Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
12/07/2010
Agenda Report # 582
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: FY2011 Transportation Enhancement Grants
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved
accept grant funds up to $1 million for Transportation Enhancement from the
Georgia Department of Transportation
Background: The Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant program, which is
administered by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Funding is
accepting applications to fund projects that contain one or more of the
following activities:
1. Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles
2. Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicycles
3. Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites
4. Scenic or historic highway programs including the provision of tourist and
welcome center facilities
5. Landscaping and other scenic beautification
6. Historic preservation
7. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings,
structures, or facilities including historic railroad facilities and canals
8. Preservation of abandoned railway corridors including the conversion and
use thereof for pedestrian or bicycle trails
9. Control and removal of outdoor advertising
10. Archaeological planning and research
11. Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway run-off
or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat
connectivity
12. Establishment of transportation museums.
For this round of applications, staff is recommending the following
applications be submitted: the completion of the Master Plan - Phase I for
underground utilities(Midtown Columbus, Inc.); the Fort Benning Road South
Enhancement project; and enhancements to the Chattahoochee River Ecosystem
Restoration and Whitewater project, as projects to be considered for funding.
The Wynnton Road project will provide for the relocation of utilities
underground. A new streetscape design that would include additional trees and
landscaping, along with new
directional signage for the National Infantry Museum, will be the objective of
the Fort Benning Road South Enhancement project. This project would begin at
Victory Drive and ending at the Fort Benning military reservation. The
Chattahoochee River Restoration application will ask for a new pedestrian
bridge to the Eagle-Phenix powerhouse that will provide an area for spectators
to view the rafters and kayakers as they travel downstream. The submission of
these applications will meet the requirements established by GDOT for this
grant program as eligible activities. Upon submission, the application will be
reviewed by the GADOT TE review panel. The panel includes citizens and
representatives from various state and local agencies. The panel will rank the
projects and provide their recommendations to the State Transportation Board
for final approval
Analysis: These grant applications offer the community an opportunity to
provide streetscape and bridge improvements to these needed roads and
pedestrian walkways, and will help promote the restoration activities of the
Chattahoochee River.
Financial Considerations: GDOT will provide funding in the amount of up to $1
million dollars for each grant application. There is a required match of a
twenty percent for each grant. Uptown Columbus, Inc. and Midtown Columbus,
Inc., will be responsible for the match for their respected application
project.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: Maintenance for the Wynnton
streetscapes grant would be the responsibility of the utility companies, as
this project calls for the relocation of all utilities underground. General
maintenance, such as grass cutting and pruning of trees, would be the
responsibility of the city for the Fort Benning Road South Enhancement grant.
Any maintenance for the river restoration grant would be the responsibility of
Uptown Columbus.
Legal Considerations: Acceptance of these funds would require certification
from the City that all federal laws and guidelines would be followed and
enforced
Recommendations/ Actions: Approval is requested to submit applications and if
approved accept grant funds for Transportation Enhancement from the Georgia
Department of Transportation
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION TO THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FY2011
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT FUNDS AND IF APPROVED ACCEPT FUNDING.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Transportation has available Transportation
Enhancement funds for the construction of streetscapes along transportation
corridors and other transportation improvements; and,
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus desires to enhance improvements to the
Chattahoochee River Restoration project, the Fort Benning Road South
Enhancement project, and to complete the streetscapes improvements along
Wynnton Road from Peacock Avenue to Hilton Avenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an applications and if
approved accept up to $1 million in FY2011 Transportation Enhancement funds
from the Georgia Department of Transportation to be used for improvements for
the Chattahoochee River Restoration, the Fort Benning Road South Enhancement
project, and towards streetscape improvements on Wynnton Road from Peacock
Avenue to Hilton Avenue and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the award
amount.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2010 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
Attachments
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