REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 27, 2020
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BELINDA MCMILLAN HAENER, Administrative Manager
Department of Transportation/Administration Division
LINDA TAYLOR, Senior Management Analyst
Department of Transportation/Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to submitting an application to the Clean Mobility Options Program for funding to conduct a Transportation Needs Assessment:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15306/Class 6 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. RESOLUTION - Authorizing submission of a funding request to the California Air Resources Board Clean Mobility Options Program for Disadvantaged Communities for a Community Needs Assessment Project of the Three Palms Mobile Home Park area, directing execution of grant award documents, acceptance of funds, if awarded, and administration of the Transportation Needs Assessment
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to 15306/Class 6 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and approve a resolution authorizing the Director of Transportation, or designee, to submit a Clean Mobility Options Program funding request of $48,430 to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to fund a Transportation Needs Assessment in the Three Palms Mobile Home Park (Three Palms) area of the City of Fresno and authorize the Director of Transportation, or designee, to execute and file all necessary funding documents on behalf of the City, if awarded.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Three Palms is a community on the western side of the City of Fresno. It is approximately a quarter-mile north of Jane Addams Elementary, bordered by Golden State Boulevard on the north and east, and by Highway 99 on the west.
Due to its location and the bordering streets and fences, Three Palms residents currently have to travel by foot (including crossing railroad tracks) nearly a mile to get to the nearest transit stops, grocery store, and other amenities. Unfortunately, the added infrastructure for upcoming high-speed rail will exacerbate the current lack of transportation options by closing off Golden State Boulevard. This will create a new road westward, which will further isolate the community and force Three Palms residents to travel even further around to access the nearest grocery store. Residents without access to private vehicles will have to walk over a bridge (with bike lanes, but without dedicated pedestrian lanes) to access the nearest amenities.
The community needs greater access to the public transportation system in the city to access broader educational and employment opportunities. In order to develop a sustainable transportation solution for the Three Palms area residents, FAX intends to conduct a Transportation Needs Assessment with two local partners: Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and Inspiration Transportation. If awarded, this assessment will work with Three Palms area residents to identify the transportation gaps in the area and outline potential solutions.
BACKGROUND
In 2007, Assembly Bill 118 created the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), a voluntary incentive program administered by CARB. The legislation and further program guidance defined project sponsors (eligible recipients) who may receive the funding, which includes the City of Fresno Department of Transportation/FAX. The statutes related to CARB-funded transportation projects require an implementing agency to abide by various regulations, and CARB has developed guidelines for the purpose of administering and distributing Clean Mobility Options Program funds to local agencies.
The Clean Mobility Options Program prioritizes low- and zero-carbon transportation alternatives, and is designed to fund projects that overcome clean transportation barriers for low-income consumers and disadvantaged communities to access clean transportation and mobility options. The overarching goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants.
Due to its location and the bordering streets and fences, Three Palms residents currently have to travel by foot (including crossing railroad tracks) nearly a mile to get to the nearest transit stops, grocery store, and other amenities. Unfortunately, the added infrastructure for upcoming high-speed rail will exacerbate the current lack of transportation options by closing off Golden State Boulevard. This will create a new road westward, which will further isolate the community and force Three Palms residents to travel even further around to access the nearest grocery store. Residents without access to private vehicles will have to walk over a bridge (with bike lanes, but without dedicated pedestrian lanes) to access the nearest amenities.
The community needs greater access to the public transportation system in the city to access broader educational and employment opportunities. In order to develop a sustainable transportation solution for the Three Palms area residents, FAX intends to conduct a Transportation Needs Assessment with two local partners: Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and Inspiration Transportation. If awarded, this assessment will work with Three Palms area residents to identify the transportation gaps in the area and outline potential solutions.
The program requires recipient agencies to provide a resolution from their governing body each year to approve the project(s). This is the first year the Clean Mobility Options Program funds have been available.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
Staff has determined this project falls under a Categorical Exemption pursuant to 15306/Class 6 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because it consists of basic data collection, research, and evaluation activities, which do not result in a disturbance to an environmental resource. The proposed Transportation Needs Assessment shall include a survey and community engagement phase, as well as a data analysis and planning phase. There will be no construction or equipment purchases. Furthermore, staff has determined none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions set forth in the CEQA guidelines apply to this project.
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 to the General Fund from this request. The Transportation Needs Assessment is expected to be funded 100 percent through Clean Mobility Options Program revenues. Should the Clean Mobility Options Program funds not be granted to FAX, the Transportation Needs Assessment will not be conducted.
Attachments:
Resolution
Implementation Manual for the Clean Mobility Voucher Pilot Program