RESOLUTION NO. 571

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN  APPLICATION FOR TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT FUNDS FOR SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS

WHEREAS, on April 23, 2010, the Arkansas Highway Commission announced the sixth application cycle for the Arkansas Transportation Enhancement Program, administered by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD); and

WHEREAS, the Arkansas Transportation Enhancement Program is made possible because of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) of 1998 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005, which designated that a portion of Federal-Aid highway construction and maintenance funds shall be used for transportation enhancement activities, including pedestrian facilities such as sidewalks; and

WHEREAS, previously the City took advantage of transportation enhancement program funding to build what is referred to as the Planer Hill Sidewalk, connecting Highway 62 on the south with the Historic Downtown on the north; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City's Department Heads have been developing a proposal to build ADA-compliant sidewalks along Highway 62, east and west of its intersection with Highway 23 North, in order to continue to expand upon the pedestrian access to the Historic Downtown that was begun with the Planer Hill Sidewalk; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor is desirous of submitting a SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancement program application for the maximum amount allowed of SIX HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND ($625,000) DOLLARS on or before the filing deadline of 4:00 p.m., August 25, 2010;  and
WHEREAS, to implement the SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancement funding, the City of Eureka Springs will be obligated to provide the minimum TWENTY (20%) PERCENT match of the amount awarded (a maximum of $125,000 if the entire amount of $625,000 is awarded); and
WHEREAS, at the time the application is submitted, the Mayor must certify (1) that the City will comply with AHTD's deadline for submittal of plans and specifications at an estimated cost within the amount requested and (2) that local matching funds are available for the project, thus requiring this Resolution of the City Council at this time.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, hereby approves and authorizes the Mayor to execute and submit an application for funding under the SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancement program for the maximum amount allowed of SIX HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND ($625,000) DOLLARS for the purpose of building sidewalks along Highway 62, east and west of its intersection with Highway 23 North, in Eureka Springs.

PASSED AND ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS ON THE 9th  DAY OF AUGUST, 2010.


APPROVED:


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Dani D. Joy, Mayor


ATTEST:

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Mary Jean Sell, City Clerk-Treasurer