Transportation Enhancement Funding

Part B – Project ApplicationApplicant:      

Project Name:      

Central Minnesota Area Transportation Partnershipc/o Minnesota Department of Transportation

7694 Industrial Park RoadBaxter, MN 56425-8096

(218) 828-5700

Application Deadline: Friday, January 13, 2012

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------1

Section 1 – General Instructions -----------------------------------------------------2

Section 2 – Project Summary ---------------------------------------------------------3

Section 3 – Eligibility Criteria ----------------------------------------------------------4

Section 4 – Project Information -------------------------------------------------------5

Section 5 – Budget Information--------------------------------------------------------6

Section 6 – Project Timeline-----------------------------------------------------------7

Section 7 – Evaluation Criteria--------------------------------------------------------8

Appendices --------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

o Area Transportation Partnerships---------------------------------A1o RDC/MPO Boundary Map------------------------------------------A2o List of Contacts--------------------------------------------------------A3o Evaluation Criteria Instructions------------------------------------B1o Program Requirements----------------------------------------------C1o Sample Resolutions--------------------------------------------------D1

Page 1 October 2011

Section 1 – General Instructions

Part B is the Project Application to request federal transportation enhancement funds. Applicants

completing Part B should have already completed Part A (Pre-Application Planning Checklist) to

ensure their eligibility to receive and manage federal transportation enhancement funds for the

proposed project.

Part B requests additional details about the project applicant and their proposed project, including

anticipated benefits, detailed budget information, financial plan, maintenance plan, project timeline,

etc. This information will be used to evaluate, rank, and select projects for future transportation

enhancement funding.

Applicants must complete Sections 1 through 6 of the application and include any maps or graphics

they feel would be helpful in reviewing and evaluating your project proposal.

Please submit 22 copies of your completed project application to the designated regional contact

person in your area no later than Friday, January 13, 2012. Applications received after this deadline

cannot be considered for funding.

Page 2 October 2011

Section 2 – Project Summary

APPLICANT ORGANIZATIONApplicant’s Agency/Organization – Must indicate one of the following:

State Agency Municipal/County Govt. MPO Quasi-Governmental Tribal OtherName:       Project Manager:      Address:       Title:      Telephone:       Fax:       Email:      Project Contact (if different from Project Manager):      Title:      Telephone:       Fax:       Email:      SPONSORING AGENCYName:      Address:      PROJECT NAME     PROJECT LOCATION     PROJECT DESCRIPTION (summary)     Length:      Width:     Quantity:     Begin Termini:      End Termini:     (specify where applicable)

COST SUMMARY RIGHT-OF-WAY NEEDS*Federal Funds Requested: $      Property to be purchased? yes no**Total Local Matching Funds: $      Easement(s) needed? yes noTotal Eligible Project Cost: $       Donated Property? yes no***Show the matching percentage (matching fundstotal eligible project cost):      The applicant recommends that this project be selected for funding through the Transportation Enhancement Program and attests a commitment to the project’s development, implementation, construction, maintenance, management, and financing.

_________________________________ ____________________ _____________________ Signature Title Date

This application must be accompanied by a resolution from the appropriate sponsoring agency showing a willingness to guarantee at least a 20 percent matching funds. The sponsor will also be responsible for assuring future maintenance of the completed project by resolution. (See Appendix)*Minimum Federal Request: $50,000**Minimum Total Project Cost: $100,000***Minimum Match: 20%

Page 3 October 2011

Transportation enhancement activities are a provision under the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). States are required to retain the highest of either 10 percent of their SAFETEA-LU Surface Transportation Program funds or the FFY 2005 enhancement level for transportation enhancements. The Central Minnesota ATP annually makes transportation enhancements eligible for federal SAFETEA-LU funding. The ATP relies upon the input from its four regional planning partners in setting transportation priorities for non-MnDOT projects seeking federal funds targeted to the ATP area. Regions are responsible for reviewing all qualifying transportation enhancement applications. Further, regions reserve the right to limit the number of and amount awarded to each transportation application recommended to the ATP for inclusion in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Regions base their determination on their review of each application and consideration of other transportation priorities, including highway, bridge, and public transit projects.

Section 3 – Eligibility Criteria

SAFETEA-LU defines 12 exclusive activities that qualify for federal enhancement funds. Check () all that apply (refer to Examples of Eligible Enhancement Projects in Part A of the Enhancement Application for assistance):

Facilities for pedestrians or bicycles Safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists Acquisition of scenic easement and scenic or historic sites Scenic or historic highway programs Landscaping or other scenic beautification Historic Preservation Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities Preservation of abandoned railway corridors Control and removal of outdoor advertising Archaeological planning and research Environmental mitigation of pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused

wildlife mortality Establishment of transportation museums Historic Grouping Scenic Environmental Grouping Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Grouping

In Minnesota, the 12 federal categories cited above have been placed into the following three groups. Check () all that apply:

HISTORIC. This includes acquisition of historic sites, historic highway programs, historic preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities, archaeological planning and research, and establishment of transportation museums.

SCENIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL. This includes acquisition of scenic easements and scenic sites, scenic highway programs, landscaping and other scenic beautification, control and removal of outdoor advertising, and mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff.

PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE FACILITIES. This includes provision of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians, preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian or bicycle trails), and provision of safety/educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Page 4 October 2011

Section 4 – Project Information

1. Describe why this project is important to your community and how it will improve existing conditions.     

2. Describe the main users by type or classification and the approximate number of users to be served by the proposed project.     

3. Describe any current and/or previous uses of the project area.     

4. Explain current and future ownership of the property.      

5. Explain how your agency will provide the necessary local match to leverage the federal transportation enhancement funds requested and cover any additional (or ineligible) costs required for the completion of your project.     

6. Explain the 20-year maintenance plan and any maintenance agreements that will be required with other agencies for your proposed project.     

Page 5 October 2011

Section 5 – Budget Information

Detailed Project Budget

Items Eligible for Reimbursement:Estimated Quantity Unit Cost Total Cost

                                                                                                                                                                 

LINE A: TOTAL      

Items Not Eligible For Reimbursement:Estimated Quantity Unit Cost Total Cost

                                                                     

LINE B: TOTAL      

Administrative Costs - preliminary and construction engineering                      

LINE C: TOTAL      

Total cost of proposed project: LINES A, B, & C TOTALED      

Items not eligible for enhancement funding: LINE B & C TOTALED      

Total of eligible costs (minimum of $100,000) LINE A TOTAL      

Financial Request*

Item Amount Percent of Total

Federal Enhancement Funds Requested (maximum 80%)

           

Local Financial Match            

Local Soft or In-kind Match            

* Calculation based on eligible costs from Line A above.

Page 6 October 2011

Section 6 – Project Timeline

Please answer the questions below to assist reviewers in determining whether your proposal’s project schedule is realistic and achievable.

QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED:

1. Are project segments or phases prioritized? Yes No

If so, please indicate priority and schedule for each phase.     

2. When will the project manager be selected? (month and year)     

3. What environmental document path will the project most likely follow, i.e., Project Memorandum, Project Path Report, Environmental Assessment, etc.?

     

4. When will the environmental document be completed? (month and year)     

5. When will plans be prepared? (month and year)     

6. When will construction bids be advertised? (month and year)     

7. When will bids be opened? (month and year)     

8. When will construction begin? (month and year)     

9. When will construction be completed? (month and year)     

Page 7 October 2011

Section 7 – Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be scored based on the responses provided the following five criteria. (Refer to Evaluation Criteria Instruction at Appendix B1 for assistance in completing this section.)

1. Is your project identified in a statewide, regional, or local plan, which has been adopted by federal, state, regional, or local agencies? 0-25 POINTS

Yes No

2. Describe how your project completes a larger project, concept, or plan. 0-25 POINTS     

3. Explain the degree to which a project addresses issues/needs in one, two, or three of the three groupings (Section 2 – Eligibility) established for Minnesota’s process. 0-15 POINTS

Historic Grouping     

Scenic Environmental Grouping     

Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Grouping     

4. Describe adjacent land use and the relationship to the proposed project. 0-10 POINTS     

5. Explain the project’s relationship to transportation system (e.g. function, proximity, impact)0-25 POINTS

     _______________________

TOTAL POINTS 0-100 POINTS

Page 8 October 2011

A P P E N D I C E S

Area Transportation Partnership Boundary Map-----------------------------A1

RDC/MPO Boundary Map----------------------------------------------------------A2

List of Contacts------------------------------------------------------------------------A3

Evaluation Criteria Instructions----------------------------------------------------B1

