To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Transportation Enhancement Funds for Phase III of the Veterans Parkway Streetscape Project

Initiator

Planning Department

Recommendation

Approval is requested to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the \n \n Georgia Department of Transportation on behalf of Trees Columbus, Inc., to \n \n accept grant funds to complete Phase III of the Veterans Parkway streetscape \n \n project.

Approval

Approved

Background

The project will be a continuation of the earlier two phases, which provided

streetscape and pedestrian improvements along segments between Victory Drive

and 13th Street. The project will include the planting of various trees and

other plants, establishment of a 6 to 8 foot wide concrete pedestrian facility,

improvements to various street corners to upgrade the wheelchair ramps to

current design requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and overall

improvements to the existing corner treatments at intersections.

Analysis

The result of the project will be a gateway into Columbus that more closely

resembles its historic origins. Tree canopies and landscaping will present

an aesthetically pleasing appearance to one of the major transportation

arteries in the city.

Financial Considerations

Through this funding program, the state would provide up to $1,000,000. The

local 20% match of $250,000 is the sole responsibility of the Trees Columbus

organization and will be required to be expended on the construction of the

project prior to the use of the grant amount.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

A (MOU) will be required between Trees Columbus and the City. The proposed

MOU identifies the need to expend the money for streetscape purposes and how

payment for such services are to be accomplished. In addition, the City must

also enter into a MOU with the Georgia Department of Transportation, in order

to receive the grant funds.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approval is requested to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia

Department of Transportation on behalf of Trees Columbus, Inc., to accept grant

funds to complete Phase III of the Veterans Parkway streetscape project.









A RESOLUTION



NO. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION FOR FY2008 AND 2009 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT FUNDS FOR PHASE

III OF THE VETERANS PARKWAY STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING TO

ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE TREES COLUMBUS ORGANIZATION

TO ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THIS GRANT.

WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded the non-profit

Trees Columbus organization, through its sponsor the Columbus Consolidated

Government, a Transportation Enhancement grant (CSTEE-0009-00 (116) ) for

$1,000,000, to be used to construct and provide streetscape improvements along

Veterans Parkway from Victory Drive to 13th Street; and,

WHEREAS, the grant requires a 20 percent match, which shall be provided by the

Trees Columbus organization for construction services to implement the proposed

streetscape improvements in the amount not to exceed $250,000, prior to the

expenditure of any grant funds for this project; and,

WHEREAS, authorization is needed to amend the multi-governmental fund by the

amount of the grant and the match of $250,000 from the Trees Columbus

organization; and,

WHEREAS, authorization is needed for the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of

Understanding with the Trees Columbus organization.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to:



1. Accept Transportation Enhancement Grant funding from the Georgia Department

of Transportation in the amount of $1,000,000, along with the required 20

percent match from the Trees Columbus organization which shall not exceed

$250,000 and shall be paid prior to the expenditure of the $1,000,000 grant;

and,



2. Amend the multi-governmental fund by the amount of $1,000,000 and $250,000

for the required match; and,



3. Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Trees Columbus organization

that establishes the procedures and expectations of this grant.



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held

the _________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.



Councilor Allen voting __________.

Councilor Anthony voting __________.

Councilor Baker voting __________.

Councilor Barnes voting __________.

Councilor Davis voting __________.

Councilor Henderson voting __________.

Councilor Hunter voting __________.

Councilor McDaniel voting __________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.

Councilor Woodson voting __________.





___________________________________ _____________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor

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