AGENDA #9b
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for 2003-2004
DATE: September 8, 2003
The purpose of this report is to authorize an annual sidewalk and bicycle facilities construction plan for 2003-2004.
We recommend funds available in 2003-2004 be applied to the list the Council approved last year. Therefore, we recommend that no forum be held this year on an annual plan. Instead we recommend that Advisory Board and staff time be devoted to input on a Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. (Please see separate agenda item).
BACKGROUND
The Town Council typically authorizes an annual public input process leading to a sidewalk and bicycle construction plan for the year. For example on October 21, 2002, the Council held a public forum to receive public input on the development of a proposed Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for 2002-2003. The Council also received advisory board and Council comments.
On November 25, 2002, the Town Council approved ten projects on the sidewalk priority list for construction as funding permits. The Council noted that it was not likely that all of the ten projects could be constructed that fiscal year, and so Council approval of the full list was given to provide staff flexibility to maximize efficiency and resources. The list was based on a ranking system (please see Attachment 1).
STATUS OF CURRENT PROJECTS
Previously Funded Projects
Fordham Boulevard: This project is located on the west side of the roadway, from Days Inn to Willow Drive. Design completed by Engineering Department. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has approved revised plans and a necessary easement has been acquired. Latest plans are now being reviewed by NCDOT. A budget of $100,000 is reserved in 1996 Street Bond funds.
Weaver Dairy Road: $180,000 of 1996 Street Bond funds is reserved for a sidewalk from Cedar Fork Trail to Kingston Drive, along the south side of Weaver Dairy Road.
2002-2003 Projects
For 2002-2003, the Capital Improvements Program budgeted $60,000. A further $20,000 was estimated to be available for eligible projects with Community Development funds. The Town Council also directed the Town Manager to seek $100,000 in Direct Allocation funds from the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, which requires a $25,000 local match. On June 11, 2003, the Metropolitan Planning Organization approved using $100,000 of Direct Allocation funds for the Airport Road project in Chapel Hill. Funds for the local match are available from 2002-03 Capital Improvements Program funds.
Staff is currently working with NCDOT to draw up an inter-local agreement for the use of the Direct Allocation funds towards the sidewalk project on the east side of Airport Road. The project can be built in phases; the total cost estimate for this project is $247,000.
The status of the other ten priority projects is set out in Attachment 2 of this report. Projects for Seawell School Road and South Graham Street have been completed. The other projects remain outstanding from the priority list.
DISCUSSION
For 2003-2004 the Capital Improvements Program budgets $50,000 for sidewalk and bicycle facilities. A further $20,000 is estimated to be available for eligible projects with Community Development funds. As of October 2003, additional Direct Allocation funds for 2003-2004 will be allocated by the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. As in 2002, we recommend that the Town Council apply for an additional amount up to $100,000 and set aside $25,000 of 2003-2004 Capital Improvements Program funds for the local match. If additional funds were obtained, the Town would have sufficient funds to complete the Airport Road sidewalk project based on current estimated costs.
In 2002, the Town held a public forum and created a priority list. We recommend that the Council authorize continued work on projects listed in the previously adopted priority list for the following reasons:
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that for 2003-2004 the Capital Improvements Program funding available be used for the additional Airport Road local match and the remainder towards a project on the previously adopted priority list. Either Legion Road #1 or Legion Road #2 likely would be next in consideration.
Several projects on the overall priority list are located in the Northside neighborhood and are eligible for Community Development funds. It is proposed to implement these projects as funds permit.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution reaffirming projects on the sidewalk priority list for construction as funding permits.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Adopted Council Resolution, November 25, 2002 (p. 5).
2. Sidewalk Project Status: November 25, 2002 Resolution (p. 6).
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2003-2004 SIDEWALK AND BICYCLE FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PLAN (2003-09-08/R-20)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill has available approximately $50,000 in Capital Improvements Program funds for sidewalk and bicycle facility projects in the 2003-2004 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to pursue other sources of funding for sidewalk projects, including Direct Allocation funds from the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization; and
WHEREAS, the Council has reviewed projects for possible use of these funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that 2003-2004 Capital Improvements Program funds and Community Development Program funds be used to continue work on the project list approved last year as contained in Resolution 2002-11-25/R-5a.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Manager is directed to apply for up to $100,000 of FY 2003-2004 Direct Allocation funds with a local match of $25,000 for the following project to enable the Town to complete the project:
Ř Airport Road (east side), Timber Hollow Court to Homestead Drive
This the 8th day of September, 2003.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2002-2003 SIDEWALK AND BICYCLE FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PLAN (2002-11-25/R-5a)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill has available approximately $60,000 in Capital Improvements Program funds, and an estimated $20,000 in Community Development program funds, for sidewalk and bicycle facility projects in the 2002-2003 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the Council may pursue other sources of funding for sidewalk projects, including Direct Allocation funds from the State of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the Council has reviewed projects for possible use of these funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that 2002-2003 Capital Improvements Program funds and Community Development program funds be used to construct the following sidewalk projects, as indicated:
Ř Legion Road #2 (south side), Clover Road to Ephesus Church Road
Ř Culbreth Road (south side), between Cobble Ridge Drive and Rossburn Way
Ř Seawell School Road #3 (east side), Savannah Terrace to High School Road
Ř McCauley Street (south side), Brookside Drive to Pittsboro Street
Ř South Graham Street (east side), Cameron Avenue to Franklin Street (Community Development funds)
Ř University Drive (north side), Pittsboro Street to Ransom Street
Ř Legion Road #1 (south side), Scarlette Drive to Martin Luther King Jr. Street
Ř Ephesus Church Rd #1 (south side), Eden Lane to 15-501 Bypass
Ř Estes Road Extension #3 (south side), Seawell School Road to Airport Road.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council that the Town Manager is directed to apply for up to $100,000 of Direct Allocation funds with a local match of $25,000 for the following project:
Ř Airport Road (east side), Timber Hollow Court to Homestead Drive
This the 25th day of November, 2002.
SIDEWALK PROJECT STATUS
Council Resolution of November 25, 2002
|
PROJECT |
STATUS |
|
Legion Road #2 (south side), Clover Road to Ephesus Church Road |
Consideration 2003-2004 |
|
Culbreth Road (south side), between Cobble Ridge Drive and Rossburn Way |
Unfunded |
|
Seawell School Road #3 (east side), Savannah Terrace to High School Road |
Completed in 2002-2003 |
|
McCauley Street (south side), Brookside Drive to Pittsboro Street |
Unfunded |
|
South Graham Street (east side), Cameron Avenue to Franklin Street (Community Development funds |
Completed in 2002-2003 |
|
University Drive (north side), Pittsboro Street to Ransom Street |
Unfunded |
|
Legion Road #1 (south side), Scarlette Drive to Martin Luther King Jr. Street |
Consideration 2003-2004 |
|
Ephesus Church Rd #1 (south side), Eden Lane to 15-501 Bypass |
Unfunded |
|
Estes Road Extension #3 (south side), Seawell School Road to Airport Road. |
Unfunded |
|
Airport Road (east side), Timber Hollow Court to Homestead Drive. |
Seeking Direct Allocation Funds; to date $100,000 committed, with $25,000 local match |