Resolution 12-074 Transfer of Responsibility Agreement with State of Alaska DOT for Main Street and Sterling Highway Intersection

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA
City Manager
RESOLUTION 12-074

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT WITH THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES WHICH DESIGNATES THE CITY AS THE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENGINEERING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MAIN STREET AND THE STERLING HIGHWAY.

WHEREAS, The Main Street / Sterling Highway intersection has been identified by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT/PF) and the Homer Police Department as the most dangerous intersection in the community; and

WHEREAS, The Homer Intersections Study, completed by ADOT/PF in 2005 identified this intersection as one that should have traffic control improvements installed by this date due to traffic counts and accident data; and

WHEREAS, The City and ADOT/PF have discussed a number of ways to obtain funding to construct intersection improvements but to date, no such funding has been obtained and previous cost estimates exceeded the amount of funding the City was able to contribute; and

WHEREAS, The City has obtained a Legislative Grant in the amount of $2,000,000 for improvements to this intersection and/or Main Street itself; and

WHEREAS, The City Council views this as a public safety issue, wants to see the problem addressed as quickly as possible, is on record as supporting construction of a traffic signal if that appears to be the quickest and most affordable solution, and is willing to contribute the Legislative Grant toward the cost of construction; and

WHEREAS, ADOT/PF has recently indicated to the City that a traffic signal could be constructed without all of the desirable associated intersection improvements for the amount of money available and further, that the quickest way to get this done is for the City to assume responsibility for construction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council finds that assuming primary responsibility for construction of intersection improvements at Main Street and the Sterling Highway is in the public interest and it is willing to contribute the Legislative Grant for that purpose.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to negotiate a Transfer of Responsibility Agreement with ADOT/PF which designates the City as the entity responsible for engineering, design, and construction of traffic control improvements at the intersection of Main Street and the Sterling Highway.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 13th day of August, 2012.

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
JAMES C.HORNADAY, MAYOR
ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: $2 Million Legislative Grant