Summary: Approve FY 2014/15 Transportation Development Act Claims. The amounts claimed for Local Transportation Funds (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA) funds are:

Action: TTC/PAC recommend approval by resolution of the TDA Claims FY 2014/15 of the above listed member agencies.

Summary: The Transportation Development Act Trust received Local Transportation Fund (LTF) sales tax deposits of $32,188,596 during 2013/14, exceeding the original estimate of $28,500,000. Combined with interest earnings this resulted in $4,041,071 surplus funds which will be distributed to members per their 2013/14 contingency claim.  The State Transit Assistance (STA) Program received $5,785,241 during 2013/14 and was distributed to Transit Operators.  This represents a $250,939 increase in actual receipts from the estimate of $5,534,302 and will be distributed as the 2013/14 year-end balance allocation.

Action: TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board approve the distribution of the $4,041,071 Net LTF Surplus. These funds would then be released to member agencies per their 2013/14 contingency claims during the 2014/15 fiscal year.  COG Staff also recommends concurrence with the adjustment and distribution of STA funds as described in the above Summary.

Summary: The Golden State Corridor improvement project will ultimately improve the 14.2 mile corridor of Golden State Boulevard through the cities of Fowler, Selma, Kingsburg and unincorporated areas of the county. In the interest of continuity for the length of the project, the participating agencies have requested Fresno COG to facilitate the design phase of the project and the Transportation Authority to oversee the construction. The Fresno COG developed a cooperative agreement defining roles between the project partners to insure coordination throughout the duration of the project.

Fresno COG previously hired Quad Knopf for the preliminary design and that phase has been completed providing design guidelines, environmental documents and 30% engineering design plans. This cooperative agreement will provide $100,000 for Fowler, Selma, Kingsburg, and the County to review the 30% design specifications and provide input for the development of the RFP for 100% design. Initially the review is expected to take six months. This agreement may also be amended to provide additional funds for participating members to participate actively in the design and construction management phases. The $100,000 is provided through a separate contract between Fresno COG and the Transportation Authority.  Fresno COG will amend that contract to include the cost of the design consultant when the cost of the design phase has been determined.

During the preliminary design it became apparent the desired project could cost more than $41.4 million allocated in the Measure “C” plan. At the request of Fresno COG staff, Quad Knopf prepared a scaled down estimate incorporating $23 million in cuts to the initial vision to equate the project to the amount of funding in the plan. This scaled down cost estimate became the basis the project partners will start their review of the 30% design. The project is currently scheduled to start construction in 2018/19. 

The Golden State Cooperative Agreement was developed in close consultation with participating members and the Transportation Authority.  Participating members took the agreement to their Boards in August and signed the document. The Authority Board approved the agreement September 10, 2014. 

Action: TTC/PAC recommend authorizing the Executive Director to sign the Golden State Corridor Cooperative Agreement.

Summary:  Pursuant to delegation from FHWA, Caltrans has updated the statewide Master Fund Transfer Agreements which governs state and federal planning funds that flow through the State Department of Transportation to Regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations. The agreement is similar to and replaces the agreement that has been in effect since January 1, 2005.    The agreement has been reviewed and recommend for approval.

Action:  TTC/PAC recommend adopting Resolution 2014-27 authorizing the Executive Director to sign the Master Fund Transfer Agreement.

Following is a brief report on the status of Round 1 activities:

• (Task 1) Valley-wide SCS Outreach (Valley Visions) is complete, with public workshops having been conducted on the individual COG level throughout all eight counties in-line with the media outreach plan.  Materials related to the outreach campaign have been made available in multiple languages, with consistent efforts to outreach to environmental justice communities throughout the Valley.

For any questions regarding Valley-wide SCS Outreach activities, please contact Brenda Veenendaal at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 219 or via email at brendav@fresnocog.org.

• (Task 2) Blueprint Integration (BPI) outreach and circuit planning activities to the 46 valley cities with populations under 50,000 concluded in June of 2014.

