Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
June 21, 2016
Agenda Report # 144
TO: Mayor and Councilors
SUBJECT: Fall Line Trace River Link Preliminary Project Approval
INITIATED BY: City Manager?s Office
Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize a Preliminary Project
Approval for the Fall Line Trace River Link that provides the opportunity to
expand our trail system thru a public/private partnership. The design and
surveying for this project has been provided to the City at no cost and the
construction for the Fall Line Trace River Link will be funded by the SPLOST
estimated at $2,400.000.
Background: The Community Foundation initiated an opportunity with the PATH
Foundation Inc. (?PATH?) to promote walkability, bikeability and livability in
Columbus. PATH is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. The Community Foundation
was introduced to this group as a resource and began exploring how PATH could
impact Columbus. Here in Columbus, the newly formed Friends of the Columbus
Greenway Trail Fund has been established with the Community Foundation and has
signed PATH to design a trail system that connects our existing Riverwalk & the
Fall Line Trace. The planning phase is already fully funded via anonymous
donations. PATH is most well known for their Atlanta-based trails: the Atlanta
Beltline, Silver Comet Trail, Chastain Park Trail and Stone Mountain Trail.
They are currently working on the Carrollton Greenbelt. Resolution #222-15
authorized the Master Agreement with PATH. Resolution #124-16 authorized the
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (?SPLOST?) for this project.
Analysis: The execution of the Master Agreement did not commit the City to any
funding requirement. According to the Master Agreement, each project will
require approval by Council with funding identified for each project.
Alternatives: The agreement with PATH provides for opportunities to expand our
trail system thru a public/private partnership. Bike/PedestrianTrails are not
only for recreation but are also for transportation.
Financial Considerations: The design and surveying for this project has been
provided to the City at no cost and the construction for the Fall Line Trace
River Link will be funded by the SPLOST estimated at $2,400,000.
Legal Considerations: Council must authorize a preliminary project approval
according to the Master Agreement with the PATH Foundation, Inc.
Recommendations/Actions: Approval is requested to authorize a Preliminary
Project Approval for the Fall Line Trace River Link that provides the
opportunity to expand our trail system thru a public/private partnership. The
design and surveying for this project has been provided to the City at no cost
and the construction for the Fall Line Trace River Link will be funded by the
SPLOST estimated at $2,400.000.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _________
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PRELIMINARY PROJECT APPROVAL FOR THE FALL LINE TRACE
RIVER LINK.
WHEREAS, this Council approved Resolution No. 222-15 on August 11, 2015
authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Master Agreement with Path
Foundation for PATH to provide plan design and other services to facilitate the
construction of greenway trails in Columbus, Georgia; and,
WHEREAS, PATH has now presented this Council with specific plans for the first
project which will be designated as the Fall Line Trace River Link (?the
Project?) as shown on the plans attached hereto as Exhibit A; and,
WHEREAS, Council has already appropriated funding for this project in
Resolution No. 124-16 in an amount not to exceed $2,400,000 from Special
Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Funds; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires to approve the use of all existing City right of
way along the route; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires to authorize the acquisition of any additional
easements or other real property interest for use as part of the Project
through the acceptance of donations or purchase out of the Project budget; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires to authorize the Purchasing Division of the
Finance Department to proceed to procure the services necessary to construct
the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
1. This Resolution shall constitute a Preliminary Project approval for the
Project as contemplated by the Master Agreement executed by and between PATH
and the Columbus Consolidated Government pursuant to Resolution No. 222-15.
2. The use of up to $2,400,000 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Funds
budgeted for this Project is hereby ratified.
3. The use of existing City right of way along the proposed project route is
hereby authorized.
4. The City Manager, or his designee, is hereby authorized to enter into any
negotiations and execute any documents necessary to obtain the required
interests in real property for the Project whether through acceptance of a
donation or purchase.
5. The Purchasing Division is hereby authorized to proceed with the procurement
of the services necessary to construct the Project.
__________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on
the ______ day of __________, 2016 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of______ members of Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
______________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments