REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 24, 2020
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Public Works Department]
BY: BELINDA MCMILLAN HAENER, Administrative Manager
Department of Transportation/Administration Division
LINDA TAYLOR, Senior Management Analyst
Department of Transportation/Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to submitting a project description to the State of Good Repair Program for funding to replace the radio and dispatch communication equipment on the FAX bus system:
1. Adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption for Existing Facilities pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines
2. RESOLUTION - Authorizing Submission of a Project Description for and Acceptance of Funding from the California State of Good Repair (SGR) Program, Approving the Associated FY 2020-21 Project List, and Authorizing Execution of Grant Documents
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, and adopt a resolution authorizing the Department of Transportation to submit a project description to the California State of Good Repair (SGR) Program seeking funding of $1,045,000 to replace the bus radio and dispatch communication equipment on the FAX bus system, and authorizing the Director of Transportation or designee to execute and file all necessary documents to accept funds on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation FAX Division seeks Council approval of the attached resolution authorizing the Director or designee to submit a project description to the SGR program seeking funding, execute and file the associated required project proposals, grant approval documents, and other documents required by the State of California on behalf of the City for the SGR Program.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 1, known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, was established in 2017 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) in order to provide funding to repair highways, bridges, and local roads to make strategic investments in congested commute and freight corridors and to improve transit service. A portion of SB-1 will provide approximately $105 million annually to transit operators in California for eligible transit maintenance, rehabilitation, and capital projects. This investment in public transit is called the State of Good Repair (SGR) Program. The SGR Program is funded from a portion of a new Transportation Improvement Fee on vehicle registrations due on or after January 1, 2018. A portion of this fee will be transferred to the State Controller’s Office (SCO) for the SGR Program. In collaboration with the SCO, Caltrans is tasked with the management and administration of the SGR Program.
These funds will be allocated under the State Transit Assistance (STA) Program formula to eligible agencies pursuant to Public Utilities Code (PUC) section 99312.1.
This program demonstrates California commitment to clean, sustainable transportation, and the vital role that public transit plays in this vision. While SB-1 addresses a variety of transportation needs, this program has a specific goal of keeping transit systems in a state of good repair, including the purchase of new transit vehicles and related equipment, and maintenance and rehabilitation of transit facilities and vehicles. These new investments will lead to cleaner transit vehicle fleets, increased reliability and safety, more efficient transit service, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
The department’s existing radio and dispatch communication equipment was installed in 2000, and upgraded in 2002. It is currently well past its intended useful life of eight (8) years. Replacing the current equipment will lead to better communications between buses and dispatch and more efficient operations overall.
The department anticipates annually submitting project lists to Caltrans for available SB-1 SGR funding. These anticipated revenues and corresponding appropriations will be included in the department’s proposed budget each fiscal year, or the department will return to Council to request the appropriations.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment and determined this project falls within a Class 1 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts minor alterations of existing facilities involving negligible expansion of the facilities, because the project is an improvement of the existing radio and dispatch equipment, and all alterations will take place within the boundaries of FAX property.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this Resolution 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 SGR project is 100 percent state funded.
Attachment:
Resolution