AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2019-212R, approving an agreement for the temporary closure of State Right of Way with the Texas Department of Transportation (“TxDOT”) authorizing the City to close certain highway exit and entrance ramps along Interstate Highway I-35 to alleviate traffic congestion in connection with retail events, including Black Friday and Tax-Free Weekends, at the City’s Outlet Malls; declaring that such activities serve a public purpose; authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute such agreement for these events for both the upcoming year and subsequent years; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: November 6, 2019
Department: Public Services - Tom Taggart, Executive Director
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $12,000
Account Number: 10006147.52305
Funds Available: $127,000
Account Name: Operating Expense: Traffic Operations-Contracted Services
Fiscal Note:
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Background Information:
Since 2000, the City of San Marcos has worked with the San Marcos Outlet Malls and TxDOT to develop a traffic control plan that increases safety and minimizes congestion for major retail events such as Black Friday and Tax-Free weekends.
The traffic control plan (TCP) includes the closure of Interstate 35 exit and entrance ramps. These closures help to reduce accidents minimizing traffic backups on the interstate main lanes and reducing collisions associated with slow moving vehicles exiting the malls and speeding traffic exiting the interstate. The City contracts the closure of the interstate ramps ($7,500) and uses in-house crews for all other traffic control ($4,500). The total cost for the outlet mall traffic control for one weekend is $12,000.
For the first time since 2000, TxDOT is requiring approval of an agreement for closure of state right of way. In addition, the City shall furnish to the State a completed “Certificate of Insurance”.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation:
City Staff recommends approval of the agreement.