Agenda - Council - 04/28/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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case is a document titled Introduction: Regional Solicitation for Transportation Projects that includes detailed information on the goals and processes involved with the Regional Solicitation program. Available Funds A total of approximately $180 million in federal funds is anticipated to be available in this solicitation for program years 2024 and 2025. This funding will be spread across numerous transportation modal categories including roadways, transit, bicycles and pedestrians. The maximum allowable request for our application, which is included in the Strategic Capacity (Roadway Expansion) category, is $10 million. See table 3 on page 5 of the attached introduction document. Cost Sharing The Federal share of total costs for projects funded under this solicitation must not exceed 80 percent, This means at least 20-percent of estimated project costs must be provided through a local match. The estimated total cost of this project, based on the best available information at this time, is $29.3 million. If the full ask of $10 million is awarded to this project, this would require $19.3 million to be funded through local match funds. Currently, local match funds are identified as coming from Anoka County, the City of Ramsey, MnDOT, and BNSF railroad as noted in the attached one -page project description. Application Deadline Applications for funding under the 2020 Regional Solicitation are due May 15, 2020. Anoka County is taking the lead role in this Regional Solicitation application effort and is asking the City of Ramsey to submit a letter of support for their application. Attached is a draft letter of support proposed to be signed by City Administrator Kurt Ulrich on April29, 2020, following Council authorization. The signed letter of support will then be submitted to Anoka County immediately via email, with a hard copy to follow in the mail. Notification: Notifications are not required for this case. Observations/Alternatives: Observations: Attached is a preliminary layout of the proposed improvements, as well as a one -page project description, both of which are proposed to be submitted with the grant application. Anoka County is currently selecting an engineering consultant to complete final design efforts and prepare plans and specifications for the proposed Ramsey Boulevard grade separation improvements, which would allow construction to begin as early as 2022, pending procurement of full project funding. Anoka County and City Staff feel strongly that this project will rank very well against other regional solicitation applications within the same category. Alternatives: Alternative # 1 — Adopt Resolution #20-083 authorizing a letter of support for Anoka County to apply for Regional Solicitation funding through the Metropolitan Council for Ramsey Boulevard grade -separation improvements at Highway 10 and the BNSF railway crossing. Funding Source: No costs are required for this request at this time. However, if regional solicitation funds are awarded for construction of the proposed improvements to Ramsey Boulevard, the City will ultimately be required to contribute its share of local costs, with other contributions coming from Anoka County, MnDOT and BNSF as noted in the attached one -page project description. It should be noted that other external funding sources will also be sought for the proposed improvements to Ramsey Boulevard before construction begins, and that such funds may also be applied to the local cost share, reducing the