REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 27, 2020
FROM: KEVIN R. MEIKLE, Director of Aviation
Airports Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of applications related to the FATforward parking garage for the Fresno Council of Governments 2020/21 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for Advanced Transit and Transportation Projects
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends Council adopt a resolution authorizing and in support of applications for the Airports Department to the 2020/21 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program (New Technology Grant Program), and authorize the Director of Aviation or designees to execute all application-related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Measure C Transportation Expenditure Plan includes the New Technology Reserve Fund. The program is administered by Fresno Council of Governments (COG) in conjunction with the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA). The purpose of this program is to fund advanced transit and transportation projects that have the potential for broad benefits to Fresno County residents and will assist the region in meeting its air quality goals.
The City’s Airports Department (Airport) is in the process of building a multi-story parking garage at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). As a part of that project, the Airport wishes to integrate an intelligent parking guidance system. The parking guidance system allows for reserved parking, frequent parker programs, inventory systems and guidance systems to assist drivers in finding available parking space with minimal amount of circling and idling in their vehicles.
FAT serves a geographically large catchment area that includes Fresno County and many other counties and cities, with a total population of 1.4 million people. FAT is constantly planning and improving it facilities as part of an ongoing effort to capture more travelers that may otherwise drive to airports further away, which has a direct air quality benefit by reducing emissions. This grant opportunity will further these efforts.
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 County of Fresno, the cities of Fresno County, Caltrans, the FCTA, 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, including the building of additional lanes and freeway improvements throughout Fresno County. As a result of the 1986 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 was created by legislation and ensures that revenue is received and distributed appropriately, by administering Measure C tax dollars to Measure C Program(s). Fresno COG is responsible for the implementation of several Measure C programs including the Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program (New Technology Grant Program). The third award cycle will be posted in April 2020 and is forecasted to have approximately $5,800,000 in available funding.
The proposed application will include a parking guidance system associated with the new multilevel parking garage at FAT. Parking guidance systems incorporate technology through digital wayfinding throughout the parking facility at FAT, which reduces vehicle driving and idling time. The technology also includes the ability to locate your vehicle via an application on your phone, provides for reservations and prepayments to spend less time in line in an idling car and for faster service and exits out of the Airport parking garage and lots. The parking guidance system technology can also be integrated into the current Parking Access and Revenue Control System at FAT. This will allow one seamless program to run all parking operations at the Airport.
The City Attorney has reviewed the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This Resolution and authorization to submit grant applications is not a “project” for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378. Any resulting projects will undergo CEQA analysis.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this Resolution and authorization 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. The project supports FAT’s growth and related economic and job impact to the region.
Attachment:
- COG Resolution 2020