REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott L. MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: jill m. Gormley, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
ANNE G. SEHM, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Fresno Council of Governments 2024/25 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for Advanced Transit and Transportation Projects Totaling up to $3 Million in Requests for Funding; and Authorizing the Execution of a Grant Application and Grant Agreement documents by the Public Works Director or Designee. (District 6)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the submission of one grant application to the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) 2024/25 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for an Advanced Transit and Transportation Project totaling up to $3 million in requests for funding; and authorize the execution of all grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Measure C Transportation Expenditure Plan includes the New Technology Reserve Fund. The program is administered by Fresno COG in conjunction with the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA). The purpose of this program is to fund advanced transit and transportation projects that have the potential for broad benefits to Fresno County residents and will assist the region in meeting its air quality goals. Fresno COG funds projects that will advance public transit and transportation utilizing new technologies. This is the fifth cycle of grant funding offered by this program. In the four prior cycles, the City was successful in securing funding for incremental costs related to CNG bus engines, a micro transit pilot project, the Downtown Fresno “Dynamic Downtown” adaptive real-time traffic synchronization system (phases 1 and 2), a partnership with the Fresno City College West Satellite Campus for an advanced propulsion systems training center project, and the development of Advanced Transportation Management System software improvements to City/Caltrans Center-to-Center (C2C) communication systems. This cycle the City proposes a Pilot Project (Project) on Friant Road between Audubon Drive and Copper River Drive for new vehicle-to-everything (V2X) detection systems, bicycle signal head indicators, new cloud-based speed monitoring system, and new real-time synchronization software.
BACKGROUND
Fresno County voters approved Measure C, a half-cent transportation sales tax, in 1986 and again in 2006. Fresno COG prepared the Measure C Expenditure Plan, a guide to how $1.2 billion in Measure C transportation dollars will be spent through the year 2027. It was prepared with COG partners, the member cities, the County, Caltrans, FCTA (administrators of the tax), and other community stakeholder groups. In its first 20 years, Measure C delivered more than $1 billion in improvements to State highways and County roadways and has helped the building of additional lanes and freeway improvements throughout the County. As a result of the successful original measure, Fresno County voters chose to extend Measure C for an additional 20 years. The Measure C Extension (2007-2027) not only funds improvements of local roadways, by repairing potholes and paving streets and sidewalks, but also funds ride-share incentive programs and environmental enhancement programs. FCTA is the entity created by legislation to administer the Measure C Program(s) and ensure the revenue is received and distributed appropriately. Fresno COG is responsible for the implementation of several Measure C programs, including the Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program (New Technology Grant Program). There will be approximately $7.2 million available for potential awards in the 2024/25 cycle of the New Technology Grant Program.
The Project on Friant Road between Audubon Drive and Copper River Drive is approximately 3.6 miles in length and will include seven traffic signals piloting new V2X detection systems, bicycle signal head indicators, and a new cloud-based speed monitoring system. The grant application proposes the research, development, and deployment of these advanced technologies along the Friant Road Corridor, updating several traffic signals from between Audubon and Copper River Drives, which is an ideal project environment that includes City traffic signals operating along one of the City’s most congested corridors with vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The new V2X technology on the Friant Road Corridor traffic signals will better manage vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians; advanced cloud-based speed monitoring will help improve overall corridor safety and efficiency.
Grant applications are due on July 26, 2024, and notification of grant awards are expected by September 2024.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved this resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Adoption of a resolution of support for a grant application is not considered a project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund. No matching funds are required. Should the grant be awarded, funds will be incorporated into the City of Fresno annual budget for the fiscal year(s) in which they will be available.
Attachment:
Resolution