REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 25, 2019
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ANDREW BENELLI, Assistant Director
Public Works Department
BY: FABIOLA LOPEZ, Senior Management Analyst
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to Funding Agreements with the Fresno County Transportation Authority and Caltrans for 2018/19 Pilot Litter Abatement Program
1. Approve Funding Agreement with the Fresno County Transportation Authority for 2018/19 Pilot Litter Abatement Program for $100,000
2. Approve Delegated Maintenance Agreement with the Department of Transportation for 2018/19 Program Function Roadside Litter/Debris Pickup for $200,000
3. ***RESOLUTION - 1st Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2019-133 Appropriating $210,000 for the Freeway Litter Control Abatement Project (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve Funding Agreements for Public Works Department for 2018/19 Measure “C” Pilot Litter Abatement Program (LAP) in the amount of $100,000, approve Delegated Maintenance Agreement with the Department of Transportation in the amount of $200,000, authorize the Director of Public Works or designees to execute all agreement-related documents, and adopt the 1st Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2019-133 to appropriate $210,000 for the Freeway Litter Control Abatement Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Measure “C” Transportation Expenditure Plan was amended to include a pilot LAP. The program is administered by the Fresno COG in conjunction with The Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) and Caltrans. The Pilot Program intends to demonstrate the feasibility of using Measure “C” and other local funds to enhance litter abatement activities currently performed by Caltrans on the State Highway System. Caltrans is committed to matching any local funds on a one-for-one basis up to a maximum of $500,000 over two years.
The Public Works Department submitted an application in the first cycle of this program on March 2019 and was awarded funding. The City is committed to the success of the litter abatement and will use funds to address the mainline and ramps along the State Highway System on SR-41, SR-99, SR-168 and SR-180. The City’s proposal included a detailed description of the program, cost-shared plans, performance measures, and Caltrans coordination status and implementation schedule.
BACKGROUND
Fresno County voters approved Measure C, a 1/2-cent transportation sales tax, in 1986 and again in 2006. Fresno COG prepared the Measure “C” Expenditure Plan, a guide to how $1.2 billion in Measure “C” transportation dollars will be spent through the year 2027. It was prepared with COG partners, the cities, the County, Caltrans, the FCTA (administrators of the tax), and other community stakeholder groups.
On April 18, 2018, the FCTA Board amended the Measure “C” Transportation Expenditure Plan to include a pilot LAP. The Pilot Program was intended to demonstrate the feasibility of using Measure “C” and other local funds to enhance litter abatement activities currently performed by Caltrans on the State Highway System. It was recognized that the highway investments made by the original Measure “C” program, as well as the Measure “C” Extension program, have added a significant amount of freeway mileage with no additional resources for freeway maintenance. The amendment to fund the pilot LAP is intended to help address this issue. Caltrans has committed to matching any local funds on a one-for-one basis up to a maximum of $500,000 over two years, essentially providing 50% of the necessary funding. The FCTA amendment provides another 25% of the funding, with the local agency (City) providing the remaining 25%. This new FY2020 program for the City of Fresno provides a total of $400,000 in funding, with $200,000 from Caltrans, $100,000 from FCTA and $100,000 from the City of Fresno.
The FCTA requested Letters of Intent from potential agencies who have the ability to manage this effort and to provide the local matching funds. On December 11, 2018, the Public Works Department submitted a Letter of Intent and its commitment to the success of the litter abatement on the State Highway System on SR-41, SR-99, SR-168 and SR-180. The City’s proposal included a detailed description of the program, cost-shared plans, performance measures, and Caltrans coordination status and implementation schedule.
At the February 6, 2019, FCTA board meeting, FCTA Staff presented the Board with a status update including staff’s intention to request project application for funding considerations at their April 17 meeting. Part of the Board’s update, included discussions with Caltrans which highlighted the need to implement funding agreements between the participating agency and FCTA, and between the agency and Caltrans.
The City’s project application was reviewed by the Fresno COG and recommended awarding funding. The COG and FCTA Boards approved the award of funding, but a funding agreement is necessary for the City to receive reimbursement of eligible project costs. Council approval will in turn allow the FCTA Board and Caltrans to authorize execution of the respective Agreement with each agency.
Going forward, staff will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) from vendors and non-profit organizations to provide the personnel, vehicles, and equipment to perform the litter abatement. City staff with manage the contract, but will not be involved with the litter removal, traffic control, or any work within the freeways. The RFP will ask for costs to perform the work, but the selection of the vendor will be based on several factors. One goal of this program is to help individuals transitioning back into the workforce. For additional information, see the attached Litter Abatement Pilot Program Application.
The City Attorney has reviewed the Funding Agreements as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378, this is not a project as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because these Funding Agreements do not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This request will have no impact to the General Fund in the 2020 fiscal year. All funding for the program will be available through the adopted FY2020 budget and the attached amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution. Matching funds were made available from Community Sanitation revenues in the adopted FY2020 budget.
Attachments:
FCTA Funding Agreement for Litter Abatement Program
Caltrans Delegated Maintenance Agreement
Litter Abatement Pilot Program Application
Resolution - 1st amendment to the AAR