RESOLUTION 05-132(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL PROVIDING COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE 2006-2008 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP).

WHEREAS, The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has solicited public comments on the 2006-2008 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and

WHEREAS, The Homer City Council wishes to provide comments and recommendations on the STIP, and

WHEREAS, By adopting this resolution, the Council wishes to achieve multiple objectives and make several levels of comments including:

· Requesting that certain projects that were previously scored and included in the STIP but dropped for budgetary or other reasons be restored to the STIP.

· Identify the City’s primary STIP priorities and provide information and assurances that might help them attain higher scores.

· Nominate new projects for the STIP and Needs List with the understanding that project nomination forms and project descriptions will follow.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Homer City Council requests that all projects that were previously rated and included in the STIP but dropped for budgetary or other reasons be restored to the STIP. These projects include, but are not limited to:

· Completion of the Homer Spit Trail (TRAAK)

· Main Street improvements / Pioneer to Bunnell

· Paving and pedestrian enhancements / Ohlson Lane and West Bunnell Ave.

· Heath Street. Improvements

· Safety improvements on Mile 157 through Mile 169 of the Sterling Highway, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council identifies the following as top priority STIP projects and provides assurances and commitments with respect to the required local contribution:

· Main Street Improvements: Main Street is a State road between Pioneer Avenue and Bunnell Ave. This section is in need of repair due to age and an anticipated increase in traffic volumes generated by Town Center development. The City requests that the State rebuild Main Street to City urban road standards as it did on Bartlett Street. The project would include reconstruction and paving of the road, separated sidewalks, and placement of utilities underground. Upon completion of the project, the City will accept ownership and maintenance responsibility.

· Completion of Spit Trail: The City requests that the State complete Phase II of the Spit Trail project. Phase II includes construction of the trail from the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon to End of the Road Park. It also includes a restroom and other improvements at End of the Road Park. The state has already completed design and

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Resolution 05-132(A)

City of Homer

survey work for Phase II. The City will provide 10 percent of the construction cost and assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The City is also willing to assume ownership and maintenance responsibility for other state owned community roads in exchange for construction of Phase II.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council requests that the following new projects be evaluated and added to the STIP or Needs Lists and authorizes the City Administration to complete the necessary project nomination forms.

· Homer Intersection Improvements: The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities recently completed the Homer Intersections Planning Study. The Study recommends that eight intersections be improved with traffic control improvements between now and 2011. Four need attention immediately. The possible solutions include four way stops, traffic signals, roundabouts, and couplets. Adding the Homer Intersection Improvements Project to the STIP and expediting construction is vital to orderly community development and maintaining good traffic flow and circulation patterns. It is a clear health and safety issue.

· Heath Street Extension to Anderson: This project is very important to relieve traffic congestion and improve circulation, reduce impacts of through traffic on neighborhoods, and enhance public health and safety. This road extension must be planned and designed in conjunction with the Homer Intersections Improvements projects and the existing Heath Street Project. This project is nominated as a community roads project and if the State builds it to the City’s urban road standards, the City will provide 50 percent of the construction cost and will own and maintain it after completion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council acknowledges and approves the attached letter from the City Manager which provides a more complete listing and description of the City’s STIP transportation priorities; a copy of which is attached and incorporated herein.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 12^th day of December, 2005.

CITY OF HOMER

ATTEST: JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

MARY L. CALHOUN,CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: Increased Maintenance and Operations costs. The City share of the costs for construction of Heath Street Extension, Spit Trail Phase II, and Intersection Improvements cannot be determined until the projects are all designed and the financing packages are complete.