Title
Resolution to Accept and Approve a Grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation ($3,508,000.00), for the Ann Arbor Rail Passenger Station Project (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve a contract between the City and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for federal High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program funding for conceptual planning, preparation of and acquisition of approvals for environmental documentation and preliminary engineering that are required in advance of the final design and construction of the Ann Arbor Rail Passenger Station. These efforts are a necessary part of the planning and project development associated with the Ann Arbor Rail Passenger Station project, which includes development of an intercity passenger rail station, associated platforms and rail infrastructure related to the station. The contract is required so that this project can be performed as a federal aid project.
HSIPR funding provides for 80% of the participating project costs (up to $2,806,400.00). A local share of 20% of the funding (up to $701,600.00) is required.
The project consists of completion of conceptual planning, project-level environmental documentation and preliminary engineering relating to the proposed Ann Arbor Rail Passenger Station to improve the existing Amtrak intercity passenger rail service on the Detroit to Chicago corridor.
The federal Notice of Funding Availability allows for reimbursement of eligible expenditures since February 17, 2009. For the local share, the City expects to use local funds already expended for conceptual planning, environmental documentation efforts and some preliminary engineering necessary to those tasks, to serve as the local share of this project's funding. Expenses for contractual work and staff time on those efforts should serve as the required local share (up to $701,600.00) of the project funding. Those efforts were funded by the Major Street, Alternative Transportation and Economic Development Funds in the FY10 through FY12 budgets, along with University of Michigan funding, all as previously approved by City Council, with additional funds available, if needed, from the approved FY13 budget.
Like all such projects, MDOT will serve as the contract agency with the Federal Railroad Administration and this contract identifies the City of Ann Arbor as the project manager and subcontractor to MDOT. One requirement for this type of project is that the City enters into a Contract with the State stipulating the funding split and other rights and responsibilities of the parties. It is the same form of agreement that we have used on other federally funded projects.
Staff
Prepared by: Eli Cooper, Transportation Program Manager
Reviewed by: Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded funds for the conceptual planning, preparation of and acquisition of approvals for environmental documentation and some preliminary engineering relating to the proposed Ann Arbor Rail Passenger Station to improve the existing Amtrak intercity passenger rail service on the Detroit to Chicago corridor;
Whereas, The completion of such tasks will allow for future final design and construction of an improved intercity passenger rail station;
Whereas, Funding for the required local share is available from expenditures already made out of the FY10 through FY12 budgets, and, if needed, from the approved FY13 General Fund Budget; and
Whereas, A contract is required between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the City of Ann Arbor;
RESOLVED, That the City accept the Federal Railroad Administration grant in the amount of $2,806,400.00 through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and approve the contract with MDOT;
RESOLVED, That the grant funds be appropriated to the FY12 Major Grant Fund (Fund 00MG) for the life of the project, regardless of fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said contract after approval as to form by the City Attorney, and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.