The City of Billings is seeking funding for the 25th Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge over the Montana Rail Link tracks. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant for the year 2011 is due on July 1, 2010, and staff is recommending the City apply for funds toward the bridge project. The City Council is being asked for approval to submit this grant application. The grant application form is attached for reference. It will be completed by staff as per Council approval. The RTP grant is designated for the development of trails and has one grant available annually for a maximum amount of $70,000, and other grants available annually for up to $35,000. This application will ask for the maximum grant of $70,000 but lesser amounts can be awarded by the program. The RTP grant provides reimbursement after monies have been expended for construction and requires a 20% local match. The match of $14,000 (for the $70,000 grant) or $7,000 (for the $35,000 grant) could be provided through a BikeNet contribution as the organization was willing to provide up to $25,000 for the bridge project. The overall bridge project is currently estimated at about $800,000. To move forward with this grant application and complete the attached form, the Council needs to approve the application and authorize the Mayor to sign the application document.

The City Council may:

• Approve the submittal of a Recreational Trails Program grant for a portion of the 25th Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge project; or
• Not approve the submittal of a Recreational Trails Program grant for a portion of the 25th Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge project and look for other funding sources to complete the project.

There should not be any negative financial impact to the City by applying for this grant. The Recreational Trails Program Grant is being written to provide some funding for the 25th Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge over the railroad tracks and connect to the on-street bike lanes along So. 25th Street with an eventual connection to the trail along the Yellowstone River by Coulson Park and PPL Montana. The application will request $70,000 which is the maximum amount the City could receive, but will also allow the City to be awarded a lesser amount of grant funds. This grant provides reimbursement after monies have been expended for the development and requires a 20% match. The match, which will not exceed $14,000, will be provided by BikeNet as it has committed up to $25,000 for the Bridge project. The total project is estimated to cost $800,000.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the submittal by staff of a Recreational Trails Program grant for up to $70,000 for the 25th Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge project and authorize the Mayor to sign the grant application.