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Consideration of Transportation Projects for Regional Flexible Funding, Continued
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with additional information about the call for projects for Regional Flexible Funding and an opportunity for further discussion regarding the selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for funding.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon, Planning Administrator, 919-918-7325, cmoon@carrboronc.gov <mailto:cmoon@carrboronc.gov>; Patricia McGuire, Planning Director, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@carrboronc.gov <mailto:pmcguire@carrboronc.gov>
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity __X__ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan __X__Other
Council Direction Statement
The Regional Flexible Funding (RFF) Call for Projects is an opportunity to seek federal funds for transportation infrastructure projects thereby advancing the implementation of the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update and Transportation and Mobility chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. All transportation infrastructure projects advance the Town’s interests toward Climate Action. Pocket Questions are provided (Attachment B).
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Information
INFORMATION: On November 14, 2023, the Town Council considered a selection of recommended transportation projects for the DCHC MPO’s FY25 Call for Projects for Regional Flexible Funding (<https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6414497&GUID=4A4C6F83-38EE-4DF9-8FFD-1A5B0EB6F120&Options=&Search=>). This is a competitive-based opportunity to seek funding for new projects or additional funding for existing projects from the following federal programs: Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), Transportation Block Grant Direct Attributable (STBGDA), and Transportation Alternatives program Direct Attributable (TAPDA).
Subsequent to the Council’s discussion on November 14th, staff received additional information from the DCHC MPO staff regarding the Call for Projects. The important takeaways include:
• The call for project includes funding for the next three fiscal years: FY25, FY26 and FY27. The Call for Projects next year will be for FY28 funds.
• As noted above, this is a competitive call for projects, projects will be evaluated using a scoring rubric by the MPO staff.
• Partner organizations can only receive funding for a certain number of projects at one time, based on population.
• Carrboro is eligible to receive funding for two new projects.
• The Town can submit more than two projects and allow the MPO staff to use the rubric to identify the two highest scoring projects.
• There is no guarantee that any of the Town’s project will be selected for funding.
• The deadline for project submittal has been extended to December 8th.
The Council had previously discussed three possible submittals:
o Preliminary design for Phase 2 of the Bolin Creek Greenway.
o One to three projects in the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update that involve minimum design work and public engagement; possible projects include the Shelton Street contraflow and/or cycle track, the East Poplar pedestrian lane, Maple Avenue contraflow.
o Replacement for the Federal Coronavirus Relief (BGDACV) funding for the South Greensboro Street sidewalk project that was reallocated to NCDOT to prevent recission.
Projects must be included in a locally adopted plan and/or the 2050 MTP to be considered for funding. If there is interest in submitting phase 2 or phases 3/4 of the Bolin Creek Greenway, the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update may need to be amended. The bike plan currently references the adopted greenway conceptual master plan but does not include any maps/alignments.
Staff is working with the Town Engineer to develop preliminary cost estimates for the suggested projects: design for the Bolin Creek Greenway Phase 2 (approximately $400,000), design for the Bolin Creek Greenway Phases 3 & 4 (approximately $1,325,000) and construction for one to three projects from the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update (approximately $1,112,000). Selected projects would require a 20-percent local match and staff time to administer the project funds and to manage the design and construction of the projects. Staff is seeking Orange County Transit funds to cover the 20-percent match for the $206,343 of BGDACV funding, (approximately $41,269). Staff would bring back a request to enter into a municipal agreement with NCDOT should projects be selected for funding.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this item. Should the projects be selected for funding, matching funds would need to be identified for all of the projects except for the Coronavirus Relief funding.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council consider adoption of the resolution (Attachment A) directing staff to submit one of the three lists of projects (Options 1 through 3) to the DCHC MPO by the December deadline.
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