Agenda - Council Work Session - 03/08/2011

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CC Work Session Date: 03/08/2011 By: Mark Riverblood Engineering/Public Works Information Item #: 2. 2. Title: Resolution #11- 03 -XXX Supporting Trail Grant Applications for Trails Along T.H. #47 and Co. Rd. #83 Background: The purpose of this topic report is to preview for discussion the Consent Agenda case (also scheduled for March 8th, 2011) approving the attached resolution supporting the application for two trail grants to the Mn DNR. Both the trail along T.H. #47 and Co. Rd. #83 are shown in the 2011 - 2015 Capital Improvement Plan, for years 2012 or 2013 - which also corresponds to the same funding cycle for the grant. The applications must be submitted (with Resolution committing to matching funding and maintenance of the trails for 20 years), by March 31st of this year. The estimate for the 8,000' foot T.H. #47 trail is $557, 290; with the phase one portion of the Co. Rd. #83 trail (Central Park to Alpine Drive), at $279,163 for the corresponding 6,100' feet of 10' foot wide trail. Observations: Two elements of this application for trail grants are important to note: The first is that if awarded one or both the grants the City would not be required to accept the grant, however it can negatively affect future success in grant applications if declined. The second point is that the DNR's Local Trail Connections Program requires a 50 % match, so a significant amount of the project's cost must be identified at the point the city would move forward with the respective project. Attached are the trail route exhibits, and cost estimates for the two, separate trail projects being proposed. The grant applications are presently being developed utilizing State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) funding from Anoka County, over - and -above the $28,000 in monies previously secured, and applied to other trail and public health related projects in the city. The finished applications will be available by request when completed. Recommendation: Staff recommends approving the Resolution supporting the trail grant applications, as the trail grant applications were one of the principal elements within the SHIP project previously approved by City Council, and also included in the 2011 - 2015 CIP (for years 2012 or 2013). Funding Source: Presently the city's Trail Fund (fees collected from developers) is approximately $200,000 within the $1.6 million dollar Park Trust Fund - with the Trail Fund the logical funding source. Additionally, there may be other funding sources for portions of the required match, as both trails connect residents to designational points of potential economic activity like the Game Fair, Central Park, The COR, or the commercial node at 167th Avenue and T.H. #47. Council Action: