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Commissioner Keigher - Public Works - To Accept a Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Grant for Sidewalk Infrastructure along Neal Hawkins Road and Appropriate the Required Local Match Necessary to Complete the Project (Federal - $1,488,462; Local - $372,116)
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STAFF CONTACT
Ray Maxwell, PE - Public Works Director - 704-862-7551
BUDGET IMPACT
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Appropriate Federal Grant Funding (80%) $1,488,462; Local Match (20%) $372,116
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Gaston County Public Works and Planning Department worked together to develop and submit an application for grant funding through the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program. The purpose of the project is to encourage pedestrian movement and accessibility by constructing approximately 3,135 linear feet of sidewalk infrastructure in an unincorporated area of Gaston County. Due to the high density of existing residential dwellings, a nearby city park, a house of worship, and other commercial uses just outside the project area, the proposed sidewalk will encourage pedestrian movement/exercise in the area and increase pedestrian safety. Additionally, such an alternative mode of travel may also contribute to a reduction of vehicle mileage and emissions in terms of travel decisions that originate from within the corridor. The Gaston County Board of Commissioners provided endorsement of the grant application and approved the local match via Resolution 2018-055 dated February 27, 2018.
The Gaston Cleveland Lincoln MPO (GCLMPO) received grant applications with a total funding request of approximately $4.3 million for the FY 2019 funding cycle. The GCLMPO funding allocation for FY 2019 was approximately $1.49 million. Based on the evaluation of applications received, the GCLMPO CMAQ subcommittee recommended awarding the entire $1.49 million FY 2019 allocation to the construction of a sidewalk along Neal Hawkins Road as submitted by Gaston County. Gaston County received notification of the grant award on May 30, 2018 and submitted the required grant agreement application to NCDOT in July 2018. The grant agreement was mailed by NCDOT to Gaston County on March 11, 2019.
Approval of this Board Action accepts the STIP# C-5606M grant award in the amount of $1,488,462 and appropriates the required local match in the amount of $372,116 for the construction of sidewalk infrastructure along Neal Hawkins Road to improve pedestrian mobility and reduce vehicle emissions. Additionally, approval of this Board Action authorizes the County Manager or his designee to execute said documents on behalf of Gaston County and appropriates funding for expenditure purposes. The attached Budget Change Request moves funding into the specific accounts to meet guidelines for auditing and reporting.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
BCR - CMAQ Grant and Local Match Appropriation (STIP# C-5606M)