Agenda - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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At the October 15,2015 work session, staff reviewed with City Council the model of collaborative investments mentioned above in delivering regional infrastructure, and its application to the pedestrian overpass. At that time the list of potential partners discussed for the project included Ramsey,Anoka County, the County Transit Investment Board(CTIB),the National Park Service (NPS),the Metropolitan Council(including perhaps Metro Transit), State of Minnesota(MnDOT, DNR), and other state and federal grants. Also included within that work session discussion was the following statement: 'Additional funds from City sources is extremely limited and there are many competing priorities. Principle among these priority obligations are the comprehensive road reconstruction program of the City, the completion of the road system for The COR[which included the completion of the Armstrong interchange], and the upgrading of Bunker Lake Road, and the development of infrastructure for the proposed Armstrong business park. These projects are a higher priority for local dollars, and do not have the broad base of funding opportunities evident with the walkway project." Especially in light of the above local priorities, it would seem important to apply for each funding opportunity for the pedestrian bridge,especially when they are available for transportation infrastructure connecting to Federal lands(the skyway's role in accessing the MRT, Mississippi West Regional Park and other areas of the National Parkland not available for other City transportation projects. Federal Grant Application: The due date for the submission for a competitive grant application to the Federal Lands Access Program is December 16th,2016. Staff recommends applying for one million dollars. (An estimated VAM is available state-wide.) Staff recognizes that a million dollars is far short of the estimated$4.6M estimated construction cost, but feels that full funding of the skyway will be successful with a patch-work of funding, similar to the Armstrong Interchange. Another likely funding source would be the next call for proposals in 2018 from Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board program,whereby individual multiuse trail/bridge projects are funded at up to $5.5M. Other funding sources are mentioned in the beginning of this section. Unknown calls for projects may be available if Congress develops additional funding for infrastructure projects. So-called'shovel-ready'projects may have a distinct advantages, should this occur—which leads to one of the advantages of authorizing Final Design at this time. Final Design for the Mississippi Skyway: As indicated, Staff is recommending developing final plans and specifications at this time, summarized as Final Design. Attached is a scope of services proposal from Bolton&Menk Inc. for this work. Staff recommends Council authorize up to the full $490,000 appropriated to this project for Ramsey,which would include Bolton& Menk's work, and any other eligible activity relating to Final Design or consulting services for subsequent grant applications. It may be clarified here, that the NPS monies sunset in December of 2017, and the complexity of the Final Design work,together with submissions to MnDOT(to review for consistency with their requirements,as well as Federal funding associated with bridges),will require many months to complete. Bolton&Menk has the expertise to perform this work, and effectively manage the process. Additionally,the Project Manager offices across the street from City Hall, adding efficiencies from the City's perspective. Funding Source: Applying for$1,000,000 from the Federal Lands Access Program at this time does not require the appropriation of money per se.As indicated above, generally for a project such as the pedestrian bridge, Federal awards may be matched with other Federal funding,with the stipulation that other'local'monies(usually 20%)are included in the total project costs. The required local funds ultimately required, may be from the potential partners mentioned above. Another option