REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Director
Department of Transportation
BY: LINDA TAYLOR, Administrative Manager
Department of Transportation
ELIZABETH TORRES, Senior Management Analyst
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing submission of a funding request in the amount of $2,108,822 to the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program for the purchase of one (1) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus and Operating Support, execution of grant award documents if awarded, and execution of related certifications and assurances and authorized agent forms. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve a resolution authorizing the Director of Transportation or designee to submit a 2024-25 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funding request in the amount of $2,108,822 to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to fund the purchase of one (1) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) and Operating support to fund system-wide fare subsidies for eligible reduced fare riders. Additionally, staff recommends the Director of Transportation or designee execute and file all necessary funding documents on behalf of the City and execute the required Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Forms.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2015, Council approved a continuing authorizing resolution to enable the Department to apply for and receive LCTOP funding each year. Caltrans is now requesting that the Department provide a new resolution each year that specifies the greenhouse gas reducing projects to be funded with that year’s funding allocation. The attached resolution, therefore, includes both the authorization to execute funding agreements and specifies the projects to be funded.
In previous years of this program, FAX utilized LCTOP funding for operating projects such as unscheduled extra service during peak ridership hours and for the first, second, and third years of service for the Increased Frequency Weekend Service and for the Extended Night Service, and two years of service enhancements including the new FAX Route 03 (Herndon cross-town through Council Districts 2 and 6) and the Route 28 alignment to serve the new Fresno County Department of Social Services (DSS, through Council Districts 1, 3, 4, and 7), as well as the interline of FAX Routes 12 (West of 99, through Council Districts 1 and 2) and 35 (Olive cross-town, through Council Districts 3, 4, and 7). Capital projects funded in previous years include the purchase of FCEBs, the purchase and installation of real-time bus stop display signs and solar bus stop lights, completion of ADA bus stop accessibility improvements, and purchase and installation of new insulated roll-up doors and a hydrogen gas detection system for the FAX Maintenance Building.
This year, FAX proposes to use LCTOP funding for the Operating support to fund system-wide fare subsidies for eligible reduced fare riders, and the purchase of one (1) FCEB throughout the FAX service area. The new FCEB will replace older "non-zero" Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus, enhancing accessibility to clean transit options throughout the entire FAX transit system. The purchase will be predominantly funded by LCTOP, with the necessary matching funds provided by FAX enterprise revenues.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 862 (2014) included the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) to fund transit-specific projects in California to serve disadvantaged communities (DACs) and improve air quality by providing demonstrable reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs). LCTOP funding may only be applied to operating projects for the first three years of new or expanded transit service or capital projects that lead to significant reductions of GHG emissions whose benefits are realized by residents of disadvantaged and/or low-income communities. LCTOP funds may not be used as general capital or operating support or revenue replacement for lost transit fares.
In order to qualify for LCTOP funding, FAX must quantify the anticipated GHG reductions within approved DACs of the proposed project using the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Benefits Calculator Tool in the application and in all progress reports. This Benefits Calculator Tool ensures the proposed project avoids substantial burdens, such as physical or economic displacement of low-income households, small businesses, minority or women-owned businesses, or increase exposure of low-income households to toxic pollutants or other health risks. The Benefits Calculator Tool also estimates the following selected co-benefits and key variables from LCTOP projects: reductions in criteria and toxic air pollutants (in tons), including diesel particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxide (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), fine PM less than 2.5 micrometers, passenger VMT reductions (in miles), fossil fuel use reductions, renewable energy generated in kilowatt hours (kWh), fossil fuel energy use reductions (kWh), travel cost savings ($),energy savings, and fuel cost savings ($).
The legislation named the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as the administrative agency for LCTOP and defined project sponsors (eligible recipients) that may receive the funding, which includes the City of Fresno Department of Transportation/FAX. The statutes related to state-funded transit projects require an implementing agency to abide by various regulations and Caltrans has developed guidelines for the purpose of administering and distributing LCTOP funds to local agencies.
The program requires recipient agencies to provide a resolution from their governing body each year to approve the projects. In 2015, Council provided this approval through a continuing authorizing resolution. LCTOP funding received in prior cycles has funded both the Increased Frequency Weekend Service and the Extended Night Service, as well as various bus stop improvements such as real-time bus stop display signs and ADA accessibility improvements.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This action is not a project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund from this action. The bus purchase and operating support completed with this funding allocation shall be funded primarily through LCTOP. FAX enterprise funds will make up the required local match. Appropriations were included and are available in the FAX FY2026 budget.
Attachments:
Resolution
Certifications and Assurances