City Council Meeting Date: January 7, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett - Public Works Director/City Engineer
Sean M. Simonson - Engineering Manager
Subject:
TITLE
Consider Resolution Approving Sponsorship of the MnDOT Transportation Alternatives Grant Application for the funding year 2029.
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution sponsoring the 2024/25 Transportation Alternatives Solicitation for the funding year 2029.
Summary Report:
For the 2024/25 application cycle, MnDOT is conducting a solicitation for Transportation Alternatives (TA) projects (Attachment 2). The TA funding available through this solicitation is for project construction in fiscal year 2029. TA funding requires a 20 percent local match. Maximum funding awards are set by each Area Transportation Partnership.
The Transportation Alternatives Solicitation is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more. Minnesota will be soliciting projects for approximately $12.5 million in available grant funding across the state where the total is sub-targeted to the seven area transportation partnerships (ATP). The City of Northfield is in the Southeast Minnesota ATP, where $2,100,000. is available for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2029.
The City of Northfield completed a Corridor Analysis on Lincoln Parkway (Attachment 3), and City Council accepted this study at the February 20, 2024, City Council Meeting via Resolution 2024-019. This resolution also authorized staff to explore grant opportunities and funding partnerships for the improvements. The corridor analysis identified a preferred roadway improvement option for the entire corridor, which included four phases of construction. This grant application would address Phase 2 of the corridor analysis on Lincoln Parkway from Cannon Valley Drive to Dresden Avenue (Attachment 4). The proposed improvement includes:
• Pavement Mill and Overlay
• Off-street bikeway (north side)
• Curb extensions
Alternative Options:
Council could elect not to submit for this project grant.
Financial Impacts:
The total project costs are estimated to be $3,250,760. for this project. This grant requires a 20% local match commitment to receive the grant. The City of Northfield would propose to use its State-Aid Funding to cover the City of Northfield’s portion of the project costs. See the table below for the proposed project costs, and project funding.
Tentative Timelines:
Council Action for Grant January 7, 2025
Grant Application Due January 10, 2025
Grant Award Notice April 15, 2025