Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Acceptance of Federal Congressionally Directed funding under the Highway Infrastructure Program for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Project.
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the federal Transportation and Housing and Urban Development application for funding for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Project.
2. Accept an award of Federal funding for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Project in the amount of $1,300,000, as designated and awarded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 within Division L, Title I, Highway Infrastructure Program, and as administered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for Federal Participation in Preliminary Engineering as a funding requirement for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail project for a period of five years or until all obligations set forth have been satisfactorily fulfilled, whichever occurs first.
4. Accept the amended Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Project Budget to $1,625,000 to account for federal funding.
5. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and amendments to agreements, in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the project budget.
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Background and Rationale
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The Bruce Vento Regional Trail corridor is 13 miles in length and extends from the east side of downtown Saint Paul to the north county line at County Road J in Ramsey County. The southern seven-mile segment of the regional trail was completed in 2005 from downtown Saint Paul to Buerkle Road in Ramsey County on former Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway. The remaining six miles of the trail north of Buerkle Road to County Road J is still undeveloped due to active rail use.
During 2021-2022, the Parks & Recreation department launched a project for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail section to develop a Preliminary Design Report to further explore the preferred regional trail route identified within the Bruce Vento Long Range Plan. The goal for this project was to identify corridor site impacts for the preferred trail alignment, easement and acquisition needs, develop design scenario’s, preliminary design to a 20% level, conceptual cost estimation for potential trail improvements and engage the community through multiple engagement sessions.
In efforts to continue design for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Project, Ramsey County submitted a Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) application in 2021 for Federal Highway Infrastructure funds to complete preliminary and final design for the Phase 2 section and was awarded federal funds in the amount $1,300,000 to full fill 80% of the estimated project budget. Federal funding awarded for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Project is considered earmark funding designated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 within Division L, Title I, Highway Infrastructure Program. Federal funds flow through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) State Aid for funded projects. As a condition of receiving federal earmark funds, the Minnesota Department of Transportation requires a Federal Participation in Preliminary Engineering Agreement to be executed by Ramsey County. Another condition of federal funds requires Ramsey Count to provide a local match in the amount of $325,000 to full fill the remaining 20% of the estimated project budget.
In February 2024, Ramsey County approved a Parks and Trails Amendment grant in the amount of $325,000 to satisfy federal local funding match requirements for a total estimated project budget of $1,625,000. This project will provide several benefits to Ramsey County residents and aligns with county strategic priorities for Residents First, Climate Mitigation and Resiliency, Intergenerational Prosperity, and Racial and Economic Inclusion.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
An equity analysis was completed as part of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Long-range Plan amendment. Engagement activities were developed and prioritized for equity, inclusivity, maximizing voices heard, and geographic representation. Equity analysis outcomes provided a direct benefit to significant populations for people of color in Saint Paul south of Larpenteur Avenue, connects two communities with diverse demographics and income between Maplewood and White Bear Lake, in addition to substantial concentrations of youth, elderly, and residents with disabilities.
In addition, development of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 sections of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail will have a regional context for connecting with disadvantaged populations with Ramsey County and beyond. Significant access barriers will be eliminated from industrial areas and major vehicular transportation routes, providing a new multi-modal trail. The trail will provide connections to other regional and local trails such as the Highway 96 Regional Trail, Lakes Links Regional Trail, Gateway Regional Trail, planned South Shore Trail, and future connection to the proposed Hardwood Creek Regional Trail extension in Washington County at County Road J.
Once the Phase 1 and Phase 2 sections are constructed, the trail will connect populations south of the trail project for the southern Saint Paul segment of the existing Bruce Vento Trail which extends through highly urban and concentrated areas of poverty making it a regionally important connection that will directly benefit diverse populations more distant than those directly adjacent to the corridor area.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Although no community engagement was conducted for the preparation and submission of the THUD application, engagement was completed through a multi-year effort for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 sections of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail by the Parks department spanning over multiple projects. Public engagement activities were completed at different intervals dependent on project location throughout the regional trail corridor. Comprehensive planning engagement completed by the Parks department primarily focus on areas north of Buerkle Road.
To achieve the public engagement goals, diverse communities were identified including people of color, Hmong people living in Saint Paul and Maplewood, Latino people living in Saint Paul, Public Housing residents, trail users, and residents and business throughout the project corridor. Input received as a part of the engagement activities is reflected throughout the long-range plan amendment.
• Phase 2 Preliminary Development Report - Multiple public engagement sessions were conducted with the community for development of the Preliminary Development Report. In total there were two virtual meetings, one online project video, one pop-up meeting, two public open houses, and two online surveys between July 2021 - April 2022. Engagement connections with the community resulted in approximately 315+ people, 325+ online survey responses, and 330+ online map comments.
• Long-Range Plan engagement (Phase 1 and Phase 2 sections) - Three public engagement meetings were conducted with the community, two in 2018, and one meeting in 2019 totaling approximately 185 people, 200 plus comments, approximately 50 surveys, over 3000 flyers/direct mailings, and multiple website/social media postings. Additionally, there was a 30-day public review of the master plan in September 2020.
Engagement activities and notifications were completed through various methods consisting of website updates, public open houses, pop-up events, direct mailings, direct meetings with homeowners and business, flyers and social media.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The overall budget for the Phase 2 design project is estimated at $1,625,000. The budget is comprised of $1,300,000 in federal funding administered by MnDOT federal aid which, comprises of 80% of the project budget. Ramsey County is providing a local match of 20% in the amount of $325,000 through Parks and Trails Legacy Amendment funding. The $1,300,000 award is new revenue not accounted for in the Parks and Recreation 2024 - 2025 operating budget. Ramsey County is responsible for ongoing maintenance costs for new development after the projects are completed.
Last Previous Action
On February 6, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a local match in the amount of $325,000 for the Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail project (Resolution B2024-023).
Attachments
1. Phase 2 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Context Map
2. Federal Participation in Preliminary Engineering Agreement with MnDOT
3. Transportation and Housing and Urban Development application
4. Transportation and Housing and Urban Development notice of award