REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
ALICIA LINARES, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation for the Clean California Local Grant Program Cycle 2 in the amount of $5,000,000 for the South Fresno Litter Abatement, Beautification, and Placemaking Project at Shields Avenue from Weber Avenue to Hughes Avenue, Brawley Avenue and Fountain Way, Kearney Boulevard from Fresno Street to Marks Avenue, Midtown Trail Segment 4, Van Ness Avenue from Floradora Avenue to Home Avenue, and Highway Litter Abatement on SR-41, SR-180, SR-99, and Golden State Boulevard; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Application and Grant Agreement Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Council Districts 1, 3, 4 and 7) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Clean California Local Grant Program Cycle 2 for the identified projects; and authorize the execution of all grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff requests authorization to submit a grant application to the Clean California Local Grant Program (CCLGP) Cycle 2. The CCLGP is a competitive statewide program created to beautify and clean up local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, transit centers, and other public spaces. The Program is one part of the nearly $1.1 billion Clean California initiative that takes direct aim at the continuous trash generation that has overwhelmed California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and its partners. Other parts of the Clean California initiative include litter abatement efforts, state beautification and safety projects, and public education campaigns. Approximately $100 million is available in fiscal year 2023/2024 for Cycle 2 of the CCLGP. The maximum award amount per grant application is $5,000,000.
BACKGROUND
The CCLGP was created by Assembly Bill 149 (Sec.16) in 2021 and was codified under Streets and Highway Code §91.41 et al. Approximately $100 million was added to the CCLGP to be made available in the FY 2023/2024 State Budget. This funding is being used to implement a second cycle of funding for the program. The City of Fresno was previously awarded $5 million from the CCLGP Cycle 1 for the Downtown Fresno Neighborhood Beautification and Cleanup Project.
The goals of the CCLGP are to:
1) Reduce the amount of waste and debris within public rights of way, pathways, parks, transit centers, and other public spaces.
2) Enhance, rehabilitate, restore, or install measures to beautify and improve public spaces and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
3) Enhance public health cultural connections and community placemaking by improving public spaces for walking and recreation.
4) Advance equity for underserved communities.
Eligible applicants must be a local agency or regional public agency, transit agency, or federally recognized tribal government. There is no limit to the number of applications an eligible applicant can submit. Awardees from Cycle 1 can apply for Cycle 2, however the application must be for a new project. Eligible projects must meet the goals of the CCLGP and may include the following:
1) Infrastructure related community litter abatement and beautification projects.
2) Non-infrastructure related community litter abatement events and or educational programs.
3) Non infrastructure related educational campaigns or community events about litter abatement, proper waste disposal, or how to get involved with doing sanctioned artwork in a community.
4) A combination of infrastructure and non-infrastructure related project types including beautification and educational projects.
The project location must be on public property and under the applicant’s jurisdiction to make improvements to, or with written permission from the property owner to make improvements to the property. The project location must be partially or fully located in an underserved community; at least 75% of the population surrounding the project site must be underserved. The area “surrounding the project site” refers to all census tracts that are within a half mile of the perimeter of the project site.
Applications for the CCLGP Cycle 2 are due by 5:00 pm on April 28, 2023. Grantees will be notified of awards by September 2023. All projects funded by this grant must be completed by June 30, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to the definition in California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, this action is not a project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund as no matching funds are required for the proposed projects. Should the grant be awarded, CCLGP Cycle 2 funds will be incorporated into the City of Fresno annual budget for the fiscal year(s) in which they will be available for reimbursement.
Attachment:
Resolution