The 5^th Avenue North Corridor Feasibility Study contract with KLJ is submitted to City Council for approval after being delayed for 30 days by the Council at its May 23 meeting. At the May 23 meeting, concerns were raised by Council and members of the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD) regarding input and knowledge of this project. There were additional comments that property owners adjacent to the corridor were concerned about the impact of this study on their properties. Staff cannot address the potential impacts of the study on adjacent property until the study is underway and property owner discussions and study analysis work begins. However, written into the contract with KLJ is an Initial Feasibility Evaluation of the corridor to determine which elements of the study, if any, should proceed for further analysis.
 
Council directed Planning staff to meet with the BIRD to discuss the study including the planning process and the type of public participation that will be included.  Transportation Planning Coordinator Scott Walker attended the monthly BIRD Board meeting on June 14th. He provided history on why the 5th Avenue North Corridor Feasibility Study was brought forward based on the 1997 Downtown Framework Plan, 2008 North Park Neighborhood Plan, and the 2009 East Billings Urban Renewal District Master Plan. He also explained that staff was directed to move forward with the plan when it was approved as part of the 2016 Unified Planning Work Program by the City Council, Board of County Commissioners and Yellowstone County Board of Planning acting as the Policy Coordinating Committee in September 2015. The BIRD Board discussed the project and was unable to come to a consensus either to formally support or not support the plan. The Board may provide additional comments at the June 27 Council meeting.

The 5^th Avenue North Corridor Feasibility Study was programmed by the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization to review potential connections, including non-traditional motorized and non-motorized facilities, along the 5^th Avenue North Corridor between North 32^nd Street and Main Street (approximately 2 miles) and includes the railroad spur at North 23^rd extending to Montana Avenue. This project is programmed in the adopted 2016 Billings Urban Area Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP is developed each year and identifies tasks to be completed through the use of Federal Planning dollars allocated to the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Study will include an examination of existing right-of-way and corridor information including width, ownership, and existing uses.  An analysis of the existing corridor conditions, including opportunities and constraints within and along the corridor will be provided, along with a description of the types of non-traditional motorized and non-motorized transportation elements that might function in the corridor in the future.  As part of this study, initial cost estimates for various improvement alternatives and possible funding sources will be included.  This study will involve extensive public involvement of the adjacent property owners, MRL and BNSF Railroad Companies, downtown organizations, and other interested and vested individuals.  A project steering committee will be established as well as a project website. This Planning Study will require completion of the scope of work and a final document package within approximately 10 months of contract signing. The negotiated contract cost will not exceed $80,000.

City Council may:

• Approve the Consultant Agreement with KLJ for a total contract amount not to exceed $80,000, or;
• Not approve the Consultant Agreement with KLJ and direct staff to develop an acceptable alternative.  Since the project was programmed in the 2016 UPWP, altering it may be difficult.
   

The 5^th Avenue North Corridor Study was programmed into the 2016 UPWP. The UPWP is the document that outlines activities for the Planning Division staff as well as budgeting the Federal Planning funds received by the Billings MPO. The UPWP was recommended for approval by the City Council on September 14, 2015 and approved by the Policy Coordinating Committee on September 15, 2015. The Montana Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration supported the local approval for the 2016 UPWP for the 2016 Federal Fiscal year. The 5^th Avenue North Corridor Study is 100% reimbursed through the Federal Planning funds received by the Billings MPO.

Staff recommends that the Council approve the contract not to exceed $80,000 with KLJ to complete the 5^th Avenue North Corridor Study and authorize the Mayor to sign the consultant agreement.