HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/17/2011 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 064, 2011 OF THE CO C
DATE: May 17, 2011
STAFF: Rick Richter _
Helen Migchelbrink
First Reading of Ordinance No. 064, 2011 of the Council of the City of Fort Collins Appropriating Unanticipated Grant
Revenue and Prior Year Reserves In the Capital Projects Fund for the North College Avenue Improvements -Vine
Drive to Conifer Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The limits of this phase of the North College Improvement Project are from Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer
intersection. Improvements will include a two inch asphalt overlay,the construction of various urban design elements,
an eight foot on-street bike lane,a landscaped parkway,shared use paths,the definition and consolidation of accesses
throughout the corridor, an updated storm system including water quality treatment ponds, and safety improvements
at the Conifer/Hickory Intersection. The total project budget of$11.19 million includes$2.7 million from residual funds
available from the Building on Community Choices(BCC)Tax Initiative of 1997. The residual BCC funds appropriated
are to be repaid to the City of Fort Colins by the Urban Renewal Authority(URA)when the URA has the funds to replay
the BCC funds. Due to the timing of the improvements, the URA contributions will not be available at the start of
construction. The total appropriation of$11,186,000 will allow the project to be constructed to the full project limits
from Vide Drive to Conifer as outlined in the Building on Basics (BOB) 2005 Tax Initiative.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
North College Avenue,also known as US Highway 287,is a major north-south four lane arterial that runs through north
Fort Collins, providing both local and regional connectivity. Through previous planning efforts, staff identified the need
to enhance the northern gateway to the city, improve multimodal travel while accommodating the large volume of
interstate truck traffic, and to address aging utility infrastructure and drainage issues. There was also a desire to
establish a strong connection between the growing North College corridor and the rest of the community, in particular,
the historic Old Town area as well as the locally and regionally significant Poudre River bicycle/pedestrian trail.
In 2005, Fort Collins citizens voted to approve the Building on Basics(BOB)tax initiative. The following language was
included as part of this initiative:
"North College Avenue Improvement Phase 2—Vine Drive to Conifer-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 BOB funding provided approximately $4.8 million to design the project, acquire rights-of-way, and construct
improvements along North College Avenue between Vine Drive and the Conifer/Hickory intersection. Approximately
$1.8 million of residual truck route funds are also available to the project. Finally, the City has secured approximately
$1.8 million in federal and state funds to augment the construction of improvements within the entire project limits.
North College Avenue between Vine Drive and the Conifer/Hickory intersection is heavily traveled, lacks multimodal
improvements,has poorly defined access points to existing businesses,and lacks even minimal urban design features
to beautify the corridor. Previous projects have begun to address the deficiencies along the corridor through the
construction of multimodal improvements,access consolidation/definition,various utility upgrades,and the installation
of urban design elements. This project continues these efforts by connecting to the southern terminus of the Phase
I North College Improvement Project constructed in 2004 and 2005. Phase I improvements spanned from Jefferson
Street to Vine Drive.
Goals for the roadway and streetscape improvements along North College Avenue between Vine Drive and Conifer
Street include the following:
May 17, 2011 -2- ITEM 13
• Create a safe and effective travel corridor for all users including bicycles,pedestrians,transit users,passenger
vehicles, and heavy vehicles
• Define access points as highlighted in the US 287/SH14 Access Management Report
• Maintain compatibility with utilities, including stormwater, water, sewer, power, and communications
• Support the economic viability of the project area
• Upgrade the image of the North College Corridor while minimizing impacts to existing infrastructure
• Maintain compatibility with the intent of previous local planning efforts
All of the planned improvements along North College Avenue will be designed and constructed in accordance with
previous planning efforts, the Colorado Department of Transportation's guidelines and specifications, current utility
and floodplain regulations, and the US 287/SH14 Access Management Report's short term goals. Medians and side
street connections will not be constructed as part of this project as they are anticipated to be built concurrent with
redevelopment activity in the area. Construction is planned to begin fall of 2011, focusing on utility improvements.
Roadway construction is planned to begin early spring of 2012 and be completed by the end of 2012.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The following is a summary of the North College Improvements Project—Vine to Conifer funding.
Funds to be Appropriated by this action
BCC Funds (to be repaid by the URA) $2,700,000
Transportation Enhancement(TE) Funds (2011) - In Lieu of Revenue $171,000
Surface Transportation program (STP-Metro) Funds (2011) - In Lieu of Revenue $530,000
Federal and State Resurfacing Funds- In Lieu of Revenue $300,000
Total to be Appropriated $3,701,000
Existing Project Funds (Previously Appropriated)
BOB Funds $4,800,000
Residual Truck Route Funds $1,800,000
Hazard Elimination and Safety (HES) Funds (2008) $385,000
TE Funds (2009) $250,000
Congestion Mitigation and Air'Quality(CMAQ) Funds (2008) $250,000
Total Funds Previously Appropriated $7,485,000
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING (Revised with this Council Action) $11,186,000
The design, rights-of-way acquisition, and construction of the project are fully funded by these sources.
May 17, 2011 -3- ITEM 13
Maintenance
The project includes landscaping and urban design features that have an ongoing maintenance component. Specific
improvements that will require maintenance are: additional asphalt and concrete pavement,concrete and brick paver
sidewalks,landscaped parkways,a landscaped median,pedestrian lighting,urban design elements,and an upgraded
stormsystem, including curb, gutter, storm pipe, and water quality ponds.
Street sweeping and snow plowing requirements will not change significantly from efforts currently being expended
in this area.
Maintenance will be similar to other four-lane arterial roadways, with additional maintenance for the landscaped
parkways. Since North College Avenue is a state highway, CDOT is ultimately responsible for the long term
maintenance of the roadway, but CDOT currently contracts with the City to perform these duties. The City Streets and
Parks Departments will eventually provide long term maintenance,with these costs being absorbed into their current
budgets.
Economic Impact
One of the primary goals of this project is to support the economic viability of the project area by upgrading the image
and safety of the North College Corridor, while minimizing impacts to existing infrastructure. This is consistent with
adopted long-term plans for the area, including the North College Corridor Plan (2007) and Fort Collins' City Plan
(2011). The project will address these goals through the construction of multimodal improvements, urban design
features, the consolidation and definition of accesses, and other improvements which target and encourage
redevelopment. The completion of these improvements will provide an economic benefit to the North College area
as well as to the City of Fort Collins as a whole with increased property values and sales tax collection.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The project will have a positive impact on long-term air and storm water quality. The addition of improved bicycle and
pedestrian facilities will increase the number of people walking and biking along North College Avenue, resulting in
improved air quality. The utility upgrades in this project include improvements to stormwater quality with the installation
of water quality ponds to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbon contaminants from roadway drainage prior to
discharge into receiving waters.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation Board has been briefed throughout the project, most recently in April 2011, and will receive
updates as the project progresses.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The public outreach on this project has been substantial. Open houses were conducted throughout the planning and
final design stages. Additionally,the Project Team has met multiple times individually with property owners along the
corridor. Project updates have been posted on the project's website,hftp://www.fcgov.com/engineering/ncollege.php.
The Project Team presents monthly project updates to the North Fort Collins Business Association. Public Outreach
will continue through the Final Design and Construction phases of the project. A public open house will be conducted
prior to the beginning of construction.
May 17, 2011 -4- ITEM 13
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Project Renderings
3. Project Limits per Funding Map
ATTACHMENT 1
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ATTACHMENT 3
Full Improvements from Vine to Hemlock ( excluding Medians )
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ORDINANCE NO. 064, 2011
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE AND PRIOR YEAR RESERVES
IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND FOR THE NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE
IMPROVEMENTS - VINE DRIVE TO CONIFER PROJECT
WHEREAS, in 2005, Fort Collins voters passed a ballot measure establishing a one-quarter
cent sales tax to fund the capital projects identified in the"Building on Basics" ("BOB") program;
and
WHEREAS, the North College Avenue Improvements - Vine Drive to Conifer project (the
"Project") is a BOB project; and
WHEREAS, the Project improvements will include a two inch asphalt overlay, the
construction of various urban design elements, an eight foot on-street bike lane, a landscaped
parkway, shared use paths, the definition and consolidation of property access routes for local
business throughout the corridor,an updated storm system including water quality treatment ponds,
and safety improvements at the Conifer and Hickory Intersection; and
WHEREAS,the current estimated cost of design,right-of-way acquisition,and construction
of the Project is approximately $11.2 million; and
WHEREAS,the City has previously appropriated approximately$7.5 million in funding for
the Project from the following sources:BOB($4.8 million),residual truck route funds($1.8 million),
and state and federal grants ($0.9 million); and
WHEREAS, the City has received a total of$1,001,000 in additional grant funds from the
Colorado Department of Transportation that includes $171,000 of Transportation Enhancement
funds, $530,000 of Surface Transportation Program funds, and $300,000 of federal and state
resurfacing funds; and
WHEREAS,additional funding of$2.7 million for the Project is expected to come from the
Urban Renewal Authority (the "URA"); and
WHEREAS,because the construction of the Project is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011,
the URA funds will not be available at the start of construction; and
WHEREAS, City staff is recommending the appropriation of$2.7 million from the Capital
Projects Fund, Building Community Choices ("BCC") residual prior year reserves for the Project,
with the understanding that this amount will be repaid to the City by the URA at such time as the
URA is able to procure sufficient debt financing to repay such amount; 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,Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter permits the City Council to appropriate
by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be available from
reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not previously
appropriated; 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 as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated from unanticipated federal and state grant
revenue in the Capital Projects Fund the sum of ONE MILLION ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
($1,001,000) for expenditure on the Project.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from prior year reserves in
the Capital Projects Fund, Building Community Choices reserves the sum of TWO MILLION
SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,700,000) for expenditure on the Project.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 17th day of
May, A.D. 2011, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of June, A.D. 2011.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 7th day of June, A.D. 2011.
Mayor
ATTEST:
i
City Clerk