REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: LINDA TAYLOR, Administrative Manager
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorize acceptance of funding in the amount of $100,000 from the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Foundation Better Together Nature Positive Program, approving the associated Community College Rides Free project, and authorizing execution of grant documents. (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Department of Transportation to approve a project proposal to the PG&E Better Together Nature Positive Program seeking funding of $100,000 to subsidize the cost of fares for students of the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), and authorizing the Director of Transportation or designee to execute and file all necessary documents to accept funds on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation is seeking Council approval of the attached resolution authorizing the Department of Transportation to submitted project proposal to the PG&E Better Together Nature Positive Program seeking funding of $100,000 to subsidize the cost of fares for students of the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), and authorizing the Director of Transportation or designee to execute and file all necessary documents to accept funds on behalf of the City.
BACKGROUND
California faces growing risks to its natural environment and unique biodiversity. Today, about 30% of California’s species are threatened with extinction - more than any other state. Climate change is further threatening California’s natural environment - through direct impacts to habitats and species and indirect impacts through climate-induced changes in resources such as food, water, and habitat quality and availability.
As one of the largest landowners in California, PG&E has a long history of responsible stewardship of the natural environment. As such, PG&E is renewing focus on environmental stewardship and are pursuing opportunities to invest in partnerships that will promote protecting and restoring land, water, and air in habitats and communities across their service area.
The Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant Program, funded by the PG&E Corporation Foundation, is requesting proposals of $100,000 to fund five projects (one in each region of PG&E’s service area) in 2022 that address a specific environmental stewardship focus area:
• Land Stewardship
• Air Quality
• Water Stewardship
In partnership with Councilmember Tyler Maxwell (District 4), FAX developed the “Community College Rides Free” proposal to reduce carbon emissions in the Greater Fresno County Area while simultaneously providing equitable transportation to local community college students by using grant funds to subsidize the fixed-route bus fares for students of SCCCD campuses during the Spring and Summer 2023 semesters.
By subsidizing the costs of bus fare, PG&E has an opportunity to increase transit ridership by providing
approximately 125,000 bus rides to college students, decrease single-occupancy vehicle trips, reduce carbon emissions, and provide students reliable transportation to classes, internships, medical appointments, and work. These goals support the PG&E stewardship focus area to improve air quality.
Lastly, if proven successful in increasing bus ridership among students, this pilot program could be the basis of a new department policy to seek additional sponsors to continue subsidizing the transit fare to key populations of riders.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this grant application or subsequent fare subsidy does not constitute a project for the purposes of CEQA.
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 proposed project is 100% PG&E funded.
Attachment:
Resolution