CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Municipal Services & Operations Department		Commission Meeting Date: August 21, 2018
Staff Contact:	Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works; Dave Cronin, City Engineer
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Direct staff to submit a Transportation Alternatives grant application to the Kansas Department of Transportation for the 6^th Street Shared Use Path – Monterey to Wisconsin and adopt Resolution of Support No. 7258. Direct staff to submit a Transportation Alternatives application to the Kansas Department of Transportation for Safe Routes to School Phase II and adopt Resolution of Support No. 7260. Direct staff to submit a Transportation Alternatives application to the Kansas Department of Transportation for the Lawrence Loop Shared Use Path – 8^th Street to 11^th Street & 29^th Street/Haskell Avenue gap and adopt Resolution of Support No. 7259. Staff recommends the City Commission assign the 6^th Street Shared Use Path with a priority of one, Safe Routes to School Phase II with a priority of two, and Lawrence Loop with a priority of three in its application.
Executive Summary:		The Transportation Alternative (TA) Program provides funding for programs and projects including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, scenic and environmental, historic preservation, and safe routes to school. The vision of the program is to create safe, accessible, attractive, and environmentally-sensitive communities where people want to live, work and recreate. An estimated $7 million in federal funds (FFY2020) are anticipated to be available for funding in Kansas communities not including the Kansas City and Wichita metro regions. On June 12, 2018, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)issued a call for 2020 TA project applications. On July 10, 2018 KDOT held a TA workshop to discuss the project submittal process. This information was shared in a Transportation Commission Study Session on July 18, 2018. Possible candidate projects to be applied for were shared with the Transportation Commission at their August 6, 2018 meeting. TA applications are due September 10, 2018. From October to November 2018, the projects will be scored, and projects will be awarded in December 2018. The Transportation Commission weighed in on possible TA application options at the August 6, 2018 meeting. City staff is proposing that TA applications be submitted for three projects, including the 6^th Street Shared Use Path, filling gaps on the SRTS routes, and the Lawrence Loop Shared Use Path. Commissioners were also supportive of pursuing a Massachusetts Street Bike lane project, however, it is anticipated that project will score lower on KDOT screening criteria and was therefore recommended to be pursued by other programs and means. Commissioners voted 7-1 in favor of prioritizing applications as presented by staff, with Commissioner Paden dissenting due to Massachusetts Street bike lanes not being included (and higher in priority). A shared use path is proposed to be constructed along 6^th Street. This project has four distinct segments with independent utility: · Monterey Way to Kasold Drive · Kasold Drive to Lawrence Avenue · Lawrence Avenue to Iowa Street · Iowa to Street Wisconsin Street These project segments were the highest ranking in the pedestrian/bicycle priority list and would provide an extension of the existing shared use path that connects Monterey Way to the Lawrence Loop near Kansas Highway 10. Safe Routes to School gaps were selected based on the priority list. The selection of locations is restricted by the maximum $400,000 grant limit (KDOT portion). Any additional locations would require 100% city funding. Segments of the Lawrence Loop were selected based on anticipated availability of right of way, prior engineering, and/or feasibility of routes selected by the Lawrence Loop study. It is anticipated other remaining segments will require more extensive planning, public involvement, and/or right of way acquisition to be competitive for Transportation Alternatives grant awards.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Core Services
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		The fiscal impact to the City is $1,187,240 if all projects receive KDOT funding. Staff anticipates matching fund requirements of $588,040 for the 6^th Street Shared Use Path, $188,000 for Safe Routes to School, and $411,200 for the Lawrence Loop. If awarded, the City’s matching funds are planned to come from 2020 Bike/Ped funds ($750,000) and Matching Grant Funds ($250,000).
Attachments:		Project Summary Information · 2020 TA Safe Routes to School Project Locations (List) · 2020 TA Safe Routes to School Project Locations (Map) · Bike Projects – Prioritized Based on Non-Motorized Prioritization Policy · Project Estimates, Including Grant Portion and City Portion Breakdown Resolution No. 7258 Resolution No. 7259 Resolution No. 7260

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

☐TM ☐DS ☐CT ☒BM