Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an amendment to the interlocal agreement with the Austin Independent School District to increase available funds in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, for cost sharing on infrastructure improvements such as the construction and improvement of sidewalks, shared-use paths, and pedestrian crossings within the City’s right-of-way.
De
Lead Department
Transportation and Public Works Department.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
March 23, 2020 - Council authorized negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with the Austin Independent School District for the development and cost-sharing of projects related to improving shared-use paths, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossing within the City right-of-way in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000. The motion was approved on an 11-0 vote.
August 18, 2016 - Ordinance No. 20160818-023, which ordered a special election for the purpose of authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds for transportation and mobility was approved on a 7-1 vote with Council Member Houston voting nay, Council Members Garza, Troxclair, and Zimmerman abstaining.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Pirouz Moin, Assistant Director, 512-974-8769; Amir Emamian, Division Manager, 512-974-9319; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092; Stella Deshotel, Business Process Consultant, 512-974-8054.
Additional Backup Information:
In March 2020, Council authorized staff to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to develop a cost-sharing framework for Safe Routes to Schools enhancements to AISD school bond-funded projects. In the executed interlocal agreement, the City agreed to contribute $1,000,000 to infrastructure enhancements identified in local plans, such as wider sidewalks and shared-use paths that exceed the improvements planned through AISD bond projects.
With the new AISD bond program underway, staff anticipates the existing ILA for local mobility projects may not provide enough capacity for the additional bond projects. Approving this amendment would preserve the City’s ability to enhance projects financed with AISD’s 2022 bond funds. The passage of the 2022 AISD bond, which included $2.44 billion in bond funds for improvements across the district, presents an opportunity to amend the existing ILA and commit additional funds to the partnership with AISD.
If approved, the amendment to the ILA would provide up to $5,000,000 in funds to leverage infrastructure enhancement opportunities between AISD and several Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) programs, such as Safe Routes to Schools and Sidewalks and Urban Trails, to better meet the needs of the community. In addition, planned mobility improvements identified in the recent ATX Walk, Bike, Roll, approved in November 2023, will be able to utilize this ILA funding to leverage Austin ISD bond funding where possible.
To provide an example, many of the AISD campuses that are scheduled for renovations have sidewalks that are identified for reconstruction that are also in the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Reports as candidates for widened sidewalks or shared-use paths. AISD has funding available to reconstruct these sidewalks as five-foot wide sidewalks that comply with applicable codes. However, by cost-sharing between Safe Routes to School and AISD, wider sidewalks may be possible that can better accommodate the needs of both students walking and bicycling to school. The City benefits by being able to provide enhanced access and safety at a fraction of what it would otherwise cost as a stand-alone project, and AISD benefits by having improved infrastructure leading directly to their schools, reducing congestion and improving commutes for students, staff, and the general public.
Funding in the amount of $5,000,000 is available from the 2016 and 2020 City of Austin Mobility Bonds.