Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Partial Abandonment of the Following Tops Trails Category CIP Projects: $172,162-Sinton Trail at Chestnut, $111,694-Sand Creek at Hancock Crossing, the Full Abandonment of $100,000-Chamberlain Trail-Zoo Segment and Transferring the Remaining Balance of $16,144 from Skyline Trail for a Total Transfer of $400,000 to the Foothills and Gateway Trail Projects at the Garden of the Gods Regional Park
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Design and Development Manager/TOPS Program Manager
Karen Palus, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff requests approval of an amendment to the approved TOPS Trails Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Budget to capture an opportunity to build additional trail at a good price. This request is to modify the funding for prior year trails CIP which have either stalled or are able to be deferred to a future year to accommodate an opportunity to complete the TOPS approved Foothills Trail and related portions of the new Gateway Trail at the Garden of the Gods Park. The TOPS Working Committee and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board approved $295,000 for the Foothills Trail at Garden of the Gods. This $295,000 became part of the approved CIP Budget for 2018 and would be able to pay for soft surface (gravel) trail improvements. This request would reallocate up to $400,000 from other TOPS trail projects to this trail project to capture excellent colored concrete pricing. The TOPS Working Committee considered this request at its October 3, 2018 meeting and was unanimous in its recommendation to approve the amendment. The TOPS Working Committee’s recommendation was carried forward to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board at its October 11, 2018 meeting where they voted unanimously to approve the amendment.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
Each year the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department conducts a process to assist in establishing priorities for the annual CIP Budget. As part of the 2018 CIP budget process, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department staff prepared projected estimates on available funding and sought public input as part of the CIP budget process. During that process $295,000 was allocated for the Foothills and Gateway Trails at the Garden of the Gods Park. Currently the TOPS Trails category has nearly $5.3 million in unobligated budgeted funds approved for a CIP trails project. Some of the funds have rolled forward from prior years due to easement acquisition delays or regulatory delays which have made it impossible to proceed with construction during the assigned budget year.
This summer parks staff prepared a request for proposals for the Foothills Trail and the Gateway Trail at the Garden of the Gods Park focusing on building a new soft surface trail and returning later to make that trail a Tier 2 concrete trail at a future date with additional funding. Bidders were asked to provide pricing for the soft surface trail and also for colored concrete. The bids were submitted on August 22, 2018, and the pricing for colored concrete used at the Garden of the Gods Park came in at a value price. Staff would like to capitalize on the opportunity to build the new trail to the final trail standard at the prices submitted for colored concrete during this bid process. In order to accomplish this goal, an additional $400,000 must be identified and approved for the Foothills Trail and the Gateway Trail projects. Staff reevaluated the TOPS Trails CIP Budget and identified the following projects that have either stalled or can be deferred to a future date to allow their assigned funding to be amended.
Skyline Trail - $16,144 - Remaining balance from prior project at Union and Skyline Trail.
Sinton Trail at Chestnut - $172,162 - Remaining balance from prior year construction. Acquisition of trail easement required.
Chamberlain Trail-Zoo - $100,000 - Project on hold. Negotiation with adjacent HOA required.
Sand Creek Hancock Crossing - $111,694 - Project on hold pending easement acquisition.
Total potential funding - $400,000
This item supports the City’s strategic goal relating to investing in infrastructure by further enhancing significant trails within Garden of the Gods Park through the addition of concrete.
Financial Implications:
Please see narrative above.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
On October 3, 2018 the TOPS Working Committee voted unanimously to recommend the amendment. On October 11, 2018, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend the amendment.
Stakeholder Process:
The TOPS Working Committee Meetings and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meetings provide opportunity for public comment.
Alternatives:
City Council may approve, disapprove, or request modification of the request for amendment.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move to approve the proposed amendment to the TOPS CIP Budget as presented.
Summary of Ordinance Language
Amendment to TOPS Trails Capital Improvement Projects Budget for the Foothills and Gateway Trails at the Garden of the Gods Park.