Agenda Date: 03/03/2020
Subject:
Title
Resolution 14-2020: Approving an IGA with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study on US-85, between C-470 and I-25/Alameda, including the City of Littleton and provide a financial contribution for the study
Body
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Prepared by: |
Keith Reester, Public Works Director |
PURPOSE:
Approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation to participate in a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study for US-85.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Keith Reester, Public Works Director
Additional Presenter(s):
SUMMARY:
Over the past three years the city of Littleton has worked to develop a multijurisdictional partnership of all entities along US-85, Santa Fe Blvd, from Alameda to C-470 to support completing a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study to develop future scenarios for improvements to the corridor. The PEL process involves municipal and public engagement to assess and prioritize alternatives. The PEL will allow the highest priority projects to then proceed to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and clearance allowing for future state and federal funding to be applied to construct improvements. The PEL seeks to balance needs and alternatives to establish a strategic approach to corridor improvements and management.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
City Council and the Transportation and Mobility Board have been updated throughout the collaborative process to get to this project initiation point. The project will be led by CDOT with an advisory team of partner jurisdictions.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The PEL is a significant step forward in aligning community needs with public improvements necessary in the Santa Fe corridor. Littleton is uniquely positioned for this project having recently completed the Envision Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Master Plan projects. The two plans will the city to clearly enunciate our community goals and community character as part the of process.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
Approving this IGA meets 2019 Envision Goal No. 1 regarding the Transportation Master Plan approved in October, 2019, impacts and aligns with any work related to Downtown Littleton and the river, as well as advances the proposed 2020 objective of strategic partnerships.
Fiscal Impacts
The city portion of the local match is $189,330. The total local match spread across 7 partners is $1,500,000. The federal TIP grant is $1,500,000 making the total project value $3,000,000.
The city originally budgeted $200,000 in 2019 for the project and is now included in the 2019 carryovers scheduled for council’s first reading of the encumbrance ordinance on March 3, 2020; therefore, there are sufficient funds budgeted for this project.
Alternatives
If not approved, the city would not play an active role in defining the future of this corridor as the PEL proceeds. This would put Littleton at a significant disadvantage in attaining community goals related to transportation, economic development, and quality of life.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution approving an IGA with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study on US-85, between C-470 and I-25/Alameda, including the City of Littleton, and provide a financial contribution for the study.