Program Requirements-------------------------------------------------------------C1

Sample Resolutions------------------------------------------------------------------D1

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LIST OF CONTACTS

REGION 5 Counties of Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena

Jake HuebschRegion 5 Development Commission200 First Street NE, Suite 2Staples, MN 56479Phone: (218) 894-3233, Ext. 15 Fax: (2l8) 894-1328

REGION 7E Counties of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine

Bob BollenbeckEast Central Regional Development Commission100 South Park StreetMora, MN 55051Phone: (320) 679-4065 Fax: (320) 679-4120

REGION 7W Counties of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright (excluding the St. Cloud Metropolitan area)

Steve VossMnDOT District 37694 Industrial Park RoadBaxter, MN 56425Phone: (218) 828-5779 Fax: (218) 828-58151-800-657-3971

ST. CLOUD METROPOLITAN AREA Cities of St. Augusta, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park

Cathryn HansonSt. Cloud Area Planning Organization1040 County Road 4St. Cloud, MN 56303Phone: (320) 252-7568 Fax: (320) 252-6557

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EVALUATION CRITERIA INSTRUCTIONS

Criterion 1 - Is your project identified in a statewide, regional, or local plan, which has been adopted by federal, state, regional, or local agencies?

State, regional, and local agencies have developed numerous system plans addressing one or more enhancement activities. In many cases, these plans provide detailed documentation on the existing conditions and planned improvements as well as surveys of public use and attitudes. They also can provide insight on the process for setting priorities and recommending investments. The facilities identified in these plans are likely to provide the greatest benefits to all the residents of Minnesota and the regions within which they are located. Proposers should identify the relationship of the project to any statewide or regional plans/objectives. They should also explain how the project is consistent with these plans and objectives, and refer to specific sections of the plan.

Criterion 2 - Describe how your project completes a larger project, concept, or plan.

There may be a number of larger projects that are missing a key or final element. Funding these missing elements with Enhancement funds could provide a sort of synergistic benefit extending beyond the immediate benefits provided by the component for which funding is being sought. Examples include bike or pedestrian trail segments that fill gaps in existing trails; historic preservation that completes the restoration of an historic site/property that has already been partially/substantially restored; and landscaping that completes an original concept/plan which was not installed earlier due to funding constraints. These are only generic examples. Applicants are encouraged to look at their projects in light of the general concept identified here and describe how their project fits into a larger project concept or plan which has been or soon will be implemented using another funding source.

Criterion 3 - Explain the degree to which a project addresses issues/needs in one, two, or three of the three groupings established for Minnesota’s process.

There are 12 eligible categories of projects identified under the SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancement Program. Minnesota has placed these categories into three groupings: Historic, Scenic/Environmental, and Pedestrian/Bicycle facilities. With limited funding available, it makes sense to emphasize projects that accomplish multiple objectives. One generic example would be a bicycle/pedestrian path that includes some landscaping and restoration of an historic structure adjacent to it.

Points will be awarded based on the following:

Historic Grouping: Describe the current recognized level of historic significance (federal, state, or local). This would include any specific designations such as the National Register for Historic Places, State Historical Register, etc. Also indicate the degree to which the project will enhance, preserve, or protect the historic/archaeological resource.

Scenic Environmental Grouping: Explain degree to which scenic or environmental resources are rare, unique or significant, degree to which potential for enhancement exists for landscaping or scenic beautification, current degree of visual blight, magnitude of environmental problem, and degree to which the project would preserve, rehabilitate or develop scenic, or environmental resources or solve the environmental problem.

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Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Grouping: Explain the degree to which the proposed project would encourage/facilitate pedestrian and/or bicycle transportation.

Criterion 4 - Describe adjacent land use and the relationship to the proposed project.

Projects should not have the potential to harm or negatively impact the environment. For example, projects that will have problems getting environmental clearances due to the nature of the site location and/or design, that create conflicts with adjacent land uses or have chosen a site that is not intended or suited for the proposed project will receive lower scores in this category.

Criterion 5 - Explain the project’s relationship to transportation system (e.g. function, proximity, impact)

Projects must possess a substantial relationship to the intermodal transportation system, but not necessarily to a currently planned highway project. This relationship may be one of proximity/function or proximity/impact. (Proximity alone does not constitute a substantial relationship to the intermodal transportation system and does not qualify a project for enhancement funding.) Function, proximity and impact can be defined as follows:

FUNCTION - Projects must facilitate transportation or meet the primary needs of transportation system users.

PROXIMITY - Except for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkway facilities, projects must be contiguous to or within sight of at least one of the following transportation facilities: public transit routes, hubs and terminals; railroads, ports, and intermodal terminals; and bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

IMPACT - Projects must deal with the interrelationship between transportation systems/users and the surrounding environment.)

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Following is a listing of some of the regulations that apply to any project receiving federal transportation funds. These requirements must be taken into consideration during the project development and project implementation stages.

Davis-Bacon and Copeland Acts:

Payment of a pre-determined wage is applicable to all federal-aid construction contracts exceeding $2,000 and to all related subcontracts, except for projects located on roadways classified as local roads or rural minor collectors.

ADA Requirements:

All transportation enhancement assisted projects must comply with the handicapped accessibility standards, as stated in Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 55, of the Minnesota State Building Code; and with the Public Service Provisions of the 1983 disability amendments, Minnesota Human Rights Act.

According to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) "No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of that disability, be excluded from participating in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or activities provided by a public entity, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination by such entity.” ADA requires, among other things, modification of equipment and removal of physical barriers.

Anti-Discrimination Laws:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age or handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination.

Each sponsoring participant must display posters explaining non-discrimination provisions of Title VI, including compliance procedures and must develop a procedure for processing Title VI related complaints.

Minnesota Statutes 363.073, part 5000.3535 (Subp. 7) also prohibits discrimination with regard to marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Matching Funds:

SAFETEA-LU allows for the matching of federal funds with right-of-way on all projects and for the use of “soft” or “in kind” match on enhancement and scenic byway projects. The right-of-way used for match should be right-of-way either purchased or donated specifically for the project. Right-of-way purchased at an earlier time to do other work or the initial construction of the route should not be used as match. The “soft” or “in kind” match for enhancement projects must be something that has a tangible cost, such as railroad ties or wires necessary to run a historic streetcar. Charging a professional fee for labor being performed by non-professionals is not allowed.

Federal funds are received when right-of-way or soft match is used. If the right-of-way or soft match is sufficient to make up 20 percent of the total cost of the project (contract plus right-of-way or soft match), then

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the contract would receive 100 percent federal funds. If the right-of-way or soft match is less than 20 percent then some state or local match would be required. The following examples assume 80/20 participation.

Soft Match Example for Enhancement Projects

A B CContract Cost $100,000 $100,000 $100,000ROW or Soft Match 25,000 40,000 20,000Total Project Cost $125,000 $140,000 $120,000

Federal Share 80% of Total $100,000 $112,000 $96,000

Additional State-Local responsibility $ 0 $ 0 $ 4,000

In Example A and B, no local or state match is required as 80 percent is equal to or greater than the contract cost. Federal funds used would be $100,000. Example C illustrates that a local or state match would be required as 80 percent is less than the contract amount. Federal funds used would equal $96,000.

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SAMPLE RESOLUTIONS

Resolution of Support from Sponsoring Agency

Be it resolved that __________________________ act as sponsoring agency for a “Transportation (Sponsoring Agency)

Enhancements” project identified as ______________________________________ and acknowledges herewith that it is willing to be the project sponsor, knowing full well that such sponsorship includes a willingness to secure and guarantee the local share of costs associated with this project and responsibility for seeing this project through to its completion, with compliance of all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Be it further resolved that __________________________ is hereby authorized to act as agent on (Name of Primary Contact Person)behalf of this applicant.

Agreement to Maintain Facility

WHEREAS: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that states agree to operate and maintain facilities constructed with federal transportation funds for the useful life of the improvement and not change the use of right of way acquired without prior approval from the FHWA; and

WHEREAS: Transportation enhancement projects receive federal funding from the Surface Transportation Program (STP) of the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); and

WHEREAS: is the project sponsor for the transportation enhancement (City, County or Agency Name)

project identified as .

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Project Sponsor hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for assuring the operation and maintenance of property and facilities related to the aforementioned transportation enhancement project will be faithfully executed by the appropriate responsible parties.

Certification

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by on this _______ day of ________________________, 20____. (City, County or Agency Name)

SIGNED:

____________________________________(Signature)

__________________________________(Title) (Date)

WITNESSED:

__________________________________(Signature)

__________________________________(Title) (Date)

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