Beautiful Ditch City USA will be spending another $685,000 to get water from downtown to the Kansas River. Three years ago the City approved a million dollar Tuttle Creek boulevard Beautification Enhancement Project. Tuesday night they approved Phase II.

Here is what City staff had to say about the project: BACKGROUND In 1998, Congress created the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). As part of that legislation, a category of funding for transportation enhancement projects was provided. That was further subdivided into subcategories to include "historical, scenic, and environmental" projects.

On November 28, 2000, the Commission approved Resolution No. 112800-B declaring the eligibility of the City of Manhattan to submit applications to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for use of transportation enhancement funds for the Tuttle Creek Boulevard Beautification Enhancement Project, Phase II. Phase II would extend the project that has recently been completed south to where the channel intersects Poyntz Avenue (US-24).

KDOT has advised the City that the project application has been approved. On July 3, 2001, the City Commission provided concurrence to KDOT regarding the funding arrangement associated with this phase of the project. Based on that concurrence, KDOT has drafted an agreement that is attached for review and consideration by the City Commission.

DISCUSSION: KDOT requires a resolution be approved, which authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. Resolution No. 090302-A is attached.

Entering into this agreement will commit the City to matching the grant with local funds. The total construction and inspection costs for the project are estimated to be $685,000. The grant is for 70% of construction and inspection costs, which is estimated to be approximately $479,500. The City’s match is 30%, which is estimated to be $205,500. Funds have been programmed out of the storm water fee revenue to provide the City’s estimated match. The scope of the project is to improve the drainage channel east of Tuttle Creek Boulevard, from Leavenworth Street to Poyntz Avenue, by stabilizing the flow line and side slopes and provide significant landscaping. In addition, if the City wishes to have the overhead electrical lines placed underground through this location, the cost associated with this item of work is expected to be approximately $95,000 (preliminary estimate provided by Westar Energy); and is not eligible for federal participation.

It should be noted that by accepting this grant and following through with the construction of the project, the City of Manhattan will also be assuming the maintenance responsibility for the landscaping and planting materials that will be placed in this area. This will create additional demands on the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The design effort for this project was authorized by the City Commission at the same time authorization for Phase I plans was provided. BG Consultants has been working on these plans and will be completing the effort this fall. It is anticipated that this project would be bid in March of 2003 with construction beginning in early summer of 2003.

RECOMMENDATIONS City Administration recommends the City Commission approve Resolution No. 090302-A authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement with KDOT for the drainage channel improvements east of Tuttle Creek Boulevard. City Administration also recommends that existing overhead power lines be left overhead.

POSSIBLE MOTION Approve Resolution No. 090302-A authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the drainage channel improvements along the east side of Tuttle Creek Boulevard and direct City Administration (to / not to) relocate the existing overhead electric lines underground through the project.