title
Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and Accept Federal Funds for Design and Construction of the West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lanes.
body
Staff: |
Department: |
Britany Waddell, Director |
Planning |
Bergen Watterson, Mobility and Greenways Manager |
|
Overview: The Town of Chapel Hill was awarded federal funds to design and construct protected bike lanes on West Cameron Avenue between Merritt Mill Road and South Columbia Street (NC 86). Approval of the attached Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will make $720,000 of federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding available. With the final issuance of the 2015 Streets and Sidewalks Bond, the Town now has the $180,000 local match necessary to execute the agreement with NCDOT and initiate project design.

|
Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a Municipal Agreement with NCDOT and enact the attached project ordinance amendment to recognize and appropriate the federal STBG funds for design and construction of the West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lanes.
Key Issues:
• The Town submitted the West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lane project to the FY24 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) call for projects. The MPO Board approved the funding on May 10, 2023.
• The project funding split is 80 percent federal ($720,000) and 20 percent local ($180,000).
• The West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lanes would connect the eastern terminus of the Libba Cotten bikeway to the UNC campus, along one of the highest volume bike corridors in the region.
o The 2023 Downtown Mobility Study <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/home/showpublisheddocument/54508/638282125860170000> recommended that West Cameron Avenue have either a two-way protected bike lane or protected directional bike lanes. Both treatments would require removing either on-street parking or left turn lanes.
o The design consultant will help staff determine the best treatment based on context-sensitive conditions.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: The Municipal Agreement allows for $720,000 of federal reimbursement, requiring a $180,000 local match which was already budgeted with the final issuance of the 2015 Streets and Sidewalks Bonds.
The attached project ordinance amendment will recognize and appropriate the federal funds from NCDOT.

|
Attachments: |
|
• Resolution |
|
• Project Ordinance Amendment |
|
• NCDOT Municipal Agreement |
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (NCDOT) AND Accept Federal Funds for Design and Construction of the WEST CAMERON AVENUE PROTECTED BIKE LANES (2023-11-29/R-2)
WHEREAS, the Town submitted the West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lane project to the FY24 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) call for projects. The MPO Board approved the funding on May 10, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the project was awarded $720,000 in reimbursable federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding, requiring a $180,000 local match; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 Streets and Sidewalks Bond funds will cover the required 20 percent local match; and
WHEREAS, to receive the reimbursement, the Town must enter into a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to enter into a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for design and construction of the West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lanes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to accept the STBG funds for this project.
This the 29th day of November, 2023.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2015 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS BOND FUND FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (2023-11-29/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, that the following capital project is hereby amended for Streets and Sidewalk Improvements funded from the 2015 General Obligation bonds approved by the voters in November 2015:
“SECTION I
The capital projects as authorized by bond referenda approved in November 2015, and as determined by the Town Council, includes streets and sidewalks capital improvements extending beyond one year.
SECTION II
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with implementation of these projects within terms of funds appropriated here.
SECTION III
Revenues anticipated to be available to the Town to complete the project are hereby amended as follows:

SECTION IV
Amounts appropriated for capital projects are hereby amended as follows:

SECTION V
The Town Manager is hereby directed to report annually on the financial status of the project in an informational section to be included in the Annual Budget, and shall keep the council informed of any unusual circumstances.
SECTION VI
Copies of this amended project ordinance shall be entered into the minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within five days of adoption with the Manager, Business Management Director, and Town Clerk.”
This the 29th day of November, 2023.
end
The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
By adopting the resolution, the Council authorizes the Town Manager to enter into a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and by enacting the project ordinance, the Council accepts and appropriates federal funds for design and construction of the West Cameron Avenue Protected Bike Lanes.