Title
A Resolution Authorizing the City of Colorado Springs to Enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority Regarding the State of Colorado Grant for the Three Trails Crossing Project.
Presenter:
Gayle Sturdivant, City Engineer/Acting Public Works Director
Body
Summary:
The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) Board of Directors served as the applicant on behalf of the City for a State-funded grant for a project to install signalized, mid-block crossings at the Homestead Trail crossing Dublin Blvd, the Woodmen Trail crossing Rangewood Dr, and the Skyline Trail crossing Mirage Dr. As the applicant, the PPRTA was required to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the State as administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The City, in turn, desires to enter into an IGA with the PPRTA to implement, manage, and assume responsibilities assigned to the PPRTA under the PPRTA-CDOT IGA.
Background:
The City of Colorado Springs is proposing to install signalized mid-block crossings at three locations where urban trails intersect arterial roadways. The Project is known as the ‘Three Trail Crossings Project’ or the ‘HWS Trail Crossings Project’. “HWS” is the acronym for “Homestead, Woodmen, and Skyline” which are the names of the urban trails intersecting Dublin Blvd, Rangewood Drive, and Mirage Drive, respectively. Each site will have unique design elements, but common construction elements that are shared at all locations to include the installation of traffic signals and equipment, installation of accessible improvements to include sidewalk and curb ramps; and adjustments to the roadway markings to accommodate the placement of crosswalks and stop bars.
In 2022, the Board of Directors of the PPRTA adopted Policy #31 in which the Board agreed to be the applicant for State grants on behalf of a member government for any PPRTA-eligible Capital or Maintenance project. Shortly after the policy was adopted and at the request of the City, PPRTA applied for grant funding from the State’s Multimodal Transportation & Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF) for the benefit of the City of Colorado Springs. The application was for $1,706,000.00 of which 50% is required to be matched by the local agency. The State awarded PPRTA $853,000.00 and the City (through PPRTA program funds) is providing the matching $853,000.00.
Oversight for the State grant funds will be provided by CDOT. A contract in the form of an IGA is being established between CDOT-PPRTA. The IGA details the funding amounts, defines the project scope, and identifies project responsibilities and obligations. The IGA is required to be executed before funds are dispersed.
The Board Policy #31 has conditions requiring that ‘the applicable member government will be solely responsible for (…) complying with all the State grant requirements, filings, and reporting…’. An IGA between PPRTA has been drafted in response to the Policy in order to provide a mechanism for PPRTA to receive grant funds for the Project and for the City to undertake to satisfy all the requirements under the PPRTA-CDOT IGA to manage, administer, and implement the Project. This is a project-specific IGA and is supplemental to the Comprehensive IGA between PPRTA and the City for ‘PPRTA Funded Capital Projects, Maintenance Programs and City-Sponsored Transit Activities’ effective January 1, 2015.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Deferred recommendation
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Disapprove the resolution and remove the ability for the City to enter into the supplemental IGA with PPRTA to administer the grant at which point the grant funds would likely be returned to the State.
Approve the resolution and permit the City to oversee grant administration, engineering, and construction of the signalized, mid-block crossing improvements and be eligible for reimbursement from available grant funds.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Recommend approval of the resolution authorizing the City of Colorado Springs to enter Into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority regarding the State of Colorado Grant for the Three Trails Crossing Project.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A