HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/15/2017 - RESOLUTION 2017-078 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUAgenda Item 20
Item # 20 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY August 15, 2017
City Council
STAFF
Greg Oakes, Apprentice Landscape Architect
Chris Van Hall, Legal
SUBJECT
Resolution 2017-078 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of
Fort Collins and Larimer County for the Construction of the Long View Trail Between Fort Collins and
Loveland.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to request Council approval for an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between
Fort Collins and Larimer County for the construction of the Long View Trail between Fort Collins and Loveland.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The Long View Trail is a 4.4-mile, 10-foot wide concrete trail that will connect Fort Collins and Loveland. The
trail will extend through numerous natural areas/open spaces, beginning at the Cathy Fromme Prairie in Fort
Collins and ending at the Sunset Vista Natural Area in Loveland. The project is identified in the 2013 Paved
Recreational Trail Master Plan. When completed, the trail will extend through the Colina Mariposa Natural
Area, the Hazaelus Natural Area, and the Long View Farm Open Space. The project is a joint effort between
the City of Loveland, Larimer County, and the City of Fort Collins, with Larimer County acting as the lead
agency for the project. The project is anticipated to be constructed beginning in fall of 2017 and completed in
the spring of 2018.
The total cost for the project is estimated at $4,800,000, with Fort Collins share of the cost being $2,200,000.
However, staff is asking Council to approve up to $2.7 million to cover actual costs if the final bid or
construction costs exceed current estimates. These costs include design, permitting, construction
management services, and construction. Construction costs are estimates only; final construction costs will be
known after the project is bid.
In 2014, Fort Collins, Larimer County and Loveland jointly applied for two grants to help fund the project: A
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant, and a Great
Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Parks to Paths grant. As lead applicant, the County was awarded a combined
$1,999,900 in grant funding, $999,950 from the TAP grant, and $999,950 from the GOCO grant. As provided in
the IGA, the County will distribute the grant funding proportionate to the amount of trail being constructed in
each agency jurisdiction.
The IGA outlines responsibilities and payment from the City of Fort Collins to Larimer County for project
construction costs. The grants will be administered by Larimer County with the project balance being paid by
all three agencies on a proportional basis.
Agenda Item 20
Item # 20 Page 2
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The City of Fort Collins share of the project is funded from several sources, including the TAP and GOCO
Grants, Xcel Energy funds received in 2011 for a natural gas pipeline easement across City owned Natural
Areas property and Conservation Trust funds appropriated through the 2017-18 budget cycle. No additional
appropriations are required to fund the project.
Funding Sources
Conservation Trust Funds $220,000
XCEL Energy Funds $1,000,000
TAP Grant (Fort Collins Portion) $490,000
GOCO Grant (Fort Collins Portion) $490,000
Contingency Funding Sources (Conservation Trust Funds) $500,000
Total $2,700,000
Estimated Expenditures
Design/Permitting $193,971
Construction (Engineers Estimate) $1,627,059
Construction Management $208,970
Contingency $170,000
Total $2,200,000
The estimated $2.2 million total project expenditures include the engineers estimate for construction. The City
has available appropriated funds up to $2.7 million for this project if the construction bid exceeds the engineers
estimate. Staff is requesting approval to spend up to the $2.7 million if necessary.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Long View Trail has received recommendations from numerous boards and commissions, including:
Land Conservation Stewardship Board
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Parks and Recreation Board
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Public Outreach for the project includes:
Multiple media releases
Informational fliers mailed to residents
One-on-one meetings with concerned residents
Public open houses
Project website with regular updates
ATTACHMENTS
1. Longview Trail Vicinity Map (PDF)
2. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board, minutes, August 10, 2016 (PDF)
3. Bicycle Advisory Committee minutes, September 26, 2016 (PDF)
4. Parks and Recreation Board minutes, October 26, 2016 (PDF)
5. Public Service Trail Acquisition Appropriation AIS, October 15, 2013 (PDF)
Connection to the Mason Street Trail
New Tunnel (Completed)
Proposed Fossil
Creek Trail
Connection
Existing Trail Underpass
Trail Continues on
Existing Sidewalk
Cathy Fromme Prairie Trailhead
Fossil Creek Trail
Proposed Sunset Vista
Natural Area Trailhead
Connection to Loveland Trail System
P
r o p
o s e d L o
n g V
i
e
w
T
r
a i l
4 . 2
Total M
i l e s
Existing Trail Underpass
Front Range Trail to Loveland
(Under Construction)
