REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 25, 2019
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BELINDA McMILLAN HAENER, Administrative Manager
Department of Transportation/Administration Division
LINDA TAYLOR, Senior Management Analyst
Department of Transportation/Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to submitting an application to the State of Good Repair Program for funding to replace the City’s bus wash and vacuum systems:
1. Adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption for Existing Facilities pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines.
2. RESOLUTION - Authorizing Application for and Acceptance of Funding from the California State of Good Repair (SGR) Program, Approving the Associated FY 2019-20 Project List, and Authorizing Execution of Certifications and Assurances
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council: 1. Adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, and 2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Department of Transportation to submit an application to the California State of Good Repair (SGR) Program seeking funding of $1,138,000 for the City’s bus wash system and vacuum system as part of its planned bus wash construction project, and authorizing the Director of Transportation or designee to execute and file all necessary documents to accept funds on behalf of the City, including the required Certifications and Assurances.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation seeks Council approval of the attached Resolution authorizing the Director or designee to submit an application to the SGR program seeking funding, execute, and file the associated required Certifications and Assurances, project proposals, grant approval documents, and other documents required by the State of California on behalf of the City for the SGR Program.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 1, known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, was established in 2017 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) in order to provide funding to repair highways, bridges, and local roads to make strategic investments in congested commute and freight corridors and to improve transit service. A portion of SB-1 will provide approximately $105 million annually to transit operators in California for eligible transit maintenance, rehabilitation, and capital projects. This investment in public transit is called the State of Good Repair (SGR) Program. The SGR Program is funded from a portion of a new Transportation Improvement Fee on vehicle registrations due on or after January 1, 2018. A portion of this fee will be transferred to the State Controller’s Office (SCO) for the SGR Program. In collaboration with the SCO, Caltrans is tasked with the management and administration of the SGR Program. These funds will be allocated under the State Transit Assistance (STA) Program formula to eligible agencies pursuant to Public Utilities Code (PUC) section 99312.1.
This program demonstrates California's commitment to clean, sustainable transportation, and the vital role that public transit plays in this vision. While SB-1 addresses a variety of transportation needs, this program has a specific goal of keeping transit systems in a state of good repair, including the purchase of new transit vehicles, and maintenance and rehabilitation of transit facilities and vehicles. These new investments will lead to cleaner transit vehicle fleets, increased reliability and safety, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
The department anticipates annually submitting project lists to Caltrans for available SB-1 SGR funding. These anticipated revenues and corresponding appropriations will be included in the department proposed budget each fiscal year, or the department will return to Council to request the appropriations.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment and determined this project falls within a Class 1 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts minor alterations of existing facilities involving negligible expansion of the facilities, because the project is an expansion of the existing bus wash facility, and all construction will take place within the boundaries of FAX property.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this Resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This request will have no impact to the General Fund as the SGR project is 100 percent state funded.
Attachment:
Resolution