Title
Resolution to Approve a Cost Sharing Agreement with the Downtown Development Authority for the Downtown Area Circulation Study ($209,674.00) and to Appropriate $19,334.00 from the General Fund Unobligated Fund Balance (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve a cost sharing agreement with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”) for the Downtown Area Circulation Study.
There are many demands on the downtown public rights-of-way and those demands are changing and growing. The Downtown Area Circulation Study (DAC) is a tool to understand downtown transportation operations, guide future projects in a coordinated manner, and help both the DDA and the City prioritize projects that best align with adopted values. The study includes a(n):
• Active transportation prioritization plan (remaining bike connections into and through downtown)
• Transit street prioritization plan
• Fifth & Division two-way traffic feasibility study
• Event streets feasibility study (e.g., shared street, pedestrian mall)
• Multimodal operational model (to inform the feasibility, benefits, and trade-offs of the collective street changes)
This study is identified in the City’s Capital Improvements Plan (Project # TR-OT-24-51) in FY 2024 and will build on earlier data collection efforts, adopted plans, and community conversations.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The total anticipated cost for the project is $577,613.00 and is proposed to be split between the DDA and City at 67% / 33% respectively. This results in a cost to the DDA of $387,001.00 and a cost to the City of $190,612.00. Additionally, a 10% contingency is suggested which would total $57,761.00; with the DDA’s portion being $38,700.00 and the City’s portion being $19,061.00. This brings the City’s total anticipated contribution to this effort to be $209,674.00. The City’s portion of tasks 1-5 was approved in the FY2024 Major Streets Fund Operations Budget. Task 6 of the scope of services is not an eligible expenditure of the Major Street Fund; therefore, are requesting the appropriation from the General Fund unobligated fund balance to fund task 6.
Staff
Prepared by: Raymond Hess, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Brian Steglitz, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City and the DDA have a commitment to understand how best to address the mobility needs of downtown;
Whereas, An approach that draws from past and existing policies, projects, plans, data collection, and community conversations will help identify the best way to coordinate a circulation strategy for downtown;
Whereas, One of two critical goals of the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Plan is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries resulting from traffic crashes by 2025;
Whereas, One of two critical goals of the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Plan is to transition to a carbon-neutral transportation system by 2030;
Whereas, Both the Moving Together Toward Vision Zero Plan and A2Zero Carbon Neutrality plan call for 50% reduction of vehicle miles travelled, which will require the City to reduce or eliminate the focus on congestion mitigation and sufficiency of parking, and instead assess prioritization of access for sustainable transportation modes;
Whereas, The City’s Capital Improvements Plan identifies the Downtown Circulation Study as a FY2024 project;
Whereas, The City and the Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”) agreed it would be beneficial to collaborate in the development of a downtown area circulation study;
Whereas, The City and DDA have drafted the attached cost-sharing agreement for the the Downtown Area Circulation Study; and
Whereas, Approximately $210,000.00 of the contract costs are attributable to the City and will be reimbursed to the DDA, making the DDA’s net expenditure approximately $426,000.00;
RESOLVED, That $19,334.00 be appropriated from the General Fund Unobligated fund balance to the Engineering General Fund Operations and Maintenance Budget; thereby increasing the revenue and expenditure budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the attached Cost Sharing Agreement with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority for the Downtown Area Circulation Study;
RESOLVED, That the City of Ann Arbor shall contribute up to $209,674.00 to the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority for the Downtown Area Circulation Study;
RESOLVED, That the funding for this initiative is to be available without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said agreement 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 and to approve amendments to the agreement within the project budget.
As Amended and Approved by Ann Arbor City Council on July 6, 2023