Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/15/2018 - RESOLUTION 2018-047 SUPPORTING CONSULTING SERVICESAgenda Item 11 Item # 11 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY May 15, 2018 City Council STAFF Chad Crager, Director of Infrastructure Services Brad Buckman, Special Projects Engineer Chris Van Hall, Legal SUBJECT Resolution 2018-047 Supporting Consulting Services Related to Interstate 25 (I-25) Funding for Traffic Solution Efforts. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to provide a Resolution of support for the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance’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 City leaders are working with regional partners to identify and pursue funding for the I-25 corridor in Northern Colorado. Numerous regional efforts, initiatives, and actions have been taken or are underway to urge the Colorado legislature and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to accelerate improvements to Interstate 25 (I-25) and find long-term sustainable funding for the State’s transportation infrastructure needs. Capitol Solutions was retained by the FIX I-25 Coalition to lead advocacy for solutions to I-25. The City contracts directly with Capitol Solutions for the purpose of I-25 advocacy, as do several other local agencies in Northern Colorado. In 2016 and 2017, Capitol Solutions held numerous conversations with CDOT officials, area legislators, legislative leaders in both parties, the Governor’s office, and business associations around Colorado. As a result of that work, North I-25 is positioned as a state transportation priority with CDOT officials and the Governor’s Office. With this funding Capitol Solutions will continue to be involved with the Legislative session to get transportation funding legislation adopted. The proposed Resolution supports the funding of consulting services related to urging the Colorado Legislature to consider any and all ways to expedite the improvement and expansion of northern sections of I-25. CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS The City Manager would spend $30,000 from appropriated funds to continue to retain the services of Capitol Solutions. Failure to make improvements to the Northern I-25 Corridor may have an adverse economic impact on Northern Colorado. Agenda Item 11 Item # 11 Page 2 BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION City staff regularly presents updates to the I-25 Corridor Improvements Project, including the Prospect interchange funding proposal (which was approved at the January 2, 2018 Council Meeting) to the Transportation Board. To date, City staff presented at the February 2016, November 2016, March 2017, and September 2017 meetings. While no action is taken, the Board is generally supportive of steps to improve I-25, and appreciates efforts to include design elements for bicycle, pedestrian and transit users. PUBLIC OUTREACH CDOT has conducted numerous public meetings regarding the I-25 Improvements Project throughout Northern Colorado. CDOT Project Managers also attended a Fort Collins Council work session in January 2018. CDOT, in conjunction with other regional agency partners, will continue to provide significant communication and information resources throughout the I-25 project using a variety of media. -1- RESOLUTION 2018-047 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO INTERSTATE 25 (I-25) FUNDING FOR TRAFFIC SOLUTION EFFORTS WHEREAS, City leaders are working with regional partners to identify and pursue funding for the Interstate 25 corridor in Northern Colorado (“North I-25”); and WHEREAS, numerous regional efforts, initiatives, and actions have been taken or are underway to urge the Colorado Legislature and Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) to accelerate improvements to North I-25 and find long-term sustainable funding for the State’s transportation infrastructure needs; and WHEREAS, in 2016 and 2017, the City retained Capitol Solutions to have numerous conversations with CDOT officials, area legislators, legislative leaders in both parties, the Governor’s office, and business associations around Colorado to support improvements to North I-25; and WHEREAS, Capitol Solution’s actions resulted in North I-25 being positioned as a state transportation priority with CDOT officials and the Governor’s Office; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to again retain Capital Solutions to continue to be involved with the current Legislative session to get transportation funding legislation adopted for North I- 25; and WHEREAS, the City Manager has identified $30,000 in appropriated funds that may be used to continue to retain Capitol Solutions. 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 supports efforts to seek timely improvements to North I-25 by retaining Capitol Solutions to assist the City in these efforts. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 15th day of May, A.D. 2018. _________________________________ Mayor Pro Tem ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk