AGENDA #8
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Chapel Hill-Carrboro-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Long Range Transit Plan Request for Proposals
DATE: June 26, 2006
This memorandum reviews the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Long Range Transit Plan Request for Qualifications. Adoption of the attached resolution would establish a Transit Study Committee to oversee the selection of a consultant and completion of the plan.
BACKGROUND
In January 2005, the Council received a discussion paper prepared by John Bonsall, outlining an approach to develop a transit master plan for Chapel Hill. (Attachment 1) The Council directed the staff to present the discussion paper to the Public Transit Committee, which includes representatives from Carrboro and the University of North Carolina. The Committee endorsed the approach outlined in the discussion paper and agreed to arrange a presentation by John Bonsall.
John Bonsall presented his recommendations at a joint meeting of the Chapel Hill transit partners on September 7, 2005 at the Friday Center. In November 2005, the Chapel Hill Transit Committee received a discussion paper from the staff proposing a process to develop a long range transit plan. The Committee agreed on the recommended approach and requested the staff to prepare a draft scope of work to undertake the development of the long range transit plan.
The Public Transit Committee, which includes representatives from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, worked with staff to prepare a draft request for qualifications. (Attachment 2)
We have also attached for your information copies of correspondence between Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University concerning the preparation of the long range transit plan. (Attachments 3 and 4)
DISCUSSION
The request for qualifications outlines the proposed elements to be included in the Transit Plan. We summarize below the main work tasks of the plan.
A Transit Study Committee is proposed to oversee the selection of a consultant and provide guidance to the consultant during the preparation of the Transit Plan. As proposed the Transit Study Committee would include two representatives from the Town of Chapel Hill, two appointed by the Town of Carrboro, and four representatives appointed by the University.
The Town has secured $160,000 in federal funding from the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization to complete the Transit Study. The federal funding requires a 20 percent match totaling $40,000. The total cost of the project will not be finalized until the consultant is selected. We anticipate the local match and additional funding necessary to complete the Transit Plan would be provided by Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University.
NEXT STEPS
The attached request for qualifications includes a detailed schedule for soliciting proposals, reviewing and approving a final proposal to prepare the Long Range Transit Plan. We recommend beginning the solicitation process in July 2006, reviewing proposals in September 2006, and selecting a consultant in October 2006. We believe that the Plan can be prepared in six to nine months of concentrated effort.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend the Council adopt the attached resolution approving the proposed request for qualifications, establishing a Transit Study Committee, appointing Chapel Hill representatives to the Transit Study Committee and requesting appointments from Carrboro and the University.
ATTACHMENTS