RESOLUTION - REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 21, 2014
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: SARA POMARE, MBA, Grant Writer
Public Works Department, Administration
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - To submit Grant Applications for up to $1,300,000 to Fresno Council of Governments Regional Competitive Active Transportation Program (RCATP) and authorizing the execution of documents by the Public Works Director or Designee
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to submit grant applications for up to $1,300,000 to the Fresno COG RCATP and authorize the execution of documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fresno COG announced a Call for Projects for Cycle One of the RCATP. The purpose of the program is to fund the development of bicycle and pedestrian projects, safe routes to schools or active transportation plans in disadvantaged communities. Staff proposes to submit the following project applications: 1) City of Fresno Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan update; 2) installation of a traffic signal at Clinton Avenue and Thorne Avenue (Hamilton Middle School); 3) construction of sidewalks along Orange Avenue between Alta Avenue and Lowe Avenue; and 4) construction of sidewalks along Hughes Avenue between Hedges Avenue and Floradora Avenue (Adams Elementary).
BACKGROUND
The RCATP was created by Senate Bill 99 and Assembly Bill 101 to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation such as biking and walking. Metropolitan Planning Organizations with large urbanized areas, such as Fresno COG, had the option of either administering a regional call for projects or delegating that responsibility to the State. The COG Policy Board recommended that Fresno COG administer their own regional call for projects and developed criteria applicable to our region for the $3,933,000 they would receive. Because Fresno COG is using different project selection criteria, weighting, minimum project size and a match requirement for its RCATP selection process than the state, Fresno COG obtained California Transportation Commission (CTC) approval prior to administering a regional call for projects. Fresno COG RCATP Guidelines were adopted by the Fresno COG Policy Board on May 29, 2014 and approved by the CTC on June 25, 2014.
On June 26, 2014, Fresno COG issued a notice announcing the availability of funding and requests for proposals for the RCATP. It may be used to fund the development of bike, pedestrian, safe routes to schools, or active transportation plans in disadvantaged communities.
The Public Works Department proposes to submit four new project applications to the 2014 RCATP application cycle:
· City of Fresno Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan update $250,000
· Installation of a traffic signal at Clinton and Thorne (Hamilton Middle School) $450,000
· Construction of sidewalks along Orange Avenue between Alta and Lowe $216,000
· Construction of sidewalks along Hughes Avenue between Hedges and
Floradora (Adams Elementary) $250,000
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the applying for grant funds does not qualify as a "project" as defined in CEQA.
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
A local match of 11.47% will be required for the direct costs of all projects (All council Districts) selected for funding, in addition with full funding of the City's indirect costs. Local match funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets, but for pedestrian and bicycle projects, the match is typically funded through gas tax, Measure "C" Bike Lane and Trail funds as appropriate for the particular project.
Attachments:
Resolution
Vicinity Map