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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/03/2000 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE MASON STREET TRANSPORTATION AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 29A-B DATE: October 3, 2000 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF• Susanne Durkin-Schindler SUBJECT: Items Relating to the Mason Street Transportation Corridor Master Plan. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The remaining funds available from a portion of the Building Community Choices 1/4 cent for Transportation projects will pay for Phase 2 of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor. This phase is the design and construction of a bicycle and pedestrian facility from Prospect to Harmony Road. Additional funding for the Corridor may come from several sources: FTA "New Start" grants, a portion of annual sales tax revenues, the General Fund, tax increment funds, and user fares. lipAdoption of the Master Plan does not obligate the City to fund the remainder of the Corridor improvements. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A. Resolution 2000-124 Approving the Mason Street Transportation Corridor Master Plan and Extending the Boundary of the Mason Street Corridor to Fossil Creek Trail. B. Resolution 2000-125 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Regarding the Mason Street Transportation Corridor. The first Resolution formally adopts the Master Plan for the conceptual design of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor (the "Corridor") and extends the boundary of the Corridor. The general concept is an at-grade bus rapid transit located along the east side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe ("BNSF') Railroad and the bicycle and pedestrian path on the west side. The original project concept in Building Community Choices described a southern terminus at Harmony Road. The final conceptual design is for the Corridor to extend south to the Fossil Creek Trail. City Council must take formal action to enlarge the scope of the Corridor beyond the Building Community Choices project description. The first Resolution also extends the Corridor boundary. DATE: cto er _ ITEM NUMBER: 29 A Memorandum of Understanding with the BNSF Railroad is needed to establish a basic understanding and foundation for creating and implementing the formal agreement regarding the Corridor. The second Resolution authorizes the City Manager to enter into such a Memorandum of Understanding. Staff will work with the Railroad to complete a final agreement based on the issues listed in the Memorandum. BACKGROUND The voters as part of the Building Community Choices capital improvement package approved the Mason Street Transportation Corridor project. This is a transportation corridor that extends for nearly five miles,from Cherry Street on the north to Harmony Road on the south,centered along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks. The corridor is intended to enhance opportunities for pedestrians,bicyclists,and transit riders along its length,to encourage development and to provide for economic opportunities. It will create a direct north/south route for bicyclists and offer a faster passenger trip time using transit rather than the auto on a congested College Avenue corridor. It also presents the future possibility of rail service from Fort Collins to destinations throughout the region. The project will not remove vehicular traffic from Mason and McClelland where streets already exist. Funding is available through FY 2005 for Phase 1 —Planning and Design, and Phase 2 — Bike/Pedestrian facility from Prospect Road to Harmony Road. The Planning and Design phase began in December of 1998. The citizens of Fort Collins provided input as to the design of the corridor through surveys, public meetings, and a design workshop. Staff, the consultant team, and the Mason Street Lead Team subsequently worked on the following design components over a ten-month period: data collection survey of existing conditions definition of issues and objectives conceptual development and refinements three travel behavior surveys On October 26,1999,City Council reviewed the project work to date and provided direction to staff to continue developing design elements and evaluation criteria for three transit options: at-grade rubber-tire,at-grade light rail,and grade-separated transit. On April 4,2000,City Council reviewed the recommendation of staff and consultants and determined that the at grade rubber-tire option was the best choice for the initial design of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor. The Corridor Master Plan includes horizontal and vertical engineering for the Corridor. This engineering plan addresses topographic challenges,surface drainage structures,underground utilities and property ownership. The Plan also includes a landscape overlay that begins to identify the locations and extent of landscape treatment along the Corridor. The Plan also encompasses the input,recommendations and ideas of the City staff and consultant team,property owners and most directly affected interests, and the public. One of the first steps in developing the Corridor Master Plan was to determine the community's vision for the Mason Street Transportation Corridor. This was done through a questionnaire and design workshop. Many participants saw an advantage in extending the Corridor beyond Harmony Road to the proposed Fossil Creek Trail. This extension would greatly enhance the connectivity to DATE: October 3, 2000 3 ITEM NUMBER: 29 A-B bike routes in the southern part of Fort Collins. It also provides an opportunity to locate the southern transit terminus on undeveloped land that is cost savings to the project. Under the terms of the Ordinance that authorized the quarter cent sales and use tax for transportation projects in Building Community Choices, the City Council must approve the design, cost and scheduling of any of those projects. The Corridor Master Plan sets forth the conceptual design, estimated costs and proposed schedule for the Corridor. By adopting the Master Plan, the City Council is fulfilling the terms of the originating ordinance. In order to gain usage of the right-of-way from the BNSF, the City will need to enter into an agreement with the Railroad. The Memorandum of Understanding sets the stage for a final agreement that sets forth the specific conditions for the use of the railroad right-of-way. The agreement will address responsibility for liability, maintenance, fees, permits, and taxes on improvements as well as emergencies and other appropriate concerns. Next Steps: Staff will negotiate a final agreement with the Burlington Northern Railroad, begin the implementation of Phase 2 of the Corridor,and aggressively pursue funding for the complete project, especially the Federal Transit Administration "New Starts" grant money. Citizen input will be sought during the final design process for Phase 2. • RESOLUTION 2000-124 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROVING THE MASON STREET TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN AND EXTENDING THE BOUNDARY OF THE MASON STREET CORRIDOR TO FOSSIL CREEK TRAIL WHEREAS, on April 8, 1997, the voters of the City approved Ordinance No. 30, 1997, (the "Ordinance") 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 project; and WHEREAS, one such project approved for funding by the voters was the Mason Street Transportation Corridor Project, Phases 1 and 2 (the 'Project"); and WHEREAS, under the Ordinance, the City Council is to approve the design, cost and scheduling of the Project; and WHEREAS, on April 4, 2000, City Council directed staff to pursue the conceptual design for the Project with an at grade rubber-tire transit component; and WHEREAS, accordingly, City staff and its consultants, advised by the Mason Street Transportation Corridor Citizen Lead Team, developed the proposed Mason Street . Transportation Corridor Master Plan (the "Master Plan") dated October, 2000, a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk; and WHEREAS, the Master Plan contains a preliminary design of the Project, as well as estimated costs, and a proposed schedule for construction; and WHEREAS, the Transportation Board, Planning and Zoning Board and Air Quality Advisory Board have recommended adoption of the Master Plan; and WHEREAS, the boundaries of Phase 2 of the Project were described in Exhibit "A" of the Ordinance as extending from Cherry Street to Harmony Road; and WHEREAS, City staff has subsequently recommended, based upon feedback received during community outreach related to the Project, that the Project should be extended beyond Harmony Road to the Fossil Creek Trail; and WHEREAS, this extension would greatly enhance the connectivity of the Project to bike routes in the southern part of the City; and WHEREAS, extending the southern terminus of the Project to the Fossil Creek Trail would provide an opportunity to locate the south transit center that is envisioned as part of the Project on undeveloped land, which would result in a significant cost savings to the Project; and • WHEREAS, the Ordinance permits the Council to enhance the scope or design of the Project and/or increase the costs thereof; provided, however, that if revenues generated by the quarter cent sales and use tax imposed under the Ordinance are to be utilized in funding any enhancement to the Project, the Council must first find that such enhancement or increase in cost will not substantially impair the City's ability to fully fund the construction of any of the other projects to be funded by the proceeds of such tax; and WHEREAS, funding sources for the extension of Phase 2 and subsequent phases of the Project have not yet been identified but may be available from the Federal Transit Administration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the Mason Street Transportation Corridor Master Plan, including the design, cost and scheduling contained therein, is hereby approved by the Council. Section 2. That the extension of the Project boundaries from Harmony Road to the Fossil Creek Trail is also approved by the Council, subject to the Council's subsequent determination as to whether funds generated by the sales and use tax imposed pursuant to the Ordinance should be used for such extension or whether other revenues lawfully available to the City shall be used for such purpose. Section 3. That the City Manager shall direct the staff to implement Phase 2 of the Project and pursue Federal Transit Administration and other funding opportunities for the implementation of the Master Plan. Section 4. That, at such time as the City Manager has been able to determine the availability of funds for the extension of the Project to the Fossil Creek Trail, the City Manager shall submit a recommendation as to such funding to the Council for its consideration. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 3rd day of October,A.D. 2000. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk • RESOLUTION 2000-125 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILROAD REGARDING THE MASON STREET TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR WHEREAS, on April 8, 1997, voters approved Ordinance No. 30, 1997, which authorized the funding of Phases 1 and 2 of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor (the "Corridor"); and WHEREAS, the Corridor was defined in the ballot language as within the right of way of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (the "Railroad"); and WHEREAS, the Railroad and the City would like to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding in order to establish a basic understanding and foundation for creating and implementing a formal and detailed agreement between the City and the Railroad regarding the transportation improvements and operations to be conducted in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that a Memorandum of Understanding is in the best interest of the City in order to begin the first phase of construction of the Corridor. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, that the City Manager be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for the purpose of establishing a basic understanding regarding conditions for the use of the Railroad right of way for the Mason Street Transportation Corridor, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 'A", subject to such modifications in form or substance as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance or to protect the interests of the City. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 3rd day of October, A.D. 2000. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk • EXHIBIT "A" . MASON STREET TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, is executed this _ day of , 2000, by and between the City of Fort Collins, Colorado, a municipal corporation (hereinafter referred to as "City") and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company(hereinafter referred to as 'BNSF"). WITNESSETH: WHEREAS,the City is undertaking a project to improve transportation and mobility in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor between Cherry Street(on the north)and Harmony Road(on the south); and WHEREAS, said project will consist of various improvements including pedestrian and bicycle paths on the west side of the BNSF tracks and local bus lanes on the east side of the BNSF tracks; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a basic understanding and foundation for creating and implementing a formal and detailed agreement between the City and BNSF regarding the transportation improvements and operations to be . conducted in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor pursuant to the project. NOW,THEREFORE,in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties and other good and valuable consideration,the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged,the parties agree as follows: 1. The City and BNSF shall cooperate together in a coordinated effort to prepare and execute a formal and detailed agreement concerning the transportation improvements and operations to be implemented and constructed in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor which agreement shall be jointly developed, executed and implemented by the City and BNSF. 2. The City shall serve as the"lead party"in the coordination and development of the agreement and shall designate a staff person to represent the City in the City s role as the lead party. 3. The BNSF shall designate a contact individual to serve as liaison in cooperating with the City in developing the agreement and shall respond to issues presented by the City in a timely manner(typically within thirty days)during the development and negotiation of the agreement. 4. The agreement will address,without limitation,the following topics: a. identification of the transportation improvements and enhancements to be made in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor. b. funding resources and funding participation of the parties for each of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor improvements. C. ownership (and duration of ownership, as applicable)of each of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor improvements. d. time requirements for performance ofthe various obligations contained in the agreement. e. allocation ofresponsibilities between the City and BNSF for repair,operation and maintenance of each of the corridor improvements, for keeping said improvements in good and operable condition, for the protection of public safety, and for a determination of liability (and insurance requirements) to each other and to third parties in the event of injury or damage. f. standards for the construction and maintenance of each of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor improvements. g. identification and resolution of transportation operations related problems and issues in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor, including, as appropriate, the identification of individuals on the staff of the City and BNSF to serve as contact persons in the resolution of such problems. h. establishment of a process and procedure for accomplishing the implementation ofthe design,construction,operation and maintenance of the future transportation improvements or enhancements in the Mason Street Transportation Corridor and/or any extensions to said corridor. i. such other issues as the parties determine are necessary to address for the efficient and complete establishment of the Mason Street Transportation Corridor Project. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties have executed this Memorandum of Understanding the day and year first above written. CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO a Colorado municipal corporation By: John F. Fischbach, City Manager Attest: City Clerk Approved as to form: Deputy City Attorney BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY By: Robert W. Carter,Manager,Public Projects Attest: Secretary Approved as to form: Attorney