REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 2019
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Transportation Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: SHELBY D. MACNAB, MPA, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of the Public Works Fancher Creek Trail Plan and FAX Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Projects to the California Department of Transportation for the 2020-21 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program Call for Projects and Authorizing the Execution of Restricted Grant Agreements and Amendments for the Project with the California Department of Transportation by the Public Works Director, Director of Transportation or Designees (District 5)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of two grant applications to the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) Program and authorize the execution of all agreements and amendments for the project by the Public Works Director, Director of Transportation or designees.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit two grants to the Caltrans STPG Program. The first is from the Department of Public Works and will be for Fancher Creek Trail Planning. This grant would fund the planning process staff was directed to initiate, pending funding, by the 2018 Fancher Creek Parkway Act adopted by Council in October 2018. The second grant is for FAX Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Planning. The electric vehicle infrastructure planning project is an important step to address the California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements that all public transit agencies transition to 100% zero-emission bus (ZEB) purchases by 2040. New electric and/or fuel cell ZEBs require complex charging infrastructure, which makes undergoing comprehensive planning an essential part of the EV implementation process. As required by the grant guidelines, staff is also requesting authorization to execute any related agreements and amendments for the project.
BACKGROUND
Staff is requesting authorization to submit two grants to the Caltrans STPG Program for Fancher Creek Trail Planning and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning. The STPG was augmented following the passage of Senate Bill 1(SB1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. In addition to the $9.5 million in traditional State and federal funds previously available, approximately $25 million in SB1 funds for the STPG Sustainable Communities Grant type is available for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 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) 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. The City will be applying under the competitive portion of the STPG Sustainable Communities grant type. There is $17 million available statewide for this portion. Funding is restricted to planning and temporary demonstration projects only. Grant applications are due on October 11, 2019.
Fancher Creek Trail Plan - Public Works
On October 11, 2018 Council passed the Fancher Creek Parkway Act (Parkway Act) and a resolution initiating the Fancher Creek Parkway Concept Planning process. As part of the Parkway Act, the Council directed staff to initiate the preparation of the Fancher Creek Parkway Concept Plan (Concept Plan) as funding becomes available. The Department of Public Works has determined that the Concept Plan should include two parallel planning processes to ensure that 1) the parkway’s habitat and bankside is restored, and, 2) the parkway is made accessible through trail facilities and identification of public access points. These grant funds do not cover the restoration components of the Concept Plan. Other grant funds have been sought for restoration planning with notification of awarded project expected by year end.
The proposed Fancher Creek Trail Planning project will focus on trail concept design to create a non-motorized transportation option along approximately 5.3 miles of Fancher Creek from Jensen Avenue to Temperance Avenue. Grant funds will be used for planning and demonstration only, and do not cover preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition, environmental work or construction. The overall objectives of the proposed planning process include:
• Developing conceptual designs, layouts, cross-sections, graphics, illustrations and cost estimates for constructing a Class I trail and public access points along Fancher Creek.
• Identifying potential funding sources for trail design and construction.
• Evaluating right of way impacts and acquisition costs.
• Identification of gateway locations along the parkway trail and recommend treatments such as wayfinding, trailhead facilities, etc. that increase trail use and comfort.
• Determining general plan amendments and/or rezones needed.
• Public outreach, engagement and collaboration with area residents, Friends of Fancher Creek, Council District 5, property owners, developers, Fresno Irrigation District, County of Fresno, Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District, educational institutions and other public and private entities with interests in the area. Outreach activities may include a temporary demonstration project.
The total amount of funding requested for the Fancher Creek Trail planning process will be approximately $300,000.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan - FAX
The electric vehicle infrastructure planning project proposed by FAX is necessary because the California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires all public transit agencies to transition to 100% zero-emission bus (ZEB) purchases by 2040. New electric and/or fuel cell ZEBs require complex charging infrastructure, therefore FAX proposes to retain a consultant to complete the following:
• Review and recommend an effective and economical ZEB fleet make-up of either 100% electric or a combination of electric and fuel cell.
• Determine emergency backup power needs and implementation plans.
• Review and recommend bus yard layouts of the FAX and Handy Ride yards to accommodate new charging/fueling infrastructure and planned fleet growth.
• Evaluate economics and current funding allocations, estimate future costs, and develop an infrastructure investment schedule.
• Develop plans to reduce operating costs of new ZEBs, including solar power, Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits, Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits, Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), etc.
The project is expected to cost $400,000. Funding from the Urbanized Area Formula Program (49 U.S.C. 5307) will provide $200,000 to partially fund this planning process. A grant request of $200,000 to Caltrans will provide the remaining funding needed.
If funds are awarded, planning would begin in September 2020 and conclude on or before the program deadline of February 28, 2023. The completed plans will be submitted to Council for adoption and used to apply for grant funds from Federal, State and Local sources. Concept plans like the two proposed will significantly increase the likelihood of securing future grant funds for implementation.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved this resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not included 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. If the grant is formally awarded, local matching funds for the project will be identified through the Annual Appropriations Resolution process. A minimum of 11.47% in matching funds are required for the projects and can come from cash and/or in-kind contributions.
Attachments:
Fancher Creek Trail Map
Resolution