4B, Resolution of Support - Transportation Enhancement Grant

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ARJENHILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: August 8, 2011 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager `'fie SUBJECT: Resolution 2011 -040: Supporting Federal Transportation Enhancement Program Funding Application Background The Metropolitan Council and the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) have released the 2011 regional solicitation — the eleventh regional solicitation for federal transportation funds since the passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act in 1991. Like the first regional solicitation, the TAB has advertised for projects in this funding cycle in the same four federal funding categories: Surface Transportation Program (STP) —Urban Guarantee, Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ), Transportation Enhancement Program (TE), and the Bridge Improvement and Replacement Program (BIR). Unlike the other regional solicitations, the availability of federal transportation funding is more uncertain than ever before. Congress has extended the current transportation funding act (the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act — A Legacy for Users, abbreviated to SAFETEA -LU) through the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, 2011. Congress and President Obama are expected to pass a new federal transportation funding act before the extension expires. At this time, the TAB does not know how much funding will be available in the new act, nor does the TAB know whether all of the projects traditionally funded through the regional solicitation process will be eligible for federal funds in the new act. Despite this uncertainty, the TAB has decided to continue with the 2011 regional solicitation on schedule and will react to the new federal act when it is passed. In 2009, the City of Arden Hills applied for funding in the STP category for a standalone pedestrian bridge over County Road E. The City scored well but was unsuccessful in obtaining funding. Since that time, the County Road E Bridge has been programmed for replacement in 2015. The Ramsey County Public Works Department and the City of Arden Hills continue to work with Mn/DOT on design and cost impacts for the bridge. The bridge is not eligible for STP funding. However, the City has been exploring options for funding for the trail from the bridge to Old Snelling. Joe Lux from Ramsey County Public Works indicated that the County Parks \\ Metro- inet. us \ardenhills\PR &PW\Parks\Memos \Council Memos\Memo to CC re - Res 2011 -040 County Road E federal application080811.doc