HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/15/2015 - RESOLUTION 2015-112 SUPPORTING THE IMPROVEMENT OFAgenda Item 17
Item # 17 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY December 15, 2015
City Council
STAFF
Mark Jackson, PDT Deputy Director
Dan Weinheimer, Policy & Project Manager
SUBJECT
Resolution 2015-112 Supporting the Improvement of Interstate 25 (I-25) as Proposed by the I-25 Coalition.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to provide a Resolution of support for the I-25 Coalition’s efforts to seek timely
improvements to the I-25 Corridor in Northern Colorado. This item supports Council Priority for I-25 funding;
Strategic Plan Objectives: Transportation 6.1, 6.4; and Council legislative priority re: I-25 funding.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
In the fall of 2013, elected officials and their designees from three counties and fourteen communities along
the I-25 Corridor in Northern Colorado formed the I-25 Coalition. The I-25 Coalition has grown steadily, with a
current distribution list of almost 90 including representatives from Adams, Larimer and Weld counties,
Berthoud, Broomfield, Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Fort Collins, Frederick, Johnstown, Loveland, Mead,
Northglenn, Timnath, Thornton and Windsor as well as CDOT, businesses and other interested agencies.
The Coalition’s primary goal is to accelerate construction of a third lane in each direction of I-25 as identified in
the I-25 North Project (from State Highway 6 to State Highway 14). Capacity improvements to the I-25 Corridor
in Northern Colorado will address current and forecast congestion and safety issues posed by growing traffic
demand in the region. The Colorado Department of Transportation currently estimates that funding these
improvements will not take place for several years.
The proposed Resolution urges the Colorado Legislature to consider any and all ways to expedite the
improvement and expansion of northern sections of I-25 including the following:
Support for a Transportation Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANS) bond II ballot initiative (TRANS
bonds were previously used to help fund the $1.67 billion T-REX I-25 improvements in the south
Denver Metro area)
Support for State of Colorado General Fund dollars going to transportation (maintenance & capital
construction)
Support modification to SB 228 for maintenance as long as it is tied to TRANS bond (SB 228 provides
a mechanism for the State to transfer funds from the General Fund to CDOT for strategic
transportation capital infrastructure projects)
Support extending SB 228 for 10 years
Support new revenue streams as long as they go to the voters, are tied to TRANS bond, and benefit
transportation
Support tax credit legislation for specific highway projects
Agenda Item 17
Item # 17 Page 2
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The supporting Resolution has no direct financial impacts on the City of Fort Collins.
Accelerating improvements on the Northern I-25 Corridor may require some future financial
contribution by Colorado citizens, cities and agencies.
Failure to make improvements to the Northern I-25 Corridor may have an adverse economic impact on
Northern Colorado.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
This item was not presented to boards or commissions. The City of Fort Collins is a member of the I-25
Coalition.
The Transportation Board was heavily involved throughout the North I-25 Environmental Impact Statement
Project (2011), which resulted in adoption of recommendations to add capacity and transit solutions to the
northern I-25 Corridor.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Significant public outreach was conducted throughout the multiple year North I-25 Environmental Impact
Statement Project (2011), resulting in adoption of recommendations to add capacity and transit solutions to the
northern I-25 Corridor.
RESOLUTION 2015-112
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING THE IMPROVEMENT OF INTERSTATE 25 (I-25)
AS PROPOSED BY THE I-25 COALITION
WHEREAS, Interstate 25 (“I-25”) represents a vital connection for the communities of
northern Colorado; and
WHEREAS, I-25 is an essential commuter and freight corridor and the only Colorado
highway on the national freight plan; and
WHEREAS, the improvement of I-25 is essential for the economic health and wellbeing
of the northern Colorado region; and
WHEREAS, the communities of northern Colorado wish to communicate the formal
request of their communities and citizens; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 09-228, later amended in
2012 by Senate Bill 12-168, and codified at Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-75-219; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 09-228 modified state laws governing General Fund transfers,
and among its provisions, requires that when annual Colorado personal income reaches or
exceeds five percent, certain transfers are made from the General Fund to the Highway Users
Tax Fund and the Capital Construction Fund; and
WHEREAS, the City requests that the legislature consider any and all actions to expedite
the improvement and expansion of north I-25.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby requests and supports the legislature’s
consideration of any and all actions to expedite the improvement and expansion of north I-25,
including the following:
• Support for a Transportation Revenue Anticipation Notes (“TRANS”) bond II
ballot initiative;
• Support for General Fund dollars benefiting transportation (maintenance and
capital construction);
• Support modification to Senate Bill 09-228 to allow use of funds for maintenance,
if TRANS bond is issued;
• Support extending Senate Bill 09-228 for 10 years;
• Support new revenue streams adopted by vote of electors, so long as they are
designated for TRANS bond and the benefit goes toward transportation; and
• Support tax credit legislation for specific highway projects.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
15th day of December, A.D. 2015.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk