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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/18/2014 - ITEMS RELATING TO FC BIKES PROGRAMAgenda Item 4 Item # 4 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 18, 2014 City Council STAFF Tessa Greegor, FCBikes Program Manager SUBJECT Items Relating to FC Bikes Program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 030, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue in the Transportation Services Fund for the 2014 Fort Collins Bikes Program. B. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 031, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue From Kaiser Permanente in the Transportation Services Fund for the 2014 Fort Collins Bikes Program. C. Resolution 2014-027 Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Colorado Department of Transportation for the Purpose of Obtaining a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant in Support of the FC Bikes Program. These Ordinances, unanimously adopted on First Reading on March 4, 2014, appropriate unbudgeted grant funds received for the FC Bikes Program: (1) a Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) grant (2014-2016) in the amount of $704,128; and (2) a Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado (KP) grant (2014) in the amount of $94,100. Resolution 2014-027 authorizes the Mayor to execute a grant agreement between the City and CDOT for the purpose of obtaining a CMAQ grant in support of the FC Bikes Program. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on Second Reading and the Resolution. ATTACHMENTS 1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary, March 4, 2014 (w/o attachments) (PDF) 2. Ordinance No. 030, 2014 (PDF) 3. Ordinance No. 031, 2014 (PDF) Agenda Item 5 Item # 5 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 4, 2014 City Council STAFF Tessa Greegor, FCBikes Program Manager SUBJECT Items relating to FC Bikes Program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 030, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue in the Transportation Services Fund for the 2014 Fort Collins Bikes Program. B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 031, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue From Kaiser Permanente in the Transportation Services Fund for the 2014 Fort Collins Bikes Program. The purpose of this item is to request appropriation of unbudgeted grant funds received for the FC Bikes Program: (1) a Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) grant (2014-2016) and (2) a Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado (KP) grant (2014). The City of Fort Collins’ FC Bikes Program received a $704,128 federal grant (CMAQ) through the Colorado Department of Transportation and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization. This is in addition to the City’s local match of $146,372, as appropriated in 2013 by City Council. In addition, the FC Bikes Program received a $94,100 private grant from Kaiser Permanente (KP) through a Walk & Wheel - Local Government grant. A local match is not required for the KP grant. Funding from both grants will support FC Bikes Program initiatives, allowing for the refinement and expansion of existing services, including enhancements to bicycle safety education programs, expansion of encouragement campaigns, and new bicycle promotion initiatives, while also supporting the development and implementation of the 2014 Fort Collins Bicycle Master Plan. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on First Reading. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Funding from both grants will be used to staff and operate the FC Bikes program through implementation of the services and projects outlined in Exhibit A of Attachment 1 (CDOT Grant Agreement) and Attachment 3 (KP grant application). Both scopes have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate entity (CDOT and KP) in accordance with the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality and KP Walk & Wheel - Local Government funding program requirements respectively (Attachments 1 and 2). The City’s FC Bikes Program continues to be a regional and national leader in encouraging, educating, and planning for bicycling as a safe and attractive means of transportation. In 2013, the League of American Bicyclists designated Fort Collins as a “Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community”. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that bicycle commuters within the City of Fort Collins account for 7.9% of the overall commuting population (2012 American Community Survey). This is a relatively high percentage when compared to the national percentage of less than 1%. Despite a relatively high percentage of bicycle commuters in Fort Collins, a significant percentage of the population experiences barriers to bicycling. The funding received through KP and CMAQ will allow FC Bikes ATTACHMENT 1 Agenda Item 5 Item # 5 Page 2 to implement initiatives to break down barriers to bicycling with the goal of increasing the comfort and safety of bicycling for people of all ages and abilities. The FC Bikes program will work with community partners including the City’s Safe Routes to School Program and the Bicycle Pedestrian Education Coalition to implement a variety of initiatives. Specific objectives of the grants include: Education and Encouragement (Seasonal Campaigns): FC Bikes will expand its educational and encouragement programs to promote safe bicycling for people of all ages and abilities. Bicycle Ambassador Program and Junior Ambassador Program: FC Bikes, in collaboration with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Education Coalition, launched the Bicycle Ambassador Program (BAP) in 2012. This is a comprehensive, volunteer-based bicycle safety education program for residents of Larimer County. This program has recruited and trained approximately 32 volunteers. Staff will develop, translate and print new materials, market and promote the program at a variety of events and venues to increase the number of BAP volunteers. In addition, FC Bikes will partner with Safe Routes to School and the Poudre School District to launch a Junior Bicycle Ambassador Program, creating and fostering growth of high school, middle school and elementary school bicycle activities. Open Streets Initiative: FC Bikes and partnering organizations will organize and implement car-free streets events to promote active transportation. FC Bikes will host two events in 2014, three events in 2015, and four events in 2016. Clean-Air Elementary School Challenge: In partnership with Safe Routes to School, FC Bikes will conduct in-school marketing and outreach at individual schools to encourage parents, teachers, and children to improve air quality levels through walking, bicycling, and turning off idling cars. Regional Coordination and Planning: With the adoption of the regional bike plan, FC Bikes will continue to work with regional partners (including the MPO and BPEC) to share best practices and resources, coordinate funding requests, implement the Regional Bike Plan and advance regional bicycle safety education initiatives. Funding will support hosting regional conferences and educational events (including guest speaker fees, educational and promotional materials, and regional ambassador outreach), regional trainings, and the hosting of a regional bike safety and education summit. End of Trip Facilities: FC Bikes will expand bicycle parking facilities throughout the community. Off-street and on-street bike parking facilities will be designed, purchased and installed with public and private partners. In addition, funding will be used to install bike repair stations and other end-of-trip facilities, as appropriate. Automated Bike Share: As a component of the City’s plans to expand and augment the City’s current Bike Library, FC Bikes will develop an operational and marketing plan for an automated bike share system. Funding through this grant will be utilized to develop a business, system and implementation plan, as well as for outreach, marketing and promotion to increase participation in the program. Bicycle Plan Update (2014): The City’s Bicycle Plan is scheduled for an update in 2013/2014. FC Bikes staff and consultants will evaluate existing conditions and identify deficiencies in the bikeway system, update the City’s proposed bikeway and wayfinding network and develop future recommendations to advance bicycling as a primary transportation mode in Fort Collins. Wayfinding system: A component of the Bike Plan update will include the development of a wayfinding system (including network planning, designing and purchasing of signage). City of Fort Collins bicycle map update: As part of the City’s Bike Plan update, a comprehensive set of data will be collected to evaluate existing conditions and to support the development of an up-to-date bicycle level of comfort map. Bicycle Count Technology: The City will implement an Eco-TOTEM bike counter that will count and visually display the number of cyclists passing by. The counter will detect cyclists in both directions and the total number of cyclists will increase in real-time, promoting and marketing bicycling to the general population. The Agenda Item 5 Item # 5 Page 3 Eco-TOTEM counter will be installed along a key bicycling corridor. Data will be tracked and displayed online as part of this program. Boltage Demonstration Project: Formerly referred to as the “Freiker” program, this program encourages children, parents, and teachers to bike to school using radio frequency identification (RFID) and an incentive program. One elementary school or one middle school will be selected each year. Funding will cover equipment costs, promotion and marketing. In addition to implementing and updating the City’s 2008 Bicycle Master Plan and 2011 Bicycle Safety Education Plan, these projects directly support the City Plan and the City’s Transportation Master Plan: City Plan: Policy SW 2.3 - Support Active Transportation Support means of physically active transportation (e.g., bicycling, walking, wheelchairs, etc.) by continuing bike and pedestrian safety education and encouragement programs, providing law enforcement, and maintaining bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, lighting, and facilities for easy and safe use, as outlined in the Pedestrian Plan and Bicycle Plan. Transportation Master Plan: Policy T 8.1 - Support Active Transportation Support physically active transportation (e.g., bicycling, walking, wheelchairs, etc.) by continuing bike and pedestrian safety education and encouragement programs, providing law enforcement, and maintaining bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, lighting, and facilities for easy and safe use FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACT Ordinance No. 30, 2014 appropriates $704,128 in Federal Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) funds awarded to the City for the FC Bikes program for 2014, 2015 and 2016. This CMAQ funding provides 82.79% of the program budget ($850,500). The local matching funds required for this project have previously been approved by City Council. Ordinance No. 031, 2014 appropriates $94,100 in private Kaiser Permanente Walk & Wheel funds awarded to the City for the FC Bikes program for 2014. This KP funding does not require a local government match; however, it will supplement other FC Bikes Program funding to fully implement the initiatives identified in the grant. Appropriation of the Federal CMAQ grant will be non-lapsing funding, pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the City Charter. Appropriation of the private KP grant will be lapsing funding and require re-appropriation to spend funds in subsequent budget years if not all grant funds are spent in 2014. Many governmental and nonprofit research organizations are beginning to quantify the economic benefits of active transportation. Economic savings are a clear result when people shift away from motor vehicle use, particularly for short trips, and opt instead to bike. These savings are realized by both individual families as well as the larger community. Choosing to bike translates to personal savings for families through fewer car trips and reduced costs for vehicle maintenance and fuel. For the larger community, reduced automobile emissions combined with a more physically active populace translates to lower health-care costs by reducing the incidence of disease associated with physical inactivity and air pollution. Shifts to active transportation modes also impact the community’s economy through less wear and tear on roadways (reducing road maintenance expenditures) and higher home values in areas with less traffic congestion and air pollution. In addition, research has demonstrated the economic benefits associated with bike-friendly streets by providing increased access for people traveling by bike to access local businesses. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Public-health and environmental agencies are recognizing the connection between active transportation Agenda Item 5 Item # 5 Page 4 choices and improved health of both people and the environment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Expanding the availability of, safety for, and access to a variety of transportation options and integrating health-enhancing choices into transportation policy has the potential to save lives by preventing chronic diseases, reducing and preventing motor-vehicle-related injury and deaths, improving environmental health, while stimulating economic development and ensuring access for all people.” With this goal in mind, the CDC has identified transportation policies that can have a profound positive impact on health. CDC supports strategies that can provide a balanced portfolio of transportation choices that supports health and reduces healthcare costs. Transportation policy can:  Reduce injuries associated with motor vehicle crashes;  Encourage healthy community design;  Promote safe and convenient opportunities for physical activity by supporting active- transportation infrastructure;  Reduce human exposure to air pollution and adverse health impacts associated with these pollutants;  Ensure that all people have access to safe, healthy, convenient, and affordable transportation. Bicycling contributes highly to the City’s environmental and health goals. The FC Bikes program encourages and educates residents, students, commuters, and visitors about the benefits of bicycling, while working across departments and with community partners to implement plans and projects to encourage bicycling. Specifically, by advancing opportunities for safe bicycling, the FC Bikes program helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while increasing physical activity opportunities across the community. PUBLIC OUTREACH The FC Bikes grant applications were developed by the City’s FC Bikes and FC Moves staff after consultation with key partners, including the Bicycle and Pedestrian Education Coalition and the City’s Safe Routes to School Program. The grants will support implementation of key programs and initiatives identified in the City’s 2008 Bike Plan and 2011 Bicycle Safety Education Plan, both vetted by key stakeholders, agency representatives and community members. In addition, the FC Bikes program receives public input on a regular basis through public presentations, e-mails, open house events, and phone calls. FC Bikes works to integrate citizens’ comments and suggestions into everyday operations. Public outreach will continue throughout the grant timeline. Feedback through program evaluations and through the Bike Plan update process will be used to refine current and future programs to be responsive to community needs. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2014 CMAQ FC Bikes (PDF) 2. KPCO Grant Agreement (PDF) 3. KP Grant Application (PDF) - 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 030, 2014 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE IN THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FUND FOR THE 2014 FORT COLLINS BIKES PROGRAM WHEREAS, in 2013, the League of American Bicyclists officially designated the Fort Collins community as a “Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community”; and WHEREAS, the City has been awarded Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) grant funding from the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization and Colorado Department of Transportation through 2016 for the Fort Collins Bikes (FC Bikes) Program in the amount of $704,128; and WHEREAS, local matching funds in the amount of $146,372 are required by the CMAQ grant, which funds have been appropriated in the Keep Fort Collins Great Fund, for a total of $850,000 for the FC Bikes Program in 2014, with the anticipation that portions will be spent in 2015 and 2016 as well; and WHEREAS, the grant will support the 2014 FC Bikes Program initiatives, allowing for refinement and expansion of current services, including enhanced bicycle safety education programs, expanded encouragement campaigns, new bicycle promotion initiatives, and development and implementation of the 2014 Fort Collins Bicycle Master Plan; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided 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 Transportation Services Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received in that fund during any fiscal year; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 11, of the City Charter states that funds appropriated for capital projects, and federal or state grants shall not lapse until the completion of the capital project or until the expiration of the federal or state grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated from unanticipated grant revenue in the Transportation Services Fund the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT DOLLARS ($704,128) for expenditure in the Transportation Services Fund for the Fort Collins Bikes Program in 2014, with potential expenditure of a portion of such funds occurring in 2015 and 2016. - 2 - Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 4th day of March, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 18th day of March, A.D. 2014. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 18th day of March, A.D. 2014. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk - 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 031, 2014 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE FROM KAISER PERMANENTE IN THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FUND FOR THE 2014 FORT COLLINS BIKES PROGRAM WHEREAS, in 2013, the League of American Bicyclists officially designated the Fort Collins community as a “Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community”; and WHEREAS, the City has been awarded a Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado Walk and Wheel local government grant from Kaiser Permanente for the Fort Collins Bikes (FC Bikes) Program in the amount of $94,100; and WHEREAS, no local matching funds are required for the Walk and Wheel grant; and WHEREAS, the grant funds will support the 2014 FC Bikes Program initiatives, allowing for refinement and expansion of current services, including enhanced bicycle safety education programs, expanded encouragement campaigns, new bicycle promotion initiatives, and development and implementation of the 2014 Fort Collins Bicycle Master Plan; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits 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 Transportation Services 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 grant revenue in the Transportation Services Fund the sum of NINETY-FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($94,100) for expenditure in the Transportation Services Fund for the Fort Collins Bikes Program in 2014. - 2 - Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 4th day of March, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 18th day of March, A.D. 2014. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 18th day of March, A.D. 2014. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk - 1 - RESOLUTION 2014-027 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING A CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE FC BIKES PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has awarded a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant to the City in the amount of $704,128 which grant requires the City to provide local matching funds in the amount of $146,372; and WHEREAS, the grant awarded by CDOT will support the FC Bikes Program initiatives allowing for the refinement and expansion of existing services, including enhancements to bicycle safety education programs, expansion of encouragement campaigns and bicycle program initiatives, while also supporting the development and implementation of the 2014 Fort Collins Bicycle Master Plan; and WHEREAS, the City’s local matching portion was appropriated by the City Council on Ordinance No. 030, 2014; and WHEREAS, Section 1-22 of the City Code requires, with certain exceptions, intergovernmental agreements to be submitted to the City Council for review and approval by ordinance or resolution; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the CMAQ grant from CDOT in the amount of $704,128 is in the best interests of the City and that the Mayor should be authorized to execute a grant agreement in support thereof. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute a grant agreement between the City and CDOT for the purpose of obtaining a CMAQ grant in support of the FC Bikes Program in the sum of $704,128 with local matching funds in the amount of $146,372. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 18th day of March, A.D. 2014. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk