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 United States Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program Cycle 3 Call For Projects Totaling up to $2 Million in Request for Funding; and Authorizing the Execution of a Planning Grant Application and Grant Agreement documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Council District 3 and 5)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program Cycle 3 Call for Projects totaling up to $2 million in request for funding; and authorize the execution of all grant applications and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The RCP Cycle 3 Call for Projects was released in July 2024. The purpose of the RCP program is to support projects that restore community connectivity by removing, retrofitting, and mitigating highways and other transportation facilities that have created historic barriers to mobility, access, and economic development. RCP funding is intended to improve access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, and foster equitable development and restoration. Staff is requesting authorization to submit a grant application requesting up to $2 million in funding for the Enhancing Connectivity in Southwest Fresno: A Feasibility Study on Overcoming Infrastructure Barriers Project. Staff is requesting to apply for a planning grant that will provide funds to complete a feasibility study, including community outreach, to explore reconnecting Southwest Fresno with the Downtown area.
BACKGROUND
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the RCP discretionary grant program three years ago which was funded with $1 billion over five years, the current Cycle 3 opportunity funding amount is $607 million. As established in “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL” projects funded by RCP Program advance community-centered transportation connection projects, with a priority for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. Funding supports both planning and construction grants to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities. The variety of transformative solutions to knit communities back together can include infrastructure removal, pedestrian walkways and overpasses, capping and lids, roadway redesigns, complete streets conversions, and main street revitalization. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was published on July 3, 2024, with up to $200 million available in funding for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, $202 million in FY 2025, and $205 million in FY 2026. RCP provides funding for two types of grants: Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants. Preference will be given to applications from economically disadvantaged communities, especially those with projects that are focused on equity and environmental justice, have strong community engagement and stewardship, and a commitment to shared prosperity and equitable development.
There is $150 million allocated for Planning Grants, with a maximum grant award of $2 million. Planning grants may not exceed 80% of total project costs. Therefore, recipients are required to provide a 20% non-Federal matching share. There is $457 million allocated for Capital Construction Grants, with a minimum grant award of $5 million. Capital Construction Grants may not exceed 50% of total project costs. Therefore, recipients are required to provide a 50% matching share, with at least 20% from non-Federal sources.
The proposed grant application seeks up to $2 million in funding for a feasibility study that will include a comprehensive public engagement plan, involving both internal and external stakeholders, and actively incorporating their feedback throughout the Project's duration. The City is committed to ensuring that residents directly affected by the Project are included in the decision-making process, with their input playing a critical role in exploring potential solutions to reconnect Southwest Fresno with Downtown Fresno.
The feasibility study may also evaluate various housing opportunities by assessing infrastructure needs, conducting site suitability analyses for affordable housing, and reviewing transportation, accessibility, utility, and service upgrades, while integrating these factors with existing and future housing plans. By addressing these considerations, the study aims to ensure that infrastructure improvements not only facilitate reconnection between Southwest Fresno and Downtown but also lay the groundwork for equitable and inclusive housing development.
Southwest Fresno has faced economic decline, social fragmentation, property devaluation, limited access to services, increased pollution, and disconnection from Downtown Fresno. The Project limits, as shown in the attached Project Area Map, falls within the boundaries of the 2016 Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan (DNCP), the 2016 Fulton Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP), and the 2017 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan (SFSP), with proposed bicycle and pedestrian crossings from the 2017 City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan. These Project limits were chosen to address the isolation caused by highway and freeway interchange infrastructure and to enhance connectivity to the proposed High-Speed Rail. Limited crossings of these transportation corridors currently hinder vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian connections between Southwest Fresno and Downtown. The project limits are all within Council District 3, with the exception East Avenue which is a shared street with Council District 5.
The grant application is due on September 30, 2024.
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Adoption of a resolution of support for a grant application is not considered a project pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
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 immediate impact on the General Fund. A minimum of 20% in matching funds is required. Should grant funds be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets, with pedestrian and bicycle funds under Measure C and Measure P tentatively identified for the local match.
Attachments:
Resolution
Vicinity Map with Project Limits