DEPARTMENT: Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 8
SUBJECT:
Advanced Funding Agreement: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project
SUMMARY:
An ordinance approving the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $4,800,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $57,370.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds; and, amending the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with grant funds in the reimbursable amount of $4,800,000.00 for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project, a federally funded project located in Council District 8. Funds are available from the 2012 General Obligation Bond Program and Certificates of Obligation funds to fund the required local match and associated administrative oversight costs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to increase safety for pedestrians, specifically in a high pedestrian area and transportation sites. This agreement will allow the program costs to qualify for federal cost-sharing reimbursement up to the federally approved amount for a Local Government (LG) project. LG projects are managed by the City but receive federal funds administered through TxDOT. The funds paid to TxDOT by the City are for costs associated with oversight for the administration of the federal funds.
As part of the City’s continued partnership with the Medical Center Alliance the CMAQ Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project provides an opportunity to build the City’s second cycle track in the Medical Center supporting a key connection to the bicycle and trail network. This project will construct a dedicated two-way bicycle track on the south and west side of Ewing Halsell to Sid Katz including sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation and streetscape amenities such as bike racks and benches. The City will design and construct the improvements leveraging funding from TxDOT. Project construction is anticipated to begin in June 2022 and is estimated to be completed by June 2023.
ISSUE:
This ordinance approves the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $4,800,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $57,370.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project located in Council District 8.
The CMAQ Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project will provide for the construction of a dedicated two-way bicycle track along Hamilton Wolfe from Babcock to Ewing Halsell and along Ewing Halsell from Hamilton Wolfe to Sid Katz including sidewalks, landscaping with irrigation, bike racks and benches located within the South Texas Medical Center. The City will design and construct the improvements leveraging funding from TxDOT. Project construction is anticipated to begin in June 2022 and estimated to be completed by June 2023.
This project was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). As a requirement of the TIP, the local agency is responsible for 20% of the construction costs with the remaining 80% being provided federally through TxDOT. This Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT will allow construction-related project costs to qualify for federal cost sharing up to the federally approved amount not to exceed $4,800,000.00. The remaining construction cost of $1,200,000.00 will be the responsibility of the City of San Antonio.
Approval of this ordinance is reflective of the City’s commitment to maintaining and improving existing infrastructure in collaboration with other governmental agencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this agreement; however, the City will lose the opportunity to receive reimbursement from TxDOT, delaying the project or requiring a change in the project’s scope to remain within budget. The most cost-effective option would be to approve the Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of funds from TxDOT for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $4,800,000.00 in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT as a federal pass-through grant associated with the construction of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $57,370.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds. Actual costs to be reimbursed by TxDOT will be finalized with the award of a construction contract.
The City’s 20% match for this project is $1,200,000.00 and the City also will pay $57,370.00 for administrative oversight of federal funds associated with the project. This ordinance authorizes a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount not to exceed $57,370.00 payable to TxDOT; and, amends the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with grant funds in the reimbursable amount not to exceed $4,800,000.00 for the CMAQ Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project.
Funds in the total amount of $1,257,370.00 are available from the 2012 General Obligation Bond Program and Certificates of Obligation and are included in the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance approving the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and TxDOT, accepting reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $4,800,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $57,370.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the CMAQ Hamilton Wolfe Cycle Track Project.