TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Presentation and Possible Direction on a Proposed Assessment for Tamiami Trail Linear Parking.
Recommended Action
Provide direction on a Proposed Assessment for Tamiami Trail Linear Parking.
Background Information
In Fiscal Year 2016, the City Commission approved Capital Improvement Project (CIP) R16TTP for construction of a series of linear parking spaces along the Tamiami Trail frontage road south of US 41 between Bolander Terrance and North Port Boulevard, and between Landover Terrace and Almonte Terrace. It was anticipated to provide angle parking similar to the angle parking on the north side of US 41, west of Pan American Boulevard. In Fiscal Year 2019, R19TTP was created to construct a series of linear parking spaces along the Tamiami Trail frontage road north of US 41 between North Port Boulevard and Espanola Drive.
In 2019, the City Commission delayed the Tamiami Trail Linear Parking project to explore the possibility of involving funding from commercial businesses to subsidize the proposed off-street parking as this parking area would provide benefit directly to the adjacent properties. At that time, staff completed research, including the evaluation of a Tax Bill-Based Assessment process with Sarasota County to fund off-street parking facilities. Letters to commercial property owners were prepared, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on businesses, the process was delayed. In 2020, the City Commission decided to allocate limited funding for Tamiami Trail Parking South and North projects, with plans to reengage commercial property owners when pandemic conditions improved.
As such, a Request for Letters of Interest (RLI) 2024-06PW seeking professional services for a US 41 Linear Parking Special Assessment Evaluation was issued on June 3, 2024, with responses due on June 21, 2024. SCS Engineers was the only firm that responded and following review of the RLI response, Work Assignment 2024-06PW for Agreement 2023-32 was issued on August 19, 2024, in the amount of $26,635.00.
SCS Engineers has evaluated the feasibility of implementing equitable funding mechanisms via an assessment to adjacent properties that would benefit from the parking to fully recover the costs of construction, maintenance, potential parking meter installation, and operation. The presentation will provide an overview of the evaluation and assessment options based on an apportionment methodology for allocating costs and benefits among the properties served by the linear parking.
In parallel with the assessment study, design for the final construction plans for the lots are nearly 90% complete, and applications for Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) permits are ready for submission. The project is estimated at a construction cost of $2,000,000.00. The three (3) parking lots will provide a total of 163 parking spaces, with 72 on the north side and 91 on the south side.
Strategic Plan
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
To be determined based on Commission direction.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
2. SCS Technical Memo
Prepared by: Jaime Vidales, P.E., Engineer II
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director