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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0068) RESOLUTION - Supporting NCTCOG...TEXRail Extension-Near SouthsideA Resolution NO. SUPPORTING THE NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FY21 REBUILDING AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY (RAISE) DISCRETIONARY GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE TEXRAIL — NEAR SOUTHSIDE EXTENSION PROJECT AND COMMITTING TO A DEDICATION OF $2.5 MILLION IN LOCAL FUNDING WHEREAS, on April 23, 2021, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Department of Transportation's National Infrastructure Investments (i.e. the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the RAISE Grant Program provides a unique opportunity for the USDOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives for surface transportation infrastructure projects which have a significant local or regional impact; and WHEREAS, on January 10, 2019, Trinity Metro began operating the first phase of TEXRail, a 26.8 mile commuter rail transit service between downtown Fort Worth and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; and WHEREAS, the TEXRail — Near Southside Commuter Rail Extension project will add an additional 2.1 miles extending service south into Fort Worth's Medical District/Near Southside area (sub -region); and WHEREAS, the commuter rail extension project will replace an existing 100 year old railroad bridge to add capacity for a separate set of tracks for commuter rail service so not to negatively impact movement of freight goods through the corridor; and WHEREAS, the project is an eligible activity under the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) funding program and was approved for use of remaining federal funds from the construction of the first phase to the Dallas -Fort Worth international Airport; and WHEREAS, on July 12, 2021, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), in cooperation with Trinity Metro, the City of Fort Worth, and Baylor Scott & White Health submitted a RAISE Grant application seeking funding assistance in the amount of $25 million through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 RAISE Grant Program for the TEXRail — Near Southside Commuter Rail Extension project; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth provided a letter of support for the TEXRail — Near Southside Commuter Rail Extension project in the RAISE grant application with anticipation of equal participation with Trinity Metro in the local match funding requirements; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth, through this Resolution, commits to providing half of the required RAISE Grant local match in the amount of $2.5 million for the TEXRail — Near Southside Commuter Rail Extension project; and WHEREAS, city staff will require TEXRail performance measures in the Interlocal Agreement with Trinity Metro to quantify the commuter rail project benefits quarterly and continual planning for the long-term success to reach Chisolm Trail Parkway at McPherson; and WHEREAS, the FY 2021 Appropriations ACT mandated RAISE grant awards by November 22, 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT: The City of Fort Worth fully supports the RAISE grant application submitted by the North Central Texas Council of Governments for the TEXRail — Near Southside Commuter Rail Extension project and commits to providing half of the required RAISE Grant local match in the amount of $2.5 million. Adopted this ______day of October 2021. ATTEST: Lo Ronald P. Gonzales, Acting City Secretary