Agenda Date: 05/07/2024
Subject:
Title
Resolution 62-2024: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with operation and maintenance of traffic control devices on state highways within the city limits
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Deputy Director of Public Works and Utilities |
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Brent Thompson, City Engineer |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
Does city council support an IGA between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with operation and maintenance of traffic control devices on state highways within the city limits?
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; High Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The City of Littleton has historically provided traffic signal maintenance on Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) highways through a five-year IGA. The reimbursement rate for this agreement, set at $45,240 annually, was negotiated by the Public Works Department with the state for the five-year term of the agreement. This amount is in alignment with the cost of services necessary to perform the traffic signal maintenance work.
Providing operation and maintenance services for the traffic control devices on state highways within the city limits supports safe and efficient traffic control operations along critical transportation corridors. Based on the proximity of available resources, Littleton staff are well-suited to respond to any highway traffic signal repairs quickly to the satisfaction of the traveling public. Staff supports partnering with CDOT to fund Littleton’s maintenance services of CDOT highway signals.
BACKGROUND:
Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) require CDOT to maintain State highways through a city or an incorporated town as well as all traffic control devices on the State highway. For the past 45 years, the city has entered into agreements with CDOT to provide services for and receive reimbursement of costs associated with the operation and maintenance of traffic control devices on state highways within Littleton.
A total of 13 traffic-controlled intersections on state highways within Littleton will be operated and maintained by City of Littleton staff. Those intersections on Platte Canyon Road (CO 75), Santa Fe Drive (US 85), and Belleview Avenue (CO 88) are in addition to the 48 other signalized intersections maintained throughout the city. The map to the right shows the CDOT owned signals (orange) and Littleton signals (blue).
CDOT does not have the necessary equipment and staff to perform the maintenance, operation, or potential repairs needed quickly within Littleton. CDOT supports partnering with Littleton for the performance of these duties. An added benefit is Littleton gains the flexibility to adjust signal timing as needed for congestion mitigation, special event management, and emergency operations, which are currently handled efficiently and promptly by city staff.
Based on Public Work’s Asset Management Division’s data on maintenance and operations of traffic signals, the annual expense for the CDOT intersections was estimated to be $45,240. This rate was agreed upon by both Littleton Public Works and CDOT to be sufficient to cover the cost of services. The agreement also identifies responsibilities for activities outside of planned maintenance and operations should more significant repairs be required.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Similar agreements with CDOT have been in place since 1974 and are renewed every five years. The previous agreement was approved by Council under Resolution 57-2019 on October 15, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
CDOT will compensate the City of Littleton $45,240 per year for maintenance of the traffic control devices on state highways within the city limits. Staff conducted a cost of services analysis and found the reimbursement amount to be in line with the cost of labor, materials, and equipment necessary to provide the scope of work outlined in the agreement.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the IGA.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this agreement not be approved, CDOT would take over operation and maintenance of the traffic control devices on the state highways within the Littleton city limits. This would greatly reduce the flexibility that city has to adjust signal timing as needed for congestion mitigation, special event management, and emergency operations. The city would be reliant upon CDOT to respond to requests for timing adjustment and emergency situations, which are currently handled efficiently and promptly by city staff.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 62-2024 authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with operation and maintenance of traffic control devices on state highways within the city limits.