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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/06/2012 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 120, 2012, APPROPRDATE: November 6, 2012 STAFF: Craig Foreman AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 14 SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 120, 2012, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue from Great Outdoors Colorado in the Conservation Trust Fund for the Fossil Creek Trail at County Road 38E Project. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City has received the grant payment from Great Outdoors Colorado for the construction of the Fossil Creek Trail at County Road 38E project. Great Outdoors Colorado had awarded the City a Special Opportunity Grant for the completion of the Fossil Creek Trail from north of Cathy Fromme Prairie to the Spring Canyon Community Park. Construction of the project was completed this past spring. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The Fossil Creek Trail had ended at Luther Lane since the late 1990s. The recent acquisition of a trail easement north of County Road 38E allowed this trail section to become a reality. A safe crossing of the County Road was critical for the success of the trail segment. The trail underpass provides a safe crossing of the road which can experience up to 7,000 cars per day. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS The City of Fort Collins had been awarded a grant of $500,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado for the development of the Fossil Creek Trail at County Road 38E. The total cost for this trail section was about $1,200,000. The City’s share of the cost (about $700,000) was available in the Conservation Trust Fund and the Natural Areas Trails Program. The grant will free up Conservation Trust trail funds to provide funding for other needed trail projects. Funding for the annual operation and maintenance cost of the 0.9 mile of new trail is estimated at $8,000 and is available in the approved Park Maintenance budget. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The new trail on Pineridge Natural Area replaced a heavily used natural surface trail. A new spur trail to the Park replaced an existing trail situated in a drainage that had erosion problems. The unused existing spur trail was rehabilitated and returned to nature. The new Fossil Creek Trail south of Pineridge, crosses Spring Creek at a 90 degree angle to minimize impacts to the Creek. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Parks and Recreation Board was informed of the project through numerous staff updates and was supportive of the project. The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board was also informed of the project through numerous staff updates and was supportive of the project. PUBLIC OUTREACH The trail segment was discussed with residents during the design and construction phases of the project. November 6, 2012 -2- ITEM 14 ATTACHMENTS 1. Location map ATTACHMENT 1 ORDINANCE NO. 120, 2012 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE FROM GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO IN THE CONSERVATION TRUST FUND FOR THE FOSSIL CREEK TRAIL AT COUNTY ROAD 38E PROJECT WHEREAS, Great Outdoors Colorado (“GOCO”) has awarded the City of Fort Collins a grant in the amount of $500,000 for the construction of the Fossil Creek Trail at County Road 38E; and WHEREAS, the grant revenue made possible the completion of the Fossil Creek Trail from north of Cathy Fromme Prairie to Spring Canyon Community Park; and WHEREAS, this project included a trail underpass for a safe crossing of County Road 38E; and WHEREAS, the total cost for this section of trail was approximately $1,200,000, with $500,000 from the GOCO grant and approximately $700,000 from Conservation Trust Funds and the Natural Areas Trails program; 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 grant funds as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the Conservation Trust Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year. WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10, of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to transfer by ordinance any unexpected and unencumbered 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 that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated grant revenue in the Conservation Trust Fund the sum of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000) for the Fossil Creek Trail at County Road 38E project. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 6th day of November, A.D. 2012, and to be presented for final passage on the 20th day of November, A.D. 2012. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 20th day of November, A.D. 2012. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk