AGENDA #4a
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Railroad Warning Device Improvements
DATE: January 24, 2000
The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to execute a municipal agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for improvements to the railroad warning devices on Cameron Avenue at the Southern Pacific Railroad crossing east of Merritt Mill Road. Please see attached map.
The attached budget ordinance would transfer funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvements Fund for the Town share of construction costs for this improvement project in the amount of $9,000.
In 1992, the Town and State shared in the cost of improving the railroad crossings and warning devices on Cameron Avenue and Merritt Mill Road at the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. The improvements consisted of the installation of warning lights and gates on Merritt Mill Road; and warning lights only on Cameron Avenue.
Each year, the State evaluates all railroad crossings on public roadways with regard to vehicular traffic and train volumes, accident history, and existing crossing protection. We were recently notified by the State that the Cameron Avenue crossing meets the necessary criteria to warrant the installation of gates in addition to the existing warning devices consisting of lights, bells, signs, and markings.
The State has prepared a municipal agreement describing the improvements and responsibilities of the Town and State regarding installation and maintenance of the warning devices.
FUNDING – The estimated cost of improvements is $90,000, which would be shared 90% State and 10% local. The Town share of estimated construction costs would be $9,000 and the Town share of estimated maintenance costs would be approximately $1,000 per year.
One-time funding for construction could come from Fund Balance in the Town’s General Fund, and annual maintenance costs could be included in the Public Works Department operating budget for traffic signals each year.
Based on State-wide criteria and the results of the State’s evaluation, we think that these improvements should be implemented at the Cameron Avenue/Southern Pacific Railroad crossing, and we think that the proposed cost-sharing is reasonable.
That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement for railroad crossing warning device upgrades at the Cameron Avenue/Southern Pacific Railroad crossing; and adopt the attached budget ordinance for the necessary Town share funding.
1. Map (p. 5)
2. North Carolina Department of Transportation letter December 6, 1999 (p. 6)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT FOR RAILROAD WARNING DEVICE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CAMERON AVENUE/SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD CROSSING
(2000-01-24/R-2)
WHEREAS, it has been determined that improvements are warranted in the railroad warning devices at the Cameron Avenue/Southern Pacific Railroad crossing; and
WHEREAS, the State has agreed to pay 90% of the construction costs and the annual maintenance costs of said warning devices, if the Town agrees to fund the remaining 10%; and
WHEREAS, the Town and State must enter into a municipal agreement to implement the improvements;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to execute a municipal agreement outlining the cost-sharing and responsibilities of the State and Town regarding construction and maintenance of the railroad crossing warning devices of the Cameron Avenue/Southern Pacific Railroad crossing.
This the 24th day of January, 2000.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE
RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1999 (2000-01-24/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1999” as duly adopted on June 14, 1999 be and the same is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE I
Current Revised
APPROPRIATIONS Budget Increase Decrease Budget
GENERAL FUND
Non-Departmental
Transfer to Capital
Improvements Fund 300,000 9,000 309,000
CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS FUND 1,726,730 9,000 1,735,730
ARTICLE II
Current Revised
REVENUES Budget Increase Decrease Budget
GENERAL FUND
Fund Balance 1,611,630 9,000 1,620,630
CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS FUND 1,726,730 9,000 1,735,730
This the 24th of January, 2000.