COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR ORDINANCE NO. 071277, AS AMENDED

 

Commencing the implementation of light rail by defining the role of the City, setting minimum performance items; authorizing execution of a $200,000.00 contract with the KCATA from previously appropriated funds; and recognizing an emergency.

 

WHEREAS, the adoption of the November 2006 initiated ordinance established popular support for the establishment of a light rail system in Kansas City; and

 

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 071202 established City Council support for the establishment of a light rail system in Kansas City; and

 

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 070262 named Kansas City Area Transportation Authority as Project Sponsor for light rail Alternatives Analysis and light rail development; and

 

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 070262 reiterated City Council responsibility for approval of the alignment, technology, and local financing which may be required, and which may necessitate additional citizen elections; and

 

WHEREAS, KCATA has formed a Study Management Team which includes representatives from the Citys Planning, Public Works, Aviation, and Parks and Recreation Departments, the City Managers Office, MoDOT, MARC and other stakeholders to guide and assist in the conduct of a federally required alternatives analysis which is the first phase of design and light rail implementation; and

 

WHEREAS, a consultant team has been selected and is under contract with KCATA to technically assist the City and KCATA in the technical development of light rail and completion of Alternatives Analysis; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

 

Section 1. Light Rail Implementation. The Phase I Light Rail Alternative Analysis currently being conducted by the City of Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), in conjunction with the Study Management Team and the Citizens Task Force, has developed a Light Rail Starter Line concept to put before the community for review as a substitute to the Nov. 6, 2006 Citizens Initiative for Light Rail. The City of Kansas City and KCATA will proceed in partnership to expeditiously complete the Alternatives Analysis, design, develop, engineer and implement a light rail transportation system as part of a regional transportation system that includes bus, bus rapid transit, and potentially commuter rail.

 

Section 2. Role of the City.

 

(A) In its efforts to implement light rail, the Citys and KCATAs consultants shall proceed immediately to Phase II of the Alternatives Analysis and keep the City informed, through the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, the City Council and the Study Management team of the ongoing design and engineering issues that will affect the alignment, and cost of the project.

 

(B) The Citizens Task Force will continue to provide input into this process.

 

(C) In its efforts to implement light rail, the City recognizes that KCATA is the "designated grant recipient" for federal funds and it shall work in partnership with the KCATA performing no action that would reasonably place any project undertaken with federal funding at risk.

 

(D) The City Council will place a new ballot initiative for light rail, taking into consideration the Citizen Task Force recommendation on the most appropriate election date in 2008, as well as the renewal of the three-eighths cent sales tax for bus operations, the City and KCATA Consultant Team shall coordinate all matters relating to light rail within it corporate limits, including, but not limited to, planning and design, alignment, financing, right-of-way acquisition, land use, utility relocation, and the terms and conditions to be applied to contracts entered into for construction. All future cooperative agreements on light rail with the KCATA shall adhere to this section. In its partnership with the KCATA, the City shall work to minimize duplication and optimize existing City or KCATA expertise.

 

Section 3. Specific performance. In moving forward immediately into Phase II of the Light Rail Alternative Analysis with the KCATA, the City shall commence to perform, at a minimum and as appropriate, the following tasks related to the implementation of light rail and completion of Alternatives Analysis:

 

(A) The City shall establish an appropriate partnership and implementation relationship with the KCATA as set forth by this ordinance and designate a lead City staff contact for LRT.

 

(B) The City shall proactively provide its institutional knowledge and expertise into all appropriate aspects of the Alternative Analysis, including, but not limited to, planning, zoning, economic development, engineering and project management.

 

(C) The City shall develop ordinances that establish transit overlay zones, station area development plans and promote transit oriented development at each of the proposed stations for the project.

 

(D) The City and KCATA shall begin site and environmental analysis and engineering for a light rail bridge over the Missouri River.

 

(E) The City and KCATA shall actively enter into discussions with the City of North Kansas City on issues related to light rail including street alignment, station locations and cost allocation.

 

(F) The City and KCATA shall continue discussions with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for potential use of its right-of-way and structures for light rail.

 

(G) In its efforts to determine future alignments and connections to the entire city and region, the City and KCATA shall take into consideration the following alignments and connections:

 

(1) The alignment identified by Citizens Light Rail Task Force for the first phase light rail.

 

(2) An East-West connection along the alignment of Trumann Road.

 

(3) An East-West connection along the alignment of Linwood Blvd.

 

(4) Connectivity to the area in the general vicinity of Bannister Mall.

 

(5) Connectivity to the area in the general vicinity of Metro North Mall.

 

(6) Use of the existing Bruce R. Watkins highway corridor.

 

(7) Use of the existing Harry Wiggins Trolley Track corridor.

 

(8) Use of the existing US-169 highway corridor.

 

(9) Connectivity to the airport

 

(10) Connectivity to Clay County and Liberty

 

(H) The City shall establish a budget to perform its light rail responsibilities in future budgetary cycles.

 

Section 4. Source of funds. In performing its light rail responsibilities, the City Manager is authorized to execute a contract with the KCATA in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 from funds previously appropriated to account 08-2080-642300-B of the Public Transportation Fund ($200,000.00) and any other applicable appropriations to this fund.

 

Section 5. Recognizing and emergency. In that this ordinance relates to a contract relating to the design, repair, maintenance or construction of a public improvement it is recognized as an emergency pursuant to the provisions of Section 503, City Charter, and shall take effect in accordance with that provision.

 

_____________________________________________

 

I hereby certify that there is a balance, otherwise unencumbered, to the credit of the appropriation to which the foregoing expenditure is to be charged, and a cash balance, otherwise unencumbered, in the treasury, to the credit of the fund from which payment is to be made, each sufficient to meet the obligation hereby incurred.

 

 

___________________________________

Wanda Gunter

Acting Director of Finance

 

Approved as to form and legality:

 

 

___________________________________

William Geary

Assistant City Attorney