Adopt Resolution #16-12-228 Authorizing FASTLANE Funding Application for Ramsey Boulevard Railway Grade Separation Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #16-12-228 authorizing Staff to submit a second funding application request for $11,000,000 through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program for grade separating Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway crossing north of Highway 10.

Background:
The existing at-grade vehicle and pedestrian crossings of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway at Ramsey Boulevard are unsafe and result in traffic congestion and mobility issues along both Highway 10 and Ramsey Boulevard.  The existing at-grade railway crossing also causes delays in emergency response times of several minutes or more when trains are present.  These issues would best be resolved by grade separating the BNSF railway crossing from Ramsey Boulevard.
 
In September of 2014, the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Anoka County Highway Department, and the Metropolitan Council, completed the Highway 10 Access Planning Study.  This Study includes an Implementation Plan that identifies 21 proposed improvement projects along the Highway 10 corridor through Anoka and Ramsey.  Each of the identified projects are prioritized in the implementation plan as immediate, short-term, mid-term, or opportunity/ development/safety driven projects.  The Ramsey Boulevard railway underpass project is identified in the plan as an opportunity/development/safety driven priority.  Attached is the implementation plan from the study for reference.

On October 28^th, 2014, the City Council adopted the Highway 10 Access Planning Study, thereby supporting the mutual goals and objectives of the various agencies to improving the operations and safety of Highway 10 in balance with local community values.  In support of these goals and objectives, City staff wishes to submit an application for $11,000,000 in grant funding through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program for grade separating Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway crossing north of Highway 10.
 
The City submitted its first FASTLANE grant application for the Ramsey Boulevard Railway Underpass improvement project in April 2016 but was unsuccessful in obtaining funding at that time.  Staff recently held a teleconference with United States Department of Transportation officials for the purpose of reviewing the City’s first application to see if anything should be changed in future submittals. In summary, Staff was told the first application passed all initial teams and was reviewed by the Commissioner along with all other small project finalists.  The USDOT officials felt we might be able to refine our benefit cost analysis (BCA) to include additional benefits and costs, but noted this did not result in the project not being awarded funding.  Staff is therefore reviewing the BCA to see if it can be further refined before submitting.
 
This second FASTLANE application has the same requirements as the first application so no external costs were required to refresh and resubmit it.  However, if this application is also unsuccessful in being awarded funding, Staff recommends exploring costs for hiring a consultant to complete the BCA. Staff received a preliminary verbal quote of $10,000 to complete the BCA.  Staff understands that future solicitations for FASTLANE grant funds are to be released in the coming months and years and therefore recommends submitting applications with each round of solicitations.

Notifications are not required for this case.

Observations:
Staff obtained letters of support for the first FASTLANE grant application from local businesses including Connexus Energy, PSD, and Vision Ease.  Congressional letters of support are being sought for this second application.
 
If the City is not successful in securing the requested grant funding, this application can be repurposed to apply for other funds such as Cooperative Agreement funding, for which applications are anticipated to be due next spring with a maximum funding amount of up to $750,000. 

FASTLANE grant applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov web site no later than 7 PM CST (8 PM EST) on Thursday, December 15th, 2016.  A copy of the FASTLANE II Notice of Funding Opportunity is attached for reference.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 - Adopt Resolution #16-12-228 authorizing Staff to submit a funding application seeking $11,000,000 through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program to grade separate Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway crossing north of Highway 10.

Alternative #2 - Deny adoption of Resolution #16-12-228 at this time.

The current estimated cost for constructing the proposed Ramsey Boulevard underpass north of Highway 10 is $22,000,000.  If the City is successful in obtaining the requested grant funds of $11,000,000 an estimated local match of $11,000,000 will be required.  Staff is currently working with Anoka County to verify the proposed funding sources and cost splits shown in the attached FASTLANE grant application from April of 2016 are still viable.  City match funds could come from the Public Improvement Revolving Fund, but any local cost share requests would require future Council approval.

Costs for completing and submitting the first application in April of 2016 included $1,700 for the assistance of Bolton and Menk, Inc. to develop detailed cost estimates and graphics.  City staff handled the bulk of the application preparation and submittal duties.  As previously noted, no consultants were required to refresh and resubmit this second FASTLANE grant application.

City staff recommends adopting Resolution #16-12-228 authorizing Staff to submit a funding application seeking $11,000,000 through the FASTLANE grant program for the purpose of grade separating Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway crossing north of Highway 10 per the concept layout attached.

Motion to adopt, or deny adoption of, Resolution #16-12-228 authorizing Staff to submit a funding application for $11,000,000 through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program to grade separate the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway crossing from Ramsey Boulevard north of Highway 10.