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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/15/2009 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 090, 2009, AUTHORI ITEM NUMBER: 9 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: September 15, 2009 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Jennifer Petrik Kathleen Bracke SUBJECT Second Reading of Ordinance No. 090, 2009, Authorizing the Transfer of Existing Appropriations Between Capital Projects for the North College Improvements Project. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of this Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on September 1, 2009, authorizes the use . of the remaining Truck Route funds for the North College Project in order to further extend the needed improvements along North College, from Vine Drive north to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection, and to meet the intended construction schedule of 2011, as desired by the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA) and local business/property owners. ATTACHMENTS 1. Copy of First Reading Agenda Item Summary - September 1,2009. (w/o original attachments) i ATTACHMENT 1 ITEM NUMBER: 18 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: September 1, 2009 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Jennifer Petrik Kathleen Bracke SUBJECT Items Relating to the North College I V provernentPvT-Phase-ll. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and the Ordinance on First Reading. FINANCIAL IMPACT The cost estimate to build the full-improvements along-North-C;ollege Avenue is approximately$12 to $15 million. (tel.y/$6.2--mi:liionlin[f)undin �The City currently has approximg-available for this project, including the original Building on Basics (BOB) 1/4 cent sales tax funding and federal funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization(MPO). Staff is continuing to seek various local, state,and federal solutions to bridge this funding gap. Staff is requesting Council approval to transfer the remaining Truck Route project funding in the amount of$1,830,944 into the North College Improvements Project Update: Phase II—Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection.�This roposed_transfer will_allow improvements to extend er I /� `��• I f\V ` C R, further north and to maintain the accelerated project scheduleNfor construction to begin in 2011, as desired by the North Fort Collin. , s Business, s Association i�ation (NFCBA) and local business/property owners. This funding request to transfer the approximately $1.8 million in remaining Truck Route funds is supported by the Transportation Board and staff from various City departments including, Transportation Planning, Engineering, Finance, City Manager's office, and City Attorney's office. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Resolution .2009-082 �pproving the Design anndScl�uling of the North College Improvements Project—Phase hase�IIt September 1, 2009 -2- Item No. 18 B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 090, 2009, Authorizing the Transfer of Existing Appropriations Between Capital Projects for the North College Improvements Project. The City of Fort Collins is in the final stage of the conceptual design phase for the North College Corridor Improvements Project — Phase II, from Vine Drive north to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection. The Project was initiated in accordance with the voter-approved Building on Basics (BOB)Capital Improvement Program. Additional project funding was secured by the City from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). I'I ments Staff is seeking Council approval of theorth N College Improve Project—Phase II,Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection Conceptual Design Report)dated September 1,2009,as well as the proposed schedule for the Project The P JedReport includes a summary of the conceptual design phase of the Project, including the preferred conceptual design for the corridor and an implementation phasing plan. Staff is also seeking Council approval for the use of the remaining Truck Route funds for the North College Project in order to further extend the needed improvements along this state highway corridor and meet the intended construction schedule of 2011, as desired by the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA) and local business/property owners. BACKGROUND c. n. In 2005, Fort Collins voters approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund capital projects — Building on Basics (BOB). One of the transportation projects funded through this package is "North College Avenue Improvements Phase 2 — Vine Drive to Conifer." This Project is the next phase of the improvements that were initially funded through the Building Community Choices (BCC) capital plan. The prior BCC program funded improvements from Jefferson to Vine Drive(see Attachment 1 for a map of the project area). The 2005 BOB ballot language/ dude d(ttI e folloivin pr6j_&c�cription: "North College Avenue(Improvement PI)b s 12—Vine Drive to Conifer �/ J L A The