Consider for adoption a resolution supporting the request for grant funds from Montgomery County's Montco 2040 Program to construct rain garden infrastructure in conjunction with the intersection improvements proposed for Montgomery Avenue and Old Lancaster Road and agreeing that the Township will match funds toward the grant. 

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Montgomery County has established the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program as a competitive funding program to assist municipalities in implementing the goals of the county comprehensive plan, Montco 2040: A Shared Vision; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County is accepting applications for projects that advance specific goals under one of the county comprehensive plan’s three themes: Connecting Communities, Sustainable Places and a Vibrant Economy; and

WHEREAS, applications and projects must meet all stated requirements in the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program Guidebook; and

WHEREAS, Walk and Bike Montco, Support Downtowns and Community Destinations and Adaptation and Resiliency are focused categories in the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program Guidebook; and

WHEREAS, Lower Merion Township has received a Montgomery Avenue Road Diet Analysis from Pennoni Associates Inc. that recommends providing improved pedestrian safety and intersection improvements along this roadway corridor in the Merion-Cynwyd commercial area; and

WHEREAS, Lower Merion Township supports the request for implementation grant funds of $50,000 and understands that the municipality can provide $319,311 towards the project which exceeds the minimum 20% match for the total grant amount from the Township Capital Improvement Plan or other funding sources; and

WHEREAS, Lower Merion Township fully understands the application requirements including the contracting process if awarded grant funds from the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioner’s of Lower Merion Township hereby authorizes the Township Manager to submit an application to Montgomery County for a Montco 2040 Implementation Grant; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Lower Merion Township agrees, if selected for the implementation grant, to:

1. Engage in contracting procedures including the competitive Request for Proposals and budget allocation;
2. Sign grant agreement documents;
3. Agree to submit reimbursement invoices and progress reports along with necessary supporting documentation on a quarterly basis;
4. Take all necessary action to complete the project associated with the grant agreement within the 24-month timeframe from the date of funding agreement contract.