Narrative of Resolution:
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To Authorize Application for Funding from the United States Department of Transportation’s FY2022 Raise Grant Program to Advance Buildout of the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail
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WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) for FY 2022 for Local and Regional Project Assistance Program Grants under National Infrastructure Investments; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been issued to solicit applications for projects to be funded under the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program, also known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program, including any additional funding appropriated for the RAISE Grants program under the FY 2022 Appropriations Act; and
WHEREAS, RAISE is one of the few DOT discretionary programs for which regional and local governments can directly compete for multimodal transportation funding, supporting projects such as rail trails; and
WHEREAS, the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development is pursuing implementation of the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Feasibility study which details plans for connecting the existing, locally-oriented sections of developed rail trail in Sullivan County into a regionally-scaled facility, eventually linking 11 hamlet and village centers on the main line, and a spur that would connect the trail with the Metro-North commuter rail line in Port Jervis; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Planning and Community Development, working in conjunction with trail municipalities and organization partners, has identified an immediate need for FY2022 RAISE grant funding to support acquisition of the right-of-way necessary to design and build the inter-municipal trail connections, as well as for design and engineering of those trail elements where the right of way is currently in public ownership; and
WHEREAS, the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail buildout meets the two RAISE program criteria for funding up to 100 percent of project costs - that is being located in a rural area or being located in, or will directly benefit, an Area of Persistent Poverty;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Sullivan County Legislature hereby authorizes the County Manager, Chairman of the County Legislature, and/or their authorized representative (as required by the funding source) to execute any and all necessary documents to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a RAISE Program planning grant of up to $1,200,000 to fund necessary predevelopment activities associated with right-of-way acquisition including but not limited to appraisals, surveys, environmental assessments and legal costs, and for the design and engineering of elements of the rail trail project currently in public ownership, such as the portions of on-road alignment and the off-road segment in the hamlet of Parksville; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature hereby authorizes the
County Manager to execute any and all necessary documents to accept the grant award, should one be secured, in such form as the County Attorney shall approve; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should the funding be terminated, the County shall not be obligated to continue any action undertaken or contemplated to be undertaken for the use of this funding.