PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement between the City of New Braunfels and Texas Department of Transportation for the Dry Comal Hike and Bike Trail Segment 1.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of New Braunfels was awarded construction funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Alternatives program to construct a concrete trail along the Dry Comal Creek from Walnut Avenue to Landa Street, totaling .85miles. The trail will meet local, state, and federal design requirements and include connections to Walnut Avenue, Landa Street, and the Town Creek neighborhood.
The City Council passed a resolution of support on March 22, 2021, authorizing the submittal of the project to AAMPO for reimbursable funding. The project was selected for inclusion in the program, which provides 80% of the construction cost. The City is responsible for the remaining 20% of the construction cost and full project development cost, including design services, right-of-way, and construction overruns. An Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) with the Texas Department of Transportation is required with the funding program and a resolution by the City Council confirming the City’s financial commitment, including payment of construction overruns, and identifying the signatory authorized to enter the AFA. The project is currently scheduled for construction in 2025, pending Union Pacific Railroad approval, and the AFA allows the project development to move forward beyond 30% final design.
ISSUE:
Provide a system of convenient and safe transportation facilities through comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transportation system planning and development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The AFA included the following initial project estimates. It does not include other project development costs:
Construction Cost (100%) $2,366,000
Federal Participation (80%) $1,892,800
City Participation (20%) $473,200
Direct State Costs - City Participation $45,452
Total City Participation $518,652
City Council passed a resolution on June 14, 2021, approving New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) funding of $375,000 for the completion of final design for the project in accordance with Local Government Code 505.152.
It is anticipated that the additional funding needed to support the City’s full participation towards construction costs will be requested from the NBEDC. City staff plans to present requests for the additional funds needed for the project to the NBEDC and City Council one the final construction cost estimate is available.
The City’s initial payment of $45,452 is due to the State within 30 days of execution of this contract. Sufficient funds are available in the Park Development Funds to support the initial payment.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement between the City of New Braunfels and Texas Department of Transportation for the Dry Comal Hike and Bike Trail Segment 1.