AGENDA #4i
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Process for Developing a Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan
DATE: September 9, 2002
Adoption of the attached resolution would schedule an October 21 public forum on developing a sidewalk and bicycle facilities construction plan for 2002-03.
On November 12, 2001, the Town Council adopted the sidewalk and bicycle facilities construction plan for 2001-02, selecting four sidewalk projects for the $250,000 in available funds. On September 10, 2001, the Council adopted a resolution endorsing a sidewalk ranking system to guide the Council in making decisions and establishing funding priorities.
We estimate approximately $60,000 will be available from residual Capital Improvement Program funds for new sidewalk and bicycle facilities projects in 2002-03. Over the last few years, new sidewalks and bicycle facilities have been funded from the 1996 sidewalks bond and from the Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Last year, the Council allocated $100,000 in bond funds (the final allocation) and $150,000 in CIP funds for sidewalk projects. This year, however, because of the budget situation, no new CIP funds were allocated for new sidewalks.
The estimated budget for 2002-03 of $60,000 is our estimate of funds that will remain after the current projects are completed. This estimated budget of $60,000 may increase or decrease somewhat, depending on the final costs of these projects. We will provide a more refined budget estimate to the Council at the public forum.
It is also possible that as much as $100,000 in Direct Allocation funds will be available for the region as a whole beginning in October 2002. If the Town Council chooses to apply for a portion of these regional funds, a 20 percent local match would be required. This would provide the opportunity to leverage available funds for additional improvements.
PROCESS
Adoption of the attached resolution would schedule a public forum on the sidewalk and bicycle facilities construction plan for October 21, 2002. In addition to project recommendations, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and the Transportation Board may make recommendations to the Council for improvement of the sidewalk ranking system. We proposed the following schedule:
September 24: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board reviews sidewalk project priority list and makes recommendation to Town Council.
October 1: Transportation Advisory Board reviews sidewalk project priority list and makes recommendation to Town Council.
October 21: Council receives preliminary staff and board recommendations and holds a public forum.
November 12: Council selects projects for funding.
We recommend the Town Council adopt the attached resolution calling a public forum for October 21, 2002.
A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC FORUM TO HEAR CITIZEN COMMENTS AND INPUT REGARDING A SIDEWALK AND BICYCLE FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR FY 2002-2003 (2002-09-09/R-6)
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council will receive a report from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and the Transportation Advisory Board regarding recommendations for the Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for FY 2002-2003;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby sets a Public Forum for Monday, October 21, 2002, to consider the proposed Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for FY 2002-2003.
This the 9th day of September, 2002.