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 In
May the federal government announced the second round of the
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant, known
as TIGER. The grant program was originally introduced last year as
part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,
otherwise known as the federal stimulus plan.
In order to qualify for the grant, a pre-application must be
filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation no later than June
15. Because the council hasn't met for two weeks, Mayor Keith Snyder
said that there was no opportunity for the council to discuss this
in a workshop session.
Snyder also said that he had sent e-mails to the aldermen,
explaining the grant and the need for the council to take action
immediately.
Snyder asked Dalpoas to take the podium and explain the grant.
Dalpoas said that the intent was to apply for a total of $2
million, which would permit the hospital to build the Lincoln
Parkway entrance, the entire ring around the hospital and the
connection to Woodlawn at Taylor Court.
Dalpoas said that the process included the pre-application
deadline of June 15 and a formal application deadline of July 30,
with grants to be awarded Sept. 15-Dec. 31.
The city of Lincoln would be the official applicant for the
grant, and once constructed the roadway would belong to the city.
Alderman Marty Neitzel asked about the local match that is
generally required in grants, and Dalpoas said that the hospital
will cover the match. He went on to say that in this grant
application, the applicants can specify a match between 0 and 20
percent. The hospital plans to offer the full 20, believing that
will improve their odds of winning an award.
Alderman Joni Tibbs asked who would be the administrator of the
grant funds. Dalpoas said the city of Lincoln would ultimately be
responsible for the administration of funds, but Hanson and the
hospital would assist in that area. He also noted that they have
their own grant writers, so the city will not have to do anything
but sign the applications.
Kramer spoke about how the new structure will connect to Lincoln
Parkway, calling it a three-legged intersection. On Lincoln Parkway
an intersection with traffic lights will connect the hospital to
both the north- and southbound lanes but will not cross the east
side to connect with Short 11th. Kramer said that in looking at the
possibility of connecting Short 11th to the intersection, it was
cost-prohibitive.
She also noted that the city could make that connection at a
later date. When asked how much she estimated it would cost to do
that connection, Kramer said at least $100,000.
In addition to the Lincoln Parkway connection, Taylor Court,
which runs south at the Lincoln Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership, will be
extended to the hospital, thus connecting ALMH to Woodlawn Road.
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The votes for the evening included approving an agreement between
the city and the hospital to apply for the funds, and a waiver of
conflict of interest regarding the Woods & Bates law firm.
With city attorney Bill Bates absent for the evening, Blinn Bates
was on hand in his place. Bates explained that while the firm has
represented ALMH in other projects, they are agreeing not to act on
behalf of the hospital in this case, but will rather represent the
city, if that is what the city desires.
Approving the waiver would verify that the council wishes to have
the Bates firm continue to represent them in this matter.
During the voting session, with Alderwoman Melody Anderson absent
for the evening, the waiver of conflict of interest was approved
with a vote of 9-0.
Bates was asked if the agreement document between the city and
ALMH had been reviewed by the attorneys. Bates said that it had, and
the city attorney was confident that the agreement was acceptable.
The council then voted again 9-0 to approve the agreement,
allowing Hanson and ALMH to go forward with the grant application
process on the city's behalf.
It should be noted that ALMH has always contended that they would
pay the full cost of the road construction around the hospital.
Winning or losing this grant will have no effect on that promise and
will neither add to nor take away from the city's 2010-11
cash-strapped budget.
[By NILA SMITH]
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