HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 06/06/2017 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 065, 2017, APPROPRAgenda Item 3
Item # 3 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY June 6, 2017
City Council
STAFF
Timothy Kemp, Civil Engineer III
SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 065, 2017, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the Transportation Fund
for the Elizabeth and Shields Underpass Improvement Project, and Transferring Appropriations to the Cultural
Services and Facilities Fund for the Art in Public Places Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 16, 2017, appropriates $280,000 from the
Transportation Fund Reserves for traffic signal and pedestrian signal improvements associated with the
Elizabeth and Shields Underpass improvement project. Colorado State University (CSU) is funding and
constructing an $8.7M pedestrian and bicycle underpass, and intersection lane improvements at the Elizabeth
and Shields intersection. As part of this project, the City is upgrading the traffic signal system and constructing
a new pedestrian/bicycle signal west of the intersection. The City’s Traffic Operations Department will perform
the construction work associated with this appropriation. The project is expected to be substantially complete
in August 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary, May 16, 2017 (w/o attachments) (PDF)
2. Ordinance No. 065, 2017 (PDF)
Agenda Item 5
Item # 5 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY May 16, 2017
City Council
STAFF
Timothy Kemp, Civil Engineer III
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 065, 2017, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the Transportation Fund for
the Elizabeth and Shields Underpass Improvement Project, and Transferring Appropriations to the Cultural
Services and Facilities Fund for the Art in Public Places Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to appropriate $280,000 from the Transportation Fund Reserves for traffic signal
and pedestrian signal improvements associated with the Elizabeth and Shields Underpass improvement
project. Colorado State University (CSU) is funding and constructing an $8.7M pedestrian and bicycle
underpass, and intersection lane improvements at the Elizabeth and Shields intersection. As part of this
project, the City is upgrading the traffic signal system and constructing a new pedestrian / bicycle signal west
of the intersection. The City’s Traffic Operations Department will perform the construction work associated
with this appropriation. The project is expected to be substantially complete in August, 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The Elizabeth and Shields intersection (Attachment 1) was identified for infrastructure improvements as part
of the new on-campus stadium. The work is referenced in the 2015 Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
between the City and CSU. Lane improvements at the Elizabeth and Shields intersection were mandated in
the IGA, along with further technical feasibility analysis for a grade separated crossing. The feasibility analysis
was completed in the spring of 2016 and a design-build team was hired in July, 2016 to advance the
underpass design and determine right-of-way needs for the project.
CSU completed a willing seller right-of-way purchase with the Campus West Shops in November, 2016, and
construction began on the project in December, 2016.
An amendment to the City-CSU IGA, also under consideration on this agenda, formalizes the responsibility of
CSU for the construction of the underpass, and identifies a contribution from the City of $280,000 for signal
upgrades, modification, and the bicycle / pedestrian crossing signal to the west of the intersection.
The City and CSU have been working in partnership for several years to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety
amidst continued and projected population growth along the West Elizabeth corridor. CSU is making a series
of enhancements as a commitment by the university to improve safety and make the campus more accessible.
This project aligns with multiple City and CSU planning efforts, such as:
West Central Area Plan (2015)
CSU Parking and Transportation Master Plan (2014)
City Bicycle Master Plan (2014)
City Student Housing Action Plan (2013)
ATTACHMENT 1
Agenda Item 5
Item # 5 Page 2
City Arterial Intersection Prioritization Study (2011)
City Transportation Master Plan (2011)
All of these planning efforts have identified the need for improvements at the Elizabeth and Shields intersection
with recurring themes of: enhanced safety, separation of travel modes, and reducing the number of conflict
points and crashes.
Project Goals:
Improve Safety: Separation of travel modes to make it easier for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross
Shields Street, reduce the number of conflict points and crashes, and relocate the existing Elizabeth mid-
block crossing and upgrade it to a full bicycle / pedestrian signal for protection
Improve Traffic Flow during Campus Events: The underpass will allow “free flow” bicycle and pedestrian
traffic to and from campus following Moby, stadium, and other on-campus events
Plan for the Long-Term Vision: Create a gateway feature between the Campus West area and the
University, construct urban design features and site appropriate landscaping improvements, provide a
safer alternative for multi-modal travel
Minimize Construction Impacts: Implementation of a phased construction schedule to optimize work during
winter and spring breaks, working with area residents and businesses owners, and providing clear
communication for bicycle and pedestrian traffic in the area
This appropriation will provide funding for a rebuild of the entire traffic signal system at the Elizabeth and
Shields intersection, the installation of a bicycle / pedestrian signal at the relocated Elizabeth mid-block
crossing, and the upgrade of all associated underground fiber optic cable.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
This Ordinance authorizes the appropriation of prior year reserves in the Transportation Fund for traffic signal
improvements associated with the Elizabeth and Shields Underpass improvement project.
The total funding request for the City is in the amount of $280,000. The City will construct, own, and maintain
all of the signal equipment. CSU secured its funding for the necessary right-of-way purchase and the
construction contract in the fall 2016.
One percent of the appropriation for the construction of the traffic signal systems ($2,800) will be transferred to
the Cultural Services and Facilities Fund for a contribution to the Art in Public Places (APP) Program, with
$2,184 reserved for the APP artwork project and $616 reserved for the maintenance of the artwork and
operations of the APP program.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The following boards and commissions recommended approval of this project:
Bicycle Advisory Committee on September 26, 2016 (Attachment 2)
Transportation Board on October 19, 2016. (Attachment 3)
Planning and Zoning Board on November 10, 2016. (Attachment 4)
PUBLIC OUTREACH
City staff and CSU staff worked collaboratively on a detailed Communication and Public Outreach Plan.
Implementation of the Plan, that included numerous events during the project design, began in August 2016
and will be ongoing through completion of construction. Staff will continue to use various outreach tools to
communicate with the public. The project websites are kept current with the latest construction information.
http://www.fcgov.com/engineering/elizabeth-shields.php
http://source.colostate.edu/construction-and-parking/shields-underpass-proposal/
ATTACHMENT 1
Agenda Item 5
Item # 5 Page 3
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map (PDF)
2. Bicycle Advisory Commission, September 26, 2016 (PDF)
3. Transportation Board minutes, October 19, 2017 (PDF)
4. Planning and Zoning Board minutes, November 10, 2016 (PDF)
ATTACHMENT 1
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ORDINANCE NO. 065, 2017
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE TRANSPORTATION FUND
FOR THE ELIZABETH AND SHIELDS UNDERPASS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
AND TRANSFERRING APPROPRIATIONS TO THE CULTURAL SERVICES
AND FACILITIES FUND FOR THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Colorado State University (“CSU”) is funding and constructing an $8.7
million pedestrian and bicycle underpass, and intersection lane improvements at the Elizabeth
and Shields Street intersection; and
WHEREAS, as part of this project, the City is upgrading the traffic signal system and
constructing a new pedestrian/bicycle signal west of the intersection; and
WHEREAS, lane improvements at the Elizabeth and Shields intersection were mandated
in the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and CSU regarding the on-campus
stadium dated April 13, 2015 (the “IGA”); and
WHEREAS, a proposed amendment to the IGA being considered by the City Council by
a separate resolution formalizes the responsibility of CSU for the construction of an underpass,
and identifies a contribution from the City of $280,000 for signal upgrades, modification, and the
bicycle/pedestrian crossing signal to the west of the intersection; and
WHEREAS, this project aligns with multiple City and CSU planning efforts which have
identified the need for improvements at the Elizabeth and Shields intersection with recurring
themes of enhanced safety, separation of travel modes, and reducing the number of conflict
points and crashes; and
WHEREAS, this appropriation would provide funding for a rebuild of the entire traffic
signal system at the Elizabeth and Shields intersection, the installation of a bicycle / pedestrian
signal at the relocated Elizabeth mid-block crossing, and the upgrade of all associated
underground fiber optic cable; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Traffic Operations Department will perform the construction
work associated with this appropriation and the project is expected to be completed in August,
2017; and
WHEREAS, this project involves construction estimated to cost more than $250,000;
therefore, Section 23-304 of the City Code requires one percent of this appropriation to be
transferred to the Cultural Services and Facilities Fund for the Art in Public Places (“APP”)
program; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance would appropriate $280,000 from the Transportation Fund
Reserves to cover costs of the Project ($277,200) and one percent of project cost required for the
Art in Public Places Program of $2,800: $2,184 for the APP artwork project and $616 for the
maintenance of the artwork and operations of the APP program; and
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WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not
previously appropriated; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10, of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to
transfer by ordinance any unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount or portion thereof
from one fund to another fund, 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 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 there is hereby appropriated from prior year reserves in the
Transportation Fund the sum of TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($280,000) for rebuilding the traffic signal system and constructing a new pedestrian/bicycle
signal west of the intersection as part of the Elizabeth and Shields Underpass Improvement
Project.
Section 3. That the unexpended appropriated amount of TWO THOUSAND ONE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR DOLLARS ($2,184) in the Transportation Fund is authorized for
transfer to the Cultural Services and Facilities Fund and appropriated therein for an Art in Public
Places Art Project.
Section 4. That the unexpended appropriated amount of SIX HUNDRED SIXTEEN
DOLLARS ($616) in the Transportation Fund is authorized for transfer to the Cultural Services
and Facilities Fund and appropriated therein for the Art in Public Places Program Maintenance
and Operations.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 16th day of
May, A.D. 2017, and to be presented for final passage on the 6th day of June, A.D. 2017.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
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Passed and adopted on final reading on the 6th day of June, A.D. 2017.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk