REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: JILL M. GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
FABIOLA LOPEZ, Projects Administrator
Public Works Department, Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Funding Agreement No. 2 with the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) for the Highway Litter Abatement Program (LAP) in the amount of $300,000. (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve Funding Agreement No. 2 with the FCTA for the Highway Litter Abatement Program in the amount of $100,000 for each of the next three years (Total $300,000).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed funding agreement with the FCTA will restore Measure “C” Highway Litter Abatement Program (LAP) funding for the final three years of the current Measure “C” program. Consistent with the original pilot program which provided $100,000 per year, this three-year agreement will provide a total of $300,000 in LAP funding. In FY2025, this addition will enable the City to increase State Route 99 litter control to weekly service.
To date, the Highway Litter Program remains active with uninterrupted funding contributions from Caltrans. The program continues to be successful addressing mainline and ramps along the State Highway System on SR-41, SR-99, SR-168, and SR-180. The Authority staff is committed to the continued success of the program and will be recommending the FCTA Board approve this reinstatement of the program funding at the October meeting, following City Council approval.
Since the original agreement expired on August 31, 2022, a new agreement is necessary to provide $300,000 of FCTA Measure “C” LAP funds. Measure “C” LAP funds will leverage $600,000 anticipated funding from Caltrans and a minimum of $300,000 in Measure P Beautification funding. The term of the agreement will be for three years through August 31, 2027.
BACKGROUND
Fresno County voters approved Measure C, a 1/2-cent transportation sales tax, in 1986 and again in 2006. Fresno COG prepared the Measure “C” Expenditure Plan, a guide to how $1.2 billion in Measure “C” transportation dollars will be spent through the year 2027. It was prepared with COG partners, the cities, the County, Caltrans, the FCTA (administrators of the tax), and other community stakeholder groups.
On April 18, 2018, the FCTA Board amended the Measure “C” Transportation Expenditure Plan to include a pilot LAP. The Pilot Program was intended to demonstrate the feasibility of using Measure “C” and other local funds to enhance litter abatement activities currently performed by Caltrans on the State Highway System. It was recognized that the highway investments made by the original Measure “C” program, as well as the Measure “C” Extension program, have added a significant amount of freeway mileage with no additional resources for freeway maintenance. The amendment to fund the pilot LAP is intended to help address this issue. Caltrans committed to matching any local funds on a one for-one basis up to a maximum of $500,000 over two years, essentially providing 50% of the necessary funding. The FCTA amendment provides another 25% of the funding, with the local agency (City) providing the remaining 25%.
On July 25, 2019, County approved a funding agreement with FCTA in the amount of $100,000. The City of Fresno provided a local match of $100,000, and Caltrans contributed $200,000 for the total of $400,000 in support of the Highway Litter Program. The FCTA’s funding agreement was amended on 11/19/2020 extending the term of the agreement by one year to August 31, 2021. Amendment No. 2 was approved by Council on 02/04/2021 increasing the funding to $200,000 and extending the term of the Agreement to August 31, 2022.
To date, the Highway Litter Program remains active with uninterrupted funding contribution from Caltrans. The program continues to be successful addressing mainline and ramps along the State Highway System on SR-41, SR-99, SR-168, and SR-180. The City approached FCTA to revitalize the program’s funding by reinstating the original funding commitment. The FCTA agreed and is committed to the continued success of the program.
The original agreement expired August 31, 2022. A new agreement is necessary to provide an additional $300,000 of FCTA Measure “C” LAP funds. Measure “C” LAP funds will leverage $600,000 anticipated funding from Caltrans and a minimum of $300,000 in Measure P Highway Beautification funding. The term of the agreement will be for three years through August 31, 2027.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Funding Agreement as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the agreement is exempt under section 15061(b)(3).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this Amendment is associated with a Funding Agreement which do not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This request will have no impact to the General Fund. All funding for the program will be available through the adopted FY2025 budget. Matching funds were made available from Caltrans and Measure P Beautification revenues in the adopted FY2025 budget.
Attachment(s):
FCTA Funding Agreement No. 2 for Litter Abatement Program
FCTA Funding Agreement for Litter Abatement Program
FCTA Amendment No. 1 for Litter Abatement Program
FCTA Amendment No. 2 for Litter Abatement Program