Congestion: Both municipalities recognize that this intersection is functionally obsolete and has reached a `crisis' level. Continued growth in Northern Colorado will increase the vehicle miles traveled, and further degrade the level of service to unacceptable levels. Traffic congestion at this intersection is creating a spill over effect to other key interchanges,as travelers avoid 392 and seek less congested routes to their intended destination. REVISED: 1. Transportation Safety/Improve Level of Service/Ease Congestion: Both municipalities recognize that this intersection is functionally obsolete and has reached a`crisis' level. Continued growth in Northern Colorado will increase the vehicle miles traveled,and further degrade the level of service to unacceptable levels. Traffic congestion at this intersection is creating a spill over effect to other key interchanges, as travelers avoid 392 and seek less congested routes to their intended destination. DRAFT: 2. Community Character: The I-25/392 Interchange is an important `gateway' feature for both Fort Collins and Windsor. It is viewed as Fort Collin's southern gateway and the main gateway into the Town of Windsor. The design of the interchange and associated land development shall further the gateway concept. REVISED: 2. Community Character: The I-25/392 Interchange is an important 'gateway' feature for both Fort Collins and Windsor.It is viewed as Fort Collin's southern gateway and the main gateway into the Town of Windsor. The design of the interchange, sensitivity to view sheds,and associated land development shall enhance the gateway concept. DRAFT: 3. Time is of the essence. Both communities have entered into the 1601 process to expedite the design, environmental clearance and financing of the interchange, The elected officials ATTACHMENT City of F6rt Collins of both municipalities agree to move expeditiously through the 1601 Approval Process by the end of April 2009. REVISED: 3. Complete the 1601 Approval Process in a timely manner. Before March of 2009,work toward conditional or final 1601 approval from CDOT which has three components:Design, Environmental Clearance and Financing. DRAFT: 4. Environmental Sustainability/Resource Protection: Ensure that development within the Corridor Activity Center occurs in such a way that it protects and enhances the physical and natural environment in and around the interchange with special attention to the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area. REVISED: 4. Environmental Sustainability/Resource Protection: Ensure that interchange improvements occur in such a way a way that it that it minimizes environmental impacts to the greatest extent possible and protects the physical and natural environment in and around the interchange including but not limited to the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area. DRAFT: 5. Equity in Decision-malting: Equitably address and resolve community interests that are common to citizens of both communities and the region through a consensus approach to decision-making. Equity means cost is equal to the benefit derived. REVISED: 5. Equity in Decision-making: Equitably address and resolve community interests that are common to citizens of both communities and the region through a collaborative approach to decision-making. Equity means cost is equal to the benefit derived.Equity also means that critical concerns will be raised by each partner as soon as they are discovered. DRAFT: 6. Multiple Modes: Encourage and promote land use practices and intersection design that supports multiple modes of transportation and the integration of different modes. REVISED: 6. Multiple Modes: Encourage and promote land use practices and intersection design that supports multiple modes of transportation and the integration of current and future alternate modes. ATTACHMENT Fort Collins DRAFT 7. Sales Tax Generating Development within the designated Corridor Activity Center. The adopted Comprehensive Plans for both communities,the March 2008 IGA and the future land use plan for the corridor activity center recognize that at least 650,000 square feet of retail development is envisioned for this interchange. REVISED: 7. Sales Tax Generating Development within the designated Corridor Activity Center. The adopted Comprehensive Plans for both communities,the March 2008 IGA and the future land use plan for the corridor activity center recognize that retail,office, and residential development that result in a mixed use activity center is envisioned for this interchange. DRAFT: 8. Developer Contribution. The financing of the interchange improvements assumes that any development which directly benefits from the interchange improvements shall contribute to the funding of this interchange. REVISED: 8. Developer Contribution. The financing of the interchange improvements assumes that any development which directly benefits from the interchange improvements shall contribute to the funding of this interchange. DRAFT: 9. Revenue Sharing: Both jurisdictions agree to proportionally share the revenue derived from new development within the Corridor Activity Center. Fundamental to the revenue sharing agreement is that the benefit derived from an accelerated interchange improvement will be recognized and accounted for in the revenue sharing formula. REVISED: 9. Revenue Sharing: Both jurisdictions agree to long term, equitable revenue sharing derived from new development within the Corridor Activity Center. The revenue sharing formula will reflect the fiscal and non-fiscal benefits received by each partner. DRAFT: 10. CDOT/FHWA Findings and Standards:Both parties acknowledge that a substantial investment has been made by CDOT/FHWA through the Northern Colorado Interstate 25 Corridor EIS and that the findings and standards as they apply to this interchange shall be adhered to as the basis for the design and environmental clearance. ATTACHMENT City of Fort Collins REVISED: 10. CDOT/FHWA Findings and Standards:Both parties acknowledge that a substantial investment has been made by CDOT/gMA through the Northern Colorado Interstate 25 Corridor EIS and that the findings and standards as they apply to this interchange shall be adhered to as the basis for the design and environmental clearance. RESOLUTION 2008-080 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS REAFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS TO CONTINUED COOPERATION WITH THE TOWN OF WINDSOR IN THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERCHANGE AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 25 AND STATE HIGHWAY 392, AND APPROVING CERTAIN BASIC PRINCIPLES RELATED TO THAT COOPERATIVE EFFORT WHEREAS, the Interstate 25/State Highway 392 Interchange ("Interchange"), located at Exit 262, borders the western edge of the Town of Windsor("Town") and the southeastern limits of the City of Fort Collins ("City"); and WHEREAS, the Interchange is an integral part of the regional transportation network since much of the Town's traffic passes through the Interchange and an increasing number of drivers