Blaine logo
File #: RES 21-160    Version: 1 Name: Resolution Supporting TH65 TED Grant Request
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 8/16/2021 In control: City Council
On agenda: 8/16/2021 Final action: 8/16/2021
Title: A Resolution Supporting a Transportation and Economic Development (TED) Program Application
Sponsors: Jon Haukaas

CONSENT AGENDA - Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works

 

Title

Title

A Resolution Supporting a Transportation and Economic Development (TED) Program Application

end

 

Executive Summary

The City of Blaine desires to apply for grant funding under the Transportation and Economic Development (TED) program to be used toward the construction of the Trunk Highway West Frontage Road between 99th Avenue and 109th Avenue.  A supporting resolution is required from the requesting agency to show local support for the proposal.

 

Background

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Transportation Economic Development Program (TED) provides competitive funding awards to construction projects on state highways that provide measurable economic benefits. The economic benefits may be local, regional or statewide in geographic scale.  A total of $20 million in trunk highway funds are available from MnDOT for the 2021 TED solicitation.  The maximum award provided to any one project in this TED solicitation will be $5 million.

 

The City of Blaine has been planning improvements along the TH65 corridor for several years with a recently completed Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. Current Phase 1 Environmental Review and Preliminary Design efforts are focused on Segment 2 between 99th Ave through 117th Ave.

 

With this application, the City of Blaine is seeking funding to support the design and construction of a West Frontage Road between 99th Avenue and 109th Avenue.  A functional frontage road system is critical to efficient and effective operation of TH65 through Blaine.  This project would complete one of the remaining missing sections of frontage road.

 

The overall Trunk Highway (TH) 65 Improvements Project (Project) will improve the flow of traffic, expand access for multiple modes of transportation, and improve safety through the City of Blaine by constructing a grade separated intersections, improving connections to frontage roads, as well as safe bike and pedestrian passage.

 

Strategic Plan Relationship

This action relates directly to three priorities of the City of Blaine Strategic Plan:

                     Item 5 - TH 65 Improvements

o                     Project Funding Alignment

                     Item 3 - Financial Health

o                     Well managed Capital resources

                     Item No. 6 - Well Maintained Infrastructure. 

o                     High Quality street surfaces

 

Board/Commission Review

N/A.

 

Financial Impact

The City has contracted with the HDR Engineering, the firm awarded the design phases of the project, to assist in developing the necessary data and writing the application for these grants as additional services.

 

The entire cost to improve the TH65 intersections from 99th Ave to 117th Ave is estimated to be in excess of $120M.  Therefore it is critical to look for funding from a multitude of sources. 

 

The City has approved $2,000,000 in its Capital Improvement Plan as a local match toward the necessary intersection improvements on TH65.  We also have commitments from Anoka County and MnDOT to contribute additional funds.  Grants of over $20M have been secured so far.  We have submitted for several federal grant opportunities and the Senate’s congressionally directed funding program and will continue to apply for more opportunities as they come up. 

 

Public Outreach/Input

The overall project has been the focus of a major public outreach throughout its initial Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.  As the projects continues through the design phases, additional outreach will be part of the process.

 

Staff Recommendation

By motion, adopt the following resolution supporting the City’s applications for 2022 state bond funding.

 

Body

WHEREAS, Trunk Highway 65 is a principal arterial located within the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Anoka County, Minnesota, and is a vital link for traffic traveling between the Twin Cities urban core and northern suburban and exurban communities. The roadway is a four-lane divided configuration serving between 40,000 and 60,000 vehicles per day, similar to Interstate 35W; and

 

WHEREAS, The City of Blaine has been planning improvements along this corridor for several years and is nearing the end of a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for it. The full set of improvements planned for TH 65 in Blaine extend from its intersection at 97th Ave to its intersection at 117th Ave through central parts of the city.; and

 

WHEREAS, the construction of a West Frontage Road in support of the Trunk Highway (TH) 65 Improvements is critical for a properly functioning highway to improve the flow of traffic and improve safety as well as safe bike and pedestrian passage.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine acts as the legal sponsor for the TH 65 Access Improvements; West Frontage Road project and requests funding from the Transportation Economic Development (TED) Program of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Blaine has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure matching funds and adequate construction of the proposed project.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Blaine has not violated any Federal, State or local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt practice.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, the City of Blaine may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above-referenced project(s), and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in all contract agreements.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, the City of Blaine has committed up to $1,000,000.00 towards the local match requirement.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, the City of Blaine confirms if the project cost increases above the amount listed in the Application, the City of Blaine will provide or secure all additional funds necessary to complete the project. 

 

The City of Blaine certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules of the Application.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the sources and uses, private investors, equity, and other financing commitment represented in the attached document are accurate.

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager or their successors in office, are hereby authorized to execute such agreements, and amendments thereto, as are necessary to implement the project(s) on behalf of the city of Blaine.

 

PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 16th day of August, 2021.