From
Tammy Chan
Title
Resolution approving an application for Texas Transportation Enhancement Program Funds for the I-20 @ Great Southwest Gateway Enhancement Project
Presenter
Tammy Chan, Special Projects Manager
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
On January 24, 2008, the City of Grand Prairie TIF Board approved spending $1 million for the I-20 at Great Southwest Parkway Gateway Enhancement Project. The project allows for a new entry monument with landscaping for the I20 at Great Southwest Parkway intersection. On September 4, 2012, the Grand Prairie City Council approved a design contract with TBG Landscape Design Consultants for this project for a sum of $94,120.
The I-20 at Great Southwest Parkway intersection includes 22 acres of land. The consultant, TBG, designed three concepts for signage and landscaping with an option for a "Phase 1" $905,880 gateway sign and landscaping package and an additional landscaping option that could address the larger acreage. The complete budget for each of the three concepts was $2,250,000 each, including the initial $900,000 gateway sign and landscaping package. The three concepts were shown to the design committee for this project who subsequently selected one concept for further development.
On September 14, 2012, the Texas Department of Transportation issued a Call for Nominations for the 2012 Texas Transportation Enhancement Program. This program seeks nominations for projects that enhance the surface transportation experience through landscaping construction activities that enhance aesthetic and ecological resources.
The Texas Transportation Enhancement Program is not a grant. It is a reimbursement program in which the recipient will be reimbursed up to 80% of the expenses related to approved projects. The recipient is required to supply a 20% Cash Match. The cash match cannot be based on previous related expenses or for design and engineering costs. Those projects with cash matches that exceed the minimum 20% receive extra points from the judges who will select the projects for funding.
Our nomination for the Texas Transportation Enhancement Program includes using $750,000 of the remaining $905,880 TIF funds already allocated for the I-20 @ Great Southwest Parkway Gateway Enhancement Project as the cash match for an application for $1,500,000 of Transportation Enhancement Program funds. Thus, our cash match would be 30%. It is anticipated that we will incur some construction and plan approval expenses prior to the start date of the Transportation Enhancement Program reimbursement eligibility, which is estimated to be in the summer of 2013. Thus, we are reserving $155,880 of the $905,880 for those expenses which would not be eligible for reimbursement.
Recipients of Texas Transportation Enhancement Program funds have four years from the date of the executed contract with the Texas Department of Transportation to complete the project and request reimbursement. Our expectation is to complete construction of this project by December 2014 if not before.
If our application for Texas Transportation Enhancement Program funds is not selected, we would implement the Phase 1 and come back to the Council and/or the TIF Board for direction as to whether they would like to fund the additional landscaping for that intersection.
The Finance and Government Committee will be considering this item at their November 6, 2012 meeting.
Financial Consideration
If our application for Texas Transportation Enhancement Program Funds is approved, our $2,250,000 project would be funded by the city and $1,500,000 would subsequently be reimbursed by the Texas Department of Transportation. The first $750,000 would come from the TIF funds already allocated for this project. The remaining $1,500,000 would come from our Lending Reserve Fund and a contract with Council approval would be signed at that time.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, TO CERTIFY LOCAL FUNDING AND SUPPORT OF THE I-20 @ GREAT SOUTHWEST PARKWAY GATEWAY PROJECT TO THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR FUND COMPETITION IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2012 PROGRAM CALL FOR PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation issued a call for nomination in September 2012 for communities to apply for federal highway funding assistance made available through the Transportation Enhancement Program; and
WHEREAS, the I-20 @ Great Southwest Parkway Gateway Project will go above and beyond standard roadway activities to enhance the surface transportation experience through landscaping construction activities that enhance aesthetic and ecological resources at that highly visible 22 acre intersection; and the City proposes to submit a nomination requesting federal funding for assistance in the amount of $1,346,620; and
WHEREAS, the program requires a minimum of 20% local funding match and the City has allocated and will provide an increase above the minimum match requirement in the amount of $403,986; thereby pledging 30% local matching funds, plus 100% of any overruns above the total project estimate of $1,346,620:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
Section 1. The City of Grand Prairie supports funding this project as shown in the nomination budget and commits to the project's development, implementation, construction, maintenance, management, and financing. The City is willing and able to enter into an
agreement with TxDOT by resolution or ordinance;
Section 2. That the City adopts resolution _________ approving the submission of the project nomination; and the support and funding of the project should it receive federal funds.
SECTION 3. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to act on behalf of the City in all matters relating to this funding nomination and to execute all necessary applications, assurances, certifications, and other documents, relative to the submission, later
acceptance, and administration of such funds.
SECTION 4. That it is hereby officially found and determined that this meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law, and that public notice of the time, place and purpose of said meeting was given as required. The regular meeting
of the Grand Prairie City Council was called to order at 4:30 p.m. on November 6, 2012 in the Council Chambers at 317 College Street, Grand Prairie, Texas, by Mayor Charles England.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2012.