TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Missie Barletto, Deputy Director, Public Works Department
THROUGH: Mark R. Lauzier, City Manager
DATE: February 20, 2018
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APPROVE STAFF PREPARATION AND SUBMITTAL OF THREE GRANT APPLICATIONS AS PART OF THE LOCAL INITIATIVES (LI) PROGRAM AND TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES (TA) PROGRAM FOR PROJECTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE PALM BEACH TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCY (TPA) FOR APPROVAL DURING FISCAL YEAR 2018.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to allow City staff to proceed with the submittal of the grant applications for Linton Boulevard (US 1 to A1A) and SW Germantown (S Congress Ave to Old Germantown Road, Orchard View Elementary School) for the Local Initiatives Program, and Carl Bolter Drive (Lindell Boulevard to Avocet Road) for the Transportation Alternatives Program.
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Background:
The Palm Beach TPA administers two competitive application processes annually for the funding of projects located within Palm Beach County. The application process commences in January, when the TPA posts online application materials. Applications are due to the TPA on March 2 of this year. Once the TPA has received applications, they are ranked and recommended for funding by the TPA staff, advisory committees and ultimately approved by the TPA Board. Scoring criteria is based on the Goals, Objectives and Values of Directions 2040, the Palm Beach TPA's Long Range Transportation Plan.
Although a maximum of two applications are allowed to be submitted for each category, only the one gaining the highest ranking can move forward in the process. Applications are limited to a minimum request of $250,000 and maximum of $5M for the LI Program grants and a minimum request of $250,000 and maximum of $1M for the TA Program.
The purpose of the TPA Local Initiative Program is to help advance lower-cost, non-regionally significant transportation projects. Projects that fall into this category include Complete Streets projects, transit capital projects (vehicle purchase and shelter construction as well as up to 50% of a three-year turn-key contract for new transit service), non-motorized infrastructure such as bicycle lanes, sidewalks, shared use paths and pedestrian lighting; and freight efficiency. Total available funding for this program is approximately $20 million.
The purpose of the Transportation Alternatives Program is to help fund connected infrastructure for non-motorized users. Projects that typically fall into this category include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming, Safe Routes to School
The following projects are recommended by City staff to move forward to the TPA for applications for grants for the Local Initiatives Program and the Transportation Alternatives Program:
Local Initiatives:
• Linton Boulevard - US 1 to A1A.
• SW Germantown Road - S Congress Avenue to Old Germantown Road (Orchard View Elementary School).
Transportation Alternatives Program:
• Carl Bolter Drive - Lindell Boulevard to Avocet Road.
All projects will include the installation of protected bicycle facilities including the provision of pedestrian facilities. Any roadway improvements will be in accordance to the City’s Complete Streets Policy as approved by the City Commission. The Linton Boulevard project will need an agreement between Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach in order to allow the City to take ownership of the roadway portion of this street, excluding the bridge over the canal, between US 1 and A1A.
Attached are drawings that depict some typical cross sections for the projects including the protected bicycle facilities that would apply to the proposed projects, and a table summarizing more detail about the limits, purpose and funding requested from the TPA. City staff still in the process of developing final cost estimates to determine the exact amount of the City match for funding for each of the grant applications with the exception of the Linton Boulevard project that was previously submitted to the TPA for grant approval.
City Attorney Review:
City Attorney recommends...
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
These are grants and the full amount of funding for the City to contribute has yet to be determined.
Timing of Request:
This request is time-sensitive as it keeps the project on schedule. Applications for grants for both the Local Initiatives Program and Transportation Alternatives Program are due March 2, 2018, at 5:00 pm.