Utilizing the remaining Task 2 funding ($42,941.07) consultant EPS has performed pre-analysis (data collection, pro-forma research, stakeholder outreach, etc.) activities associated with the Infill Development Viability Analysis in the Fresno area.  In mid-June, Fresno COG received notification from Caltrans regarding the submission of a Partnership Planning Grant that would allow for additional study; however, the grant was not awarded, and staff is currently looking for additional funding to further the analysis.  Project activities have included outreach to the development community, data collection, and report preparation.  The draft final report was delivered to the COG Director’s on September 4^th for their acceptance, and is attached for reference.

For any questions regarding Blueprint Integration efforts, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

• (Task 3) A Greenprint Update is included in its own Informational Item within this agenda.

For any questions regarding the Greenprint, please contact Clark Thompson at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 203 or via email at clarkt@fresnocog.org.        

Following is a brief report on the status of Round 2 activities:

• (Task 1) A Greenprint Update is included in its own Informational Item within this agenda.

For any questions regarding the Greenprint, please contact Clark Thompson at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 203 or via email at clarkt@fresnocog.org.

• (Task 2) Model Land-Use Revalidation activities (Model Improvement Program Phase 2) began in January 2014.  Fehr and Peers, as the selected consultant, began the activities associated with the project, including data collection and processing, refinement of model input data; and model estimation, calibration, validation and evaluation.  In addition, the consultant will oversee all project management and information sharing details.  Training activities will also be provided by the consultant.

For any questions regarding Model Land-Use Revalidation efforts, please contact Mike Bitner at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 216 or via email at mbitner@fresnocog.org.

• (Task 3) SCS Implementation efforts began in September with the conducting of a Peer Exchange; details of this event can be found in an action/discussion item on this agenda.  Due to the completion of several anticipated Round 2 activities within Round 1, DOC representatives have approved the re-allocation of line item funds to increase the amount of funding for both SCS printing/duplication for outreach and public involvement, as well as the amount available to assist with RHNA coordination.  A total of $55,000 for RHNA coordination and $88,674 for SCS printing/duplication reflect the new line items.  These amounts are to be allocated to each COG based upon population percentages (utilizing the Planning Center data), similar to other Valley activities in the recent past.

 For any questions regarding SCS Implementation activities, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

(Blueprint) Following is a brief report on the status of Blueprint activities:

• (Blueprint Integration) Activities associated with the Valley-IMPACS tool kicked-off April 3^rd, with several supplementary lunch meetings to solicit additional feedback and involvement throughout the month, in partnership with LGC and AECOM.  Enhancements to the IMPACS tool to meet the needs of Valley agencies have recently been completed, with valley-wide training activities for MPO staff taking place on July 9^th, and a presentation of the tool being delivered to the Valley Planner’s Network on August 26^th, and delivered to the COG Director’s group for their acceptance on September 4^th.   With the Director’s acceptance, the tool will now be housed on the Blueprint Toolkit, where it can be accessed by any agency or individual for open use.

For any questions regarding the above notated items, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

Action: This is an information/discussion item.  Direction may be given at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary:  At its meeting on August 7, 2014, the San Joaquin Valley Regional Planning Agency Directors accepted the Greenprint Phase I “State of the Valley” report subject to the inclusion of an additional Phase II work program task under the Next Steps section of the report.  That additional task is to convene a panel of experts to offer informed opinions on the implications of the maps and data compiled in the Phase I report.  The Phase I final report will be presented to the Regional Policy Council for adoption at its next meeting in October, thereby concluding Phase I of the project.

