DATE: October 28, 2014
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
David Parker, City Engineer/CIP Executive
Paul Holzen, Director of Engineering
Jonathan Marston, Staff Engineer III
SUBJECT:
title
Consideration of Resolution No. 2014-79 to be entitled: "A Resolution to Submit an Application to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the 2015 Safe Routes to School Program" (11/12/14 WS)
body
Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) with information to consider Resolution 2014-79 to authorize the submission of application materials for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) 2015 Safe Routes to School Grant Program.
Background
In early 2014, the City of Franklin completed construction of sidewalk and multiuse path along New Highway 96 West (SR-96W) as a part of the Carlisle Lane Intersection Improvements project. On March 13, 2014, the BOMA approved Resolution No. 2014-13, which provided funding for the FY 2014-2018 Capital Investment Program (CIP), including $108,220.00 for the construction of sidewalk from Downs Boulevard to Freedom Middle School. This project, if constructed as originally requested, would have created a gap in sidewalk/multiuse path, from Vintage Grove Lane to Downs Boulevard, a length of approximately 0.3 miles. Therefore, staff reviewed the project in closer detail and recommended a more compatible multiuse path from Vintage Grove Lane (e.g. the end of the existing multiuse path) to Freedom Middle School. Unfortunately, this larger scale project would also result in increased costs.
On May 13, 2014, the BOMA approved a contract for survey of the proposed multiuse path route. Upon receipt of this survey data, preliminary engineering drawings were produced in-house by Paul Holzen, the Director of Engineering. In September 2014, City staff was made aware of the upcoming 2015 Safe Routes to School Grant Program. Safe Routes to School is a competitive, federally-funded program that focuses on the benefits of children walking and biking to school. The maximum grant amount for any project is $250,000, with no match required by the local agency. Final project submittals are due to the TDOT by January 15, 2015
Financial Impact
In recent submittals to the MPO, City staff has estimated the total cost of the expanded multiuse path project at $600,000. As previously mentioned, the maximum grant amount for any project is $250,000, which is approximately forty-two percent (42%) of the total estimated project cost. The City of Franklin would be responsible for any remaining costs.
Recommendation
rec
Contingent upon further review by the City Administrator, City Engineer and City Attorney, staff recommends approval of Resolution 2014-79.