Coyote Ridge
Natural Area
Colina Mariposa
Natural Area
Hazaleus
Natural Area
S. Shields St.
Long View Farm
Open Space
Fos
sil
Cr
eek
Tra
il
P o w
e r T
r a
i l
Long View Trail
Project Map
ATTACHMENT 1
Land Conservation &
Stewardship Board
August 10, 2016 ATTACHMENT 2
Page 3
ways to ease land use and planning and zoning restrictions when it comes to housing development. This report
is something to review and keep an eye on in future city planning.
Aaron Buckley (Fort Collins Bike Co-op) – Recent women bike classes had good attendance. The Tour de Fat
event was a success with great volunteers.
Mark Houdashelt (Air Quality Advisory Board) – The AQAB’s Budget recommendations included Transfort
Sunday Service (67.11) and the Travel Behavior Survey (3.23). There were several AQAB bicycle related offers
that were ranked highly, but not included since the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts were not understood to
lessen. GHG report findings later pointed out this was not the case. GHG findings will be re-evaluated closer and
prior to final BFO recommendations in the future.
Sylvia Cranmer (Chair, Colorado State University) – Over 300 participants participated in the Bike education
event as part of annual CSU Welcome weekend (We Ride). The Campus is wrapping up the weekly (Thursdays)
Bike to Breakfast events for the month of September.
Todd Dangerfield (Downtown Development Authority) – On Thursday, September 22nd, the Downtown
Development Authority attended the Annual Governor's Awards for Downtown Excellence, in Pueblo, Colorado.
During their travels, DDA staff stopped to view several buildings and a bike shop in Castle Rock, CO. Discussions
with the bike shop staff addressed the store’s home grown bike share program and a need for revitalization. The
Fort Collins Bike Share program overseen by Zagster was discussed. Todd asked if more specific usage/benefit
numbers from Zagster could be provided at future BAC meetings.
Luke Caldwell (Natural Resource Advisory Board) – The board’s September meeting included discussion
regarding the land bank program for affordable housing. Three parcels of land are being considered on the south
side of Fort Collins. Luke had some concern over the distance of the affordable housing sites from city services.
INFORMATIONAL/DISCUSSION ITEMS
Longview Trail and Trails Update (Greg Oakes, City of Fort Collins Park Planning and Development)
The Longview Trail project is joint effort between Larimer County and the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins.
Greg’s presentation and discussion centered around the design graphic depicting the proposed 4.4-mile-long
trail between Loveland and Fort Collins, parallel to Shields Street. Review points related to trail design and
discussion that occurred with BAC members and Greg during the meeting follows below.
Greg also shared information about other city trails being considered for the 2017-2020 planning period.
- The Poudre Trail - I25 underpass should be completed in 2020 after CDOT has finished bridge work.
- The Fossil Creek Trail BNSF Pedestrian Tunnel and connection west to east of Fossil Creek Trail is
anticipated to be completed in 2017.
- Aaron Fodge (CSU Alternative Transportation Manager) added trail news of the Loveland Power Trail
being worked on in 2017 and further south trails connecting to Berthoud. These trails could provide
contiguous trail systems from Berthoud to Fort Collins.
Longview Trail Design Review/Discussion and Q and A
Greg laid out a ~42 ft. long color design graphic of the Longview trail for BAC participants to review. His main
intent was to get the BAC’s input on the alignment of the route.
- Members mentioned the trail would be primarily used by commuters.
- Some easements into private property have been obtained. Setbacks are a max of 150’ from Shields.
- Wetlands issues in some areas. Planners have worked to keep impacts to a minimum of .5 acres total,
using bridges etc. in these areas.
Bicycle Advisory Commission
September 26, 2016 ATTACHMENT 3
Page 4
- Members considered total distance variances with straight versus curvy trail design. It was estimated
that additional ¼ to ½ mile would be added with the curvy design. Opinions on a straight versus curvy
trail varied.
- Cathy Busch-Kinkaid (At Large Member) liked the trail being a distance from the road and away from
traffic noise, exhaust, etc.
- A soft surfaced 4’ wide path will parallel the trail and support multi-use traffic, including horses.
Several of the trail cross sections and connections to other trail systems were reviewed.
- Longview’s connection to Fossil Creek Trail on the east will be finished post 2017, after the BNSF
easements and pedestrian tunnel are complete.
CDOT and Larimer County are funding the project. Completion is anticipated for May of 2018.
Q. Why the name Longview?
A. The area between cities is called Longview Farm Open Space.
Q. Will the Longview Trail be under winter grooming?
A. Greg believed it would, but didn’t know its priority.
It was not known if a Bike Counter would be put on the trail.
Bicycle related 3 Foot Law Enforcement Technology – C3FT (Lt. Craig Horton, FC Police Services)
Lieutenant Craig Horton of the Fort Collins Police Services department provided a detailed description of the
C3FT enforcement technology. The purpose of his presentation was to gain additional insights from the BAC
regarding the benefits and applications for this new type of enforcement technology. Discussion and suggestions
follow below.
C3FT enforcement technology – This sensor is a sonar device that helps officers to monitor and enforce driver
safety when passing cyclists. (A minimum of 3 feet distance is required). The bike-mounted sensor can include a
video camera to provide evidence for ticketing. Two officers are required; one riding a bike with sensor device,
the other in a car to ticket vehicle drivers.
- Police Services have concerns with putting officers in dangerous situations while riding (patrolling) in
areas where encroachment occurs most often.
- Craig felt the technology provides opportunity for public (driver) education.
Craig asked what the BAC community thinks about this tool.
- Austin, TX and Chattanooga TN are using the tool. Little known about value.
- Chris Johnson (Bike Fort Collins) felt the publicity and conversation starter effort of the tool is most
valuable.
- Kelly McDonnell (Bicycle Pedestrian Education Coalition) asked what streets would be targeted with this
tool. Craig felt FC Moves would have best suggestions for patrol areas. Again, the difficulty is putting the
police officer/rider in jeopardy when using the tool.
- Luke felt the encroachment issues on the dam road etc. are infrastructure related. Others did not see
this as an excuse for violation of C3FT.
- Todd Dangerfield (Downtown Development Authority) suggested this tool be shared with Larimer
County for other higher prone encroachment areas (e.g. Carter Lake).
- Chair Cranmer mentioned that positive support of the tool should be publicized. Education must come
hand in hand with enforcement of 3-ft rule.
Q. Could a safety class be required when a driver is ticketed?
Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – October 26, 2016
Page 2 of 4
Full Minutes
AGENDA ITEMS:
ULongview Trail – Greg Oakes, Apprentice Landscape Architect, Park Planning
The Longview Trail is a proposed 4.5 mile multi-use trail connecting Fort Collins and Loveland from the Cathy Fromme
Prairie to 57P
th
P Street along Shields Street. The section in Fort Collins is just over 2 miles long, the majority of which runs
through Natural Areas property. The concept design has been vetted by Natural Areas and the Land Conservation &
Stewardship Board. Bike Fort Collins has also approved and felt the project would provide a serene trail experience since
it is in the Natural Areas. There are some concerns for the North end of the trail as portions adjacent to private property.
The project is projected to cost approximately $5.2 Million, funded by a partnership between Loveland, Larimer County,
Fort Collins, a $1 million CDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant & a $1 million Great Outdoors Colorado
grant. 30% design has been submitted, 75% of plans will be submitted mid-January, 100% plans submitted in March,
construction is planned to begin September 2017 and projected to complete in May of 2018.
