Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on Authorizing the City Manager to Implement Specific On-Street Bicycle Treatments and Approving a Resolution Supporting the Nomination of a Project for the Transportation Enhancement Program
Summary
MEETING DATE: November 6, 2012
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Transportation Engineering Manager
Jack Carr, PE, Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Provide direction to staff regarding the implementation of the On-Street Bicycle Master Plan.
· Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· The following will be addressed by this agenda item:
o Staff will lead a discussion to develop a consensus regarding the elements of the On-Street Bicycle Master Plan to be implemented, as funding becomes available.
o The Resolution included with this item addresses the following:
- Supports the nomination of a Transportation Enhancement Project for the implementation of components of the On-Street Bicycle Master Plan and demonstrates the willingness to commit to the recommendation, implementation, development, construction, maintenance, and financing of the project.
- Authorizes the City Manager to prepare and submit the project nomination to the Texas Department of Transportation related to the implementation of components of the On-Street Bicycle Master Plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· In June 2012, the City Council approved the On-Street Bicycle Master Plan with the following stipulations:
o Additional discussion with Council would occur before implementation, thereby allowing the Council the opportunity to provide direction related to specific elements of the master plan
o The initial phase components would be implemented without using the general fund or Community Development Corporation funds.
· The initial phase consisted of purchasing signs using grant funds. The installation of the signs will occur upon receiving approval from the Council.
Opportunity for Federal Funds
· In September 2012, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) introduced a federally funded Transportation Enhancement program that offers funding opportunities to expand transportation choices and enhance the transportation experience through 12 federal categories. Information related to the categories can be found on the attachment labeled Federal Categories.
· The project must demonstrate a relationship to the surface transportation system and incorporate at least one of the listed categories.
· The current Transportation Enhancement program has two funding pools:
o Agencies within the NCTCOG region will compete for $13 million
o For projects submitted, but not funded through the initial selection, a second pool of funds, in the amount of $35 million, will be available in a statewide program
· During the last call for projects in 2009, agencies within the NCTCOG region submitted project nominations totaling over $103 million and the funded projects totaled $18.8 million, thereby demonstrating the competitiveness of the program.
· All project nominations must be submitted to the TxDOT District Office by November 16.
· The selection process is scheduled to be completed by July 2013.
· The work must be initiated by the local entity within four years from the date of selection.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· Since this is a reimbursement project, the City will need to pay 100% of the project cost up front and will receive a reimbursement of the eligible portion, after the work has been accomplished.
· The program requires a minimum of 20% local funds. A higher percentage will result in a more competitive score and an increased likelihood of the project being accepted into the program.
· The Resolution authorizes the nomination of a project with a total cost of $250,000 and local funds in the amount of $50,000.
· If the project is accepted into the program, the required local funds will be available in the Capital Improvements Program.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
· N/A