Agenda Date: 01/15/2019
Subject:
Title
A resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the city and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the engineering design of a permanent water quality facility adjacent to SH 85 (Santa Fe Drive) and north of Main Street also known as Skunk Hollow
Body
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Presented By: |
Keith Reester, Public Works Director |
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for engineering design of a permanent water quality facility adjacent to Santa Fe Drive and north of Main Street?
BACKGROUND:
City staff applied for funding of $60,000 from CDOT through its Permanent Water Quality Mitigation Pool for the engineering design of a permanent water quality facility adjacent to Santa Fe Drive and north of Main Street adjacent to the Melting Pot property. CDOT offers funds for local projects that treat storm water from at least a portion of CDOT right of way. City staff has been planning a regional treatment area for the Skunk Hollow property serving the Downtown Littleton area since the 1990’s but lacked adequate funding for the engineering design and construction of the facility.
The site for the water quality facility is located on vacant land owned by CDOT and the City of Littleton and no additional land acquisition is anticipated for this project. Since this site was historically used as a garbage disposal area, a cleanup of material on the surface was conducted in 2001 but the nature of potential buried material is unknown. Characterization of any hazardous material or material requiring special handling will be an initial priority of site investigations and may inform the direction of the project.
The drainage basin to the proposed facility is approximately 40 acres of historic development mostly without storm water quality treatment. The adjacent segment of Santa Fe Drive similarly does not have treatment of storm water. Of the 40 acres, approximately five acres has the potential to be directed to the pond, and an additional three acres might, depending on site constraints to be determined during design. A concept and feasibility plan for the facility has been created and is included as Attachment A. However, site investigations will determine the final outcome and configuration of the facility.
City staff is in the process of obtaining Request for Qualifications (RFQ) proposals for the design. City staff will lead community engagement efforts with stakeholders including CDOT, city council, board and commission members, businesses, residents, schools, and regional partners such as South Suburban Parks and Recreation and Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
A cleanup of surface material was conducted in 2001. At that time, it was determined that funding was not available for further site investigation, design, or construction on the property.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Obtaining the $60,000 grant from CDOT will allow staff to fund the agreement with the successful RFQ consultant allowing the preparation of a detailed description of proposed services and approach of the Skunk Hollow facility.
The purpose of designing the proposed facility is to improve storm water quality to the South Platte River, which is one of the goals of the South Platte River Corridor Vision Plan (2013) and to treat roadway runoff as a key goal of CDOT’s Permanent Water Quality Long Range Master Plan (2016). The facility will meet the City of Littleton and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s long-term goals for permanent water quality treatment for re-development sites.
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES:
Since city funding is not available for the engineering design, the project would be delayed indefinitely or until city funding is available if the resolution is not approved.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Approving the IGA for $60,000 will allow city staff to move forward with the engineering design of the regional stormwater facility which is a project that has been needed since the 1990’s. The city will provide $15,000 for its portion of the cost share.
Grant revenues of $60,000 and expenditures of $75,000 were included in the 2019 Storm Drainage Enterprise Budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends city council approve the resolution and authorize an IGA with CDOT for engineering design of the permanent water quality facility.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve a resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the city and the Colorado Department of Transportation for engineering design of a permanent water quality facility adjacent to Santa Fe Drive and north of Main Street on property also known as Skunk Hollow.