Minutes 08/08/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 8, 2023 Background:  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program Grant focuses on disadvantaged communities by providing funding for projects that seek to remove, retrofit, or mitigate highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.  The environmental conditions and flooding in the NW corner of Prentis Park at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Complex can be directly attributed to the construction of I-264 and the CSX railyard. Discussion:  RCP Planning grants are intended to support future construction projects.  The City intends to submit a planning grant application to perform a drainage study and complete the design for the recommended improvements needed to alleviate the flooding in this corridor.  During the debrief for a previous grant submittal for this project, DOT representatives indicated that formal support from the governing body would strengthen the application. Financial Impact:  The City is applying for a $500,000 grant to study and design drainage improvements in Prentis Park.  The local match would be 20% or $100,000. Recommended Action:  Adopt the resolution of support. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The City will submit the grant application. Motion by Mr. Tillage, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH’S RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES PILOT PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program focuses on disadvantaged communities by providing funding for projects that seek to remove, retrofit, or mitigate highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development; and WHEREAS, the environmental conditions and flooding in the northwest corner of the Prentis Park neighborhood in the vicinity of the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Complex is directly attributable to the construction of Interstate 264 and the CSX railyard; and WHEREAS, RCP Planning Grants are intended to support future construction projects; and WHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth intends to submit an RCP Planning Grant application for a $500,000 grant to perform a drainage study and complete the design for the improvements necessary to alleviate flooding in the above-referenced corridor; and WHEREAS, City Council desires to declare its support for the RCP Planning Grant application; and WHEREAS, City Council acknowledges that a local match in the amount of $100,000 will be required should the application be approved and funded;