PLANNING SERVICES MEMORANDUM

Transcription

1 PLANNING SERVICES MEMORANDUM January 8, 2018 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: City Council Terry Nolan, Associate Planner Consideration and action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit grant requests to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation s Transportation Alternatives Program to fund two trail projects. (File Resolution No ) Relates to Strategic Plan Strategic Goal - Infrastructure Should the City receive the Wisconsin Department of Transportation s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, it will be used to fund the construction of two separate trail segments to improve and expand the trail network as listed in the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Executive Summary The City s long range transportation plan includes two separate trail projects located on the far west and north sides of the City and has identified the TAP grant as an outside funding source to support these projects. The west side project is called the Fischer Creek Trail and the north side project is an extension of the Glacial River Trail. TAP is a federal program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to support eligible alternative transportation projects. The City has an opportunity to request TAP funds to improve and extend the trail network. The TAP grant program funds 80 percent of awarded trail project costs, thus requiring a 20 percent local match. City Recommendation The City recommends the City Council adopt File Resolution No Suggested Motion I move to adopt File Resolution No authorizing the filing of applications with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the Transportation Alternatives Program. Background TAP is a competitive, comprehensive federal funding program created through the federal Fixing America s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). It has a two-year funding cycle specifically targeting three multi-modal improvement programs: 1) Safe Routes to School 1

2 (SRTS), 2) Transportation Enhancements (TE), and 3) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program (BPFP). Grant awards require an 80 percent federal and 20 percent local match. Options Adopt File Resolution No authorizing the submission of a grant request to the Department of Transportation for funding though TAP. Amend File Resolution No before adoption. Defeat File Resolution No , thus not authorizing the grant request submission. Analysis A. Pursuit of TAP grant funding for trail construction will enhance and extend the existing network of trails in the Janesville area. The identified projects are high priorities based on public comment made during the development of the LRTP. B. As required by the TAP application process, the two projects have been ranked according to their importance (with 1 being the most important). A map depicting the trail alignment for each of the projects is attached. The Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, at its November 29, 2017 meeting, directed the projects be ranked according to the following priority listing: 1. Glacial River Trail 2. Fischer Creek Trail C. The Glacial River Trail is a 10 foot wide asphalt paved off-road trail extending parallel to John Paul Road/CTH Y from the STH 26 pedestrian overpass north to McCormick Drive. The project will partially close the existing one mile gap between the Glacial River Trail and the Ice Age Trail. Currently, the only way to travel between the Ice Age Trail terminus on the northeast side of Janesville and the Glacial River Trail is on street along John Paul Road/CTH Y. John Paul Road has a narrow shoulder that varies in width (0 3 ft.) and posted speed limits ranging from mph. The proposed 0.75 mile section of trail would be constructed completely within existing road right-of-way, physically separated from vehicular travel lanes beyond the west shoulder of the roadway. The total preliminary cost estimate is $900,500, of which $180,000 would be the local share. D. The Fischer Creek Trail is a 0.75 mile segment of asphalt paved trail through dedicated public greenbelt extending north from West Court Street, crossing Mineral Point, to Dartmouth Drive. The project will include crossing improvements at the intersection of West Court Street and Austin Road and where the trail will cross Mineral Point Avenue. The project will connect the surrounding west-side neighborhood to Parker High School and is the first segment of a long term vision to develop a north-south trail corridor that will connect Rockport Park to the Robert O. Cook Arboretum. The total preliminary cost estimate is $410,000, of which $82,000 would be the local share. Conclusions The City has an opportunity to apply for grant funding to potentially construct two trail segment extensions and improvements as envisioned in the Long Range Transportation Plan. Restated City Recommendation The City recommends the City Council adopt File Resolution No cc: Mark Freitag, City Manager Maggie Darr, Assistant to the City Manager Paul Woodard, Public Works Director 2

3 RESOLUTION NO A Resolution authorizing the City of Janesville s submission of a grant request to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for funding through their Transportation Alternatives Program. WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Janesville recognize the benefits of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure such as trails to encourage alternative transportation modes and provide recreational opportunities; and WHEREAS, by adopting this Resolution, the Common Council declare their intent for the City Administration to submit two grant requests to WisDOT for funding through their Transportation Alternatives Program to fund the construction of off-road trail segments within the City; and WHEREAS, the City of Janesville will maintain records documenting all expenditures made during the grant period and abide by the necessary reporting responsibilities as determined by the WisDOT; and WHEREAS, the City of Janesville will work cooperatively with employees, agents, and representatives of the WisDOT during the grant period; and WHEREAS, the City of Janesville intends to comply with all requirements of and will submit all documents and participation requirements, to the WisDOT; and WHEREAS, the Common Council find that the submission for and use of each of these grants will be in the best interests of and benefit to the City, its properties, its residents, and taxpayers. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Janesville that: 1. All above introductions and recitals are reiterated and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth verbatim; and 2. The City Administration is authorized on behalf of the City of Janesville to prepare and submit applications for, and request funds and assistance available from, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for these two grants; and 3. The City of Janesville shall take any and all necessary actions to undertake, direct, and complete approved grant activities, and comply with State and Federal rules for the program(s); BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager and his designee(s), on behalf of the City of Janesville, is/are hereby jointly and severally authorized and empowered to negotiate, draft, review, revise, modify, amend, execute, enter into, file and/or record additional applications, agreements, amendments, documents, reports, and letters of understanding concerning this matter, and to take whatever additional other actions that the City Manager may determine in his sole discretion, from time to time and at any

4 time, necessary and/or desirable in the public interest to effectuate the intent of this Resolution and/or the public good. ADOPTED: APPROVED: Mark A. Freitag, City Manager ATTEST: David T. Godek, City Clerk-Treasurer Motion by: Second by: Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent Conley Farrell Gruber Jorgensen Marklein Williams Wolfe APPROVED AS TO FORM: Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney Proposed by: Public Works Department Prepared by: Public Works Department

5 Glacial River Trail John Paul Road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hwy 26!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Proposed Project!! Future Trail Off-Road On-Street Bike Lanes

6 !!!! Fischer Creek Trail Mineral Point Ave. Proposed Project!! Future Trail!!! West Court St. Off-Road On-Street Bike Lanes! Crossing Improvement!!