REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2018
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administration
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of Grant Applications to the California Department of Transportation for the 2018-19 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program Call for Projects and Authorizing the Execution of Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications to the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program and authorize the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit grant applications to the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) Program. The STPG Program was created to support the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) mission to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. The program funds planning projects only. The grant projects proposed include planning for infrastructure to support growing industrial centers and wayfinding on the trail network.
BACKGROUND
The California Legislature passed, and Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into law, Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, a transportation funding bill that will provide a reliable source of funds to maintain and integrate the State’s multi-modal transportation system. In addition to the $9.3 million in traditional State and federal grants, approximately $24.5 million in SB 1 funds for Sustainable Communities Grants is available for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-2019 grant cycle for formulaic and competitive projects. The SB 1 grant funding is intended to support and implement Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) (where applicable) and to ultimately achieve the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 40 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2050, respectively. In the competitive portion of the program there is $17 million available for Sustainable Communities grants and $4.3 million available in the Strategic Partnerships portion of the program. The applications are due on February 23, 2018.
The City proposes submitting two applications. The first application falls into the Strategic Partnerships category, and would study the area south of Jensen Avenue and between highways 41 and 99, commonly referred to as the “reverse triangle.” The application would be completed with the Fresno County Council of Governments (COG) acting as primary applicant, and the City of Fresno acting as sub-applicant as per the guidelines for strategic partnership projects. Due to the geographic interests in the area, multiple partners would be involved in the planning process including (but not limited to): Caltrans, Fresno County and COG. As primary applicant COG would oversee tasks such as consultant selection and invoicing.
The overarching goal of the project would be to engage partners from multiple jurisdictions in identifying needs and planning for the infrastructure necessary to support continued economic growth and prosperity. More specifically, the plan would evaluate things such as: infrastructure needs that support the economic vitality of the region, especially by enabling competitiveness, productivity and efficiency; ways to increase the safety and connectivity of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users; proposed improvements to increase accessibility and the mobility of people and freight, protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, and improve quality of life. The plan would also promote consistency between transportation improvements and state and local planned growth and economic development patterns.
The maximum request for a Strategic Partnership grant is $500,000. The scope of work is currently under development, but the project cost is estimated at approximately $300,000. Caltrans estimates that projects in this category can begin around July 2018. Matching funds of 20% are required and can be in the form of in-kind and/or cash match.
The second proposed application falls into the Sustainable Communities category and will produce a Wayfinding Plan for the trail network. Wayfinding plans include directional signage, naming conventions, styles and other innovative recommendations to support and increase trail use and navigability. Once installed, wayfinding elements also aide in the creation of a sense of place by reflecting the unique communities located along the trail network. Given the growing trail system in the City of Fresno and neighboring jurisdictions, establishing a plan for wayfinding is timely. The plan that is produced will ensure connection and cohesion between existing and new trail segments. The maximum request for this program is $1,000,000. The scope of work is currently under development, but the grant request is estimated at $125,000 to cover the cost of the Wayfinding plan and required community engagement activities. Caltrans estimates that projects in this category can begin in October 2018. Matching funds of 11.47% are required and can be in the form of in-kind and/or cash match.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A resolution applying for grant funding is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not implicated 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. Should the grant be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets.
Attachments:
Resolution