05 FY25 Budget Recommendation — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240305-005: FY 24-25 Budget WHEREAS, the purpose of the Urban Transportation Commission is to serve as an advisory body to the city council, the city manager, and all other transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matters including: transportation energy conservation matters; grant applications; streets and highways; bus and rail service; pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; safety-related programs and projects; provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission urges all relevant departments to consider the following when formulating their budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: ● Collaborate with partners to plan and develop high-capacity transit projects; ● Achieve the 50/50 mode share split set forth in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP); ● Actively work towards Vision Zero and other safety initiatives efforts; ● Integrate climate goals set forth in the Austin Climate Equity Plan (ACEP); ● Proactively address and mitigate equity concerns caused by decades of inequitable transportation system planning and development; ● Execute the action items listed in the following long-term plans: D R A F T BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) fund the following priorities for the FY 24-25 budget: ● Increase the capacity of the Living Streets program to build out an additional 50 activations during the upcoming fiscal year; ● Work with Capital Delivery Services to accelerate projects funded by the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Mobility Bonds. In particular, utilize the remaining budgets: $39,840,000 allocated for Bikeways and $80,174,000 designated for Urban Trails (as of December 5th, 2023). Establish an aggressive timeline to ensure prompt project execution. ○ Austin Strategic Mobility Plan; ○ Austin Climate Equity Plan; ○ 2023 ATX Walk-Bike-Roll. ● Enhance the City’s data on the number of people using bicycling infrastructure and how that relates to the type of bike infrastructure deployed (i.e. no bike lane, delineators, curb separated, neighborhood bikeway, etc); ● Ensure that all TPW employees required to work in person are located at City offices where commuting via active transportation is reasonably accessible and safe; ○ Additionally, ensure TPW telework practices align with City Council Resolution 20240215-014 and national best practices; ● Work with the Parks and Recreation Department to complete a Traffic Impact Analysis and Transportation Demand Management Study for Zilker Park; ● Purchase an Electric Bicycle Fleet for Transportation Mobility Officers (UTC ● Per Item 4.7.1b of the 2023 Bicycle Plan, allocate $14 million in funding to complete the following bicycle infrastructure at full build quality (new or upgrade): 5 miles of protected bike lanes, 5 protected intersections, 10 bus stops; ● Provide funding to start a program for measuring usage of active transportation for purposes other than reaching a place of employment, rather than relying on the Census American Community Survey which does not collect data about active transportation usage by those working at home and so underestimates active transportation usage; Recommendation 20230711-004); ● Work with APD to create a Volunteer Bike Enforcement, set aside funding for the associated training and implementation, and purchase an electric bicycle fleet for Transportation Mobility Officers (see UTC Recommendation 20230711-004); ● Work with APD to purchase 65 Meridian Archer movable street barricades and to enhance pedestrian safety (See Downtown Commission Recommendation: 20230621-02a, and any subsequent FY 24 Recommendations); D R A F T BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that Capital Delivery Services be explicitly tasked with community engagement responsibilities on its projects and allocate dedicated funding to implement effective public outreach activities. These responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to: ● Implement a variety of outreach methods to accommodate diverse community preferences and needs to ensure broad participation. This includes incorporating bilingual communication strategies. ● Conduct regular public meetings to gather input and feedback on projects. ● Provide consistent and timely updates on project progress, including any modifications to planned work and changes to the project delivery schedule. ● Ensure all project information is posted in a timely manner on project websites, such as the Corridor Program website. ● Publish community feedback received during project design and development phases. ● Ensure final design schematics are accessible for all. ● Utilize social media platforms to share project updates, milestones, and relevant project information and how projects are working towards AMSP and ACEP goals. ● Appoint project liaisons for all major transportation-related projects to address inquiries, concerns, and feedback from the community. In addition, these liaisons shall educate the community on project decisions. ● Actively engage with relevant stakeholder groups to foster collaboration to meet ASMP and ACEP goals. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission requests that TPW incorporate funding estimates and final budget figures for projects that are conducted in collaboration with or at the request of partnering transportation organizations (such as CapMetro, Austin Transit Partnership, TxDOT, etc.). Including projected costs and final budget amounts within these collaborative projects to provide clarity and transparency within the overall budget. Motioned by: Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) D R A F T