Title
Staff Report for a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to Receive $139,128 in Grant Funding from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program and Provide a Minimum Local Match Amount of $48,372 to Install 9.5 Miles of Bikeways for the Bicycle Network West, Project No. 2014.0430
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) to receive $139,128 in grant funding from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program and provide a minimum local match amount of $48,372 to install 9.5 miles of bikeways for the Bicycle Network West Project.
BACKGROUND
The California Legislature created the Air District in 1955 as the first regional air pollution control agency in the country, recognizing that air pollution transcends political boundaries. The Air District is the public agency entrusted with regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the nine-county San Francisco Bay region.
In 1991, the California State Legislature authorized the Air District to impose a $4 surcharge on motor vehicles registered within its jurisdiction to fund projects that reduce on-road motor vehicle emissions. The Air District allocates these funds to its Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program, which provides funding to qualifying alternative fuel vehicle and trip reduction projects including bicycle facility projects. The Air District views bicycling as one of the key strategies for reducing single-occupancy motor vehicle trips and subsequently air pollution.
Over the last 25 years, the Air District has provided more than $11 million in TFCA funding for eligible bicycle facility improvement projects, which has resulted in the installation of more than 13,000 new secure bicycle parking spots (via racks and lockers) as well as the installation of more than 200 miles of new bikeways and paths. Through the TFCA Program, the Air District competitively solicits projects that will construct new bikeways to encourage travel mode shift with up to $5 million in 2017 funds available to public agencies that apply.
In June 2017, the City of San Leandro submitted an application for TFCA funds for use in building 9.5 miles of bikeways in the San Leandro West area, including 1.7 miles of Class II Bikeways and 7.8 miles of Class III Bikeways. The Air District Board of Directors approved and awarded the grant to the City in September 2017.
Recently, the Air District sent the City a funding agreement for review and execution. The agreement sets forth the terms, conditions, insurance, and recordkeeping requirements of the grant. A fully executed agreement obligates the Air District to fund the project and obligates the City to construct the project.
Analysis
The Bicycle Network West project is included in the City’s adopted Capital Improvement Program as Project No. 2014.0430 (the Project). The award amount of $139,128 in TFCA funding and the required minimum local match of $48,372 will be used to fund the construction of the Project. The City has previously appropriated $250,000 in Measure BB funds for the Project, thus fulfilling the required local match requirement.
The agreement provides two years for project implementation, and further obligates the City to maintain the facilities for at least seven years after construction is completed. The Project is currently in the final design phase and construction is planned for the fourth quarter of 2018.
Current Agency Policies
Maintain and enhance San Leandro’s infrastructure
Committee Review and Actions
Several updates on the Project have been presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), the most recent occurring on May 4, 2017.
Applicable General Plan Policies
Policy T-2.1 Complete Streets Serving All Users and Modes. Create and maintain “complete” streets that provide safe, comfortable, and convenient travel through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all users.
Policy T-3.1 Citywide Bikeway System. Develop and maintain a bikeway system that meets the need of both utilitarian and recreational users, reduces vehicle trips, and connect residential neighborhoods to employment and shopping areas, BART stations, schools, recreational facilities and other destinations throughout San Leandro and nearby communities.
Policy T-3.2 Funding. Maximize the City’s eligibility for funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and aggressively pursue such funding to complete desired projects.
Policy T-3.3 Designing for Multiple User Groups. Recognize the dual needs of experienced cyclists relying on bicycles for commute trips and daily travel and less experienced cyclists using bicycles principally for recreation. Where needed, develop facilities designed to serve each user group, with recreational routes primarily using low-volume streets and off street bike paths.
Environmental Review
The Project qualifies for a statutory exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per California Public Resources Code Section 21080.19 “Restriping of Streets or Highways”.
Fiscal Impacts
The awarded TFCA grant funds in the amount of $139,128 require a minimum local match of $48,372. The existing appropriated funds of $250,000 will be used to meet the match requirement and provide a total of $389,128 for the project.
Budget Authority
Account No. Resolution. Appropriation Date Amount
141-36-356 Res. 2016-075, June 6, 2016 $250,000
ATTACHMENT
Attachment to Resolution
• Transportation Fund for Clean Air Funding Agreement between the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and City of San Leandro, Project Number 17R21.
PREPARED BY: Reh-Lin N. Chen, Senior Transportation Engineer, Engineering & Transportation Department