DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 3
SUBJECT:
Funding Agreement with IDEA Public School- South Flores
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of a Funding Agreement with the IDEA Public School accepting up to 50% of the cost or $40,064.00 for the construction and installation of three sets of advanced warning flashers adjacent to IDEA Public School campus located at 6919 S. Flores Street, in Council District 3.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City has a School Flashing Beacon Challenge funded through the Advanced Transportation District (ATD) Program. Schools interested in installing flashing beacons or upgrading existing roadside mounted flashing beacons to an overhead mast arm flashing beacon are eligible to receive a 50% match from the City.
IDEA Public School South Flores is an elementary school in Council District 3. It is located at 6916 S. Flores Street. The north and south side of the school property is adjacent to West Harding Boulevard and Ware Boulevard.
ISSUE:
An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Funding Agreement with IDEA Public School accepting up to 50% of the cost or $40,064.00 for the construction and installation of three sets of advanced warning flashers adjacent to IDEA Public School campus located at 6919 S. Flores Street, in Council District 3.
IDEA South Flores is interested in completing the installation of three sets of flashing beacon assemblies to include; two roadside mounted solar powered flashing beacons along West Harding Boulevard; two roadside mounted solar powered flashing beacons along Ware Boulevard; and two overhead mast arm mounted solar power flashing beacons along South Flores Street. IDEA has requested the City’s services to construct and install the necessary equipment for the flashing beacon assemblies to help draw motorist attention to the existing school warning signs. The estimated total cost for construction and installation of the three sets of flashing beacon assemblies is $80,128.00. IDEA Public School South Flores will fund 50% of the total amount ($40,064.00) and the remaining 50% will be provided by the City.
The 50% match cost share program has been available since October 1, 2008. The City previously approved similar funding agreements for Incarnate Word High School in March 2010 and the School of Science and Technology in April 2011.
Approval of this ordinance will be a continuation of City Council policy to collaborate with other agencies in the development and construction of City infrastructure.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to enter into this Funding Agreement with the IDEA Public School South Flores. However, IDEA then would need to hire its own contractor and ensure the solar powered flashing beacon assemblies are installed to City standards. In that instance, the city would need to execute a Funding Agreement in order to provide IDEA Public School South Flores the City’s share through the match program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated cost of construction and installation of the four flashing beacons and two overhead mast arm flashing beacons is $80,128.00. The City will receive 50% of the cost in an amount up to $40,064 .00 from IDEA Public School South Flores. The other 50% will be funded from the FY 2016 Pedestrian Safety Project, an Advanced Transportation District funded project included in the 2016-2021 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the funding agreement with the IDEA Public School South Flores in order to complete the installation of the four roadside and two overhead mast arm mounted solar powered flashing beacon assemblies adjacent to the IDEA Public School South Flores campus.