UDiscussion
Board – Will there be trees planted along the trail?
Staff – No. We discussed with Natural Areas yesterday. Modifies natural area & adds to maintenance
Board – Would you refer to this as a bike trail?
Staff – It is a hard surface multi-use trail
Board – Is it as wide as the trail at Redtail Hawk?
Staff – That’s just the road to put the tunnel in for the Fossil Creek Trail connection.
Board – Are we looking to get additional right-of-way
Staff – No we are not due to the grade of the property & cost
Board – It would be nice to add interpretive signs along the trail to provide insight into cultural points along the trail.
Staff – Natural Areas also mentioned shelters yesterday. That is something down the road in the planning process we can
include.
Board – Could we recommend a protected bike lane as on Laurel for the Northern Shields section? Doesn’t offer actual
protection but perceived protection
Board – How do they manage snow removal in those areas?
Staff – Staff removes snow by hand. We’d have to look into specialty equipment since conventional plows can only plow
one way.
Board – Should we expand Shields in the future, we don’t have to rip it up and redo it now that it’s off the road
Board – Is that a bridge in the wetlands?
Staff – It is. We worked with Natural Areas to find a location for the bridge that is the least impactful
Board – Are these going to be open spaces so people can go off trail?
Staff – They will be Natural Areas.
UUpdate on potential land purchase associated with the Poudre River Whitewater Park– Kurt Friesen, Director of
Park Planning & Development
Board discussed the potential land purchase associated with the Poudre River Whitewater Park in executive session.
Motion – Jessica MacMillan made a motion to approve the use of Neighborhood Park Funds for the potential land purchase
associated with the Poudre River Whitewater Park, with the understanding that a neighborhood park will be built on the property
within 10 years of the purchase date.
Seconded – Ragan Adams
Vote: Approved 7:0
USTAFF UPDATES
UParks Updates
x Poured-in-Place playground safety surfacing project was completed at Spring Canyon Park
x Conversion project at Avery Park is starting. New playground equipment is currently being installed.
x Removed large, aging cottonwood trees on Ziegler, between Horsetooth & Harmony
x A tennis court at City Parks has been converted to four Pickleball courts.
Parks and Recreation Board
October 26, 2016 ATTACHMENT 4
Agenda Item 15
Item # 15 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 15, 2013
City Council
STAFF
Craig Foreman, Director of Park Planning & Development
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 141, 2013, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue from the Public Service
Company into the Capital Projects Fund for the Trail Acquisition and Development-Special Funds Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to appropriate $1,250,000 from Public Service Company (PSCo or Xcel) into
the Capital Project Trail Acquisition/Development - Special Funds.
The Public Service Company’s (PSCo) West Main Pipeline Project required easements across City-
owned Coyote Ridge, Colina Mariposa, and Hazaleus Natural Areas located along South Shields Street
between Fort Collins and Loveland and on the Kingfisher Natural Area near Timberline Road. PSCo has
agreed to provide $2,000,000 as compensation for the easements, and as mitigation for the project’s
community wide impacts. From the PSCo revenues, funding in the amount of $1,000,000 will be used for
the construction of a ten-foot wide concrete regional trail on the east side of Shields Street from Fossil
Creek Drive to Trilby Road. Funding in the amount of $250,000 will also be used for the removal and
relocation of the Poudre Trail at the Woodward Technology Center. The remaining $750,000 of PSCo
revenues will be used by Natural Areas for various projects along the Poudre River. These funds were
appropriated in the Natural Areas Fund by Ordinance No. 090, 2013.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
In late 2011, Public Service Company (PSCo) approached the Natural Areas Department to discuss the
West Main Project and the need to replace an existing natural gas pipeline located within several City-
owned natural areas. Negotiations with PSCo resulted in a payment of $2,000,000 to the City for the
natural area easements and to offset the community impacts of the pipeline project.
