Discussion and possible action to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Peoria and the University of Arizona, through the Arizona Board of Regents, for the joint coordination in the provision of Transportation Engineering Services by the University.

The IGA will allow the City and the University of Arizona (the “University”) to work in partnership on a variety of projects. Each contemplated project will be facilitated by a Project Services Agreement that the City and University will enter into administratively.  The IGA, and related Project Services Agreements, will set forth the responsibilities and obligations of the Parties including reimbursement of incurred costs, if applicable, for the projects.

The University will assist the City in Transportation Engineering Services for the overall improvement of transportation functionality and development.  University will provide faculty or administrators to perform research and/or Transportation Engineering Services to the City. The University of Arizona has qualified faculty engineers, researchers, and other project personnel and engineering students who are familiar, are becoming familiar, or are in need of becoming familiar with transportation engineering, data collection, design, construction, materials, processes, maintenance, operations, and related research. Each Project will be managed by the designated University Professor or assigned University staff.

The initial project, and catalyst for this IGA and partnership, is the Development and Engineering Department’s desire to utilize its traffic data in the development of reports and metrics regarding the operation of the traffic signal network that can be provided to City management and leadership. This would involve development of an integrated dashboard that can compile the data from multiple equipment and hardware sources into an easy-to-use format, developed the University in partnership with the City. 

Thereafter, the City and the University may execute Project Service Agreements for additional projects as the need arises.

There have been no previous actions regarding this subject matter.

Staff recommends that City Council approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with the University of Arizona, through the Arizona Board of Regents, for the joint coordination in the provision of Transportation Engineering Services by the University.

There may be reimbursements paid to the University for any costs incurred that are directly related to the projects.