REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 19, 2019
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: JOE VARGAS, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
DARLENE CHRISTIANSEN, Business Manager
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Fresno Department of Transportation and Fresno City College for a Measure C New Technology grant awarded for the Fresno City College West Fresno Satellite Campus Advanced Propulsion Systems Training Campus Project:
1. Adopt a finding of Class 22 Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15322
2. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Fresno Department of Transportation and Fresno City College for a Measure C New Technology grant awarded for the Fresno City College West Fresno Satellite Campus Advanced Propulsion Systems Training Campus Project
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of Class 22 Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15322, and approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Fresno Department of Transportation (Department) and Fresno City College (FCC) for a Measure C New Technology grant awarded for the FCC West Fresno Satellite Campus Advanced Propulsion Systems Training Campus Project (Project).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department seeks Council approval of the attached MOU between the Department and Fresno City College (FCC) for a Measure C New Technology grant awarded for the FCC West Fresno Satellite Campus Advanced Propulsion Systems Training Campus Project (Project). The Department submitted an application in partnership with Fresno City College West Satellite Campus for an advanced propulsion systems training center project, as approved by Council July 26, 2018. The project was awarded funding and Council approved the funding agreement December 6, 2018. The attached MOU was approved by the City Attorney and subsequently executed by the State Center Community College District for Fresno City College on June 4, 2019.
BACKGROUND
Fresno County voters approved Measure C, a ½-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 sales tax measure), and other community stakeholder groups. In its first 20 years, Measure C delivered more than $1 billion of improvements to state highways and county roadways, and has helped the building of additional lanes and freeway improvements throughout the County. As a result of the successful original measure, Fresno County voters chose to extend Measure C for an additional 20 years. The Measure C Extension (2007-2027) not only funds improvements of local roadways by repairing potholes and paving streets and sidewalks, but also funds ride-share incentive programs and environmental enhancement programs. The FCTA is the entity created by legislation to administer the Measure C Program(s) and ensure the revenue is received and distributed appropriately. Fresno COG is responsible for the implementation of several Measure C programs including the Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program.
On July 26, 2018, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-167, authorizing submission of three applications for grant funds under the New Technology Reserve Fund. One of the three applications was the joint application for the Project. On December 6, 2018, the Council approved the Funding Agreement with the Fresno County Transportation Authority for the 2018/19 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for the Project in the amount of $1,995,000. The vehicle industry has a shortage of skilled technicians trained to maintain today’s complex automotive propulsion systems. To address this shortfall, this project will develop curriculum and training equipment/aids to educate current and future vehicle technicians on advanced vehicle propulsion systems including battery-electric and other zero-emission vehicles. The curriculum will compliment FCC’s existing automotive certification programs which are to be relocated to the new West Fresno Satellite Campus. Electric bus supplier Proterra Inc. has committed to partner in this effort. Additionally, there will be sharing of resources including, but not limited to: curriculum materials, training equipment/aids, parts, and components, etc., in collaboration with existing FCC educational partnerships.
The City Attorney has reviewed the MOU as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15322 (educational or training programs involving no physical changes) which exempts adopting training programs which involve no physical alteration in the area affected, because the project involves developing curriculum and education programs for vehicle technicians using existing facilities. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this MOU does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This request will have no impact to the General Fund as the FCC project is 100 percent Measure C New Technology funded.
Attachment:
MOU for Measure C New Technology Funded Fresno City College West Satellite Campus
Advanced Propulsion Systems Training Campus Project