Minutes 11/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 25, 2014 14 - 448 -Adoption of a resolution committing $225,000 in funds appropriated in the FY 2014-2015 Capital Improvements Fund as matching funds fora $900,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the rail to trail conversion of the former Commonwealth Railway property in Churchland. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Background: • The Commonwealth Railway Mainline Safety Relocation Project, completed in 2010, moved rail operations from neighborhoods of Portsmouth and Chesapeake to the median of Route 164. • The Virginia Port Authority currently owns the 1.82 miles of abandoned track in Portsmouth that extends northeast from the city line on High Street to the intersection of Old Coast Guard Blvd. with West Norfolk Road. • The Portsmouth portion is part of the envisioned 41 mile South Hampton Roads Trail between Suffolk and Virginia Beach. Discussion: • Rail to trail projects increase property values and boost economic development. • Conversion of rail to trail will provide Churchland residents a linear recreation and alternative transportation facility. • The rail to trail project will be designed and constructed with funds from this award. • The assessed value of the rail property will be used as the local match. Financial Impact: • The City is responsible fora 20% match to the 80% federal funding. • This match is represented as the transfer of land from the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) to the City of Portsmouth. No actual City funds will be spent on this project. • The assessed value of the property will be substituted for the $225,000 match that this resolution is committing from the CIP. • Staff is currently working with VPA on the land transfer. Recommended Action: • Adoption of the resolution. Vision Principles: Change and New Directions, Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community and Efficient, Responsive Government. Next Steps Following Council Action: • Execute project administration agreement with VDOT. Begin project design. Motion by Mr. Edmonds, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following ordnance, and was adopted by the following vote: "RESOLUTION COMMITTING $225,000 IN FUNDS APPROPRIATED IN THE FY 2014-15 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND AS MATCHING FUNDS FORA $900,000 GRANT FOR THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE RAIL TO TRAIL CONVERSION OF THE FORMER COMMONWEALTH RAILWAY TRACK RIGHT OF WAY. WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution R-13-45 on September 24, 2013, supporting the City's application to the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program ("Program") for funding of the Rail to Trail conversion of the former Commonwealth Railway track right-of-way in Churchland; and WHEREAS, the Program requires that the City commit $225,000 or its equivalent as a match for a grant of $900,000; and WHEREAS, the City has appropriated sufficient funds in the FY 2014-15 Capital Improvements Fund for the required match; and WHEREAS, upon transfer of title to the right-of-way to the City, the assessed value of the property will be substituted for the cash match.