Staff reviewed a variety of trail projects, and determined construction of the regional trail along Shields
Street from Fossil Creek Drive to Trilby Road was the best use for $1,000,000 of the PSCo funds. This
regional trail is included in the Council-adopted Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The trail will generally
be placed on land disturbed by the pipeline project. Constructing the trail now avoids the need to restore
this area and then disturb it when the trail is constructed in the future. Constructing this section of the
regional trail will also create an incentive for Larimer County and the City of Loveland to connect to and
complete the trail.
The Woodward Technology Center project will result in the City obtaining 31 acres of natural area. City
staff determined $250,000 of the PSCo funds should be used to remove the section of the Poudre Trail
on the site and relocate within the restored natural area. The remaining $750,000 in PSCo funds will be
used to acquire, restore or otherwise improve natural areas along the Poudre River. If any funds remain
after completion of the trail projects, it will be used for other trail construction needs.
ATTACHMENT 5
Agenda Item 15
Item # 15 Page 2
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACT
The $1,250,000 available for trail projects augments existing limited trail funding allowing these funds to
be used for other needed trail projects. The project appropriation of $1,250,000 for the trail projects
includes $12,500 for 1% Art in Public Places (APP). Of this amount $9,750 will be transferred to the APP
project in the Cultural Services and Facilities Fund for the artwork and the remaining $2,750 will be
transferred to the same fund for the maintenance of the artwork and operations of the APP program. The
total amount transferred to APP will be $12,500 or 1% of the total project cost.
Funding for the annual operation and maintenance cost of the 1.0 mile of new trail from Fossil Creek
Driver to Trilby Road is estimated at $10,000 and will be included in the 2015 Parks trail maintenance
Budgeting for Outcomes offer. The relocated Poudre Trail annual operation and maintenance cost at the
Woodward Technology Center is in existing Parks budgets.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The new trail location along Shields Street has been reviewed by the Natural Areas staff and will be
located close to the street to minimize impacts to the natural areas. The relocated Poudre Trail at the
Woodward Technology Center will not be located right next to the river, as it is now. The new trail section
will provide nice views of the river as it traverses the restored natural area.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Parks and Recreation Board and the Land Conservation Board were informed of the project over the
past year through staff updates.
The Boards were supportive of these projects.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The trail project from Fort Collins to Loveland was discussed with the community during the 2008 Parks
and Recreation Policy Plan update and is listed on the City’s trail development web page.
The Poudre Trail relocation at the Woodward Technology Center has been shown at several open
houses for the Woodward project in 2013.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Woodward Proposed Trail Map
2. Xcel Loveland Trail Map
-1-
RESOLUTION 2017-078
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AND LARIMER
COUNTY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LONG VIEW TRAIL
BETWEEN FORT COLLINS AND LOVELAND
WHEREAS, the Long View trail is a 4.4-mile, 10-foot wide concrete trail that will
connect Fort Collins and Loveland (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Project is identified in the 2013 Paved Recreational Trail Master Plan;
and
WHEREAS, once completed, the Project will extend through the Colina Mariposa
Natural Area, the Hazaelus Natural Area, and the Long View Farm Open Space; and
WHEREAS, the Project is a joint effort between Fort Collins, the City of Loveland and
Larimer County, with Larimer County acting as the lead agency for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of the Project is estimated at $4,800,000, with Fort Collins’
share of the Project currently estimated at $2,200,000, which amount may change based on final
bids and construction; and
WHEREAS, Fort Collins, Loveland and Larimer County have negotiated an
intergovernmental agreement (the “IGA”) to coordinate construction and funding of the Project;
and
WHEREAS, the IGA approves up to $2,700,000 to be spent on the Project, which
amount has already been appropriated for the Project, to cover actual costs of the Project that
exceed the current $2,200,000 estimate; 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 the Project is in the best interests of the
City and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the IGA between the City and the County in
support thereof.
-2-
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. The City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute the IGA
between City and the County, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” together
with such modifications and additions as the City Manager, in 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 August, A.D. 2017.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Interim City Clerk