DATE: October 29, 2014
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
SUBJECT:
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Consideration of Interlocal Agreement (COF 2014-0294) with Williamson County Government for the extension of sanitary sewer service to the Ag Center Park in exchange for property for the development of Fire Station #7. (11/12/14 WS)
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Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) to consider entering into an interlocal agreement with Williamson County through which the City would extend sanitary sewer service to the Ag Center Park and the County would provide approximately 2.5 acres of property on the southern portion for the Ag Center for development of Franklin Fire Station #7.
Background
The City of Franklin is one of the fastest growing cities in America. In order to meet the need for public safety service driven by growth, the City has planned for the construction of Fire Station #7 in the southeast section of Franklin. The construction of Fire Station #7 is included in the City's approved Capital Investment Funding Plan. Over the past several months, City staff has been carefully examining options for the location of the new fire station. Staff has developed a proposal that would provide an excellent site for Fire Station #7 and meet a significant need for another community facility.
It is proposed that the City of Franklin extend sanitary sewer service across I-65 to the County Ag Center Park property at two locations (the existing main Ag Center structure and the southern portion of the property) and in exchange the County would dedicate approximately 2.5 acres of property located on the Ag Center site for the construction of a City of Franklin fire station. The proposed fire station site would be located immediately north of the future extension of Peytonsville Road (near the current bend in the road). In addition, the City would be willing to explore the use of this site for the location/co-location of a future Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station. Attached is an aerial image of the property including the proposed Fire Station site. From discussions with various public safety leaders (City and County), there is a consensus that a fire station at this site is ideal in terms of providing needed emergency services coverage to this area of our growing community.
The total projected cost of extending sanitary sewer service east of I-65 to the Ag Center property and to the existing truck stop is approximately $1.5 million. The City has secured an agreement with the Travel America truck stop owner to participate in the cost of the project. Were the County to extend sanitary sewer service to its property at the Ag Center, the projected cost would be approximately $900,000. In addition to the extension of sanitary sewer service, the City would acquire and transfer to the County additional adjoining property adjacent to the Ag Center. Two segments of existing right-of-way for Long Lane will become available when the State's ongoing project to relocate Long Lane is complete. This property consists of a 0.9 acre parcel that will be provided to the City by TDOT as surplus property and a 0.3 acre parcel that is owned by the City. There are two other significant benefits to the County through this proposal: 1) the property value and potential for development is greatly enhanced by gaining access to sanitary sewer at the Ag Center property, and 2) the County will no longer have to pay for pumping and disposal of wastewater from the Ag Center site.
Proposal Summary:
City receives the following:
Value of Property provided for Fire Station (2.5 acres) $1,125,000
County receives the following:
Cost to extend Sanitary Sewer Service at no cost to the County $ 900,000
System Access and Development fees 80,000
Value of Long Lane City Right-of-Way abandoned adjacent to Ag Center 135,000
Value of Long Lane Right-of-Way to be deeded to the City from TDOT 405,000
Subtotal $1,520,000**
**Note: In addition to the benefits described above, the County would also avoid the ongoing cost of securing "pump and haul" service to Ag Center facilities.
In order to proceed with this arrangement, an interlocal agreement between Williamson County and the City of Franklin will be necessary. Attached is a draft agreement for consideration. To date, the proposal and interlocal agreement have been reviewed and recommended by the Williamson County Board's Property Committee and Budget Committee and will be considered at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on November 10th.
Options
The Board may approve, deny, or modify the proposed Interlocal Agreement (COF 2014-0294) with Williamson County.
Financial Impact
The funding from the City's Facility Tax Fund for the design and construction of Fire Station #7 is included in the approved Capital Investment Funding plan. An agreement for the funding of a portion of the sanitary sewer line extension has been reached with the nearby truck stop. Any additional funds to connect the Ag Center and proposed fire station site could be funded by Facility Tax Funds.
Recommendation
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Approval of the proposed Interlocal Agreement with Williamson County (COF 2014-0294) is recommended.