Board of County Commissioners
Agenda Request 66

Statement of Issue:

This agenda item requests Board authorization to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the
Lake Jackson Ecopassage Project Development and Environment Study (PD&E).  The purpose of the PD&E Study is to complete the documentation necessary to ensure that the project is eligible for Federal funds.

Background:

In 2002, Matt Aresco, a biology student from Florida State University, appeared before the Board, requesting action be taken to preserve wildlife along the North Monroe Street corridor, between Clara Kee Boulevard and Old Bainbridge Road.  Mr. Aresco stated that an increasing number of animal deaths had occurred along this corridor due to years of the historic migratory routes being impeded by the physical location of North Monroe Street (US 27).

The issue was brought to the attention of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), who provided $125,000 to fund a Feasibility Study.  Since North Monroe Street is a State road, the CRTPA staff managed the Feasibility Study Project for FDOT.

The Feasibility Study was approved by the CRTPA in November 2004, with an alternative selected costing approximately $3.5 million to complete.  In January 2005, CRTPA staff met with FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to determine a course of action to accomplish this project.  Both FDOT and FHWA recommended that a PD&E Study be completed to make the project eligible for Federal funds.  On this recommendation, CRTPA requested and received $60,000 from FDOT to complete the PD&E study.  In May 2005, staff received approval of the Scope-of-Services for the project from the CRTPA.

Analysis:

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage PD&E Study project lies wholly within Leon County, but on a State roadway, and therefore the project falls under the jurisdiction of the CRTPA.  However, CRTPA staff has the option of procuring services through the City or County, and wishes to continue to use the County process.  It will be the responsibility of the CRTPA to approve the actions within the Scope of Services as it pertains to outcomes resulting from the Lake Jackson PD&E Study.

The County Attorney is working with the CRTPA Attorney to determine if an amendment to the original Joint Project Agreement (JPA) is sufficient, or whether a new JPA is necessary.  Regardless, the JPA will be executed after the consultant has been selected, but prior to the execution of any agreement for services by the consultant.

Options:

1. Authorize the issuance of the Request for Proposals for the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Project Development and Environment Study.
2. Do not authorize the issuance of the Request for Proposals for the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Project Development and Environment Study.
3. Board direction. 

Recommendation:

Option #1

Attachments:

1.         Request for Proposals for Lake Jackson Ecopassage PD&E Study