Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Board Direction on City of Cocoa Request to add 4-Quad Gates at Michigan Avenue- District 2.
End
Fiscal Impact:
FY 2024/2025- Additional $165,000 initial cost plus annual maintenance as needed
Dept/Office:
D5 Commission Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners provide the Public Works Department direction on the requested action.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On May 21, 2024, the Board approved direction to the Public Works Department to apply for a grant for an amount Not To Exceed (NTE) $1.1M, from the Rail Crossing Elimination grant for 3 crossings South of SR 528. The grant will be submitted by the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) on behalf of the County and several other municipalities. As part of the overall NTE request, but separate from the grant submission, the Board also approved Public Works to address various crossings North of SR 528. The other crossings will be coordinated by Public Works with one of its consultants in consultation with FEC.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the grant was initially anticipated in late May, but is now expected to be released sometime in July 2024. Each jurisdiction is required to pay 20% of the actual crossing costs based on their selected improvements plus 100% of annual maintenance costs in perpetuity; notwithstanding anticipated Brightline reimbursement for 16 years or 2 cycles (whichever is later) based on separate agreement.
TPO’s consultant identified 3 County crossings over County Roads-Dixon Blvd, Holly Street, and Michigan Ave. Staff, in consultation with TPO’s Consultant, determined the most appropriate solution. This information was based on collected data and a projection on crossing violations per available option. On Dixon Boulevard and Holly Street, staff selected 4 quad gates. However, for Michigan Avenue, staff selected 3 quad gates and a concrete median as there was only a nominal projected improvement between it and 4 quad gates with a concrete median, but an initial $165,000 ($33,000 match) additional cost. Further, annual maintenance is not well-defined at this time, but presumably would be at least 33 1/3 % more than just maintaining 3 quad gates. Additionally, Staff believes based on the information provided, the concrete median is sufficient and for all practical purposes requires $0 in yearly maintenance.
On June 4, 2024, the Cocoa City Manager advised the Chair and County Manager concurrently that the Cocoa City Council requested the County install 4 quad gates as it believes it to be the safest solution for citizens, motorist, and pedestrians. While the additional cost was acknowledged, the City Manager was not authorized to assume the additional costs per Staff’s request. Accordingly, Staff is looking to the Board for direction. TPO requested a final decision by July 8, 2024 (amended to July 9, 2024 to accommodate this meeting) so that its Consultant has adequate time to prepare the grant submission.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
None