To: Mayor and Council
From: Aaron Rector, City Manager
Subject:
Title
Consider a resolution supporting the FY27 Appropriations Requests to the Office of United States Representative Beth Van Duyne related to requests for the Bear Creek Water Line Replacement, Melody Drainage and Pedestrian Improvements, and Various Intersection Safety Improvements.
Action Requested:
Consider a resolution supporting the FY27 Appropriations Requests to the Office of United States Representative Beth Van Duyne related to requests for the Bear Creek Water Line Replacement, Melody Drainage and Pedestrian Improvements, and Various Intersection Safety Improvements.
Background:
On February 27, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne’s office made the City aware it was seeking FY 27 federal appropriations requests. A resolution of support for any requests is recommended to be included with the submittals. Staff prepared three requests to be submitted for consideration.
The first proposed project is the Bear Creek water line replacement which is shared with the City of Southlake. The shared water transmission line is approximately 27,400 linear feet - roughly 5 miles - and is made up of 30-inch and 36-inch concrete cylinder pipes. The line to be replaced is nearly 40 years old, built when the two cities it supplied had a combined population of fewer than 7,500 people. Today, it is tasked with delivering over 2.5 billion gallons per year to serve over 77,800 residents in the two communities. Due to the age of the line, the two cities have spent over $1.5 million so far to address unexpected line breaks that have occurred at an average of one per year. The water line replacement request is for $30 million and would be a 50/50 split between federal and city funds. The City of Keller and City of Southlake would provide a match of $7.5 million for a total match of $15 million. We have requested funding for this item in prior years and have been awarded approximately $1.5 million year-to-date.
The second proposed project is the Melody drainage and pedestrian safety project which would install curb and gutter drainage with pedestrian amenities. Melody Lane is a rural, two- lane roadway with open bar ditches, no shoulders and no pedestrian accommodation. At the bottom of the roadway, the current stormwater management system is configured such that rain events adversely impact adjacent property owners and threaten habitable structures. This project will address the stormwater management concerns with an enclosed stormwater system (curb, gutter and pipes) while providing for the opportunity to provide a safe pedestrian route between two pedestrian activity nodes (parks), including the community’s only all-abilities playground.
The third proposed project is the intersection safety improvements and would install roundabouts at rural roadway intersections that experience high delays and crash incidents. Roundabouts are a proven option to improve safety at these intersections while decreasing driver delay. What makes the intersections unique are the proximity of major private utility transmission lines, geographic constraints like FEMA floodplains, cemeteries, curved roadways, and physical topography. This is why design and construction estimates are pushed to ~$3 million each. Keller proposes four (4) intersection conversions: Bourland and Bancroft roads, Mt. Gilead Road and Robin Court, Whitley and Rapp roads, and Keller Smithfield and Ottinger roads.
Financial Impact:
The FY 27 appropriations request for the Bear Creek water line replacement request is $30 million with a 50% match (25% for Keller and Southlake), for the Melody drainage and pedestrian safety request is $12 million with a $3 million or 25% match, and for the various intersection improvement request is $12 million with a $3 million or 25% match.
Citizen Input/Board Review:
N/A
Legal Review:
N/A
Alternatives:
City Council has the following alternatives:
- Approve as submitted
- Approve with changes
- Denial
Council Action:
Approve as submitted