project will provide for the re-design of North College Avenue to bring the road to current arterial standards from Vine Drive to Conifer Street and for the acquisition of right-of-way needed for construction along North College Avenue. Construction will include curb,gutter and minor street patching;redefinition and consolidation of driveway; bike lanes and sidewalks, new streetscape and other necessary improvements." The voter-approved BOB funding-provides=approximately,$4-8 million for this phase of the North fl College Project. In addition to the BOB fundingthe;Ci�y)secured an additional$885,000 in federal ort funding from CDOT and the(1 h Front Range MPO to help cover costs associated with the bicycle, pedestrian, streetscape'�\and+safety improvements. The total Project funding previously secured was approximately$5.6 million dollars. An additional $600,000 in funding was approved by the North Front Range MPO Council in August, thus the total budget for the North College September 1, 2009 -3- Item No. 18 project is approximately$6.2 million. This additional funding will be appropriated into the Project budget as a separate Council action once contracts are received from CDOT. The updated engineer's estimate for the total cost of the corridor improvements from Vine to Conifer is between $12 million and $15 million, depending on the level of improvements. Due to funding limitations, full build-out of this Project is planned to be done in phases as funding becomes available. The City continues to seek additional funding. Project Coordination Throughout the development ofthe North,C,M ege/WS287 design project,the City's Transportation Planning Department has worked closely with)oth1er�City�departments, including Engineering, Traffic Operations,Advance Planning,,Current Planning,Finance, Stormwater,Utilities,Transfort, Historic Preservation,Parks,Nat ral'Resources and Art in Public Places.The City also has worked with local and regional stakeholders, including the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA),the North College Urban Renewal Authority(URA),area property/business owners,City boards and commissions, City Council, CDOT, and other interested stakeholders to develop a recommended design package that meets the many important local and regional need's of this corridor. Planned improvements for the corridor include installation of curb and gutter, consolidation of driveways, improved bicycle and-pedestrian-facilities=new:streetscape design, and other necessary improvements such as stormwa�ter facili1t'is. 11 IFts \ The Project report for the North`l\Colleg \\Im e1pro/Iv✓elmerojelet is being presented to City Council for approval. This report includes the conceptual design for the ultimate corridor improvements, as well as a prioritized list of projects that can be implemented in phases based upon current and future funding resources. (see Attachment 4) Public Outreach The public outreach process during the planning phase of the Project has included three public open house meetings(April,May, and July as wel as individual-property and business owner meetings. At the request of the NFCBA, a special hands-on workshop was held in May to develop possible conceptual design alternatives(for the corridor.I In addition, alright-of--way informational meeting was held at the request of property owners i�une_Project presentations took place in May, June and July for various City boards and commissions. The second City Council work session for this project was held July 28. Conceptual Design and Phasing The project conceptual design was developed through input from the public, NFCBA, CDOT, property and business owners, the Commission on Disability, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Transportation Board, and the Planning and Zoning Board, as well as various City departments. iI .l l rThe conceptual design supports�the North Corridor Plan,andCity Plan by providing a more attractive and functional corridor for all modes o transportation The North College improvements will help provide more safe and di er ci linkages for motorists,cyclists,transit riders,and pedestrians to/from downtown and the greater Fort Collins community between North College area businesses, September 1, 2009 -4- Item No. 18 employment, and residential neighborhoods. In addition, the improvements will help set the stage for future infill and redevelopment opportunities to foster the City's economic health and sustainability goals. The conceptual design includes a reduced-width median, two 12-foot travel lanes, 8-foot on-street bike lanes on each side, curb and gutter, a 7.5-foot landscaped parkway and an off-street 8-foot shared use path(in lieu of sidewalk) on each side. Due to funding limitations, full build-out of this project is planned to be done in phases as funding becomes available. Preferred Option � � psts Ycoplete Phasing Option 1 is preferred. P.hasngOp�ion I ofedge improvements,including street and landscaping. The decision was reached by the Project team with input from the public, boards and commissions, property owners,NFCBA, CDOT, and various City