also use the Interchange as an alternative access point to the City and as a key access point to the residential areas in Larimer County and The Ranch, a regional entertainment destination; and WHEREAS, in recent years, the existing capacity of the Interchange has been significantly impacted by state and regional growth, as well as local growth in Windsor and southeast Fort Collins, so that the Interchange is unable to handle current traffic capacity during peak hours; and WHEREAS, the Interchange and nearby transportation infrastructure are currently operating at failing or near failing levels of service, and are characterized by numerous design and operational deficiencies and substandard safety features; and WHEREAS, some transportation models suggest that traffic at the Interchange will more than double by 2030; and WHEREAS, no gateway features exist at the Interchange area despite its location on the borders of the Town and the City; and WHEREAS, the enhancement and improvement of the Interchange will further many of the goals of the Town and City, including the promotion of new commercial activity areas, meeting the transportation demands of the community, promoting connectivity of local roadways to the regional system, and creating opportunities for multi-modal transportation options; and WHEREAS, the enhancement and improvement of the Interchange will promote the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Town and the City by facilitating the timely and safe movement of people, goods, information, and services, and by providing access to new services,jobs and retail goods; and WHEREAS, with innovative and thoughtful planning, the Interchange area could be transformed into a unique and memorable, revenue-generating gateway for both the City and Town; and WHEREAS, the City and the Town are parties to an existing Intergovernmental Agreement ("Windsor/FTC IGA") in which the parties have pledged to cooperate to explore and implement solutions to existing traffic issues related to the Interchange; and WHEREAS, consistent with the Windsor/FTC IGA, the City and the Town have approved the preparation of a study which, upon approval by the State Transportation Board, will allow the construction of the Interchange improvements at the earliest possible time; and WHEREAS, on August 4, 2008, the City Council and the Town Board met in a joint work session to discuss their ongoing cooperative effort to facilitate the design and construction of improvements to the Interchange and to consider the design, environmental, land use and transportation goals shared by the municipalities in the area of the Interchange; and WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the August 4 work session, the City Council and the Town Board directed staff to prepare resolutions setting forth the principles upon which the cooperative effort between them is grounded; and WHEREAS, by the adoption of this resolution the City Council desires to reaffirm its commitment to this important joint effort and to encourage the continuation of this effort. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby adopts the following principles to guide the cooperative effort between the City and the Town with regard to improvement of the Interchange: • Transportation Safety/Improve Level of Service/Ease Congestion: Both municipalities recognize that the Interchange is functionally obsolete and has reached a `crisis' level. Continued growth in Northern Colorado will increase the vehicle miles traveled, and further degrade the level of service. Traffic congestion at the Interchange is creating a spill-over effect on other key interchanges, as travelers avoid State Highway 392 and seek less congested routes to their intended destination. • Community Character: The Interchange is an important `gateway' feature for both the City and the Town. It is viewed as a southern gateway to the City and the main gateway to the Town. The design of the Interchange, sensitivity to view sheds, and associated land development will enhance the gateway concept. • Complete the 1601 Approval Process in a timely manner. Before March of 2009, the City and the Town will work toward conditional or final 1601 approval -2- from the Colorado Department of Transportation ("CDOT") which will be comprised of the following three components: design, environmental clearance and financing. • Environmental Sustainability/Resource Protection: The City and the Town will, to the greatest extent possible, ensure that the Interchange improvements occur in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts and protects the physical and natural environment in and around the Interchange, including but not limited to the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area. • Equity in Decision-making: The City and the Town will equitably address and resolve community interests that are common to citizens of both communities and the region through a collaborative approach to decision-making. Equity means that cost will be equal to the benefit derived. Equity also means that critical concerns will be raised by the City and the Town as soon as they are discovered. • Multiple Modes: The City and the Town will encourage and promote land use practices and an Interchange design that will support multiple modes of transportation as well as the integration of current and future alternate modes of transportation. • Sales Tax Generating Development within the designated Corridor Activity Center. The adopted comprehensive plans for both communities, the March, 2008 IGA and the future land use plan for the corridor activity center recognize that retail, office, and residential development that result in a mixed use activity center is envisioned for the Interchange. • Developer Contribution. The financing of the Interchange improvements will assume that any development which directly benefits from the Interchange improvements will contribute to the funding of the Interchange. • Revenue Sharing: Both jurisdictions agree to long-term, equitable revenue sharing derived from new development within the Corridor Activity Center. The revenue sharing formula will reflect the fiscal and non-fiscal benefits received by each party. • CDOT/FHWA Findings and Standards: Both parties acknowledge that a substantial investment has been made by CDOT/FHWA through the Northern Colorado Interstate 25 Corridor EIS and that the findings and standards as they apply to the Interchange will be adhered to as the basis for the design and environmental clearance. Section 2. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to work cooperatively with the Town Manager to: (a) move forward with the plans for the improvement of the Interchange; (b) provide regular updates on the project to the City Council; and (c) -3- schedule future joint work sessions with the Town Board for the purpose of receiving future guidance and comment with regard to this project. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 2nd day of September A.D. 2008. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk -4-