Brynt Johnson,

Senior Project Manager

Jennifer Frastai, Director

Engineering and Community Development

Resolution of support for a Grant Application for the Complete Streets and Other Localized Initiatives Program (CSLIP) for the N.E. 11^th Avenue Improvement Project

Issue Statement: The MPO’s Complete Streets and other Localized Initiatives Grant Program (CSLIP) provides funding for local transportation projects to improve safety and multi-modal mobility. Projects submitted for funding shall be between $500,000 and $2,000,000.  Staff is recommending the submission of the N.E. 11^th Avenue Improvement Project identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program. Grant Applications for CSLIP project funding must be submitted to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) by no later than November 14, 2018. Grant funding for the construction phase of the submitted project is programmed to be available in seven years (2025).

Recommended Action: That City Commission adopt a resolution of support for the submission of the Complete Streets and Other Localized Initiatives Grant Program for the NE 11^th Avenue Improvement Project.

Staff is recommending the submission of the N.E. 11^th Avenue Improvement Project. As identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program, N.E. 11^th Avenue, also recommended in the Transportation Mobility Plan, will aid in Downtown Redevelopment efforts by providing pedestrian and non-vehicular mobility along N.E. 11^th Avenue from N.E. 39^th Street to N.E. 32^nd Street.  To address drainage concerns, the City plans to install curb and gutter flumed to swale areas (between the curb and the sidewalk) to be created as a part of the project.  This project would continue the improvements to the infrastructure of the downtown area.

Staff examined the information provided by the MPO with respect to the type of projects that can be funded and the evaluation criteria and met to discuss projects that could be submitted for funding. The project recommended for submission is the N.E. 11^th Avenue Improvement Project. 

NE 11^th Avenue Improvements Project Scope:

NE 11^th Avenue is a challenging roadway with a minimal 40 foot right of way and without continuous sidewalks along the roadway.  The project proposes to provide multimodal transportation access for pedestrians by adding a five (5) foot sidewalk along one side of NE 11^th Avenue. Additionally, the project seeks to accommodate non-vehicular traffic (i.e. bicycles) by including sharrows.  Although the City's preference would be to include the installation of dedicated bicycle lane, the site conditions are challenging and could not accommodate dedicated bicycle lanes without an additional large expense by the City.   

The project also proposes to include sidewalks on connector roadways from NE 11^th Avenue to Dixie Highway.   This project will provide connectivity to the currently planned Oakland Park Elementary CSLIP project. 

Should the City be selected, the grant would provide $547,689 to fund the design and construction for this project.  Should the City be awarded the grant, the project would be designed and constructed by the Florida Department of Transportation in coordination with the City. There is no City match required; however, the City may be responsible to cover certain elements of the project such as utility relocations, repair for any broken sidewalks, resurfacing of the roadway, and landscaping.  These elements will be further defined through the design process.  As a result, the City should anticipate budgeting 30% contingency for those ineligible and unforeseen expenses.

As part of the grant application, the City was required to perform outreach to the affected community. A community meeting is scheduled to be held November 1, 2018. A direct mailing was sent to the property owners and residents on the affected streets, in addition to the City regular notification process for Community Meetings.

There is no immediate financial impact.  The City's grant application of  $547,689 to fund the design and construction of this project would cause the City to  anticipate budgeting 30% contingency for those ineligible or unforeseen expenses and/or fund any remaining costs in excess of the grant amounts for the project to be built..

FDOT will design and construct the project and will seek input from City staff and the community during the design process. When the projects are designed, the City will have to fund any remaining costs in excess of the grant amounts for the project to be built, as mentioned above.  Funding strategies for these projects will vary based on the estimated cost and nature of the project.

Staff recommends that the City Commission approve a resolution of support for the submission of the Complete Streets and Other Localized Initiatives Grant Program for the N.E. 11^th Avenue Improvement Project and further authorize FDOT to design and the construct the project on behalf of the City should the project receive MPO funding.