Title
A Resolution approving the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County, Colorado, for the administration, operation and maintenance of traffic signals owned by El Paso County
Presenter:
Gayle Sturdivant, PE, PMP, Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer
Todd Frisbie, PE, PTOE, City Traffic Engineer, Public Works Department
Body
Summary:
El Paso County (County) will compensate the City of Colorado Springs (City) to operate and perform routine maintenance on 55 County-owned traffic signals identified in an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). Under the IGA, the City will perform annual inspections, respond to emergency calls, and make repairs in response to signal damage or operational issues. The County will also provide a one-time payment for an initial signal inspection, upgrades to controllers and communication equipment, and the transfer of compatible signal materials to the City.
Background:
As the urban areas of the city and the county have grown, it is difficult for citizens to know where the city ends, and the county begins. As county transportation corridors merged with the city transportation corridors, it is necessary to have one signalized urban corridor. This operation and maintenance IGA will benefit all citizens in the city and county. It allows City staff to address service calls, emergency calls, and traffic signal timing changes regardless of ownership of the roadways. It allows for consistent signal timing and operations of signals on corridors region wide. It also provides one point of contact for citizens to report signal issues.
Within the IGA, the City shall furnish and have available tools, equipment, apparatus, facilities, labor, services, and materials to perform work in a good and workman like manner and in compliance with the current Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Colorado Department of Transportation Standards, and the El Paso County Engineering Criteria Manual. The City shall provide qualified personnel to perform its responsibilities under the IGA to conduct routine maintenance, respond to emergency calls, revise signal timing in response to citizen requests and changing traffic patterns, regularly review and update corridor signal timing plans, and promptly complete temporary and/or permanent repairs.
The County will compensate the City annually for labor, services, materials, and equipment in accordance with the IGA. The annual maintenance fee will be paid to the City and will cover all routine maintenance and repair costs. Any extra work requested by the County or emergency work on County-owned equipment from vehicle collisions, acts of God, or malicious damage, will be paid by the County for the costs incurred.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
The City will provide the scope of services described in the IGA for an amount of $194,648 per year. This funding offsets the cost of two additional signal technicians and parts needed to maintain the specified County signals. This amount will be adjusted annually to account for changing material and personnel costs.
In the first year, the City will conduct an initial inspection of each County signal and upgrade communication and controller equipment to ensure compatibility with the City’s signal system. The County will provide a one-time amount of $254,231 for these services.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Included in the Public Works budget presented at the City Council work session held on October 16, 2023.
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
City Council has the following alternatives related to this issue:
1. Approve the resolution as submitted;
2. Modify the resolution; or
3. Decline to approve the resolution
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move to approve the submitted resolution for an IGA between the City and County for traffic signal operation and maintenance.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A