At its meeting on July 9, 2014, the Greenprint Steering Committee approved, by consensus of the members present, the Phase II Work Plan.  These tasks are substantially consistent with the tasks identified in the application for Round 2 funding to the Strategic Growth Council.  However, individual tasks identified in the application may receive greater or lesser emphasis because the Steering Committee has developed over time a better sense of how the Greenprint Project can be most useful to regional and local agencies and other stakeholders.  Subsequently, at their August 7, 2014 meeting, the Regional Planning Agency Directors discussed the Phase II Work Plan.  Staff was directed to return in September with an amount of funding identified for each of the five tasks listed in the Work Plan, including a significant increase in funding for the Pilot Projects task.  These changes have been made to the Work Plan and were presented to the Directors at their September 4, 2014 meeting.  At that meeting, the Directors approved the Work Program including an amount of $225,000 for Work Task 4, the pilot projects work task.  The Directors also provided clarification in the Work Program regarding policy language.

The Request for Proposals for Phase II was issued on September 15, 2014.  The deadline for proposal submittal is October 21, 2014.

Please contact Fresno COG staffperson Clark Thompson at (559) 233-4148 x203 or by email at clarkt@fresnocog.org if you have any questions about the Greenprint program.   

Action:  Information item.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary:  Senate Bill 1183 (DeSaulnier) would authorize cities, counties, and regional parks districts to impose, subject to two-thirds voter approval, vehicle registration surcharges up to $5.00 on motor vehicles registered within their respective jurisdictions until January 1, 2025.  Local agency administrative expenses are limited to no more than 5% of the net revenues collected under this bill.  Net revenues are to be used for improvements to paved and natural surface trails and bikeways, including:

• Rehabilitation, restoration, and expansion of existing trails and bikeways;
• Development of new trails and bikeways;
• Improvement and development of other bicycle facilities, including but not limited to bicycle parking facilities; and
• Maintenance and upkeep of existing local and regional trail systems, bikeway systems, networks, and other bicycle facilities.

In a 2002 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration survey, seven in ten people said that they would like to bike more than they do now, but less than half of those surveyed were satisfied with how their communities are designed for bicycling.  The public’s desire for more bikeable communities aligns with large safety benefits associated with use of bike paths and trails.  A 2012 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that bicyclists using separated, protected bicycle tracks had a nine-fold decrease in injury risk due to accidents compared to cyclists sharing roads with motor vehicles.  In addition to safety benefits, bike infrastructure supports the state’s goal to promote walking and biking through the state’s Active Transportation Program, and also supports the objectives of SB 375, the Sustainable Communities Act.

Governor Jerry Brown has until September 30 to sign or veto the bill.  If no action is taken, the bill dies on its own.

Action:  Information item.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary: The 2014 San Joaquin Valley Fall Policy Conference is scheduled to be held October 2^nd – 3^rd, 2014, at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia.  This year’s conference is being hosted by TCAG.  The Annual Blueprint Awards will be delivered during the Closing Luncheon and Awards Ceremony scheduled from Noon-1:30 on Friday, October 3^rd.  Former Deputy Director Barbara Steck, who recently retired, was recently announced as the recipient of this year’s Darrel Hildebrand Blueprint Leadership Award – a very fitting tribute for her years of service within this program.   Several other awards for development projects within the Fresno area were also announced.  For a complete list of awards, please see the attached press release.

For more information on the event schedule, confirmed speakers or various activities, please contact TCAG staff at (559) 623-0450.  You can register for the event by visiting http://www.eventbrite.com.

Action: This is an informational item. Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary: On September 2^nd, the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Application Guide and materials were made available.  Grant Program Overarching Objectives are to ensure consideration of major efforts in transportation planning, including: Sustainability, Preservation, Mobility, Safety, Innovation, Economy, Health, and Equity.  Grants are available under the following two categories:

1.      Strategic Partnerships

Consistent with the intent of partnership planning, the Strategic Partnerships grant funds planning projects that encourage regional agencies to partner with Caltrans to identify and address statewide/interregional transportation deficiencies in the state highway system, strengthen government-to-government relationships, and result in programmed system improvements, all in an effort to achieve the Caltrans Mission and overarching objectives.

Who May Apply as Primary Recipients – Metropolitan Planning Organizations/Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (MPO/RTPAs); Sub-recipients – Transit Agencies, Universities, Community Colleges, Native American Tribal Governments, Cities and Counties, Community-Based Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, and Other Public Entities.

Estimated Budget – $1.5 Million, Federal Highway Administration – SPR, Part I

Local Match – 20% of the total project amount

2.      Sustainable Communities

The Sustainable Communities grant funds transportation planning projects that identify and address mobility deficiencies in the multimodal transportation system, encourage stakeholder collaboration, involve active public engagement, integrate Smart Mobility 2010 concepts, ultimately result in programmed system improvements, and achieve the Caltrans Mission and overarching objectives.

Who May Apply as Primary Recipients – MPO/RTPAs, Transit Agencies, Cities, Counties, and Native American Tribal Governments; Sub-recipients – Transit Agencies, Universities, Community Colleges, Native American Tribal Governments, Cities and Counties, Community-Based Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, and Other Public Entities.

Estimated Budget – $8.3 Million Total ($2.8 Million, Federal Transit Administration, Section 5304; $5.5 Million, State Highway Account)

Local Match – 11.47% of the total project amount

Basic information regarding each category can be found within the Fact Sheet attached to this agenda, with program specifics in greater detail, including application instructions and templates found on-line at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/grants.html. 

The deadline for submitting grant applications via email to Regional.Planning.Grants@dot.ca.gov is 5 PM, October 31, 2014.

ACTION: Information.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

For the latest information on grants, contact Ishmael Herrera at isherrera@csufresno.edu

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Deployment

Deadline: October 1, 2014, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Amount: The estimated funding available for FY14 is $4,500,000. 7 to 15 awards are anticipated. A funding ceiling of $1,000,000 has been set for individual projects; the floor for individual projects is $250,000.
Awards are issued as follows in the three topic areas of the program:

• AOI 1: approximately 2 to 4 awards issued, ranging from $250,000 to $500,000
• AOI 2: approximately 4 to 10 awards, ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000
• AOI 3: 1 award, ranging up to $1,000,000

This program seeks to create and implement high impact and highly innovative approaches to increase the acceptance and deployment of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). This will be accomplished in part by funding three different Areas of Interest (AOI) which focus on: AFV-use demonstrations via hands-on experiences, safety-related training, and emergency preparedness.

http://efficientgov.com/grant-details/?gid=36988

Summary: The Fresno COG Regional Competitive Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle I Call for Projects closed on August 27, 2014.  A total of 30 projects were submitted to Fresno COG totaling $15.9 million in requested ATP funds.  The Fresno COG region has $3.9 million available to award.  Ten representatives of the Multi-Disciplinary Advisory Group (MAG) Committee will meet on Monday, September 8, 2014 to score the projects and draft a list of projects to be recommended for funding.  The list of project evaluators and the agency(ies) they represent is enclosed.

The project recommendations were approved by the TTC/PAC on September 12, 2014. Following Policy Board action on September 25, 2014 the project list will be submitted to the California Transportation Commission by September 30^th for adoption at their November 12^th meeting in Sacramento. Following adoption of the Fresno COG Regional Competitive ATP, projects will be programmed in the 2015 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) by February 2015 so that they can commence immediately.

If you have any questions please contact Lindsey Chargin or Melissa Garza at 559-233-4148.

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend approval of the Fresno COG Regional Competitive Active Transportation Program (ATP) Projects as recommended by the Fresno COG Regional Competitive Active Transportation Program (ATP) Multi-Disciplinary Advisory Group (MAG) Scoring Committee.

1.  Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) Amendment to Provide Administration and Oversight of Yosemite Area Regional Transit System

Summary: Last year Fresno COG hired a planning consultant to conduct a planning feasibility study to explore providing Transit Service to Yosemite National Park. Subsequently the Board awarded $2.6 million in CMAQ to provide for the first two years of operations. Another $667,000 in funding commitments were received from the Air District and Yosemite National Park.  Fresno COG also was awarded a $100,000 planning grant from Caltrans to do the initial planning and start up marketing.  YARTS has proposed Fresno COG enter into a MOU to provide the startup service. The MOU would provide for two Fresno COG Board members to be Ex Officio (non-voting) members of YARTS, as well as three representatives appointed by the Fresno COG Director to serve on the YARTS Advisory Committee.  If the startup service is successful, YARTS will amend their Joint Powers Agreement to allow Fresno COG full voting membership. However, the Fresno COG Joint Powers Agreement presently doesn’t allow for implementation activities such as this. County Counsel has recommended Fresno COG request member agencies to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to grant this authority.  The proposed amendment to the JPA would allow Fresno COG authority become the lead agency to apply and receive grant funding, enter into agreements to provide funding, and administration and oversight for interregional transportation projects. The authorization is somewhat generic to allow the agency to enter into future similar arrangements without doing piecemeal amendments to the JPA. It is estimated the JPA amendment could take a month or two, however, time is of the essence as YARTS would like to implement the service in spring of 2015 and there are a number of logistics to be taken care of such as planning out the route, arranging bus stop locations, leasing buses, hiring, training and certifying drivers, etc. Therefore, the companion item for this action is to request authorization to proceed with the planning part of the project, which doesn’t require a JPA amendment.

Recommendation: Authorize the Executive Director to request Member Agencies to amend to Fresno COG JPA to allow Fresno COG authority to become the lead agency to apply and receive grant funding, enter into agreements to provide funding, administration and oversight for interregional transportation projects.

2.  Agreement for Contractor Services

Summary: An Agreement for Contractor Services between Fresno COG and Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) has been prepared to carry out planning activities related to the establishment of transit service in Highway 41 between the City of Fresno and Yosemite National Park.

Action: TTC/PAC recommend concurrence with Fresno County Counsel approval of the Agreement for Contractor Services for the Fresno COG Board to adopt at the September 25, 2014 meeting.

Summary: Following the Fresno County Grand Jury’s recommendation, the COG Policy Board instructed Fresno COG by to formulate an approach to control litter along the highways of Fresno County.  A summary of work being done to address the problem and to comply with the Grand Jury’s recommendations is included in your meeting packet.

Two recommendations in the Grand Jury report were:

1)  Additional emphasis on enforcement of laws regarding illegal dumping, improper load coverage and litter flying or thrown from vehicles is needed, and;

2) Fresno COG should align with the National Keep America Beautiful (KAB) organization.

In order to comply with the first finding –Officer Axel Reyes of the Fresno office of the California Highway Patrol will discuss the CHP’s efforts to enforce litter laws on Fresno County Highways.

Following Officer Reyes’ presentation an update will be provided regarding the Grand Jury’s recommendation that Fresno COG become an affiliate of the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) organization.

Keep America Beautiful Requirements:

The Fresno County Grand Jury recommended that Fresno COG should become an affiliate of the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) organization. The application was submitted in December of 2013.  The next step is to form the Fresno County KAB Community Team to develop two base-line tools 1) the Community Appearance Index-Litter Index and 2) the Focus Area Survey.  The KAB Staff Director of Affiliate Development will conduct a 75-90 minute training webinar for the Fresno County KAB Community Team which will detail the Team’s responsibilities.  Prior to the webinar the KAB Director will send the materials required including the training manuals, the Community Appearance Index manual and additional resources.  Following the preparation of the two surveys, the Fresno County KAB Community Team will then prepare the First Year Affiliate Goals and Strategies Plan.

Action: Request nine volunteers to staff the Fresno County Keep America Beautiful Community Team.

Summary: The San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan, developed through a grant from the California Energy Commission, the US Department of Energy and coordinated by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, was completed May 2014.  This Plan provides tools and resources to assist counties, cities and communities in the region to become PEV (Plug-In Electric Vehicle) ready. Included in this readiness plan and toolkit are templates to:

• Update zoning and parking policies
• Streamline permitting and inspecting processes
• Update building codes for electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) which are charging stations, and PEV (Plug-in electric vehicle) parking
• Provide outreach and education

Joseph Oldham, Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, (and former Sustainability Manager for the City of Fresno) will provide an update on the Plug-In Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan, focusing on how the plan can be used by cities and the county to facilitate their development of plug-in vehicle infrastructure.

For additional information and the link to the San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan please visit the San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle Resources Center at http://www.valleyair.org/grants/content/pev.html

Additional information is available through the Center for Sustainable Energy detailing the process and the work completed for the San Joaquin Valley Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council at http://energycenter.org/programs/pev-planning/san-joaquin

Funding for infrastructure improvements are listed in recent legislation (please see staff report) and a new grant was just released September 9, 2014. [$3.3 Million for the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program through the California Energy Commission,  PON-14-603 http://www.energy.ca.gpv/contracts/index.html

 For additional information please see the staff report in your meeting packet.  Staff will continue to update the committees as more information becomes available.

Action:  Information item.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary: In effort to assist Fresno COG member agencies and partnering agencies in finding grant opportunities, Fresno COG has recently subscribed to EfficientGov.com’s GrantFinder database to offer their services, free of charge to our member agencies for a trial period of one year.

GrantFinder is a real-time, comprehensive database of all federal, state, foundation and corporate grants available to municipalities, counties and non-profit partners.  The database is updated daily with new grants as well as updates to existing grants within the system.  Additionally, the service provides for unlimited access to EfficientGov news, articles and the GrantIntel newsletter, which focuses specifically on grant funding.

An email was sent out to TTC and PAC on July 9, 2014 soliciting sign-ups for the service.  As of September 2, 2014 every member agency is represented with one or more user accounts as well as several partnering agencies.

Staff is working with EfficientGov.com to set-up a tutorial and possibly a workshop for new users so they can get the most out of the service.  More information on that will be sent to users.

Please contact Lindsey Chargin at 559-233-4148 ext. 205 for more information or to sign-up for this service.

Action: Information. Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary: In May 2014, during a discussion regarding the approval of the 2014 RTP/SCS, the Fresno COG Policy Board directed the Policy Advisory Committee's sub-committee to address three proposals brought forward by a coalition of community organizations. The Board further directed staff to address the policies as part of the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy implementation efforts, following the June 26, 2014 adoption of the plans. The three community-based proposals are as follows:
(1) Development of a Transportation Needs Assessment to help inform transportation investment decisions.
(2) Development of a Sustainable Planning and Infrastructure Grant Program to help jurisdictions implement the region’s Sustainable Communities Strategy goals.
(3) Development of Natural and Working Lands Conservation Policies applicable to transportation projects.

In an effort to build momentum, help frame the discussion, identify best practices, hear about practical lessons learned either good or bad, highlight benefits, identify gaps, and start outlining next steps in the process for addressing the three community-based proposals, Fresno COG hosted a Peer Exchange event. This information-gathering, from peers throughout the state who have implemented programs or policies similar to three proposals, included brainstorming among COG staff, interested Fresno organization staff members and transportation planning peers from around the state.

The event was held in partnership with the Sierra Business Council and the Local Government Commission on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Fresno COG Sequoia Room.  Mayor Lynne Ashbeck served as the event facilitator, and speakers and panelists from agencies throughout the State of California graciously donated their time to present a great deal of valuable information to approximately 60 event participants.

