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Home My WebLink AboutC15-137 Approval of Transfer $800,000 of ECO Transit's Unrestricted Fund Balance - i BoCC Briefing: March 24, 2015 SHARE 2014 ECO TRANSIT SAVINGS WITH ECO TRAILS FOR ENGINEERING FIVE TRAIL PROJECTS ECO Transit and Trails Kelley Collier and Ellie Caryl Issue: • Recommendation to Transfer $800,000 of ECO Transit's unrestricted fund balance to the ECO Trails fund for the purpose of completing design and permitting on 19 miles of trail to prepare for accelerating trail system completion. Background: • In January 2015, a review of ECO Transit 2014 actual expenses indicated that up to $1,100,000 would be returned to the ECO Transit Fund Balance as unspent funds. The savings are due to higher than anticipated sales tax and fare box revenues in 2014, County capital improvement program coverage of building debt, and lower than anticipated fuel costs. • ECO Transit has successfully met the Finance Department's recommended 25% restricted fund balance minimum, exceeding the standard 15% fund balance. After securing the fund balance minimum, $800,000 remains as unrestricted funds from the 2014 budget. • In February 2015, ECO staff recommended to the County Commissioners, County Manager, Finance Dept. and ECRTA Board that the $800,000 be transferred to the ECO Trails program for purposes of completing trails planning on the 19 miles of unbuilt trail due to the funding needs of ECO Trails. • Current Transit operations will not be affected by the transfer. Additionally, the Transit capital fund balance for bus purchases is in good standing with a $2,000,000 balance. Staff believes the recommendation to allocate these 2014 savings to a current short term need is wise versus allocating the funds to a new operational Transit program that may not be sustainable if the same levels of budget savings do not occur in future years. • Transit operations will be positively impacted by the completion of the Eagle Valley Trail system allowing for a safe and convenient `Final Mile' connecting passengers to their origin and destination to their transit stop. • ECO Transit has previously transferred funds to.ECO Trails, contributing to two trail construction projects in 2002 and 2003. The use of the reserves at that time was approved by the ECO Board and County Commissioners. CI 01 • The ECRTA Chair and Trails Committee Chair have been consulted, and full ECRTA input sought as part of the February e-packet. Input was provided with majority votes in favor. • Funding is the major hurdle for the trail system completion and at this particular time, ECO Transit is able to provide financial assistance to help the Trails program move forward faster on the critical tasks of engineering, permits and plan-based cost estimating. • Cost: • Preliminary estimate of engineering and required study cost is $840,000 for 19 miles of work (see pg. 2). • 2015 year-end unallocated Trails Fund balance will total approx. $500,000- insufficient funding levels for program "acceleration" compared to $15 million cost of trail system completion. • Completed design, study and right of way processes will yield accurate cost information for 1 . Grant applications 2. Requests for matching funds for construction from County general funds, capital funds, Conservation Trust funds, Town, special districts and businesses 3. Potential ballot question • Timeline • Procure all professional services beginning in April 2015. • Some design / right of way work partially complete. Other sections in concept design / right of way phase only and significant work required. Mileage 1 . Wolcott to Edwards Trail 4.7 2. Gypsum to Dotsero Trail 1 .8 3. Dowd Junction to Minturn Trail 1 .75 4. Eagle-Vail to Dowd Junction Trail 1 .5 5. Eagle to Wolcott Trail 9.25 Totals 19 miles Recommendation: Staff recommends that this action be taken in an effort to advance the mission the Trails program and the vision of the ECO partners to complete the Eagle Valley Trail and connect our communities. The recommendation is in line with our Eagle County government "Strategic Plan" goals to provide quality services, make social investments, foster economic vitality, develop sustainable programs and facilities and be responsible environmental stewards. 