REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 28, 2016
FROM: BRIAN R. MARSHALL, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: KATHLEEN HEALY, Administration Manager
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of applications for the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) 2016/17 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for Advanced Transit Projects (New Technology Grant Program)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a resolution authorizing FAX to submit applications to the COG 2016/17 Measure C New Technology Grant Program, and authorize the Director of Transportation or designee to execute all application-related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The current Measure C Transportation Expenditure Plan includes the New Technology Grant Program, which is administered by the Fresno COG. The purpose of this program is to help promote and fund technological advances in transportation system that include advanced safety features, fuel efficiencies and alternatives, intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications, and information dissemination.
The majority of the items included in the grant application would be used to fund a number of the advance technology elements (e.g., digital arrival/departure signs, free WiFi) contained in the Blackstone/Ventura/Kings Canyon Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project that may be reduced in order to due to address a $4.4 million gap between construction costs and the engineer’s estimate. A successful grant application will result in Measure C New Technology grant funds being allocated to help to restore all the technology elements originally contained in the Blackstone/Ventura/Kings Canyon BRT project.
BACKGROUND
Fresno County voters approved Measure C, a 1/2-cent transportation sales tax, in 1986, and again in 2006. As part of the reauthorization of Measure C in 2006, funding was identified to promote and fund research and implementation of new transportation related transit technologies, with a current focus on technological advances in public systems, safety features, fuel efficiencies and alternatives, ITS applications, and information dissemination.
Projects submitted should seek to secure long-term air quality benefits and introduce, improve, and advance clean and innovative transit technology areas of transit, in an effort to:
• Promote passenger safety and satisfaction;
• Attract customers;
• Improve capital and operating efficiencies;
• Reduce environmental pollution; and
• Ease dependence on fossil fuels.
Submitted projects are expected to focus on introducing, improving, and advancing new technologies to the region. Projects eligible for Measure C New Technology Program funding include enhanced security cameras at transit stops and centers, traffic signal prioritization for transit routes, new fare technology, including off-board fare collection ticket vending machines (TVMs), and other new transit technologies.
In 2015 staff publicly advertised and opened bids for construction of the BRT project and associated improvements. The bids were evaluated and staff determined the lowest responsive and responsible bid was $32.6 million. The engineer’s estimate for the construction of the project was $28.2 million, potentially resulting in a $4.4 million funding gap.
In order to address the potential shortfall, as well as two other new technology projects, the Department will be seeking approximately $4.6 million in Measure C/New Technology funds. The majority of the funding will be used to offset scope reductions of several ITS related elements associated with the BRT stations. These elements include the purchase of state of the art TVMs, real-time departure/arrival signs, closed-circuit security cameras (CCTV), and free Wi-Fi connectivity at every BRT station. Staff expects to be successful in pursuing these grants; however, if the grant is not received, these elements will still be included in the project at a less advanced level.
The Department is requesting authorization to apply for Measure C New Technology Program funds for the following projects:
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) technology enhancements ($4.4 million)
o $3.3 million - Off-board TVMs, including security features
o $215,000 - Security cameras/closed circuit televisions (CCTV)
o $780,000 - Real-time arrival/departure displays at all BRT stations
o $150,000 - Seamless Wifi along the BRT route
• $40,000 - Computer based Key Valet for transit vehicles
• $100,000 - GPS for driver relief cars and supervisor vehicles
Projects selected for funding by Fresno COG will be programmed in the upcoming 2016/17 fiscal year. Staff will reflect the grant awards in the five-year capital budget as presented to the Council as part of the Mayor’s proposed budget each year, or return to Council within the current fiscal year to appropriate the grant funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This authorization to submit grant applications is not a “project” for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
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
There is no fiscal impact from this request, as Measure C New Technology Program grant projects are expected to be funded 100 percent through Measure C revenues.
Attachment:
Resolution