REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 3, 2016
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE,TE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: RANDY BELL, PE, Capital Program Manager
Public Works Department
SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of an application for grant funds from the California Department of Transportation 2017-18 Sustainable Transportation Planning Program Call for Projects and authorizing the execution of documents by the Public Works Director or designee (Districts 1,2,3,4,5 and 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of an application for grant funds from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 2017-18 Sustainable Transportation Planning Program Call for Projects and authorizing the execution of documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council approval is being sought to apply for a Trail Expansion Feasibility Plan from the California Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Planning Sustainable Communities grant program. The specific objectives of the Sustainable Communities grant program is to identify and address mobility deficiencies in the multimodal transportation system, encourage stakeholder collaboration, involve active public engagement, integrate Smart Mobility 2010 concepts and ultimately result in programmed system improvements.
With this grant proposal, the Public Works Department aims to build upon the trail network identified in the Active Transportation Plan and community priorities provided through the Parks and Trails Engagement and previous community outreach efforts. Funding from this grant will allow the Department to conduct a feasibility analyses, conceptual exhibits, and preliminary cost estimates based on community input and priorities.
BACKGROUND
The Sustainable Communities grants are funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) (Section 5304) and the State Highway Account. Funding distribution will depend on the quality and number of applications in each applicant pool (i.e., Metropolitan Planning Organizations (Metro), Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (Regional), cities and counties, transit agencies, and Native American Tribal Governments). Approximately $7.8 million will be available for the Fiscal Year 2017-18 grant cycle. Of the estimated $7.8 million available, the Metro/Regional pool will consist of an estimated $2.8 million in FTA section 5304 funding. The remaining $5.0 million will be funded from the State Highway Account and cities, counties, transit agencies, and Tribal Governments will be eligible to apply. For the Sustainable Communities Grant, the minimum grant award is $50,000 and the maximum grant award cannot exceed $500,000. The grant is due to Caltrans on November 4, 2016.
The City has been awarded numerous planning grants from this program including the most recent joint award to study the Blackstone Avenue Corridor and funding for the Parks Master Planning process. The major objectives of the grant program include considerations of sustainability, preservation, mobility, safety, innovation, economy, health and equity. Public Works proposes to apply for funding to produce a community-driven Trail Expansion Feasibility Plan that would consider each of these objectives and build on the proposed trail corridors identified in the Active Transportation Plan, Southwest Specific Plan, and other related planning efforts.
It is important to note that while efforts such as the Active Transportation Plan and the Southwest Specific Plan are very helpful in identifying potential corridors for future trails, they do not help the City prioritize resources from a citywide perspective on the implementation of the proposed trail network as future resources become available
Based on feedback received through the Parks and Trails Engagement, as well as previous community outreach efforts, a total of four or five trail segments will be prioritized. Through this work, specific trail projects/segments will be examined, including specific trail alignments, conceptual right-of-way and preliminary construction considerations. In addition, a project summary document would be produced highlighting feasibility considerations for each segment including proximity to activity centers, community preference, connectivity, right of way and projected costs. Once completed, the information will be presented to the community and Council for final consideration. The documents would then be utilized to apply for future grants.
The total project cost is estimated to be $400,000 and requires an 11.47% match or approximately $46,800, which will be funded from the City’s Measure C Trail Program. It is anticipated that Trail Expansion Feasibility Plan will significantly improve the City’s ability to compete at the local, state and federal level for future grant opportunities.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a “project” for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
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
A local match of 11.47% or approximately $46,800 will be required. Local match funds will come from the City’s Measure C Trail allocation.
Attachments:
Resolution
Trail Map