REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 9, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: SARA POMARE, MBA, Grant Writer
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of two (2) new grant applications to the Fresno Council of Governments for 2013 Lifeline Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program ("CMAQ") and authorizing the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or designee
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of two new grant applications to Fresno Council of Governments ("Fresno COG") for the CMAQ and authorize the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or his designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting the authorization to submit a resolution for two new grant applications to Fresno COG, for dollars becoming available to the City of Fresno in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 Federal fiscal years. These projects are the purchase of a compressed natural gas ("CNG") street sweeper in the amount of $409,000 to replace older equipment and the construction of the Bankside Trail on the south side of Shields Avenue from First to Fresno Street in the amount of $705,000.
BACKGROUND
On November 21, 2013, Council approved resolution 2013-197, authorizing the submission of applications for grant funds from Fresno COG's CMAQ and the Regional Surface Transportation Program ("RSTP"), and authorized the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director.
The City was awarded $16,800,900 for both program categories. After considering the complete results of the competitive grant applications and an opportunity provided by COG for an additional submission for CMAQ Lifeline funding, staff is proposing to substitute two additional projects that meet the CMAQ's guidelines. The first item is the purchase of an additional CNG sweeper within the Street Maintenance Division for $409,000, to replace an older piece of equipment so as to reduce emissions. The second project is the construction of the Bankside Trail on the south side of Shields Avenue from First to Fresno Street for $705,000, which is being recommended as the "pilot project" to begin the Bankside Trail. The total cost for both projects is $1,114,000.
Approval of the resolution in support of the projects will allow the CMAQ grant applications to be submitted to the COG.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition in the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines Section 15378, the applying for grant funds does not qualify as a "project" as defined CEQA.
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
Local match funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets. Matching funds for the CNG street sweeper would be provided through the Community Sanitation fund which pays for street sweeping services including vehicle replacements. Matching funds for the Bankside Trail would be provided through the Measure "C" Pedestrian Trails subprogram funding.
Attachment: Resolution