Fiscal Note
The Resolution provides for an amendment to the 2014 adopted capital budget of the Facilities Management agency, Project No. 14, "Implement Sustainability Plan," Acc't No. 810778. $250,000 of the total $1,000,000 that is authorized for the project will be allocated to serve as the City matching component for a Federal TIGER grant, for which the City is applying. If the City is awarded Federal TIGER grant funds, a subsequent authorizing Resolution will be required to accept the grant funds and amend the 2014 adopted capital budget to create a new project through which expenditures and revenues will be tracked, subject to Council approval.
Title
Authorizing the City of Madison to apply to the US Department of Transportation's TIGER grant program and amending the 2014 Capital Budget to allocate up to $250,000 in matching funds.
Body
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, the U.S. Congress appropriated $600 million to be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the TIGER VI grant program to government entities for investment in planning and developing transportation infrastructure. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program is designed to support transportation investments that promote the economic development of a city, metropolitan area, or region. Out of the total grant funding available, $35 million has been set aside to plan transportation facilities. The TIGER planning set aside supports planning activities aimed at coordinating transportation, housing and economic development.
WHEREAS, the design of new development and infill redevelopment opportunities can promote transit including bus rapid transit along transportation corridors, better connect low-income neighborhoods to employment, and foster stronger neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison's 2006 Comprehensive Plan, its Zoning Code, and adopted neighborhood and transportation plans support the goal of enhancing transit-oriented development when appropriate opportunities arise; and,
WHEREAS, a new planning software program, the UrbanFootprint developed by Calthorpe & Associates, is a scenario-based planning tool which combines geographic, demographic, transportation and other data streams to analyze the impacts of development scenarios on infrastructure and operating costs, vehicle miles traveled, housing costs, job development, greenhouse gas emissions, health, equity and other metrics; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison would benefit from having Calthorpe & Associates work directly with City staff to deploy and implement the UrbanFootprint; and,
WHEREAS, the City would use the training opportunity to plan the redevelopment of high value sites, such as West Towne and East Towne, to promote transit-oriented development and possible bus rapid transit routes; and,
WHEREAS, the total cost of this project is estimated to be $750,000 of which the City will request $500,000 from the TIGER VI grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the City needs to commit up to $250,000 of non-federal matching funds to this highly competitive application process; and,
WHEREAS, the 2014 Adopted Capital Budget appropriated $1 million in general obligation borrowing for the Implement the Sustainability Plan project; and,
WHEREAS, $250,000 in funds is available in the 2014 Capital Budget for the Implement the Sustainability Plan project; and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of the UrbanFootprint planning tool and planning process, which is to analyze the environmental, fiscal, and health impacts of development, is consistent with the purpose of the Implement the Sustainability Plan project;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Madison City Council authorizes the Planning Division to apply to the TIGER VI grant program for a $500,000 grant to purchase the services of Calthorpe & Associates to assist staff to implement the UrbanFootprint program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council approves amending the 2014 Capital Budget to allocate $250,000 from the Implement the Sustainability Plan project to provide matching funds for the UrbanFootprint planning process project, should the TIGER VI funds be awarded.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Council authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the use of TIGER VI funds should the grant be awarded.