REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 19, 2020
FROM: WILMA QUAN, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: JANE SUMPTER, Assistant City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Program Implementation Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2017 Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant and Transform Fresno Plan project regarding the Annadale Mode Shift Project:
1. Adopt a Class 3 Categorical Exemption under Section 15301(e) of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Approve a Sub-Recipient Agreement with the Self Help Enterprises for the Annadale Mode Shift Project totaling $343,000.
3. ***RESOLUTION - 36th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2019-133 appropriating $257,300 for the TCC grant (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt a Class 3 Categorical Exemption under Section 15301(e) of CEQA guidelines; approve a Sub-Recipient Agreement with Self Help Enterprises for Project 8 regarding the Annadale Mode Shift Project (Project); adopt the 36th amendment to AAR No. 2019-133 appropriating $257,300; and authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents to the administration, modification, monitoring and closeout of the Sub-Recipient Agreement for Project 8.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On February 28, 2019, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a Master Grant Agreement (MGA) with the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant award with the understanding that the Sub-Recipient Agreements between the City and Partners who will be receiving funds to implement components of the Transform Fresno Plan would be brought forward for subsequent Council consideration as they meet the required SGC readiness thresholds. The Project has met the necessary thresholds and is ready to begin implementation.
BACKGROUND
The Transform Fresno Plan was created by a participatory steering committee comprised of community stakeholders from the Chinatown, Downtown and Southwest Fresno neighborhoods (Project Area). On February 28, 2019, the City Council unanimously approved the MGA which binds the City and SGC with the understanding that Sub-Recipient Agreements between the City and Partners who will be receiving funds to implement components of the Transform Fresno Plan would be brought forward for subsequent Council consideration as they meet the required SGC readiness thresholds. This project, referenced below, has met those thresholds and is ready to begin implementation.
Project 8 - Annadale Mode Shift
The Project will install approximately 14,070 square feet of sidewalk, approximately 1,196 linear feet of Class II bike lanes, and signage for approximately 1,085 linear feet of Class III bike lanes on East Annadale Avenue between South M.L.K. Jr Boulevard and South Elm Avenue. The Project will close a gap of pedestrian path on the street that links an elementary school, community building, health clinic, and current and proposed affordable housing sites. The City of Fresno Department of Public Works will provide long-term operations and maintenance of the improvements. In conjunction, Self-Help Enterprises will use leverage funds to conduct public outreach to educate residents and other community members on the transportation options, and to connect them with existing subsidy programs such as Taxi Scrip, Handy Ride and other City of Fresno Transit programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This project is exempt under Section 15301(e)/Class 3 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The Project will result in improvements to Annadale Avenue such as curbs and gutters, sidewalks, street lights, and a bicycle lane all along the existing alignment. The proposed improvements will involve no expansion of vehicular use as they are all related to bicycle and pedestrian safety. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered based upon conditions of state funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for Transform Fresno Plan projects lead by Partners will be a direct pass-through of TCC grant funds and will be distributed on a reimbursement basis.
Attachments:
1. Sub-recipient Agreement with Self Help Enterprises for Project 8
2. RESOLUTION - 36th Amendment to the AAR No. 2019-133 appropriating $257,300
3. Sub-Recipient Agreement Status Summary