Agenda Item Wording:
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Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Tulare - Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Tulare for the Active Transportation Program funded Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection Project, adopt Resolution 2025-71, and appropriate $1,100,000 from Fund (281) Transportation to be reimbursed by the County of Tulare for the design phase.
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Prepared by:
Diego Corvera, Senior Civil Engineer, Diego.Corvera@Visalia.City, (559)713-4209
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, Chris.Crawford@Visalia.City, (559)713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering & Building Director, Jason.Huckleberry@Visalia.City, (559)713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends the following:
1. City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Tulare for the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection Project;
2. Adopt resolution 2025-71 and;
3. Appropriate $1,100,000 from Fund (281) Transportation to be reimbursed by the County of Tulare for the design phase of the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection Project.
Summary:
City staff submitted the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection (GVCC) grant application in partnership with the County of Tulare during the Cycle 7 Active Transportation Program (ATP) in June 2024. It was a higher scoring application and the City was awarded the requested $34,608,000 to construct the GVCC project.
The MOU outlines City and County responsibilities in project development and delivery to construction. Each jurisdiction will be responsible for their respective fiscal portions of the project, the MOU establishes clear delineation between the County and City portions of the work as the City is the lead for project design and delivery across both jurisdictions.
Background Discussion:
In order to maximize the benefits of this project, the City partnered with the County of Tulare to include improvements within the Goshen Community that provide the residents of the Goshen Community safe access to the Goshen corridor. The estimated project cost of $43 million includes the cost of improvements within the Goshen Community.
This additional project scope was added as an explicit effort to make the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project more competitive for grant funding. This incorporation added a large, disadvantaged community to benefit from the project outcomes as well as added constituents beyond City residents. This project expansion proved to make this application exceptional as it was ultimately awarded funding during the most competitive cycle of ATP funding to date (Cycle 7).
Cycle 7 saw a nearly 40% reduction in funding due to state budget needs in 2024. This made Cycle 7 the most competitive cycle to date as the amount available for funding was cut significantly. Despite this, the GVCC was fully funded, and the project scope augmentation was a major reason for it.
Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection Project
The project will reconstruct the existing Class 1 multi-use trail from Mooney Blvd. to Miller Park Ct. and extend the trail from Miller Park Ct. to Camp Drive. The existing trail from Giddings to Akers was constructed in 1996 and the segment from Akers St. to Miller Park Ct. in 1998. The existing 8’ wide deteriorated asphalt trail will be reconstructed and elevated from street grade to prevent future flooding and for additional safety. This project will include improvements to the intersections and railroad crossings, installation of curb and gutter where none exists, and additional landscaping and lighting to further improve the safety for users of this trail.
The improvements in the Goshen community will incorporate two-way cycle tracks connecting the community to the Goshen trail, community destinations and a local elementary school. Mini circle construction will be incorporated at major intersections and bulb out pedestrian ramps for traffic calming within the community.
Fiscal Impact:
The Goshen Visalia Corridor Connection project is funded through Active Transportation Program grant funds, County of Tulare matching funds, and City of Visalia matching funds through Measure R Trail funds, see below project budget.
MOU Funding Breakdown is provided for informational purposes only to provide a summarized estimate of the total estimated cost of the entire project, grant funds awarded, and estimated contribution amount from each agency.
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MOU Funding Breakdown |
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Project Budget |
|
|
Active Transportation Program Fundings |
$34,608,000.00 |
|
City matching Funds (Measure R Trails) |
$4,912,000.00 |
|
County matching Funds |
$3,780,000.00 |
|
Total Project Funding |
$43,300,000.00 |
Currently, staff recommends the appropriation of funds for the portion the County will contribute towards the design phase only.
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Estimated Project Design Costs for County Portion |
|
PA & ED, PS&E Phase Consultant Fee |
$944,025.00 |
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Estimated City Staff Time |
$75,000.00 |
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Estimate Railroad Fee (Union Pacific Railroad) |
$50,000.00 |
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Estimate Railroad Fee (SJVR) |
$15,000.00 |
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|
|
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Total Estimated Design Costs for County Portion: |
$1,084,025.00 |
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Appropriate |
$1,100,000.00 |
The $1,100,000 includes the amount for the design consultant to design the improvements located within the County of Tulare’s jurisdiction, city staff time to administer the design contract and implement project tasks related to the County of Tulare’s design portion of the project. As the project progresses to the construction phase, staff will return to Council to request an additional appropriation of funds to account for the portion of funds the County of Tulare will contribute towards the construction phase of the project.
Prior Council Action:
December 12, 2023
Railroad Reimbursement Agreement - Adopted Resolution 2023-58 authorizing City Manager to execute a reimbursement agreement with San Joaquin Valley Railroad for engineering services associated with the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project, authorize an additional appropriation of $75,000 from the Measure R Trailways and authorized an amendment to the Measure R Supplemental Agreement.
August 15, 2022
Adopted Resolution 2022-48 authorizing City Manager to execute reimbursement agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for the engineering services associated with the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project. (Project Number 3010-72000/CP8130-999)
May 2, 2022
Authorized the City Manager to enter a contract with 4Creeks for RFP 21-22-27 to prepare professional consulting services for the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project in the amount not to exceed $1,269,306, authorized an additional appropriation of $650,000 from Measure R Trails (132) fund, and authorized an amendment to the Measure R Supplement Agreement. (Project number 3010-72000/CP8130-999)
August 17, 2020
Authorized City Manager to submit funding application for the 2021 Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 to Caltrans and Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG).
Other: N/A
Alternatives: None recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Tulare for the Active Transportation Program funded Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection Project, adopt Resolution 2025-71, and appropriate $1,100,000 from Fund (281) Transportation to be reimbursed by the County of Tulare for the design phase.
Environmental Assessment Status: NEPA Environmental Assessment pending design.
CEQA Review: Pending Design
Deadline for Action: None
Attachments:
1. Goshen-Visalia Corridor Connection Project Map
2. Resolution 2025-71 for MOU with Tulare County
3. DRAFT - Memorandum of Understanding