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A. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-048 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL BLVD. BIKE LANES; AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR HIS DESIGNEE THE POWER TO EXECUTE IN THE NAME OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, ALL GRANT AMENDMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR PAYMENTS NECESSARY TO SECURE GRANT FUNDS; AND ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-049 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE MULTI-MODAL PEDESTRIAN/BIKEWAY MASTER PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR HIS DESIGNEE THE POWER TO EXECUTE IN THE NAME OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, ALL GRANT AMENDMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR PAYMENTS NECESSARY TO SECURE GRANT FUNDS; AND ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT
C. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-050 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR HIS DESIGNEE THE POWER TO EXECUTE IN THE NAME OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, ALL GRANT AMENDMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR PAYMENTS NECESSARY TO SECURE GRANT FUNDS AND ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT
D. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-051 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE WALK + BIKE CHULA VISTA EDUCATION, ENCOURAGEMENT AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN; AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR HIS DESIGNEE THE POWER TO EXECUTE IN THE NAME OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ALL GRANT AMENDMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR PAYMENTS NECESSARY TO SECURE GRANT FUNDS AND ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolutions.
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SUMMARY
The Active Transportation Grant Program (ATGP) provides funding to plan, design and construct bicycle and pedestrian-oriented transportation facility improvements. Grant applications for the third cycle of funding must be submitted by March 20, 2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the governmental administrative activity consists of a submittal of a grant application for transportation related projects that have not been fully defined and as such, this action would not result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required. Although environmental review is not required at this time, once the scope of individual projects to be funded have been fully defined and the requested grant funding has been received, environmental review will be required for each project as may be needed and the appropriate environmental determination will be made.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
SANDAG issued a call for projects for the third cycle of funding for the ATGP on December 19, 2014 with a submittal deadline of March 20, 2015. Applicants are then required to make presentations on their projects during the week of April 6, 2015. This program can be described as follows:
Active Transportation Grant Program (ATGP): The goals of the Active Transportation Grant Program are to encourage the planning and development of Complete Streets, and to provide multiple travel choices for the region's residents.
Projects funded by this program must support these goals, and specifically, the following objectives. In 2010, SANDAG adopted Riding to 2050: The San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan. The program objectives outlined below are derived from the goals in Riding to 2050.
· Encourage the development of a cohesive network of complete streets, improve bicycle/pedestrian neighborhood connectivity to transit and destinations such as schools, retail, places of work, parks, and other community gathering places, and support smart growth placemaking.
· Improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians through traffic calming and complete streets design principles.
· Serve as models for the region by featuring innovative solutions that comprehensively prioritize access for bicyclists and pedestrians.
· Ensure access to jobs, services, and recreation for populations with fewer transportation choices, and create equitable transportation opportunities for all users, regardless of age, ability, race, ethnicity, or income.
· Increase community support for bicycling and walking as a viable transportation choice for all trip purposes, and promote active transportation as a means of improving health outcomes.
· Support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate an increase in levels of bicycling and walking in the region, by providing supportive facilities, amenities, and programs for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Grant Applications
Routine accommodations for existing projects and projects that have already been funded by TransNet are not eligible for these grants, along with projects that have already been funded by TransNet. However, if only the planning and design portion of a project has been previously funded by TransNet, construction costs are eligible for funding.
The ATGP has a funding cap of $1.5 million for Capital Improvement Projects, with total funding of $2.25 million. The total available for Planning/Non-Capital projects is $750,000. Based on Chula Vista's population, a maximum of $250,000 is available for a Bicycle Master Plan, with $300,000 maximum available for Comprehensive Active Transportation Strategies. The funding cap for Education/ Encouragement/ Awareness activities is $150,000.
The resolution adopted by the City Council is required to authorize the submittal of the application, authorize staff to execute the grant agreement, and commit to allocate the resources necessary to implement and complete the projects within the schedule provided with the schedule included with the application. The resolution must also identify the source of matching funds. A separate resolution is required for each application.
The following infrastructure grant applications will be submitted:
1. Industrial Blvd bike lanes and sidewalk improvements (ATGP).
2. Multi-modal Pedestrian/Bikeway Master Plan
3. Main Street Corridor Pedestrian Improvements
4. Walk + Bike Chula Vista Education, Encouragement and Awareness Campaign
Industrial Blvd. Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
City staff will be submitting grant applications to complete missing street improvements on Industrial Blvd. from the existing improvements on Ada Street to SANDAG's Blue Line Crossover project on Anita Street. Over the years, the city has received several grants that have helped complete the street improvements on Industrial Blvd. This grant will request funds for an existing infrastructure gap. If this grant is approved, it will complete Industrial Blvd. sidewalk, pedestrian ramps and bicycle lane improvements from Ada Street to Anita Street (Attachment 1).
