Agenda Item Name:
Title
Resolution and Agreement for State Highway Lighting, Maintenance and Compensation
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Presenter:
Ramon D. Gavarrete, P.E., Public Works Director
Description:
Requesting approval of the State Highway Lighting, Maintenance and Compensation agreement.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt the resolution which authorizes the execution of an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation and authorizes the Public Works Director to execute amendments and the annual execution of Agreement Exhibit “A”.
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Prior Board Motions:
In 2003 the County Entered into the original State Highway Lighting, Maintenance and Compensation Agreement.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The agreement provides a sum of $261,776.79 for the first fiscal year and a per-light increase of 3% each fiscal year. Revenue is accounted for in account 149.79.7910.344.9030.
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Background:
The Florida Association of County Engineers and Road Superintendents (FACERS) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have a long history of negotiating Reimbursement Agreements for Local Agency Maintenance of Signals and Highway Lighting. FACERS records show that as early as 1978, the State Association of County Engineers and Road Superintendents (now FACERS) asked the State Legislature to require FDOT to reimburse counties for costs incurred for traffic signals on state highways. Prior to 2000, it was the policy of FDOT to pay for installation of traffic signals and roadway lights on the state highways if local governments agreed to maintain (at their expense) these facilities. There was no reimbursements for such maintenance. In 1997, FACERS contacted FDOT Secretary of Transportation to again request changes in FDOT policies and rules to allow FDOT to compensate local agencies for maintaining signals and lights on state highways. The Secretary responded positively and established a working group under the direction of the State Transportation Engineer to work with FACERS to develop a plan and agreements to compensate local agencies. By 2000, new agreements had been reached and FDOT budgeted funds for this compensation.
In 2003 the County entered into an agreement with FDOT for State Highway Lighting, Maintenance and Compensation. Due to the rapidly changing technologies and rise in utility costs, FACERS and FDOT entered into discussions to amend the 2000 Agreements.
The original agreement was open-ended with automatic renewals. The term of the new agreement has been updated to seven years. The new agreement also authorizes the County to submit reimbursement claims to all third parties responsible for damage. The original agreement did not provide for an opt-out option; the new agreement allows either party to terminate by a written notice.
Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year of the agreement, the County will be required to submit an amended Exhibit “A” to account for any new lights that have come on-line. The first fiscal year of the new agreement covers 941 lights being maintained and the County is to be compensated $309.10 per-light.