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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 05-21-2002 - 9a OCOUNTY OMMI BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May21,2002 - Action Age a Item Nn 0_ SUBJECT! Proposed Application to NC DOT Transportation Enhancement Program DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No Conservation (ERGO), Planning ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: NCDOT 2002 Call for Pmjechs David SPoncil,2452590 Draft Resolution Karen Lincoln, 245-2594 Map of Scenic Road Cendcm TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 7324181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 33642274031 PURPOSE: To consider submitting an application b the Noah Carolina Department of Transportation's Enhancement Program for acquisition of conservation easements and biltalanes along identified scenic mad wnidors. BACKGROUND: On April 4,2002, the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced that federal Ponds would be available for community enhancement projects through the NCDOT Enhancement Program. Projects funded through the Enhancement Program contribute to the provision of a -multlmodal transportation system- including multiple, non-motorized modes (as evidenced through the many bicycle, Pedestrian, and mil projects). A total of$10 million will be available statewide (only$577,000 is available in the County's six-county transportation District 7)for projects in the following categories: Pedestrian and bicyde facilities Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites Scenic or historic highway programs • Landscaping and star scenic beautification Historic preservation Rehabilitation of fiscal transportation facilities Preservation of abandoned railway conditions for trails • Control and removal of outdoor advertising • Archaeological planning and research • Em4ronmmael mitigation of pollution due to highway runoff or reduce waide-cause t wildlife mortality Establishment of transportation museums i Although the announcement solidting grant requests was only recently publicized,with a short window of opportunity for submissions, ERCD has worked in cooperation with the Transportation Planner to identify potential projects. Staff proposes requesting funds for the following: Acquisition of conservation easements (through the Lands Legacy program)and construction of blkelanes along identified scenic road corridors (as shown in the adopted Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan). The proposed application would build upon prior County efforts for protecting scenic corridors and rural character by working to protect both scenic easements and provide bike lanes along those segments. Because of the limited funds in the NCDOT program, it is anticipated that any funds awarded would be sufficient only for a pilot scenic easementl bikelene project. The application must be endorsed by the Metropolitan Planning Organization MPO). The Technical Coordineting Committee(TCC)of the MPO will consider proposals in May/June, and the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)of the MPO will consider proposals on June 26. The application.must be submitted to NCDOT no laterthan June 28, 2002. As per the Transportation Enhancement Program guidelines, an application must be accomplished by a resolution from the Board authorizing the application.. A draft resolution is attached FINANCIAL IMPACT: AWWI of$677,000 will be available for the six counties in NCDOT's Division 7. ERCO proposes requesting $250,00010 be matched by$50,000 in Orange Counlys existing Lands Legacy program funds. The grant program requires at least a 20 percent match. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached resell audhodzing the submittal of an application along the lines outlined above to the NC DOT Transportation Enhancement Program prior to the June 28.2002 deadline. a re(.0 fort colossi�r,ti magma 2002 Call for Projects Call for Project information is based on NCDOT Board of Transportation appoval during April 2002 board meeting. The 2002 Call for Projecla is the method whereby funtling Is awarded to spardors throughout the staid who ere responsible for project Implementation Feaeral funds'awart are reimbursed es the sponsor lord costs, $10 million will be available for the 2002 Call for Projects. Submit an application for enhancement funds is a competitive process.during the 19W Cell for Prom ads. l<z applications competed far$12 million Infuntlirg. During me 2000 Call fair Projects,Projects, 199 optics competed for 22 million In funding. Important Dated: Acttvify Date Board of Transportation Issues call for Projects: Apnl a,2002 Deadline for application submittal June 2$2002 Deadline for application revisions August 30,2002 Enhancement Advisory Councils develop recommendations Seplembsr20f2 Board of Transpardman considers recommendations December 4&422002 Board of Transportation funding awards January 089,2003 Program Goals: • Equitable dlsrbutbon of funds for public benefit • Project diversity and geographic distribWOn of funds • Open,competitive,accountable process with miden involvement • Selection prcceas morwsenlaGVe of dt'¢wrship • Provisions for cons lty based projects and stalewids maniflcanl projects • Knowledge of regional needs anticosistenry with reflionel planning grace • Knowledge of sites—environmental conditions,design modifications,wad benefts and local supped for projects • Selection of proposals with greatest merit • Mininnizal of aware Arms by volunteers • Effective and Xmely program Impementallon Project Screening Criteria' • In order V a project to by reiened to the Enhancoment pgval Council(FAO)for project magagom fine projed must meet the fallowing project screening cMaria: • The project must fit within at least one of the transportation enhancement catrywie , • The project must have a door transportation link and be part of a lansponation(or a rgmmunily)planning process. • The poison must W c0-sponsored by an elate government agency who is wiling to accept maintenance(all reasonable costs required to keep the facility In pmpw condtllon for public use anchor warned cost to presence and protect the condition M the completed project)and liability legal obligation and responsidORy for the project upon completion—the NCDOT shell be IndemnTwa from all bridge)responsUilibes. • The project sponsor must be willing to provide at least a 200,cash match,excel far Tier l and Tor aunties where the mgma etl value of right-of-way can be used In lieu of a cash matim. • For proje cts bcated within an Urban Area,the Metropolitan Planning Organlzaflon(MPO)endorsement later 4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION A Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of an Application to the N.C. Transportation Enhancement Program WHEREAS, Orange County has adopted a Bicycle Plan as well as a Scenic Road Combors map as part of the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan: and WHEREAS, the County's Lands Legacy program has over the past two years worked with willing landowners to acquire critical natural and cultural resource lands in the County and WHEREAS, there is a need for bicycle lama on a variety of madwari in Orange County to provide for alternative transportation modes for County citizens; and WHEREAS, the acquisition of scenic easements along identified roadways helps protect the County's rural character and quality of life: and WHEREAS, the NCDOT Tmnsporladon Enhancement Program has issued a call for proposals for Federal funds to he used for a variety of local projects, Including bikelenea and the acquisition of scenic easements: NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Orange County Board of Commissioners authorizes staff and the County Manager to submit an application in the amount of $250,000 for Transportation Enhancement Program Ponds, with a local match of $50,000 from the County, for the purpose of acquiring scenic easements and conducting bikelanes. in Orange County along medweys identified in Me Comprehensive Plan. This, the 27°day of May.2002. Barry Jambs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST Beverly Blythe, Clerk to the Board 5 Scenic Road Corridors N eomuv s�exea� N Rmb