03-14-2012 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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tgaitic .Ilis0a411 s tea nuatu Memo TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Lee Elfering, City Engineer DATE: March 7, 2012 RE: Waterworks Trail Railroad Crossing DNR Local Trail Connections Grant Background As you are aware the City applied for a Local Trail Connections grant from the DNR last fall to assist in funding the trail crossing over the BNSF tracks at the south end of Spruce Street by Frattalones. We were unsuccessful in that round of funding, but the DNR is now accepting applications for the 2013 Local Trail Connections grant program. We have spoken to the DNR regarding our original application and inquired about other possible funding that may be available. Due to the fact that the City is in the metro area the other DNR grants are not available as sources and they recommended we reapply for this round of the Local Trail Connections grant process. The setup of this grant program is nearly identical to the regional grant applied for last fall and provides a 75/25 "cash match" reimbursement, but the maximum permissible request this cycle is $150,000. In summary if the City were awarded a grant the City would complete the project and fully pay for it, then provide documentation of the costs and receive 75% of eligible costs up to the amount of the grant award. The application deadline for the Local Trail Connection Program is Friday, March 30, 2012 and the grant awards will be announced in July of 2012. If the grant was awarded and all necessary paperwork and documentation completed quickly it is possible the trail connection could be built late this summer, however it may be necessary to ask for an extension on our construction period allowed by the BNSF crossing permit we have already received. All projects that receive a grant award must be completed by June 30, 2014. Summary If received, a DNR Local Trail Connection Program grant could provide up to 75% of the anticipated $162,000 of project cost that is estimated for the railroad crossing and realignment of the existing trail around the St. Paul Regional Water wells. At this time we are asking for an official resolution from Council supporting the grant application. If you have any questions or concerns please call me at (763) 780 -0450 extension 3. 10062 Flanders Court NE — Blaine, MN 55449 — Ph'. (763) 780 -0450 Fax (763) 780 -0452 Mein- 030712- (Grant Application)