Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of Surface Transportation Program Funding Requests
Body
Issue:
On March 4, 2013, Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) issued an expedited call for grant projects in the federal Surface Transportation Program (STP). Because grant applications were due March 21, 2013 under a very tight timeline, City staff submitted three projects and now seeks City Council approval of the priority of the projects submitted.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to approve the priority of the projects submitted for federal STP grants through TRPC.
Staff Contact:
Randy Wesselman, Public Works Transportation, 753.8477
Presenter(s):
Randy Wesselman, Public Works Transportation, 753.8477
Background and Analysis:
Each year, staff looks for federal and state grant opportunities to stretch City dollars and help complete our highest priority projects in the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP).
The City of Olympia is estimated to receive approximately $2,196,043 in federal STP funds over the next six-years (2013-2018). Depending on the number of grant applications received, only a portion of this amount will be available for obligation in 2013 and 2014.
Priorities for the 2013/2014 regional STP funding process are those projects or programs that improve the safety, preservation and efficiency of the multimodal transportation system. Our proposed projects meet this criteria and are consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan.
Additionally, new accountability measures are in place concerning obligation of project funds. Failure to obligate funds in a timely manner will result in sanctioning of funds. Funds could be removed from a project and from the region, and will not be restored. Construction type projects will no longer be awarded full funding at the time of project selection. Funds are awarded on a phase-by-phase basis. For this reason, Olympia's proposed projects for 2013/2014 funding are to complete design and planning work.
Regional STP...
Click here for full text