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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: March 12, 2020
SUBJECT:
A Resolution to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora, Illinois and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago, Illinois for the Access to Transit - Aurora Transportation Center (ATC) East Platform Parking Lot Enhancement.
PURPOSE:
This agreement shall allow the City to make the proposed key improvements to the ATC E parking lot per the recommendations from the RTA Access to Transit Implementation Plan (April 2016).
BACKGROUND:
The City sought the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) and Regional Transportation Authority's (RTA) assistance to increase Metra and Pace ridership by enhancing the walkability and bikeablility at the Aurora Transit Center (ATC). This led the City to apply for and receive the Local Technical Assistant grant (LTA) with CMAP & RTA back in 2014. The initiation led to a study and thus "Aurora Access to Transit Improvement Plan" was developed in April 2016.
To put the recommendations from the plan into action, the City sought the RTA - Access to Transit Program Grant in August 2018. The City was selected/approved for the RTA program. RTA, on behalf of the City, applied for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Federal Funds in early 2019 for the same project and was approved in October 2019. CMAQ's funding is an 80/20 split (80% federal, 20% local). The 20% local share shall be divided into half, with RTA taking 50% of that 20% local share to make the improvements.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Aurora Transportation Center (ATC) East Platform Parking lot is located west of the R.R track and north of Spring Street and west of Lincoln Avenue parking lot. The proposed improvements include installing a new sidewalk at the Spring Street entrance along with way finding signage; adding additional parking spaces; creating Kiss and Ride area by reconfiguring the parking drive aisle along the north side of the parking lot; relocating existing ADA parking stalls to the west to improve accessibility to the platforms and upgrading the sidewalk across the new ADA parking with detectable warning signs; installation of at least 2 bike shelters and 4 commuter transit shelters; Real time Message Board signs; installation of decorative monument sign (s) at the entrance on Spring Street; installation of bike shared lane markings (Sharrows) on Spring Street; and, replacing existing or adding new roadway pavement markings.
The improvements will support and enhance an existing public transit center, increase transit use with bicycle-pedestrian transit connection; supports comprehensive plans by improving transit safety and overall accessibility at this transit center.
The project is currently under Phase 1 preliminary engineering and the staff anticipates for Phase 2 engineering to begin sometime this year based on the Phase 2 agreement approval by IDOT since the project is federally funded.
The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with RTA will set the basis for cost sharing of future phases of engineering and construction to take place as we move forward in the process.
The funds for this project are set to come from the below account, although no funds are required to execute this agreement.
GB130 Access to Transit Plan Infrastructure Improvements 236-1830-465.73-99 $100,000.00
GB130 Access to Transit Plan Infrastructure Improvements 353-1830-465.73-99 $27,000.00
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact is anticipated with the execution of this agreement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The staff recommends executing the Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Aurora and Regional Transportation Authority for Access to Transit - ATC East Platform Parking lot enhancements.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Aurora, Illinois and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago, Illinois for the Access to Transit - Aurora Transportation Center (ATC) East Platform Parking Lot Enhancement.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City reached out to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) for their assistance in increasing Metra and Pace ridership by enhancing the walkability and bikeability at the Aurora Transportation Center (ATC); the City applied and received Local Technical Assistant grant from CMAP and RTA in 2014 which eventually resulted in establishing "Access to Transit Improvement Plan" in April 2016 that holds recommendation for the ATC East Parking Lot and other transit areas.
WHEREAS, the City desires to enhance the accessibility to Aurora Transportation Center (ATC) east platform parking lot through various improvements like, new sidewalk, crosswalk, bike and commuter shelters, electronic message board signs, kiss and ride area, relocating ADA parking stalls for improved access, adding additional parking spaces, monument sign(s) at Spring Street entrance, wayfinding signage and roadway pavement markings and other pertinent improvements to enhance the overall appeal and usability of the parking lot.
WHEREAS, City had applied and was approved for Regional Transportation Authority's (RTA) Access to Transit Program funds in November 2018 to improve accessibility at the ATC east parking lot.
WHEREAS, RTA applied for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds in March 2019 on behalf of the City for improving ATC East platform parking lot and was granted the funds in October 2019.
WHEREAS, CMAQ funds are a 80/20 split with 20% being the local share, which RTA is partnering with the City through the RTA Access to Transit Program Grant and shares 50% (of the 20%) local share in the amount, not to exceed $99,520.75.
WHEREAS, RTA requires the City, enter an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) of which the IGA is attached that states the scope of services and funding information. RTA's Access to Transit Program grant is a reimbursable program.
WHEREAS, entering into the IGA will allow the City to progress further into Phase 2 design engineering that follows IDOT process to execute the Phase 2 agreements in the near future.
WHEREAS, Although no funding is required to execute the IGA agreement, the City 2020 budget provides the funds through the following accounts:
GB130 Access to Transit Plan Infrastructure Improvements 236-1830-465-73-99 $100,000.00
GB130 Access to Transit Plan Infrastructure Improvements 353-1830-465.73-99 $27,000.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Aurora, IL and Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago, IL, attached hereto and incorporated herein, be executed for the Access to Transit - Aurora Transportation Center (ATC) East Platform Parking Lot Enhancement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute any other such documents related to advancement and completion of the said project.