The Peer Exchange Program is included in your packet, as well as photos from the event. Presentations were given by the following panelists (clickable links provided here).  All of the panelist’s PowerPoint presentations and audio of the entire event is now available on the Fresno COG website at http://www.fresnocog.org/rtp-scs-implementation:

Dr. Ken Bird, MD, MPH, Fresno County Department of Public Health—    Status of Health in Fresno County

Dr. Jared Rutledge, PhD, Fresno County Health Department--    Building Predictive Epidemiological Models

Alan Thompson, Southern CA Association of Governments--    SCAG's Active Transportation Needs Assessment

Jonathan London, Center of Regional Change at UC Davis--    Integrating Social Equity into Regional Planning:  Lessons from SB 375

Craig Goldblatt, Metropolitan Transportation Commission--    One Bay Area Grant Program

Marco Angerson, Southern CA Association of Governments--    Sustainability Planning Grant Program

Colleen Clementson, San Diego Association of Governments--    Smart Growth Incentive Program

Loren Clark, Planning Department and Community Development Resource Agency—    Conservation Planning in Placer County

Robert Puro, Seedstock—    Analyzing Grow Riverside

Robert Tse, USDA CA Rural Development—    Utilizing Technology to Enhance and Preserve our Agricultural Lands and Resources

Action: Information item.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary: Caltrans staff will give an update at the meeting.  A copy of the Caltrans Quarterly Report is included as an exhibit to this item.  

Action:  This is an information item.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.   

All items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial by COG staff and will be approved by one motion if no member of the Committee or public wishes to comment or ask questions.  If comment or discussion is desired by anyone, the item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered in the listed sequence with an opportunity for any member of the public to address the Committee concerning the item before action is taken.

Summary: To locate current and past year state bill information go to the Official California Legislative Information webpage at: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/

To locate current and past year federal bill information go to THOMAS, The Library of Congress’s bill information website (in the spirit of Thomas Jefferson) at: http://thomas.loc.gov/

Please contact staff person, Melissa Garza, if you have any questions or comments.

Action:  Information.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary:  A copy of the agenda from the June meeting is included in the meeting package.

Action:  Information.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.         

Summary:  Your agenda package includes this month’s Clearinghouse Calendar containing “Project Notification and Review Reports” for grant proposal.

 1.  Breathing Apparatus for Volunteer Fire Department - $4,100 Federal, $3,280 Applicant, $20,000 Other – Total $27,380

2.  Fresno EOC EHS-CC Partnership and Expansion – California - $1,689,280 Federal, $422,320 Applicant, $398,234 Other – Total $2,509,834

Action:  Per Board procedure, unless an item is pulled from the Consent Calendar, tacit authorization is given for staff to forward any comment(s) received, or any Committee/Board comment(s) generated as a result of this informational item, to the appropriate agency. It is understood that if in the event this item should be pulled from the consent calendar, discussion and comment by the Committee members and the public will be taken.     

1.  Fresno COG 2015 Washington DC One Voice

Summary:

Save the Date:  The 2015 One Voice trip is scheduled for April 11^th-16^th, 2015, marking the 13th official planned visit to Washington, D.C. Fresno COG kicked-off the 2015 One Voice planning effort with a Steering Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 3:30 PM in the Sequoia Room. This committee will draft and guide the regional priorities for the 2015 advocacy trip.  We will continue to work with the Fresno COG DC lobbyist, Len Simon from Simon and Co.  Fresno COG’s One Voice effort thrives on collaboration between elected officials, staff, business and other organizations. We have opportunities to speak with representatives from the highest levels of our federal government about our region’s needs, often finding solutions to regional problems. Therefore, Fresno COG would like to encourage all policy board members, other elected officials, member agency staff, businesses, education and community groups to participate in the planning process and in the trip itself.

During the kick-off meeting the committee recommended that the One Voice delegation focus trip efforts on Water policy, Jobs and Jobs Training as well as transportation and other priorities submitted for consideration by the member agencies. They will form subcommittees to focus on gathering needed data and information regarding these priorities.  During the upcoming months the steering committee will draft specific language to include in the regional priority brochure and will be requesting your assistance in gathering data on the impacts of the drought. This would include your cities’ or the county’s unemployment data, economical effects, environmental impacts (such as wild fires and air quality), etc, and personal testimonies that highlight the human element of the impacts. The committee also welcomes your input on any additional regional priority requests that may or may not be directly or indirectly related to Water and Jobs policies. 