The cost estimate for both construction and design is $759,900. The cost estimate for this project is broken down into eligible and non-eligible items (Attachment 2). The City will contribute $215,400 in matching funds from TransNet for the ineligible items, such as curb and gutter and storm water pretreatment units. The City is applying for $544,500 in grant funding for the eligible items.
Multi-modal Pedestrian/Bikeway Master Plan
The City's most recent Bikeway Master Plan was approved by City Council in February 2011. Since these plans are only considered to be valid for five years, it is time for the City to prepare an update. Additionally, the Pedestrian Master Plan was completed in June 2010. Based on the interest in Complete Streets, staff recommends that the updates be done for both these plans in one document. The estimated cost for this document is $250,000, not including staff costs. Staff is proposing to fund up to $100,000 in staff costs through TransNet and apply for $250,000 in grant funding.
Main Street Corridor Pedestrian Improvements
The City previously received a grant from SANDAG to prepare a planning document for the Main Street corridor. The total cost is estimated to be $775,000 for Main Street between Industrial Blvd. and Melrose Avenue (Attachment 3). These initial improvements would not require any acquisition of right-of-way and would include bus shelters, crosswalks, a corridor-wide comprehensive wayfinding sign program and a traffic signal at Jacqua Street. Staff is proposing to pay for the traffic signal ($288,000 including contingencies and staff costs) through Traffic Signal Fees and apply for $497,000 in grant funding.
Walk + Bike Chula Vista Education, Encouragement and Awareness Campaign
This project will be done in cooperation with Circulate San Diego and various stakeholders. Input will be obtained from the Third Avenue Village Association, which will help shape the proposed project. Community input will be obtained through on-line and in-person surveys, interviews with local businesses and community leaders, community meetings, and meetings with staff and City Council. The components of this effort will include:
Marketing and Social Media Campaign
This campaign will include one message targeting the Third Avenue Village to encourage more walk and bike trips to the Village and a second message to build awareness and encourage walking and bike trips within Chula Vista as a whole. The campaign will include marketing, media outreach and advertising, relying heavily on social media.
Educational Events
Circulate San Diego will partner with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC) to conduct educational events/ activities to teach safety skills and techniques to improve bicycle and pedestrian access among community stakeholders. Such events could include:
· Contests, recognition awards and incentives to promote walking and biking
· Bicycle rodeo events and kids' riding courses to promote bicycle safety in conjunction with nearby schools
· Pedestrian education programs and walk audits targeting students and parents of elementary schools
· Creation of a community ambassador program
The cost estimate for the work conducted by Circulate San Diego is estimated at $100,000, as shown on the attached cost estimate (Attachment 4). It is estimated that staff cost to manage this contract will be $20,000. The grant application will be for $100,000, and the City staff match of $20,000 will be provided from the TransNet-funded Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project STM369: Bikeway Facilities Gap Project.
The template for SANDAG ATGP funding is attached (Attachment 5). If the City is awarded any of these grants, the City will be required to sign an agreement with similar language.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and found that property-related conflicts of interest exist, in that Councilmember John McCann has property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the properties which are the subject of this action. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The grant applications support the Strong and Secure Neighborhood strategy in the City's Strategic Plan. It provides funding for planning for new infrastructure and for construction of rehabilitating and/or constructing new public infrastructure, which is a key City function in providing a safe and efficient transportation system for residents, businesses and visitors.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. If a grant is awarded, staff will return to Council with a recommendation to accept and appropriate the grant funds. Matching funds will be as follows:
· Industrial Blvd.: $215,400 in TransNet funds
· Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan: $100,000 in TransNet funds
· Main Street: $288,000 in Traffic Signal Funds
· Walk + Bike Chula Vista: $20,000 in TransNet funds from STM369
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Upon completion of the two Capital projects, the improvements will only require routine City street maintenance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Industrial Blvd. Ped/Bike Improvement Ada St. - Anita St. Map
2. Industrial Blvd. Cost Estimate
3. Main St. Cost Estimate
4. Walk + Bike Education Budget
5. Sample Grant Agreement
Staff contact: Elizabeth Chopp, Senior Civil Engineer