Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

 

CC:

Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager

 

DATE:

February 19, 2009

 

RE:

FY2010 Federal Appropriations Requests

 

 

Staff requests City Commission authorization to submit several federal appropriations requests. The requests are made to members of our Congressional delegation in the U.S. House and Senate, and are generally due in late February or early March. Federal funding sources are highly competitive and overall funding may decrease from previous levels, but federal financial assistance for local needs is vitally important to the Lawrence community.

 

It should be noted that these requests would be in addition to any possible stimulus funding and currently-authorized earmarks. 

 

Surface Transportation

Staff recommends that we seek federal funding for two major surface transportation projects which are important to the economic development and continued quality development of the Lawrence community.  Any earmarks for these projects would help augment City sales tax funding to support these projects and others.

 

31st Street- Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road:  $7.5 million

This would enable the construction of 31st Street from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road.  The completion of this infrastructure would provide an east-west link and help curb congestion and improve safety on 23rd Street.  Truck traffic entering Lawrence from the south (US-59) and east must also use 23rd Street to get through the City.  The construction of 31st Street is essential to distribute some of this traffic and allow through traffic and trucks to avoid this only access to the Kansas City area.  The public would realize improved safety and efficiency of the City’s transportation system. 

 

A citizen survey of City services identified that the east/west transportation system needs additional connectivity.  31st Street has been a vision of the community (city and county) for several years.

 

Kasold Drive Reconstruction, 31st Street to Clinton Parkway (23rd Street)- $6 million

This is a major north/south arterial facility within the community with an average daily traffic volume of approximately 20,000 vehicles.  Kasold Drive is one of two north/south arterials that lead from the south city limits to the north city limits.  Kasold Drive is a major route into the City for Douglas County residents and serves as an important access to the Santa Fe Industrial Park. 

 

Transit Funding

 Staff recommends submission of request of $1.6 million for replacement of four (4) fixed-route transit vehicles which represents the 83% federal share of funding for the project.  The total project cost of $1,920,000 is based on a cost of $480,000 per vehicle. 

If a federal earmark is awarded for $1,600,000, a 17% local funding match, or $320,000, would be required for vehicles that are ADA-accessible or wheelchair lift equipped. 

 

As of December 2008, the entire fixed-route fleet (12 vehicles) has fulfilled its manufacturer’s and FTA useful service life requirements and is eligible for replacement.  A commitment was also made during the sales tax campaign in 2008 to explore replacing the fleet with alternative fueled vehicles. 

 

To date, the City has received a total $1,924,368 through federal earmarking and a JARC Grant for fleet replacement purposes.  Including the $451,316 of local match, which would come from transit system’s equipment reserve, this is sufficient funding to replace five fixed-route vehicles with alternative fueled vehicles.  In addition, the City expects to receive $1.9 million in stimulus funding which will provide funding for three more alternative fueled vehicles. 

 

The FY2010 funding request would provide an additional $1.6 million of funding to replace the remaining four vehicles in the fixed-route fleet with alternative fueled vehicles. 

 

Some of the $320,000 of local match needed for the project can be funded from money already set aside in the transit system’s equipment reserve.  Additional local match would come from the proceeds from the 0.05% sales tax in City Budget Year 2010. 

 

The federal funding request to the Congressional Delegation would be formally made as “City of Lawrence, KS Transit System - Bus and Bus Facilities” to maximize flexibility of use of funds.  The priority for the use of funds would be to first address vehicle replacement of the City’s fixed-route transit fleet.  Federal earmark funds can only be used for capital purposes.

 

Stormwater Funding

Staff recommends a request for two top stormwater priorities. Any funding received through earmarks could augment sales tax funds, or stimulus funding for the projects. 

 

23rd & Ousdahl – $2 million

This project is the highest priority stormwater project based on the 1996 stormwater study.  The area floods significantly during normal/heavy rain events, making the intersection impassable during these rain events.  This intersection is on a major arterial street which impacts transportation, commerce, and emergency services.

 

5th and Maple Pump Station- $5.5 million

The project would include a lift/pump station and piping to discharge stormwater from North Lawrence to the Kansas River.  This project would provide benefit to over 1,500 residences in North Lawrence, including commercial and industrial based companies of North Lawrence.  This project is the most critical improvement for this area of Lawrence.  Flooding occurs at every level of rain event and the area cannot drain to the Kansas River unless pumped over the levee.  Significant impact to transportation, property and quality of life.   Proposed industrial development at the Lawrence Municipal Airport cannot proceed due to potential downstream impacts/flooding issues of North Lawrence. 

 

ACTION:      Authorize staff to submit federal funding requests to members of the City’s Congressional delegation, if appropriate.