REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 11, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: SHELBY D. MACNAB, MPA, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Approving a grant application for $1,904,000 in formulaic funds from the Local Partnership Program (LPP) for the Veterans Boulevard Interchange and Extension Project Phase 4b and Authorizing the execution of grant documents and agreements by the Public Works Director or designee (Council District 2)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council adopt the resolution approving an application for $1,904,000 in formulaic grant funds from the LPP for Veterans Boulevard Interchange and Extension Project Phase 4b and authorize the execution of all grant documents and agreements by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit one grant application for formulaic grant funds from the LPP. Formulaic grant funds are allocated by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to the region through the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA). The City’s application will seek $1,904,000 for phase 4b of the Veterans Boulevard Project which extends Veterans Boulevard from Herndon Avenue to Wathen Avenue. The recommended action is consistent with the multi-year Measure “C” regional funding plan, which has been previously approved by the Boards of the Fresno Council of Governments and the Fresno County Transportation Authority.
BACKGROUND
The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1 gas tax) created the LPP and continuously appropriates two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) annually to be allocated by the CTC to local or regional transportation agencies that have sought and received voter approval of taxes (such as Fresno County’s Measure C), or that have imposed fees which are dedicated solely for transportation improvements. Sixty percent of the funding is allocated through formula, while the remaining forty percent is distributed via competitive and incentive programs. Eligible projects include improvements to the state highway system, transit facilities and rolling stock, improvements to the local road system and bicycle and pedestrian safety or mobility, air quality improvement/mitigation projects and sound walls.
On March 25, 2020, the California Transportation Commission adopted the 2020 LPP Formulaic Funding Share Distribution for fiscal years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23. The formulaic program allocation to the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) is $5,712,000, equally divided across three fiscal years. The LPP requires agencies match funds awarded to projects at a minimum 1:1 ratio or 50% share of costs. The FCTA is responsible for nominating eligible projects and has recommended Veterans Boulevard Phase 4b for funding in 2020/21.
The Veterans Boulevard Interchange and Extension Project, previously referred to as the Herndon-Grantland Diagonal, was originally included in the 1984 General Plan and is now a planned six-lane super arterial in the 2035 General Plan. In recent years, staff has completed the Project Study Report (PSR), Project Report and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and progressed the design and construction of Veterans Boulevard from Shaw Avenue to Herndon Avenue with help from the FCTA and the Fresno Council of Governments (FCOG) to secure funding.
The new Veterans Boulevard interchange will be a partial cloverleaf connecting State Route 99 and Veterans Boulevard. The new overcrossing will have three northbound and three southbound lanes, a Class I bicycle and pedestrian trail on the west side of the structure and Class II bicycle lanes on both sides of the structure. The project will also include three bridge structures, one to cross over State Route 99, one to cross Golden State Boulevard and one to cross over the existing Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the future High Speed Rail tracks.
The Veterans Boulevard funding plan includes two years of LPP funds. An application for the first year of formula funding was authorized by Council on August 30, 2018, and awarded funding under the 2018 LPP Formula allocation for fiscal year 2019/20. Funds were allocated to phase 4a of the Veterans Boulevard project which extends Veterans Boulevard from Shaw Avenue to Barstow Avenue. The second year of LPP formula funding in the amount of $1,904,000 is being sought for Veterans Boulevard Phase 4b which will be programmed for funding allocation in fiscal year 2020/21. Phase 4b extends Veterans Boulevard from Herndon Avenue to Wathen Avenue. Estimated costs for Phase 4b are $7,809,000. In addition to LPP funds, Measure C and Regional Street Impact Fees are programmed to complete this phase of the project.
Applications for lifeline funds are due to the CTC on June 12th, 2020. The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and staff report 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 impact on the General Fund. Should the formulaic grant be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets. Matching funds for Phase 4b will come from Measure C and the City of Fresno Regional Street Impact Fees. At this time the impact of COVID-19 on gas tax revenues for LPP is unknown. Staff will proceed with applying for grant funds, assuming the funding levels will be available at the time of programming. No funds will be expended prior to CTC allocation and formal notice to proceed documentation is received, ensuring the availability of funds before costs are incurred.
Attachments:
Project Area Map - Veterans Boulevard Phase 4b
Resolution