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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/15/2015 - ITEMS RELATING TO PITKIN LOW STRESS CORRIDOR INTERAgenda Item 10 Item # 10 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY September 15, 2015 City Council STAFF Dan Woodward, Civil Engineer I SUBJECT Items Relating to Pitkin Low Stress Corridor Intergovernmental Agreement. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Resolution 2015-083 Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City and the Colorado Department of Transportation in Order for the City to Receive Federal Transportation Alternative Program Funds for the Pitkin Street Low Stress Bicycle Corridor Improvements. B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 114, 2015, Appropriating Unanticipated Federal Grant Revenue into the Capital Project Fund for the Pitkin Street Low Stress Network Corridor Improvements. The purpose of this item is to authorize the Mayor to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and to appropriate unanticipated federal grant funds of $593,000 into the Pitkin Street Low Stress Corridor Improvements Project. This project will design and construct bicycle and pedestrian routes and crossings along the Pitkin Street Corridor between Overland Trail and Riverside Avenue. The proposed actions will enable initiation of the project. $148,250 in local matching funds are available in the previously appropriated Building on Basics-Bicycle Plan Implementation. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The City has recently adopted an updated Bicycle Master Plan. A key goal in the Plan is to serve the Interested but Concerned bicycle rider. These potential Interested but concerned bicyclists are estimated at about 60% of the traveling public. To better accommodate this population and increase bicycling, Fort Collins is dedicated to implementing a network of “Low Stress” bicycle facilities. The Pitkin Low Stress Bicycle Corridor is an east-west connection across the City for bicyclists, passing directly through the center of the Colorado State University (CSU) campus. The Corridor makes use of two existing City streets for approximately 4 miles, and reaches from Overland Trail to Riverside Avenue. The City and CSU have partnered on this Low Stress Route in order to construct the cross-city portions of the project, as well as critical improvements to the route through campus. While the majority of the City’s low stress bicycle network is safe and comfortable for cyclists, the intersections with major arterials present a significant barrier. There are 4 major crossings that this project focuses on at Taft Hill Road, Shields Street, College Avenue, and Lemay Avenue. Providing complete and continuous facilities for bicyclists, including the crossings of major arterials, will significantly increase the safety of this corridor. Also included in the project will be bicycle wayfinding improvements to help bicyclists navigate the low stress corridor as part of the FC Moves Bicycle Wayfinding System Plan. Agenda Item 10 Item # 10 Page 2 A Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant was awarded to the FC Moves Program in the amount of $593,000. The City has allocated $148,250 as the local match portion for the federal grant (20% of the project) for a total project budget of $741,250. Staff believes that the grant and matching amount will cover design and construction of the proposed project. No right-of-way acquisition is currently anticipated, but that will be further defined as design progresses. The project will incorporate critical aspects of the City’s approved Master Bicycle Plan. Staff will continue to coordinate with CSU’s schedule for completing their portion of the work through campus. Currently, campus can be perceived as a barrier to bicycle commuters passing through the area as it runs through a dismount zone in campus. The City and CSU intend to eliminate this perception by removing the dismount zone and providing the Pitkin Low Stress Bicycle Corridor as a unified, branded route that seamlessly integrates campus with the adjacent neighborhoods. Close coordination with CSU will be critical throughout the design and construction of the project. The design phase of this project is projected to begin in December of 2015 with construction in the Summer/Fall in 2016. CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS The following is a summary of the funding available to design and construct the Pitkin Low Stress Bicycle Corridor Project: Funds to be Appropriated per this Action Federal Funds to be Appropriated TAP Grant Funds $593,000 Local Matching Funds (existing appropriations) BOB Bicycle Plan Implementation $148,250 Total Budgeted Funds per IGA $741,250 The project will contribute to the state and regional economy by connecting the University and the City with a low-stress bicycle route. Colorado State University is the largest employer in Northern Colorado. The enhancements to this corridor would serve over 1200 employees and approximately 6500 students within ½ mile of the corridor. Additionally, the corridor opens up opportunities for cyclists to travel to the MAX bus rapid transit line to connect to downtown and midtown via the Mason Trail. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Staff will provide periodic updates and seek input from the Transportation Board and Bicycle Advisory Committee as the project moves forward. PUBLIC OUTREACH Staff plans on conducting public outreach, including open houses, and regular updates to Colorado State University. There will be several education outreach sessions to promote awareness of the bicycle route, wayfinding and upgraded arterial crossings. Staff has begun coordination with CSU. City staff and CSU will continue to coordinate throughout the project. Additionally, a detailed Communication Plan will be developed prior to construction. The Plan will highlight milestone dates, affected interests, and specific outreach tools. Agenda Item 10 Item # 10 Page 3 ATTACHMENTS 1. Pitkin Corridor map (PDF) Castlerock Dr E Pitkin St C l e arview A ve W Pitkin St Springfield Dr W Mulberry St E Prospect Rd S College Ave S Taft Hill Rd Laporte Ave S Shields St Riversi d e Ave W Prospect Rd S Lemay Ave N Shields St 9th St W Laurel St W Eliz a b e th St W Mountain Ave W Drake Rd E Mulberry St W Vine Dr N C ollege Ave N Lemay Ave E Drake Rd E Mountain Ave E Lincoln Ave E Vine Dr N Taft Hill Rd Pitkin Street Corridor ³ Legend Pitkin Street Corridor 0 0.25 0.5 1 1.5 2 Miles ATTACHMENT 1 - 1 - RESOLUTION 2015-083 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN ORDER FOR THE CITY TO RECEIVE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM FUNDS FOR THE PITKIN STREET LOW STRESS BICYCLE CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) administers the disbursement of Federal Transportation Alternative Program funds; and WHEREAS, the proposed Pitkin Low Stress Bicycle Corridor is designed to implement aspects of the Fort Collins Bicycle Master Plan by creating a safe and comfortable east-west connection across the City for bicyclists; and WHEREAS, a Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant has been awarded to the FC Moves Program in the amount of $593,000.00; and WHEREAS, in order to receive the TAP grant, the City has appropriated $148,250.00 in the Capital Projects Fund, FC Moves, BOB Bicycle Plan Implementation, to fulfill the required 20% local match portion for a total project budget of $741,250.00; and WHEREAS, the proposed intergovernmental agreement between CDOT and the City of Fort Collins that memorializes the terms and conditions of the TAP grant is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”; and WHEREAS, Article II, Section 16 of the City Charter empowers the City Council, by ordinance or resolution, to enter into contracts with governmental bodies to furnish governmental services and make charges for such services, or enter into cooperative or joint activities with other governmental bodies; and WHEREAS, Section 29-1-203 of the Colorado Revised Statutes provides that governments may cooperate or contract with one another to provide certain services or facilities when such cooperation or contracts are authorized by each party thereto with the approval of its legislative body or other authority having the power to so approve; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the City that the Pitkin Low Stress Bicycle Corridor improvements be constructed and that the Mayor be authorized to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the City and CDOT in support thereof. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the City and CDOT, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” together will such modifications and additions as the City Manager, in - 2 - consultation with the City Attorney, determines necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City or further the purposes of this Resolution, as set forth above. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 15th day of September, A.D. 2015. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk EXHIBIT A - 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 114, 2015 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE INTO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND FOR THE PITKIN LOW STRESS BICYCLE CORRIDOR PROJECT WHEREAS, the City has been awarded a grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program for $593,000 (the Grant); and WHEREAS, the Grant is for the FC Moves Program; and WHEREAS, based on the recently adopted and updated Bicycle Master Plan, the Pitkin Low Stress Bicycle Corridor Project (the Project) will incorporate critical aspects of the City’s Plan; and WHEREAS, the total estimated cost of the Project is $741,250 which will be funded by the Grant ($593,000) and existing appropriations of $148,250 in the Capital Projects Fund - FC Moves - BOB Bicycle Plan Implementation which will meet the required Local Match; and WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted Resolution 2015-083 authorizing the City to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation for the Project; 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 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 during the fiscal year. 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 Capital Projects Fund the sum of FIVE HUNDRED NINETY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($593,000) for expenditure in the Capital Projects Fund for the Pitkin Low Stress Corridor Project. - 2 - Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 15th day of September, A.D. 2015, and to be presented for final passage on the 6th day of October, A.D. 2015. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 6th day of October, A.D. 2015. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk