HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/22/2005 - FORMAL PROCESS TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF HARMONY RO DATE: February 22, 2005 STUDY SESSION ITEM
STAFF: Gary Diede FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study session item is to begin the formal process to transfer ownership of
Harmony Road (State Highway #68) between College Avenue and I-25, from the Colorado
Department of Transportation(CDOT) to the City of Fort Collins.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Will the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign the attached proposed letter to CDOT
(Attachment 1), initiating the formal process to consider the transfer of ownership of SH-68,
recognizing that a final decision will be available to City Council at a later date?
BACKGROUND
Representatives from Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Fort Collins
Transportation Services have been discussing options for transferring ownership of SH-68 from
CDOT to the City of Fort Collins for many years. This is a short road segment that from
CDOT's perspective does not need to be on the state system. East Harmony Road is now
developing into an urban arterial, and it seems to make sense to CDOT for the City to own and
maintain it. The City has resisted these proposals in the past because of the costs that would be
involved.
A major change has occurred with the most recent discussions on this matter. CDOT now has
funds available that they are willing to provide to the City in conjunction with the transfer of
ownership. There is some urgency to this matter because part of these funds need to be
committed by CDOT in this fiscal year (before July, 2005). Estimates of the costs to upgrade,
overlay and maintain East Harmony Road for 20 years are attached. These estimates were
developed jointly between City and CDOT staff. CDOT is offering the City a lump sum
payment of approximately $13,650,000 to take ownership of SH-68. After these funds are
expended over the next 20 plus years, the City would have to find $220,000 per year to cover the
on-going maintenance costs.
There are a number of reasons why City Council should consider the transfer at this time:
• Fort Collins will have full control of the future design, construction and
maintenance of Harmony Road.
• Fort Collins will no longer have to seek A-Line access approval from CDOT.
• Fort Collins can modify the Access Control Plan on its own without CDOT
involvement.
• It is highly unlikely that CDOT will be able to accumulate this amount of
funds in the future to pay to the City.
February 22, 2005 Page 2
Three steps are needed to complete the ownership transfer:
1. Fort Collins needs to send a letter to Karla Harding, CDOT Regional
Transportation Director, requesting the ownership transfer (under
consideration tonight).
2. Colorado Transportation Commission acts on CDOT Region IV's
recommendation to remove this highway section and transfer ownership to the
City.
3. CDOT and Fort Collins exchange ownership by approving an
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) (requires City Council action at a later
date).
The transfer process can be stopped at any time by either party and it does not become final until
the intergovernmental agreement is approved by City Council and the funds are received.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed letter to Karla Harding, Regional Transportation Director, Region IV, CDOT.
2. Cost estimate for upgrades and maintenance of East Harmony Road.
ATTACHMENT
iaCity Manager's Office
City of Fort Collins
February 23, 2005 [DRAFT ]
Karla Harding
Regional Transportation Director
Colorado Department of Transportation,Region 4
1420 2n' Street
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: State Highway 68 Abandonment
Dear Ms. Harding,
This letter is intended to document discussions between our staffs,and to serve as a formal
request from the City of Fort Collins to remove State Highway 68(East Harmony Road),
between US Highway 287 and the Harmony RoaM-25 Transfer Center, from the state highway
system. The City of Fort Collins wishes to exercise local control over the development and
access within this important corridor,which has become more urban in nature as compared to the
rural highway it once was. The entire roadway is within the City's Urban Growth Area.
The Colorado Department of Transportation(CDOT)is interested in minimizing the total
mileage in the state highway system while providing a comprehensive,regional system, To
facilitate the proposed transition,we understand that CDOT agrees to make a one-time payment
to the City in the approximate amount of$13.65M to account for the state's share of upgrading
the condition of the roadway to an acceptable standard as well as covering the costs of operation
and maintenance for a 20-year period.
Based on these mutual interests,the City of Fort Collins would like to request that CDOT initiate
the process of developing an intergovernmental agreement for formal consideration by both
parties,which will remove this segment of roadway from the state highway system and give the
City of Fort Collins full jurisdiction over the road.
Sincerely,
Darin A.Atteberry
City Manager
300 LaPbrte Avenue - PO.Box 590 - Fort Collins,CO$0522-0580 - (9M 221-6505 - FAX(970)274-6107• TDD(970)22"W1
www.fcgovcom
ATTACHMENT
East Harmony Road (SH-68)—Costs to Upgrade and Maintain
HARMONY ROAD, COLLEGE TO 1-25
Harmony Overlay Cost:
$3,885,000
Concrete Intersections:
Ziegler $1,786,000
Corbett $1,364,000
College $1,557,000
Repair RR Crossing $70,000
Reconstruct FCRID Box Culvert: $200,000
EB Profile Adjustment: $75,000
Add EB Bike Lane, Ziegler to Strauss Cabin: $300,000
20 Years of O&M Costs: $4,413,000
TOTALS: $13,650,000