2006-01-09 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting of La Porte City Council

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-- REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: Januarv 23. 2006 Appropriation Requested By: Stephen L. Barr Source of Funds: Department: Parks & Recreation Acc't Number: Report: --K-Resolution: _Ordinance: _ Exhibits: l.tdHe( flOm -rr O'of Amount Budgeted: N/A Amount Requested: N/A Exhibits: Bud!!:eted Item: YES NO N/A Exhibits: SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The Texas Department of Transportation conducts the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program, a federal grant program that is available to assist in transportation, beautification, and historic preservation along roadways and transportation corridors. To quote their program literature, "The federal program provides funding for transportation related activities that promote the quality of our environment through aesthetic enhancements associated with transportation." The program is a "cost reimbursement" program for up to 80% of allowable costs (the grant application package is available for your review in the City Secretary's Office). Staff has identified several projects, presented here for your consideration, as follows: . Complete the Safe Routes to School Project as a S.T.E.P. by continuing southward from the LP city limits, through Shoreacres to the Shady Oaks subdivision (dead end of Spur 501). This is approximately .5 miles and would include the Shady Oaks La Porte section located south of Shoreacres, estimated cost, $200K, CoLP share would be about 40 K. Could share with Shoreacres since the majority of this area is theirs... . Revisit the Five Points Roundabout idea, along with connectivity enhancements along San Jacinto r.o.w., tying in the Sylvan Beach Depot renovations. This project could include tree plantings, street improvements with esplanades, etc. and a linear park utilizing the Binkley triangle (old service station site). This project was somewhat well received by TxDOT last time around, but they asked us for a traffic study. This might be the first step in moving the project forward. I would like to approach Maureen Wakeland for her input before we spend any money for the project. Depending on scope, this project could cost anywhere from $250K to $1 M, so our share would be from $50-200K or more... . Replace aJl the city's historical markers. Most ofthese were set up by the Historical society/city in celebration of the centennial back in 1992. They are pretty dilapidated and need to be replaced with cast aluminum plaques... Estimated cost is $2K each and there are about 15 of them; total estimated cost is $30K and our share would be $6K. This is assuming that TxDOT would even consider such a project... . Replace the Main Street sidewalks with more attractive style; replace the streetlights and "gussy up" Main Street from Broadway to SH146. Estimated cost at $200K, our share $40K. We may be able to solicit help from the Main Street Association. . Continue beautification of SH225 with a palm/planting project at the east side of Battleground Road (freeway plantings currently on west side only). This project would fit well with existing projects and would make our side look much better. Approximate cost of $5k per tree, 20 trees = $1 OOK, our share $20K. . Cemetery enhancement for the Old La Porte Cemetery and the Twilight Cemetery: although this is listed as a possible project for the program, Teri Kaplan (STEP Coordinator) indicated that TxDOT has not funded any cemetery projects and probably would not in the future... The City can submit more than one project. The City's share of the potential projects would be 20%, but it should be noted that any cost overruns must be funded entirely by the match partner, so the City would be obligated for 100% of any cost overruns for approved projects. Grants are due to TxDOT April 28, 2006. Action Required bv Council: Consider and provide direction regarding the City of La Porte's potential S.T.E.P. project grant applications. Approved for Citv Council A2enda I -( ~ ---(j~ IJate '