7B, Resolution 2009-017 Supporting Regional Federal Transportation Program Funding

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Resolution 2009-017 County Road E federal application Page 2 Staff and Kimley-Hom have evaluated which of the two funding programs is most appropriate for this project, and have determined that the STP is most appropriate and would provide the best opportunity for funding. DISCUSSION Staff is requesting Council consideration of including a trail connection to the west from the proposed County Road E pedestrian bridge to Old Snelling. Connecting trails to the proposed improvement is a factor in the funding application scoring. With no existing connection, our application is not likely to score as high in that area. However, if a trail were included with the bridge, it would connect up to future proposed trails on Old Snelling and Lake Johanna Blvd. Advantages to including connecting trails within the application: 1. If right of way is needed to complete a trail along County Road E, this would be an eligible cost for reimbursement. 2. The application will likely score higher on the overall connections and safety. 3. The connecting trail has been identified as a future potential trail but is currently unfunded. If the connecting trail is included in the application, there will be an increase in the project cost, including engineering fees. Therefore, once those costs have been identified, the contract for Kimley-Horn would need to be amended. If Council supports including this connecting trail, staff will need to give this direction to Kimley-Horn as soon as possible so that they can include this in the application. The application deadline is Monday, June 15th. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The federal funding requires a 20% local match; engineering fees are not an eligible cost. This project would be eligible for State Aid funds for the local match, as well as for engineering, up to 250/0 of construction costs. If the City Council chose not to allocate State Aid fund to the project, then an alternative funding source would need to be identified for the local match and all engineering fees. If funding is obtained through this process, funds would be available for construction in fiscal years 2013 and 2014. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED A motion to adopt Resolution no. 2009-017: A Resolution supporting Federal Surface Transportation Program funding application submittal for the County Road E Pedestrian/Bicycle overpass of Snelling Avenue (TH 51).