2004-12-13 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting

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from the Recreation & Fitness Center to the new pedestrian bridge over Little Cedar Bayou. While this pathway does not meet AASHTO standards, it is very nice and serviceable and was installed for approximately $28 per linear foot. At this cost, a mile of concrete pathway could be installed for $150,000, or a little less than twice the cost for design (to federal and AASHTO standards) of the 5 mile Pasadena connector. Staff recommendation is that Council consider budgeting funding for 1 mile per year on the Pasadena Connector route without TxDOT assistance, at a rate somewhat higher than the 20% match rate required through TxDOT but much quicker and a more sure method. By dedicating $150,000 per year to trails, the City could have 80% of the Pasadena Connector installed before it would even be considered for matching funds through CMAQ, SRS, or other federal funding mechanisms. Summary Staff is requesting Council direction before moving forward with bicycle and pedestrian (and equestrian) trail implementation for La Porte. As discussed, there are opportunities for recreational trail implementation that will meet our plan and are possible grant funding candidates. Another possibility is for partnerships with neighboring cities, the Port Authority, and Harris County to subsidize the cost to our citizens. In both the 2000 Park and Open Space Master Plan, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Implementation Plan public forums, bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian trails ranked among the highest park and recreation needs, by La Porte citizens. The Plan calls for implantation of approximately 36 miles of trails, through the year 2021, at an estimated cost of $10.5 million. With the completion of the Safe Routes to School portion and the connector pathway from the RFC to Little Cedar Bayou, we will have about 2.5 miles of that completed by the end of this fiscal year. The city will need to allocate funds for seed money for grants and to fund smaller in-house projects that will help us to meet these needs. The key to successful funding is to have our share of the needed funding in place in order to aggressively compete for grant aid for future projects. Otherwise, we will not be successful in this very worthwhile endeavor. I have included a copy of the HGAC Draft 2025 Regional Transportation Plan, Appendix "C" Regional Bikeway Plan Update, as well as the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department proposed changes in grant processing, for your review, as well as the cost estimate pages from the La Porte Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Implementation Plan. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about these issues. Attachments Page 4 of 4