Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 18-27, A Resolution of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Council Authorizing Application to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) for Federal Fiscal Year 2020-2022 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvements Program (CMAQ) Funds for the Urban Trail, Phase II Project.
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 18-27, A Resolution of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Council Authorizing Application to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) for Federal Fiscal Year 2020-2022 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Funds for the Urban Trail, Phase II Project.
County Manager’s Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 18-27.
Body
NMDOT announced a call for projects under the CMAQ program and established an application deadline of December 30, 2018 and requires a resolution of sponsorship as part of the application process. Acquisition of right of way or easements are not eligible activities under this program. However, design and construction activities are eligible within this funding cycle.
In FY 2018, County CIP funds in the amount of $70,000 were budgeted for the Urban Multiuse Trail Project as a possible grant match to leverage federal grant opportunities. As part of the County’s 2019-2020 Biennial Budget, an additional $500,000 is proposed in the both FY 2021 and FY 2022 of the CIP budget that establishes two project phases to further fund development of the project and leverage grant opportunities.
The entire Urban Trail alignment is part of the High Priority Corridor shown in Bicycle Transportation Plan adopted by Council on June 27, 2017 (Attachment A). The Urban Trail Phase II project proposes a multiuse path that begins at Spruce Street where Phase I (Trinity Drive to Spruce Street) concludes. From Spruce Street the proposed trail is an off-street multiuse trail traveling north and then south-west through a forested undeveloped landscape surrounding the Canyon Road tennis courts and eventually linking the Nature Center and Aquatic Center along the north side of Canyon Road. The trail will connect to recreational centers, recreational trails, and bike lanes on Canyon Road that continues to and along Diamond Drive. A separate funding application and resolution for Phase I through another federal program was approved for submission to the NMDOT at the October 2nd Council meeting and a decision regarding award is forthcoming. The Urban Trail corridor is being developed entirely within existing public rights of way. See Project Map, Attachment B.
With the upcoming completion of the Canyon Rim Trail, including the underpass beneath NM 502 at Entrada Drive funded through a successful TAP application in 2016, and the pending installation of crossing improvements proposed with NMDOT’s NM 502 Reconstruction Project, this project will provide a non-vehicular thoroughfare to the downtown business district. Additionally, the project will help connect businesses, tourism, retail, schools, parks, recreation, and residences as envisioned in the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Completion of this project will also increase the County’s chances to improve from a bronze to a higher level bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Professional services are anticipated for design and field exploration services and to conduct environmental and cultural resource studies to obtain clearances required by the federal grant. Therefore, the County’s application would request FFY 2020 funding for project study and design in the amount of $230,000 and FFY 2022 funding for project construction costs including earthwork, trail surfacing, and retaining and drainage structures in the amount of $3,375,000, for a total request of $3,605,000. If funding is awarded, it would be comprised of $3,080,112 (85.44%) in federal funds and would require a County match of $524,888 (14.56%).
Prior to formal grant award, the County must provide a resolution affirming its commitment to fund, build, and maintain the project. Resolution No. 18-27 has been prepared to meet these requirements. The Resolution has been advertised as required. A copy of Resolution No. 18-27 and the Notice of Legal Publication and is attached for reference (Attachments C and D).
Alternatives
Failure to approve the resolution will result in the County being ineligible to apply or receive CMAQ funds for the current call for projects.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
Council appropriated $70,000 in FY 2018 for the Urban Trail with an additional $500,000 proposed for FY 2021 for Phase I and $500,000 in FY 2022 for Phase II.
A previous funding application was approved for Phase I in the amount of $700,000 comprised of a federal contribution of $598,080 requiring a County match of $101,920.
The proposed funding application is in the amount of $3,605,000 and is comprised of a federal contribution of $3,080,112 and would require a County match of $33,488 for design in FY 2020 and $491,400 for construction in FY 2022 totaling $524,888. See Funding Summary which also considers commitments for the aforementioned Phase I funding application (Attachment E).
Should the County receive the grant award, staff will return to Council with a Budget Revision to establish the formal project budget.
Attachments
A - 2017 Bicycle Transportation Plan - Bicycle & Pedestrian Route Map (High Priority Corridor)
B - Project Map
C - Resolution No. 18-27
D - Notice of Legal Publication
E - Funding Summary
F - Grant Analysis and Financial Matrix Form