Transportation Enhancement Funds Workshop April 19, 2004 MAG Saguaro Room.

Transportation Enhancement Funds

Workshop

April 19, 2004MAG Saguaro Room

Agenda Introductions. What are Transportation

Enhancement Funds? Changes from Last Year. Available Funding. Schedule. Eligibility. Sponsor Responsibilities.

Selection & Review Process.

Evaluation Criteria. If Project Selected. Practical Guidance. Questions.

Staff

Dawn M. Coomer MAG Multi-Modal Program

Manager (602) 452-5009 [email protected]

Staff Cheryl Banta

ADOT Section Manager, Environmental and Enhancement Group

(602) 712-6258 [email protected]

Phil Jeselnick ADOT Project Manager (602) 712-6685 [email protected]

Rebecca Miller ADOT Environmental (NEPA) Planner (602) 712-7109 [email protected]

What Are Transportation Enhancement Funds?

Federal program. Mandatory set-

aside. Enhances surface

transportation with “above and beyond” projects.

TE process varies among states.

Projects classified as “local” or “state.”

Changes from Last Year New ADOT Web site.

www.adotenhancement.com Self-bidding and administration. Abatement. Right of way ownership. Historic canals. Cost estimate. 15 gallon tree size limit. New State Board Sub-Committee?

Available Funding

Local projects: $7.5 million. State projects: $5.5 million. Competitive process. Projects go to all areas of the

state.

Schedule

ApplicationsDue

Friday, May 28 – Noon. Late applications not accepted. No faxes or electronic copies. 11 copies, including one signed

original.

EFWG Meetings

Friday, June 18– 8:30 a.m. Applicants provide 5 minutes project

overview. Tuesday, June 29 – 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 6 – 8:30 a.m.

Tentative meeting.

FormalApprovals

July 14. Management Committee

recommendation. July 28.

Regional Council action.

Final Edits Friday, August 27 – 5:00 p.m.

Revised applications due from applicants (18 copies including one signed original).

September 3. Applications due to ADOT. Turned in by MAG staff.

ADOT

October 6 to 8 – TERC. MAG applications represented by

MAG staff and EFWG Co-Chair. November/December.

Approval and selection by State Transportation Board.

How Do I Start?

Eligibility. 12 Categories. Consult ADOT &

MAG Guidebooks.

Bike and Pedestrian Projects; Rail to Trail

Acquisition of Scenic Easements and Scenic or

Historic Sites

Landscaping and Other Scenic Beautification

Other Projects Historic

preservation. Rehabilitation of

historic structures. Mitigation of Water

Pollution; Wildlife Connectivity

Control and removal of outdoor advertising.

Archaeological Planning and Research

Transportation Museums.

Eligibility Requirements

ADOT and MAG Guidebooks. www.adotenhancement.com www.mag.maricopa.gov

Relate to surface transportation.

“Above and beyond.” 12 categories in federal

transportation law. MAG process.

Local projects need a 5.7% cash match. Sponsored by local, state, federal or tribal

government. Local signed by city, town, or county

manager, or tribal administrator. State signed by District Engineer. Support letter. Local council resolution encouraged.

Environmental (NEPA), access (ADA), & other federal standards.

SHPO comments. No initiated activities. No routine

maintenance & operations.

Local projects limited to $500,000.

State projects limited to $1.5 million.

Sponsor Responsibilities

Assumes liability. Cash match. Project completion. Cost overruns. Project scoping and environmental

documentation. Reimbursement program.

Review and Selection Process

Two Stages of Review. MAG. ADOT.

Site evaluation of projects before TERC review.

Selection Criteria Regional and Community

Enhancement. Cost Effectiveness/Reasonable Cost. Project Need/One Time Opportunity. Multiple Enhancement Fund Project

Areas.

MAG Process

Enhancement Funds Working Group. Three meetings. Agenda lists order applications heard. Applications listed in order received.

Application Review: MAG staff introduces. Applicant presents - 5 minutes. Public comment - 5 minutes. 10 minute Q & A led by EFWG co-

chairs.

Applicants required to submit written response to EFWG comments raised during review before ranking meeting.

WOW, that’s a lot of information!

Ranking procedure: Anonymous

ballots. Staff determines

ranking. EFWG action.

Decisions, decisions…

Agency requested to submit ranking of multiple applications.

Not required. Helpful to EFWG.

Which project is your highest priority?

If Project Selected Funds are reimbursed. Comply with federal guidelines (ADA and

NEPA). Environmental Clearance Needed at 30%

design for: SHPO. Use of Federal funds for design.

If Project Selected Project Development Timeline:

ADOT Workshop. Kick-off meeting – 3 months. Scoping (project assessment report) finished -12

months. Environmental clearance -18 months. Complete design (bid-ready), with utility and right-of-

way clearances - 36 months. Bid-ready documents – must bid within 6 months.

Project cancellation policies in ADOT Guidebook.

If Project Selected Conflict escalation ladder developed at kick-off. Deposit $3,000 - $5,000 to ADOT when project

assessment submitted. Cannot be funded with TE.

Consult ADOT Guidebook for: Construction and procurement. Cost overrun policies. Self bidding.

Practical Guidance

Competitive process. Learn as much as possible. Listen to EFWG and MAG staff. Get community support. Promote your project. Reapply for funds another time if not

successful the first time.

Don’t bind applications for first MAG submission.

Only 11 applications required for initial review.

Project description very important. Cost estimate very important. Pictures and map; one in color.

Use MAG and ADOT Guidebooks.

Call with questions.

Don’t be overwhelmed; help is only a phone call (or an e-mail) away!

Questions and Comments

For More Information Dawn M. Coomer, MAG

(602) 452-5009 [email protected]

Cheryl Banta, ADOT (602) 712-6258 [email protected]

Phil Jeselnik, ADOT (602) 712-6685 [email protected]