REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
MARY CHURCH, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Fresno Council of Governments for the 2022 Measure C Transit Oriented Infrastructure for In-Fill Development Grant Program in the amount of $450,000 for the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Application and Grant Agreement Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Council Districts 1, 3 and 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the 2022 Measure C Transit Oriented Infrastructure for In-Fill Development Grant Program for the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project in the amount of $450,000; and authorize the execution of all grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit a grant application to the Measure C Transit Oriented Infrastructure for In-Fill Development (Measure C TOD) Grant Program. The application will request funds to design the next phase of the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Corridor Plan, between State Route 180 and Pine Avenue, just south of McKinley Avenue. The proposed project concept is consistent with the Blackstone Smart Mobility Strategy previously adopted by the Council, including protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian-scale lighting, crosswalk improvements, landscaping, and wider sidewalks to transform Blackstone Avenue into a mixed-use, transit-oriented, and walkable corridor. The Measure C TOD Program was created to support community-based transit projects that are developed through an inclusive planning process with broad private-public partnerships and outreach; improve the range of transportation choices by supporting transit facilities and improving links between facilities and activity nodes; and to support well-designed, high-density housing and mixed uses near transit. The Measure C TOD project provides funding to three types of projects: planning projects, transportation infrastructure capital improvement projects, and a housing in-fill incentive program.
BACKGROUND
The Measure C TOD program was created in the 2006 Measure C Extension Plan. The call for projects is administered annually through the Fresno Council of Governments, with final approval by the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) Board. FCTA is the authority responsible for administering Measure C funding. The goals of the Measure C TOD allocation are to support community-based transit projects that are developed through an inclusive planning process with broad public-private partnership and outreach, improve the range of transportation choices by supporting transit facilities and improving links between facilities and activity nodes, and support well-designed, high-density housing and mixed uses near transit. City and County governments in Fresno County are eligible for the TOD program. Private sector or non-profit organizations can apply for the funding through the representation of the local government where the project is located. Projects must be located within 1/2 mile of an existing bus stop or proposed High Speed Rail Station that is in the latest Regional Transportation Plan.
As described in the 2006 Measure C Extension Expenditure Plan, the TOD program provides funding to three types of competitive projects:
A. Transportation infrastructure to transit facilities to encourage safety and access to transit facilities, support in-fill development or revitalization, reduce traffic congestion at transit stations, and provide for a wider range of transportation choices and improved internal mobility. Funds can be used for preliminary design and environmental studies, engineering, land acquisition, and construction.
B. Planning projects or matching money to identify nodal transit sites on transit corridors for transit-oriented development, planning retrofit projects for existing neighborhoods, downtowns, commercial cores, and transit station areas and stops in order to create access to transit and mixed-use development in transit friendly environments. The community planning process must result in transportation/land-use concept plans, streetscape design concept plans, environmental studies, detailed drawings, construction cost estimates or implementation plans for specific capital projects.
C. Housing in-fill incentive projects which reward local governments for encouraging developers to build compact designs with higher housing densities, affordable, accessible housing, and mixed uses that are characteristic of well-implemented transit-oriented design in other cities developments at transit stops. Local government agencies can spend funds to supplement development fees or on a capital project that supports new housing development connections to transit.
There is a total of $1.4 million available for the Cycle 10 Call for Projects, but only projects with high scores can be awarded grant funds. Projects must receive a minimum score of 70 points in order to be considered for funding. To meet this requirement, City staff has carefully screened potential projects to present the most competitive package as dictated by grant criteria. Grant scoring is weighted in favor of projects that can present a strong nexus to transit-oriented development, proximity/support for high-density land use characteristics, transportation infrastructure that increases accessibility to transit, TOD friendly parking policies, green features, and affordable housing.
This application will request funds for the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project, between State Route 180 and Pine Avenue, just south of McKinley Avenue. The proposed project concept is consistent with the Blackstone Smart Mobility Strategy previously adopted by the Council, including protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian-scale lighting, crosswalk improvements, landscaping, and wider sidewalks to transform Blackstone Avenue into a mixed-use, transit-oriented, and walkable corridor.
Applications are due on February 28, 2022. Projects selected for funding by the scoring committee will receive final approval by the Fresno County Transportation Authority Board on June 8, 2022. Projects selected for funding must be able to enter into an agreement with FCTA within a year of award. The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
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, Measure C TOD funds will be incorporated into the City of Fresno annual budget for the fiscal year(s) in which they will be available for reimbursement.
Attachment:
Resolution