TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Missie Barletto, Public Works Director
THROUGH: Jennifer Alvarez, Interim City Manager
DATE: August 11, 2020
Title
APPROVE A GRANT PARTICIPATION AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT SELECTED RAILROAD CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,000
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve and execute the Grant Participation and Reimbursement Agreement for Construction of Supplemental Safety Improvements at Selected Railroad Crossings in the City of Delray Beach in coordination with Brightline and other local cities.
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Background:
In 2018, Brightline and several local cities partnered to apply for a CRISI grant, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements. The CRISI program is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through the U.S. Department of Transportation and focuses on rail safety improvements.
In total, 48 crossings in the tri-county region will receive additional upgrades. The scope of work is different for each crossing and includes one or a combination of the following: exit gates, flexible edge-of-roadway delineators and striping, center-line delineators or active signs. All improvements are occurring on public crossings and are expected to be constructed over a 10 to 12-month timeframe once the grant is executed with the FRA. Brightline and its partners were awarded a $2.3 million grant, and Brightline’s staff has been working closely with the FRA on finalizing the scope of work. The total program is approximately $5.63 million.
Brightline is contributing $500,000 toward the program, and several cities have already committed to contributing funds toward the safety improvements. However, there is still a shortfall of approximately $2.3 million, and we need to close the gap with local dollars. Brightline is reaching out to each city that is receiving improvements to request at least 20 percent local match of the total cost of the improvements in each jurisdiction. A 20 percent local match is the minimum amount required for a local contribution toward a federal grant.
The City of Delray Beach is receiving $230,003.84 worth of safety improvements at three crossings including NE 4th Street, SE 1st Street and Lindell Boulevard. The types of improvements include land delineators and striping in all three crossings, as well as an additional exit gate at NE 4th Street. Brightline is asking the City of Delray Beach to contribute the 20 percent matching funds for these improvements, which totals $46,000.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Funds to provide the 20 percent match for this grant program will be available in the Public Works Streets Maintenance operating budget, account #001-41-310-541.44-90.
Timing of Request:
Brightline is in the process of finalizing the grant details and requires commitments for matching funds to complete.