SUBJECT: Second Amendment to the Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of Houston and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the Construction of Columbia Tap Rail to Trail from Dixie to Polk.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Second Amendment to the Advanced Funding Agreement between the City and TxDOT.
PROJECT NOTICE/JUSTIFICATION: This project was a State Highway Improvement Project (Off-System) by TxDOT that required participation in funding by the City for the construction of the Project.
DESCRIPTION/SCOPE: This project consisted of constructing an approximate 3.11 miles long by 10 feet wide reinforced concrete hike and bike trail complete with modifications to a railroad bridge, a new bike/pedestrian bridge across Brays Bayou, related utility adjustments, accessibility ramps, signage, pavement markings and landscaping.
LOCATION: The trail is generally bound by Polk on the north, Dixie on the south, Dowling on the west and Scott on the east, and is located in Key Map Grids 493 V, Y, Z and 533 C, G, F.
PREVIOUS HISTORY AND SCOPE OF THIS AGREEMENT: The Houston Bikeway Program was implemented to develop a citywide network of bicycle facilities to be integrated into an overall transportation network for the Houston area. The eligible costs of the projects are 80% funded by the Federal Highway Administration under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act under the Transportation Enhancement, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Programs. The 20% local match funding is provided by both the City of Houston and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. In addition to the local match, the City is responsible for paying 100% of the costs in excess of federal participation.
City Council under Ordinance No. 1997-1042 dated August 27, 1997 approved the review cost funds of $3,764.00 and entered into an agreement with TxDOT. City Council then approved Ordinance No. 2005-0893 on July 13, 2005 and appropriated $544,255.00 for the Construction Local Match. City Council approved Amendment One to the agreement by Ordinance No. 2005-1078 on September 14, 2005 for additional federal funds. By Ordinance No. 2007-0583 dated May 16, 2007 City Council approved an additional appropriation of $136,231.02 for payment to TxDOT. TxDOT completed the Project in 2010 and requested an additional $87,963.12. City Council under Ordinance No. 2015-0326 dated April 15, 2015 approved the additional increase and appropriated the payment.
The Second Amendment to the Agreement is to set the City of Houston’s maximum contribution for the project at $772,213.06, which the City has previously appropriated and paid. This Amendment is necessary for TxDOT to adjust the final project amount and close the contract.
ESTIMATED FISCAL OPERATING IMPACT: No significant Fiscal Operating Impact is anticipated as a result of this project.
ACTION RECOMMENDED: It is recommended that City Council adopt an ordinance approving and authorizing the Second Amendment to the Advance Funding Agreement in order for TxDOT to close out their project.
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Acting Director
Department of Public Works and Engineering
WBS No. N-000420-0037-7