Lastly, Fresno COG and the “One Voice” delegation are grateful to have received several financial contributions for the 2013/2014 advocacy efforts and look forward to continued commitment and support again in 2015. The sponsorships allow us to continue to improve our efforts in reaching our regional goals.  One of our 2014 sponsors has already agreed to sponsor the 2015 trip—The Hospital Council. If you are interested in participating in the planning process, the trip, or you want to learn more on how to become a One Voice Sponsor, please contact Melissa Garza at mgarza@fresnocog.org or Brenda Veenendaal at brendav@fresnocog.org.   

Action: This is an information item.  Direction may be given at the discretion of the Policy Board.

2.  Fresno COG 2015 Legislative Platform

Summary: The Legislative Platform is a document that includes the advocacy priorities of the Fresno COG in state and federal legislative matters.  It represents a unified voice when communicating legislative priorities to our state and federal lawmakers as well as to relevant state and federal agencies.  It also provides guidance to the Fresno COG staff and the lobbying partners when advocating on behalf of the Policy Board. Several additions were incorporated into the FY 2014 Legislative Platform.  These included an enhanced Economic Development section that added support for incentives for hard hit areas in place of the former enterprise zone program, replacement legislation for an improved program to take the place of the Redevelopment Authority and continued support for the Enhanced Economic Development Rate before the PUC.  The Local and Regional Planning section was also updated to include a discussion in support of the Integration of Land Use and Transportation Planning.  Please review the current legislative platform enclosed that reflects the most current priorities for advocacy during the 2013/2014 state and federal legislative sessions which was approved by the Fresno COG Policy Board last fall.  Fresno COG staff is preparing to update the legislative platform for the 2015 legislative year and is requesting your input and participation in the process to ensure that the region’s 2014/2015 legislative priorities are captured in the platform. Please review the 2014 platform enclosed and provide suggestions and feedback to Melissa Garza at mgarza@fresnocog.org.  Staff anticipates recommending approval of the final legislative platform in October.

Action:  Information item.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary:  Staff will give an update at the meeting. The final agenda is included as an exhibit to this item and all information regarding the Valley Voice trip is available on the Fresno COG website http://www.fresnocog.org/current-planning-activities.

Action: Information.  Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

Summary:  Earlier in the year, the Fresno COG Policy Board requested that we inform our member agencies of the following opportunity.  The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley has requested that Fresno COG submit nominations for Fresno County's public sector representation on the Partnership Board.  As a matter of background, Judy Case McNairy has represented Fresno County on the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley (Partnership) Board of Directors. Supervisor Case McNairy's term on the Fresno Board of Supervisors is expiring at the end of the year. The Fresno Council of Governments is identified as the vetting agency for the nomination of elected official (public sector) to the Partnership Board. The nominations are reviewed by the State and final appointment made by the Governor. The Governor asks that we provide three nominees and that we prioritize them. Supervisor Borgeas, Fresno County submitted his online application to the State in August.  There has been no word on appointment. 

Below is an overview on submitting an application for nomination to the Partnership Board.

In brief, the process includes the following:

1.  Complete the online application located at: http://gov.ca.gov/s_appointmentsapplication.php  
2.   Include with the application a letter of interest in the position and a current resume or bio
3.   Start gathering two-three reference letters that may be requested by the Appointment Unit at a later date.
4.    Send a copy of items 1-3 above to:

MIKE DOZIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Office of Community & Economic Development
California State University, Fresno
5010 N Woodrow Ave Suite 200 M/S WC142
Fresno CA 93740

Action: Direction is requested.

Summary:  Mario Santoyo will give an update.

Action: Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Policy Board.

This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Policy Board on items within its jurisdiction but not on this agenda.  Note:  Prior to action by the Policy Board on any item on this agenda, the public may comment on that item.  Unscheduled comments may be limited to 3 minutes.