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

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Program Guide Call of 2005 - 2006 Environmental documentation is part of the preliminary engineering process and must be completed prior to construction. To the fullest extent possible, all environmental investigations, reviews, and consultations will be coordinated as a single process. Compliance with all applicable environmental requirements will be reflected in the environmental document along with the conditions of the document approval. All projects involving construction activities require established design standards. For example, the construction of bicycle facilities must be designed in aCcordance with AASHTO's Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. Pedestrian facility projects must comply with AASHTO'S - A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation, where applicable. When projects involve historic properties the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings must be met; and the nominating entity will need to coordinate project plans with the Texas Historical Commission to ensure that all work conforms to appropriate standards and guidelines. Additionally, contract documents must bein conformance with TxDOT's Standard Specifications for the Construction 'of Highways, Streets and Bridges. All plans associated with historical preservation or archaeological activities must have the State Historic Preservation Office of the Texas Historical Commission's approval prior to TxDOT's authorization to proceed with construction. All projects must conform to applicable design specifications consistent with the ADA. While safety is of paramount conc~rn, design solutions that respect the integrity and value of historic preservation, communities, rivers, streams, lakes, coastal areas, wetlands, and other environmental, scenic and aesthetic resources are encouraged. Phase IV - Real Property Acquisition Acquisition of real property for project purposes may be eligible for funding participation, if prior authorization is obtained. Property may be acquired through purchase or donation. Transfers of Title shall be in the name of the public authority that is nominating the project. Cost of property as well as cost associated with the acquisition of property may be eligible. All acquisition activities must be performed in accordance with the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act (Uniform Act), as amended and in conformance with TxDOT's acquisition procedures for federal-aid projects. Relocation assistance costs can be eligible for reimbursement. Applicable environmental reviews and clearances must be completed and approved by TxDOT prior to property acquisition. All exceptions to title and encroachments including, but not limited to, liens and encumbrances, utility facilities requiring relocation, railroad crossing agreements, access issues, and hazardous materials, must be resolved in a manner that does not impact the project. The use of eminent domain to acquire real property for project purposes is not allowed under this program. However, if an entity already owns property that was acquired through eminent domain prior to 1991 and in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, it is possible that it may be used for a project. 31 Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program