Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager
 
 

Date

June 4, 2007

 

Agenda Item No.      8

Roll Call No.              07-

Communication No.  07-323

Submitted by:  Jeb E. Brewer, P.E.

                         City Engineer

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Approving and authorizing the execution of a revised Iowa Department of Transportation agreement to reallocate funding from the Fleur Trail Connector project to the American Discovery Trail – Segment 4 project.

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend approval of Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) revised Agreement No. 05‑STPES‑147 to reallocate Federal Surface Transportation Program – Transportation Enhancement funds from the Fleur Trail Connector project to the American Discovery Trail – Segment 4 project.  The IDOT has approved this reallocation of funding, up to a maximum of $573,090.  The City’s portion of the project, consisting of the design, inspection, and construction costs, is estimated to be $401,910.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount:  $975,000 (estimate of total project cost)

 

Funding Source:

(City funding)  $401,910 2007-08 CIP, Page Parks-22, Recreational Trails, PKS045, G.O. Bonds

(Non-city funding) $573,090 Federal Surface Transportation Program – Transportation Enhancement Funds

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

On June 20, 2005, under Roll Call 05-1577, the City Council approved and authorized the execution of an agreement between the City of Des Moines and the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Fleur Trail Connector, and a Chapter 28E agreement between the City of Des Moines and the Board of Water Works Trustees of the City of Des Moines for construction and funding of the Fleur Trail Underpass project.  Bids for this project were received by the Iowa Department of Transportation on October 18, 2005.  On December 5, 2005, under Roll Call 05-2421, the City Council rejected all bids because the low bid of $1,032,017.20 exceeded the project budget and Des Moines Water Works was unable to obtain sufficient donations to fund the local share of the project.

 

On February 7, 2007, under Roll Call 07-178, the City Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate a Termination Agreement of the Chapter 28E Agreement between the City of Des Moines and the Board of Water Works Trustees of the City of Des Moines for the construction and funding of the Fleur Trail Underpass project.  This roll call also authorized the Mayor to submit a request to the Iowa Department of Transportation to terminate the Fleur Trail Connector project and reallocate the project funding.

 

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has agreed to reallocate the project funding to a recreation trail project that accomplishes the same goal as originally envisioned.  The American Discovery Trail – Segment 4 project will connect the Meredith Trail at the southeast corner of Gray’s Lake to the Bill Riley Trail in Water Works Park.  The City has recently purchased the abandoned railroad right-of-way north of Thomas Beck Road and Bell Avenue for the future Southwest Connector project.  Segment 4 of the American Discovery Trail is proposed to be located on the northern edge of the abandoned railroad right-of-way and will be able to go under Fleur Drive, utilizing the existing viaduct over the railroad tracks.  The trail would extend from the existing Meredith Trail westerly to S.W. 30th Street, and then proceed northerly along S.W. 30th Street to Water Works Park.  This project would link Gray’s Lake Park and Water Works Park as originally intended.  Design of the project will begin after approval of the Iowa DOT agreement, with construction anticipated during 2008.

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

 

Date:  February 7, 2007

 

Roll Call Number:  07-178

 

Action:   Authorizing request to IDOT to terminate IDOT Agreement for Fleur Underpass Project, and reallocation of funding; and authorizing negotiations and termination of 28E Agreement with Water Works for the same project.  (Council Communication No. 07-075)  Moved by Coleman adopt, and refer to City Manager to review alternatives to this project.  Motion Carried 4-3.

 

Date:  December 5, 2005

 

Roll Call Number:  05-2927

 

Action:   Resolution to REJECT all bids on Fleur Trail Connector (deferred from November 21 meeting).  Moved by Kiernan to adopt.  Motion Carried 5-1-1.  Pass:  Coleman.  Absent:  Hensley.

 

Date:  June 20, 2005

 

Roll Call Number:  05-1577

 

Action:   Iowa Department of Transportation Agreement for Fleur Trail Connector/Underpass and Intergovernmental 28E Agreement with Des Moines Water Works.  (Council Communication No. 05‑349)  Moved by Hensley to adopt.  Motion Carried 6-1.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S):  NONE

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: 

 

Normal Council actions on consultant services for design and construction administration, and construction contracts.