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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-16 IFAC TDM Coordinator Memo - Woolard Commission Memorandum REPORT TO: Impact Fee Advisory Committee FROM: Craig Woolard, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Request for Impact Fee Funds for Transportation Demand Position MEETING DATE: May 12, 2016 AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action RECOMMENDATION: Approve use of $50,000 per year for three years of transportation impact fees to fund a transportation demand management coordinator at the Montana State University Western Transportation Institute. BACKGROUND: The City of Bozeman transportation system is at a critical point in its development. Sustained rapid growth, years of deferred maintenance have resulted in a system that is, in many cases, failing to meet the needs of the community. Over the past several years, the City Commission has implemented several policy and funding strategies to improve Bozeman’s transportation system. The adoption of a local street reconstruction policy, the implementation of an arterial and collector special district and additional funding for street maintenance along with the continued use of transportation impact fees will improve the system for all residents. To date, these policies and funding strategies have been focused on constructing roads and associated bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. However, there are also transportation demand strategies than can be used to improve the efficiency and extend the functional life of our existing transportation system. With this memo, I am requesting that the Impact Fee Advisory Committee recommend to the City Commission that $50,000 of transportation impact fee funding be dedicated to partially fund a transportation demand management (TDM) coordinator position at the Montana State University (MSU) Western Transportation Institute (WTI). As detailed in the attached memo, the TDM coordinator would be a collaborative effort between MSU, WTI and the City of Bozeman. The coordinator would be an employee of WTI. The City of Bozeman would provide partial funding and oversight of the coordinator. Along with the City’s funding, MSU will provide $25,000 annually to fund the position. The remainder of the required funding will be provided by WTI. The City’s funding would be provided through memorandum of understanding with WTI. A recommendation for using transportation impact fees to fund the TDM coordinator is being requested because the programs developed by the TDM coordinator have the potential to decrease demand on existing arterial and collector roadways which have been partially constructed with impact fees. Extending the life of these roadways through active demand management will reduce the immediate and long term need to improve intersections and construct additional travel lanes. UNRESOLVED ISSUES: Tentative work activities have been identified in the attached memorandum. Annual work plan and project deliverables will be developed on an annual basis. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the Impact Fee Advisory Committee for consideration by the City Commission. FISCAL EFFECTS: $50,000 per year for the next three years, renewed annually after consultation with and recommendation of the Transportation Impact Fee Advisory Committee and approval by the City Commission.