departments. Completing the Project from south to north with the currently secured funding of$6.2 million will provide full edge improvements, including consolidated driveways, landscaped parkways, bike lanes, shared use paths, curb, gutter, and storm water facilities up to approximately Pinon Street. In addition, the first phase of improvements will include basic safety improvements at the Hickory/Conifer intersection as required by the CDOT Hazard Elimination Safety funding. �l This. first phase will not include raised,(landscaped medians because these medians need to be installed in the future when parallel alleys and street connections are available to provide alternative access for businesses located along:the corridor/ J J Advantages of Phasing Option 1 include: • Supported by the public, Transportation Board, Planning and Zoning Board, NFCBA liaison and property owners in the North College area. • Number of disruptions to businesses is minimized. • Provides a gateway to the North College area. • Includes all elements of the BOB ballot language. • Provides completeivisible,improvements, demonstrating what improvements would look like along the corridor further=north. • May help stimulate rem ddeevdlop`nt:int�t in the area, which would help pay for future additional improvements. • Finding.funding for landscaping alone may be challenging. Funding Request The current funding gap to implement the conceptual design for the entire length of the Project is approximately$6 - $9 million, depending on the level of improvements. To help address this budget shortfall;the NFCBA h eas rr que is ed thaTthe project team bring forward to City Council a proposal to consider transferring the$JA million in remaining Truck Route funds into the North College Project,. The/P�roject te'amlreviewed the NFCBA's requests with City Management, the City Attorney's`-Office, as wellsas the Finance Department, Transportation Planning, and Engineering departments. September 1, 2009 -5- Item No. 18 Based on this review, staff supports this proposal to transfer the remaining Truck Route funds into the North College Project budget and respectfully requests City Council approval of this transfer of funds. Transferring the$1.8 million in funding into the first phase of improvements would extend full edge improvements to north of Hemlock Street. Staff and key project stakeholders agree that this is an appropriate use of remaining truck route funds. The North College corridor is the existing,designated truck route along US287. These funds would be used to improve the exxisting truck route and provide/safety benefits for all modes of transportation. r( — �� � ��.// Another benefit of adding the Truck-Rou\t1t funds mto the North-I`College Project is that it allows the Project to meet the accelerated construction schedule desired by the community. The NFCBA's request to begin construction in 2011 presents a cash flow challenge to the Project's budget. The original BOB program provided funding for right-of-way and engineering/design in 2011, leading to a construction initiation in 2012. This time line was viewed-as too long by the community,based upon the urgency of the necessary safety improvements. To move the Project construction schedule up to 2011, design/engineering and right-of-way acquisition needs to occur.in 2010 to prepare the Project for construction in 2011. Therefore,the City needs to identify funding for these key project tasks in 2010 (prior to the availability-of 20:1-1,BOB-funds)—The amount needed to solve this 2010 cash flow challenge would be rr�esolved byll the use of the remamiing Truck Route funds. The ability to use the remaining,Truck�Route'fu Ids benefits5the North College project in two aspects: 1. It would extend the project improvements further to improve safety for all modes of transportation; and 2. It allows all the proposed improvements to begin construction in 2011, as desired by the community. The project team has met with the City's Finance Department to determine if there are other options /��\ l f \'�• \ t _i to provide funds for the right�of--way and design costs m 2009,2010. The Finance Department supports the use of the Truck Rloute funding for)this-Project and has indicated there are no other funding sources that would be appropriate�tt provide this funding bridge. Unless additional funds are made available for the project in 2009/2010 (i.e., Truck Route), only minor construction can begin in 2011. Construction for a majority of the North College improvements would then start in 2012,when BOB funds become available. If the additional funds are not transferred into the Project, the Project team can move forward with a limited construction project at the Hickory/Conifer intersection with the funds currently secured for design in 2010. The decision to transfer the Truck Route funds into another transportation capital project located within the Northeast quadrantf thFe City�r alls under the purview of City Council and does not require a citizen vote. (See Attachment 5"for the Truck!,Aout�ballot language.) September 1, 2009 -6- Item No. 18 Project Schedule The Project schedule was accelerated in response to requests from the North Fort Collins Business Association and area property/business owners. The current project schedule is dependent on funding right-of-way and design costs in 2009/2010: 2009 Planning, community engagement, visioning, alternatives analysis, selection of preferred alternative, and development of prioritized phasing plan for implementation. 2009/2010 Project erigineering�and,�,rights=of=way au Mtion. 2011 Construction be iris. Staff will continue to work with the ProjectJ team, including CDOT, the NFCBA, area property/business owners,and City Council to advance the Project through the engineering,right-of- way, and construction phases. More detailed information regarding the North College Improvement Project is available on-line at: www.fcgov.com/northcollege. ATTACHMENTS lr�l lrl� Tf1�-7 7- 1. L Project Area Map U 2. July 28, 2009 Work Session Summary 3. Recommendations from boards and commissions - Transportation Board - Bicycle Advisory Committee - Planning and Zoning Board - Commission on Disability -North Fort Collins Business Association 4. North College Improvements Project — Phase II,'Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection Conceptua�Design Report,,Sept in er`U 200 (Executive Summary) 5. Truck Route ballot language (ResolutiX2C 066--090) 6. PowerPoint presentation J� ORDINANCE NO. 090, 2009 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE- TRANSFER OF EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS BETWEEN CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE NORTH COLLEGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WHEREAS, in 2005, Fort Collins voters approved Ordinance No. 092, 2005 (the "Ordinance) establishing a one-quarter cent sales tax to fund capital projects as part of a program known as "Building on Basics" ("BOB"); and WHEREAS, one of the projects to be funded by BOB is the 'North College Avenue Improvements Phase II - Vine Drive to Conifer" project (the "Project") and WHEREAS, the Ordinance states that the design, scheduling and amount of tax revenue to be set aside for the construction and operation and maintenance of the BOB projects are to be determined by the City Council; and WHEREAS,the Council has determined the design and scheduling of the Project by adoption of Resolution 2009-082; and WHEREAS,the current estimated cost to build the entire Project is approximately$12 to$15 million depending on the level of improvements; and - WHEREAS, the City has currently identified approximately$6.2 million in funding for the Project from the following sources: BOB ($4.8 million), Colorado Departmentof Transportation ($885,000), and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (`'MPO")($600,000); and i WHEREAS, of this $6.2 million, $5.6 million has already been appropriated for the Project by the City Council, and City staff anticipates presenting an ordinance appropriating the additional $600,000 for Council's consideration as soon as arrangements for that additional funding have been finalized with the MPO; and WHEREAS,the Project is planned to be completed in phases as additional funding becomes available; and WHEREAS, City staff is requesting the transfer of additional funds for the Project in the ' amount of$1,830,944 from the SI-I 14 Truck Route Phase II (the "Truck Route") project; and WHEREAS, in November, 2006, the voters of the City considered and approved a ballot measure initiated by the City Council that authorized the-use of such funds to either pursue the relocation of the Truck Route or to fund other transportation capital improvements in the northeast quadrant of the City (the "Ballot Measure"); and WHEREAS, using the Truck Route funds for the Project as authorized by the voters would facilitate the eventual construction of the entire Project and would provide safety benefits on North College for all modes of transportation; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10, of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to transfer by ordinance any unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount or portion thereof from one project to another project, provided that the purpose for which the transferred funds are to be expended remains unchanged. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby finds and determines that the Project is located within the northeast quadrant of the City within the meaning and intent of the Ballot Measure. Section 2. That the unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND NINE 14UNDRED FORTY-FOUR DOLLARS ($1,830,944) is hereby authorized for transfer from the SH 14 Truck Route Phase It capital project to the North College Avenue Improvements capital project and appropriated therein for Phase If - Vine Drive to Conifer Street improvements. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this Ist day of September, A.D. 2009, and to be presented for final passage on the I5th day of September, A.D. 2009. J Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 15th day of September, A.D. 2009. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk i