The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/04/2012 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 138, 2012, APPROPRIDATE: December 4, 2012 STAFF: Rick Richter Erika Keeton AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 13 SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 138, 2012, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the Capital Projects Fund, Mason Corridor Project. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The design of the MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project included enhancements to the University Station at the request of Colorado State University (CSU), including decorative fencing, enhanced landscaped plaza, walkway lighting, spare conduit installation, and upsizing of the storm drainage system to accept CSU storm water runoff. These items are not eligible for reimbursement from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of the MAX BRT Project, and therefore will be funded by CSU. This ordinance appropriates the identified funds of $806,380 to construct the improvements concurrently with the BRT project. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The MAX Bus Rapid Transit Project extends from the Downtown Transit Center at Maple Street to approximately 1/4 mile south of Harmony Road, with a total length of approximately five miles. The University Station is one of twelve BRT stations along this alignment, and is located on the Colorado State University Campus south of University Street. This project will have significant impact on the function and aesthetics of the main CSU campus. University staff participated in the design meetings and actively coordinated engineering issues with the City of Fort Collins throughout the design process. Several enhancements were requested by CSU to include decorative fencing, an enhanced landscaped plaza, additional walkway lighting, spare communication conduits, and an upsized storm drainage system to accept CSU storm water runoff. Since these items are outside the scope of the required infrastructure for the BRT stations, and therefore ineligible for federal funds identified for the BRT project, CSU agreed to fund the additional expenses associated with the improvements. The improvements are located within, or directly adjacent to, the BRT construction limits. For ease of construction and coordination, the improvements will be constructed concurrently with the BRT project using the City’s existing BRT construction contracts. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS There is no financial impact to the project, as the BRT design and budgeting process anticipated CSU funding participation for these improvements. These dollars will be tracked separately from those identified in the Project Construction Grant Agreement (PCGA) finalized with FTA in May 2012 for $86,833,848. Upgraded Fence/Guardrail $ 160,177 Walkway Lighting $ 151,116 Conduit Installation $ 139,379 Storm Drain System $ 77,419 Enhanced University Station $ 143,892 Contingency $ 134,397 Total $ 806,380 On October 5, 2012, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System approved the use of the Land Income Account for the Mason Bus Rapid Transit Infrastructure Improvements totaling $1.5 million. Their action includes $806,380 to be incorporated into existing City BRT construction contracts as described, along with additional funds for non-BRT related improvements to be managed by Colorado State University staff. The City will invoice CSU based on actual costs of work completed. December 4, 2012 -2- ITEM 13 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The construction of the MAX system was included in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment for the Mason Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project. On September 9, 2008, the Federal Transit Administration declared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) would result from the construction and operation of the MAX Bus Rapid Transit Project. On December 21, 2010, the FTA affirmed that the 2008 EA and 2008 FONSI are valid, and the changes in final design documented in the 2010 Environmental Re-Evaluation serve to amend the 2008 EA and 2008 FONSI. The Environmental Assessment analyzed Impacts on the following categories: Land Use and Zoning Wildlife/Ecological Social Conditions Threatened and Endangered Species Economic Conditions Visual Quality Environmental Justice Cultural Resources Right-of-way Hazardous Materials Air Quality Parks and Recreation Resources Noise and Vibration Farmland Water Resources and Water Quality Public Safety and Security Wetlands Construction Flooding and Floodplain Management Transportation Vegetation Cumulative Impacts Noxious Weeds For more detailed information concerning the environmental impacts and mitigation measures please refer to the Mason Corridor Environmental Assessment located at: www.fcgov.com/mason/environment.php . STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION On September 20, 2000, the Transportation Board unanimously voted to approve the Mason Street Corridor Master Plan, which included plans for the purchase of BRT buses and construction of the MAX transit route. Since 2000, staff has regularly updated the Transportation Board regarding the progress of the Mason Corridor, most recently on May 18, 2011. The Board also receives regular updates as to construction, public events and milestones. Minutes from the May 18, 2011Transportation Board can be seen in Attachment 5. PUBLIC OUTREACH Significant public outreach has been conducted since 1998 for the Mason Corridor project. The most recent public outreach event was an Open House held October 3, 2012. Information related to the scope, budget, alignment, and two-way conversion of Mason Street were presented. The project was also presented at the City sponsored Business Innovation Fair on