REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 29, 2018
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of Grant Applications to the California Department of Transportation for the 2019-20 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 California Department of Transportation’s Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) Program and authorize the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director, Development and Resource Management Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit grant applications to the Caltrans STPG Program. The STPG Program was created to support 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 wayfinding on the trail network and for multimodal travel on Blackstone.
BACKGROUND
The California Legislature passed, and Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into law, Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1), 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 $9.5 million in traditional State and federal grants, approximately $25 million in SB1 funds for Sustainable Communities Grants is available for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020 grant cycle for formulaic and competitive projects. The SB1 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. The applications are due on November 30th, 2018.
Staff proposes submitting two applications, one from the Public Works Department and one from the Department of Development and Resource Management (DARM). Both of the planning projects proposed will increase the City of Fresno’s competitiveness for future federal, state and local grant funding opportunities. The proposed Public Works application falls into the Sustainable Communities category and will produce a Wayfinding Plan for the trail network. This grant proposal was approved by Council to be submitted as part of the FY18-19 call for projects, but was not selected for award in that cycle. 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 trail segments and will also identify any technological tools needed for route planning and navigation. The maximum request for this program is $1,000,000. The scope of work is currently under development, but the grant request is approximately $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 2019. Matching funds of 11.47 percent are required.
The DARM Department’s application will examine two segments along the Blackstone Avenue corridor. The first segment extends from Santa Ana Avenue to Dakota Avenue. The second segment extends from the south side of Highway 180 to Divisadero Street. Currently, two other planning efforts are underway for the corridor, in cooperation with Fresno Council of Governments, Fresno Metro Ministry, the Local Government Commission, and the City of Fresno. When paired with current efforts, this project will result in a plan for Blackstone streetscape that can that can be used to guide future improvements stretching all the way from Divisadero to Barstow. Streetscape plans improve mobility options, increase safety, support active transportation, improve access for the disabled community, and support access to public transportation. Community engagement is a requirement of the grant program, and will help shape the plan. The City’s grant application request will not exceed $400,000. The grant application will cover the cost for required public outreach and the procurement of a planning consultant. Matching funds of 11.47 percent (in cash or an in-kind contribution) are required as a local 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 immediate impact on the General Fund. Should the grant be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets.
Attachments:
Resolution