150'x 12' Bridge structure @ Cordillera open space $350,000.00 Railroad crossing across from Red Canyon Road tunnel $150,000.00 10'Trail Construction w/complex retaining walls $1,700,000.00 10'Trail Construction,general $600,000.00 Ditch 36" pipe and all related improvements $525,000.00 Right of Way/easement $100.000.00 Final permit studies for CDOT and BLM lands $25,000.00 $25,000.00 Design,Survey, Project Management $150,000.00 $150,000.00 PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE TOTAL $3,600,000.00 n . W `mss 10'Trail Construction,general $550,000.00 12' x 175' Bridge over UPRR corridor, includes fees, specialized $275,000.00 design 1-70 Underpass,400 feet with retaining wall and railings $125,000.00 UPRR bridge design and review fees $50,000.00 $50,000.00 Design, Survey, Permits $75,000.00 $75,000.00 PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE TOTAL $1,050,000.00 Trail Construction,general $300,000.00 Trail Construction RR yard and Hwy 6 w/complex or moderate $500,000.00 retaining walls UPRR easement fence $110,000.00 County Road bridge deck repair $5,000.00 UPRR lease fee, lx $250,000.00 UPRR design and review fees $35,000.00 $35,000.00 Final permit studies for USFS and UPRR lands $5,000.00 $5,000.00 Design,Survey, Project Management $75,000.00 $75,000.00 PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE TOTAL $1,280,000.00 500'x 12' Bridge structure adjacent to US Hwy 6 $500,000.00 75'x 12' Bridge structure adjacent to vet clinic/office building $135,000.00 Trail Construction w/complex retaining walls $1,215,000.00 Trail Construction,general $800,000.00 Adjacent Property Improvements/ Relocations (i.e. CDOT, State $170,000.00 Land Board tenants, all other owned or leased properties) State Land Board fees $25,000.00 Right of way/easement $450,000.00 Design,Survey, Permits, Project Management $175,000.00 $175,000.00 PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE TOTAL $3,470,000.00 325'x 12' Bridge structure @ Horn Ranch $350,000.00 10'Trail Construction w/complex or moderate retaining walls $1,950,000.00 10'Trail Construction,general $1,200,000.00 Red Canyon Drainage crossings $600,000.00 1-70 wildlife fence relocation $50,000.00 Final permit studies for CDOT and BLM lands $50,000.00 Downtown Eagle to Eagle River Station trail connection $700,000.00 Right of Way/easements $450,000.00 Design,Survey, Project Management $250,000.00 $250,000.00 PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE TOTAL $5,600,000.00 tas _.emu ____ —".� _ . il' rr. Wo;tt. w Trail to t.'unnpl,9ed by �..r.,' tagle Pe:,MM.. "' - . p / 1 i /. Lam. _ r/�•'f ter - r F 1ie_t: S ✓j . 1_2, u1.i.L' ,` 'to WoleottTirail • ,31 Fg T '' Project.Limits 9.25 Miles j„, v✓ 114.'n. _- . - Eagle Wiley Trait - }.'':ye... '' ... ,;t:'al� 77GER VI Grant IN^. io.:an.isw•. < ,i Cl m.n ea,.ay Eagle ii T'.1.' - —......i f r ` - �� ' I. :` w*� Eagle. .,Val Q� oow -unetle Dotsero to Gypsum Trail �" ` Trail Prof t i"it S Mll es` �" Project Limits 1.8 Miles F xi ..-"-- "'y. w•=.' it k:.,.. _ -,3. l 1 V. i M4<. it".. " ... \ : ' ';7 - , '.*. .3'•,' P t t 1- .' '- ,-- , f— *'..-,,,,------ Z �i.�;-f LS S. e k f- k Flit ", .- gle,ail• ��' r• <,h "v . .\ Eagle Valley Trail ;_ "' ;^,. Eagle Valley Trail TIGER VI Grant TIGER VI Grant I ti f�.. <. I L....1 '�: �8... .._.x Dowd u nction / , to Minturn Trail 1 '". ' �ti .. '/ , w u Puc o,, , ,Project Limits ,1.75-Miles Wolcott to Edwards Trails. s >'' -: / : y4r =,. Project Limits 4.7 Miles ..K }} Y.. ,, ,:: ....., 't' :a'.'�. :i,,,,...: . .:� z; a t•■ P r. _y ,' •."1:;..[..4 s e w... f 1, Eagle Vow Trail ' ' x�a� rwnT. ,.1111,4! '' ..,•. - TIGER VI Grant Eagle Volley Ire �,am., y Yt- 1 =1'„' ... Trosavim F�af. r ..,,c,�,.yE =a - - j fit,, .x 'f _ [7–] nte».e R bus s. { t.n . Os ... }; ...... k..«mg.,, I' Minturn pp r