October 11, 2012. ATTACHMENTS 1. Area map 2. October 18, 2012 Letter from Steve Hultin, Director Facilities Management, CSU 3. October 5, 2012 CSU Board of Governors Approval of Use of Land Income Account for Mason Bus Rapid Transit Infrastructure Improvements 4. Project Construction Grant Agreement between Federal Transit Administration and City of Fort Collins 5. May 18, 2011 Transportation Board Minutes ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 2 Board of Governors of the 2013-0007-100512A Colorado State University System Meeting Date: October 5, 2012 Approved Action Item Stretch Goal or Strategic Initiative: #26 Natural Resource Stewardship. #34 Master Building Plan. Board approval of this administrative action is required by statute, CCHE. Board, or university policy. MATTERS FOR ACTION: Finance: Use of Endowment Land Income Account for Mason Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure improvements. RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOVED, that the Board of Governors approve the use of funds, not to exceed $1,500,000 from the Endowment Land Income Account sufficient to cover the University's portion of infrastructure improvements related to the City of Fort Collins Mason Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project. EXPLANATION: Presented by Dr. Tony Frank, President, Colorado State University. At the February 2010 meeting, the Board of Governors approved the grant of a permanent, non-exclusive easement generally 20 feet wide by 4,620 feet long, totaling approximately 56,950 square feet (1.31 acres) in gross to the City of Fort Collins for the Mason Multi- Modal Corridor project, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) guideways, public bicycle/pedestrian trails, and transit stops across property owned by the Board on the Main Campus. The easement was granted in consideration of the City's implementation of the project in a manner and style consistent with and that improves upon the existing campus environment. As previously discussed, the City's project will have significant impact on the function and aesthetics of the main campus. University staff has participated in design meetings and actively coordinated a number of engineering issues with the City of Fort Collins. These issues include storm water systems, guardrails, fencing, station platform design, landscape enhancements and pedestrian and bicycle safety. Use of Land Income Account for Mason Bus Rapid Transit Infrastructure Improvements Page 1 of 2 ATTACHMENT 3 Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System Meeting Date: October 5, 2012 Approved Action Item The City is unable to use Federal Transit Administration funds to pay for many of the enhancements required by the University. These enhancements are critical to the efficient, effective, and safe operation of our campus. Planned enhancements include: • Upsizing the storm water system to accept CSU storm water runoff from the parking lot at Lake/College as well as all future storm water runoff from the redevelopment of the Prospect/College block in the future. • Installation of a storm water quality pond south of Prospect Road. • Decorative fencing between Pitkin Street and University Avenue to restrict mid- block pedestrian crossing in this heavily congested area. • Enhanced landscaped plaza at the University Station. • Safety lighting along the pedestrian/bicycle trail from Prospect to University. • Spare conduit along length of corridor for future University fiber optic needs. • Visitor Center Parking lot drainage. • University Station wayfinding for CSU. Approved Denied Board Seyretary Date Use of Land Income Account for Mason Bus Rapid Transit Infrastructure Improvements Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT 4 ATTACHMENT 5 ORDINANCE NO. 138, 2012 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, MASON CORRIDOR PROJECT WHEREAS, the MAX Bus Rapid Transit project (“MAX BRT”) is a five-mile, north-south byway extending from the Downtown Transit Center at Maple Street to approximately one-fourth mile south of Harmony Road; and WHEREAS, MAX BRT includes six park-n-ride locations, twelve stations/stops, and two transit centers; and WHEREAS, the University Station is one of twelve MAX BRT stations along the byway and is located on the Colorado State University (“CSU”) campus south of University Street; and WHEREAS, CSU has requested several enhancements to the University Station including decorative fencing, an enhanced landscaped plaza, additional walkway lighting, spare communication conduits, and an upsized storm drainage system to accept CSU storm water runoff; and WHEREAS, these items are outside the scope of the required infrastructure for the MAX BRT stations and thus ineligible for federal funds identified for the MAX BRT project; and WHEREAS, CSU has agreed to fund the additional expenses associated with these improvements in the amount of $806,380; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations, in combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year, does not exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and WHEREAS, City staff has determined that the appropriation of the revenue as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received in that fund during any fiscal year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated from unanticipated revenue from Colorado State University in the Capital Projects Fund the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY DOLLARS ($806,380) for expenditure in the Capital Projects Fund, Mason Corridor Project. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 4th day of December, A.D. 2012, and to be presented for final passage on the 18th day of December, A.D. 2012. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 18th day of December, A.D. 2012. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk