REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 23, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, P.E., Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANDREW BENELLI, P.E., Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Measure “C” Transit-Oriented Development Program Infrastructure Project Reimbursement Agreement for the Blackstone & McKinley Transit Oriented Development Project with the Corporation for Better Housing, in the amount of $478,000. (Council District 1)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approves a Reimbursement Agreement with the Corporation for Better Housing for off-site improvements involving the Blackstone & McKinley Transit Oriented Development Project and authorizes the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute all implementing documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City was awarded a Measure “C” Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) grant to pay for improvements within the right of way along the frontage of the Blackstone & McKinley Project (Project). The Corporation for Better Housing, (Developer) will be installing the right-of-way improvements for the Project. The Reimbursement Agreement will allow the City to pay Developer for the improvements. The City will then invoice Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) for the funds awarded in the Measure “C” TOD grant.
BACKGROUND
The Measure C Transit Oriented Development (TOD) program was created in the 2006 Measure “C” Extension Plan. The program is administered through the Fresno Council of Governments, with final approval by the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) Board. FCTA is the authority responsible for administering Measure “C” funding. The goals of the Measure “C” TOD allocation are to support community based transit projects that are developed through an inclusive planning process with broad public-private partnership and outreach, improve the range of transportation choices by supporting transit facilities and improving links between facilities and activity notes, and support well-designed, high-density housing and mixed uses near transit. City and County governments in Fresno County are eligible for the TOD program grants. Private sector or non-profit organizations can apply for the funding through the representation of the local government where the project is located. Projects must be located within a half-mile of an existing bus stop or proposed High Speed Rail station that is in the latest Regional Transportation Plan.
The Blackstone & McKinley Transit-Oriented Development is an approved affordable housing, mixed use development with 88 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, a senior center, and a medical clinic.
On February 18, 2018, the City Council authorized the submission of a grant application to Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) to fund improvements in the public right of way for the Blackstone & McKinley Transit-Orientated Development. The City was subsequently notified that the grant application was selected for funding.
On August 16th, 2018, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with FCTA in the amount of $478,000 for the Blackstone & McKinley Transit Oriented Development.
Developer will be constructing improvements on Blackstone Avenue and Home Avenue on the project frontages. The work will include installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks on both sides on Home Avenue. The street will also be repaved. The sidewalks on Blackstone will be rebuilt to be wider. The existing overhead powerlines on Home Avenue will be converted to an underground system. New pedestrian scale street lights will also be installed.
Staff is requesting City Council approval to execute an agreement with Developer to allow the City to reimburse the Developer for its right of way work. The City will invoice FCTA for any funds paid to Developer. FCTA will thereafter pay the City out of the grant proceeds, up to, but not exceeding $478,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Authorization to execute a reimbursement agreement is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. A CEQA document was processed for the housing project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not implicated because the agreement does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
All costs associated with the improvements outlined in the project reimbursement agreement will be paid for through the Measure “C” TOD funding that has been awarded to the City. This project will be included in the proposed FY2021 budget.
Attachment:
Measure “C” Transit-Orientated Development Program Infrastructure Project Reimbursement Agreement (Off-Site Improvements)