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Leon County
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Item#13 December 13, 2022 |
| To: | Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board |
| From: | Vincent S. Long, County Administrator |
| Title: | Approval for the County to be the Willing Manager to Maintain the Future U.S. 90 Multiuse Trail in Support of the Florida Department of Transportation Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Grant Application |
| Review and Approval: | Vincent S. Long, County Administrator |
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Department/Division Review and Approval: |
Alan Rosenzweig, Deputy County Administrator Ken Morris, Assistant County Administrator Brent Pell, Director, Public Works |
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Lead Staff/ Project Team: |
Charles Wu, Director, Engineering Services |
Statement of Issue:
This item seeks Board approval for the County to be the Willing Manager (maintenance entity) for a segment of multiuse trail which may be constructed in the future along U.S. 90 from Pedrick Road to the Leon/Jefferson County Line. A Willing Manager that will assume maintenance of the facility once it is constructed, is required for the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency to be eligible to submit a grant application to the Florida Department of Transportation for a Project Development and Environment Study. This segment in unincorporated Leon County is part of the proposed Tallahassee to Monticello Trail (US 90) and a priority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s SUN Trail Network.
Fiscal Impact:
This item has no current fiscal impact. If the trail grant application is approved, the County would be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the trail, which is estimated to cost $22,000 annually. A subsequent agreement with FDOT will be brought back to the Board prior to the completion of the project’s design to establish the County’s maintenance responsibilities.
Staff Recommendation:
Option #1: Approve the County to be the Willing Manager to maintain the future US 90 Multiuse Trail in support of the FDOT SUN Trail Grant Application, to conduct a Project Development and Environment Study by the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency, and authorize the County Administrator to execute the Certification of Willing Manager for trail maintenance (Attachment #1), subject to legal review by the County Attorney.
Report and Discussion
Background:
This item seeks Board approval for the County to be the Willing Manager (maintenance entity) for a segment of multiuse trail which may be constructed in the future along U.S. 90 from Pedrick Road to the Leon/Jefferson County Line. A Willing Manager that will assume maintenance of the facility once it is constructed, is required for the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) to be eligible to submit a grant application to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for a Project Development and Environment Study (PD&E). This segment in unincorporated Leon County is part of the proposed Tallahassee to Monticello Trail (US 90) and a priority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s SUN Trail Network.
This trail project advances the following FY 2022-FY 2026 Strategic Initiative:
This particular Strategic Initiative aligns with the Board’s Economy Strategic Priorities:
The sidewalk projects advance the following FY 2022- FY 2026 Strategic Initiative:
This particular Strategic Initiative aligns with the Board’s Quality of Life Strategic Priorities:
The Tallahassee to Monticello Trail (US 90) is a component of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) SUN Trail Network and is designated a Priority Corridor. Each year, $25,000,000 is allocated statewide for the implementation of the SUN Trail program, and FDOT administers the program. The Coastal Trail along US 98 in Wakulla County was the first SUN Trail funded project in the region. Due to be completed in 2025, the Coastal Trail extends from Surf Road at Ochlockonee Bay to Lighthouse Road north of the St. Marks Lighthouse. This 24-mile trail represents a significant investment in the local economy and combined with its connection to the St. Marks Trail into Downtown Tallahassee, an international ecotourism attraction. The completion of the Tallahassee to Monticello Trail would serve to substantially increase the regional trail network and provide greater economic opportunities. This Trail would link to the JR Alford Greenway via Pedrick Road and eventually the St. Marks Trail via a planned connection through Southwood and along the current path along Capital Circle SE (Attachment #2).
In May 2022, the CRTPA Board approved the Feasibility Study for the Tallahassee to Monticello Trail (Attachment #3). The feasibility study included a review of existing traffic conditions, right of way concerns, environmental conditions, historical resources, connectivity to regional and state trail systems and special locations of note along the corridor. The Feasibility Study concluded, based on available data, there is adequate right-of-way along the corridor to construct a 10-12’ wide multiuse trail from Pedrick Road to Downtown Monticello, a distance of approximately 21 miles. There are approximately 12.4 miles of the 21-mile trail in Leon County. The Study identified several alignments along the corridor but did not identify a preferred alignment. A preferred alignment will be identified as part of the PD&E Study. One of the recommendations of the study was to review potential alignments that would bypass the interchange at US 90 via Miles Johnson (or another roadway) to the Miccosukee Greenway back to Pedrick Road. The Study also identified several environmental issues that would need further review in the PD&E Study.
Analysis:
The PD&E Study for the section from the Leon County Line to Monticello is currently funded in FY 2023. The CRTPA is currently developing a SUN Trail grant application for the funding of $1.4 million for the PD&E Study from Pedrick Road to the Leon/Jefferson County Line (Attachment #1). One of the requirements for SUN Trail funding is that a non-FDOT entity must assume maintenance of the facility once it is constructed. Maintenance by Leon County for the trail segment from Pedrick Road to the Leon County/Jefferson County Line would include routine activities related to the day-to-day operations of the trail (e.g. sweeping, trash pickup, etc.). The estimated annual maintenance cost is $22,000 for approximately 12.4 miles of the trail inside Leon County from Pedrick Road to the Leon/Jefferson County Line.
FDOT will enter into an agreement or other form of documented commitment with Leon County to ensure that a local sponsor/agency is committed to long-term trail maintenance (long-term trail manager). The managing entity will be responsible for the day-to-day upkeep and daily operation to protect the trail users by reducing safety hazards that occur and ensuring a quality level of service is maintained on the facility. Activities may consist of litter pick-up, trash removal, debris removal, soil and weed control, graffiti removal, mowing, sweeping, sign replacement, shrub trimming, maintenance of drainage, and other regularly scheduled maintenance activities. For trails constructed in the FDOT right-of-way (ROW), FDOT will provide remedial maintenance which involves repairing, replacing, or restoring major components that may have been damaged or destroyed. Minor repairs such as sealing asphalt pavement or repainting may occur every five to ten years, while major repairs may occur every 20 to 25 years. The area of responsibility will be the footprint of the trail within FDOT ROW as defined by the district. All other maintenance will be the responsibility of the non-FDOT governmental entity. Major activities such as eventual resurfacing of the trail and repairs related to storm damage would be handled by FDOT.
As part of this SUN Trail Application, Leon County would be required to commit to enter into a maintenance agreement with FDOT for the Trail prior to the completion of the design phase. Should the grant funds be awarded for the PD&E Study, the CRTPA anticipates seeking state funds for the design of the trail in the next 3-5 years. Actual maintenance costs will incur once the trail has been completed, which may be as soon as 6-8 years.
Options:
Recommendation:
Option #1
Attachments: