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TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

REVISED AGENDA (5/12/16)

Date:
Time:
Place:

Friday, May 13, 2016
8:30 AM

COG Sequoia Conference Room
2035 Tulare St., Suite 201, Fresno, CA



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TTC Agenda and Annotated Agenda in pdf format - ALL EXHIBITS ARE AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

The Transportation Technical Committee will consider all items on the agenda.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am.

I.TRANSPORTATION CONSENT ITEMS

About Consent Items:

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.

A
Executive Minutes of [APPROVE]
B
FY 2015-16 Third Quarter Progress Report [Beshears] [ACCEPT]

Summary: The FY 2015-16 Third Quarter Progress Report is included for the board's acceptance.

Action: Accept.

C.
Proposition 84 Update (Rob Terry) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: (Task 1) Greenprint: For an update on the Greenprint, please see the associated Transportation Action/Discussion item on this same agenda.

(Task 2) Model Land-Use Revalidation activities (Model Improvement Program Phase 2) have been ongoing since January 2014.  Fehr and Peers, as the selected consultant, is conducting activities associated with the project, including data collection and processing, refinement of model input data; and model estimation, calibration, validation, evaluation and associated training activities.  In addition, the consultant is overseeing all project management and information sharing details.

(Task 3) Due to the completion of several anticipated Round 2 activities within Round 1, Department of Conservation (DOC) representatives approved the re-allocation of line item funds to increase the amount of funding for both Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) printing/duplication for outreach and public involvement, as well as the amount available to assist with Regional Housing Needs Allocation (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.  With 24% of the Valley’s overall population, Fresno COG’s proportion of these funds is $20,841.54 for SCS activities, and $13,200 for RHNA activities.

Originally, all Round 2 activities must have been completed by 6/30/16, and billed by 9/30/16, in accordance with the 3-year DOC grant period.  However, after receiving support from the San Joaqui Valley COG Director's, the TTC, PAC and Fresno COG Policy Board in the recent past, staff has worked with the DOC grant manager and the Strategic Growth Council to request a time extension to allow for enhancement of grant activities associated with the Greenprint and SCS tasks.  In late March, such an extension was officially approved, which now allows for grant activities through April 1, 2017.  Following approval of the time extension, staff submitted a formal amendment request to DOC to accomodate additional activities to maximize Task 1 and Task 3 activities through the end of the grant period.  Staff is currently awaiting approval from DOC regarding this request.  Additional information will be delivered to the TTC/PAC and Board, when available.

For any questions regarding Prop 84 Round 2 activities, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

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

D.
Circuit Planner and Circuit Engineer Report (Rob Terry) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: Outreach to each of the smaller cities (populations under 50,000) by both the Circuit Planning Team (VRPA) and Circuit Engineering Team (Willdan), to complete one-on-one meetings to identify project needs and activities, concluded in the month of April - with staff having conducted such meetings with most eligible agencies. Based upon the feedback received at those meetings, 7 planning-related projects and 13 engineering-related projects were identified by the various cities.  The consultant firms then developed prioritization criteria for both types of projects (planning and engineering) and ranked the projects based on the resulting scores.

The projects shown below indicate the top 3 from each category that have been submitted to the Circuit Planning/Engineering teams by the individual agencies, which have been scored and ranked utilizing the program criteria.  It is the intent of the teams to move through the list from top to bottom, working on up to 3 projects at a time (concurrently). Additional projects beyond those six identified will be added to the bottom, per ranking, as projects are completed.  It is important to notate that this list is fluid, and is intended to provide general direction for the teams.   Throughout the process, this list may change, as priorities and/or time sensitive projects require attention amongst the agencies.

The top 3 planning-related projects resulting from that process include:

1. Fowler Project 1 - Golden State Property - Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Design Study, Purpose & Need Statement, Funding Source Review, and Assistance with the Funding Application

2. Sanger Project 2 - Assist with preparation of a Strategic Growth Council funding application to plan for an integrated transportation and land use system and to ultimately annex the unincorporated area located south of North Avenue and west of Academy Avenue

3. Kingsburg Project 3 - Preparation of a school-zone study focusing on the six school zones in Kingsburg. The study would include safety analysis, circulation, and traffic calming recommendations.  The study would be limited in scope based upon discussions with City staff. 

The top 3 engineering-related projects include the following:

1. Selma Project 1 – Assistance with Planning and Design Issues - Dinuba Avenue Overcrossing/Interchange @ SR 99

2. Sanger Project 1 – Bridge Preventative Maintenance RFP/RFQ

3. Reedley Project 4 - Development of a Funding Strategy for Maintenance Improvements along Manning Avenue between Reed and Buttonwillow Avenues

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding the initial tasks associated with either the circuit planning or circuit engineering programs, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

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

E.
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Grant (Rob Terry) [INFORMATION/DISCUSSION]

Summary: Recently, the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) announced the projects that have been selected to submit full applications for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Grant Program.  Listed below are the four projects located within the Fresno region, with a total request of $41,116,952.

Project Title

Jurisdiction

Project Type

AHSC Funds Requested

South Stadium Phase I TOD

City of Fresno

ICP

$5,738,730

Kings Canyon Connectivity Project

City of Fresno

ICP

$15,579,426

Americana Community Apartments

City of Huron

RIPA

$9,601,559

Van Ness Apartments

City of Fresno

ICP

$10,197,237 

 

Full applications are due by June 20, 2016.  In-line with the directives given by the Policy Board, Fresno COG is continually available to provide technical assistance and support to applicants seeking to place developments within the Fresno region. For any questions regarding the AHSC program and/or activities associated with additional Cap and Trade auction proceeds, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

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

F.
Population Estimates (Seth Scott) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The California State Department of Finance released provisional population estimates as of January 1, 2016 for the state, counties, and cities. Attached is the updated population for jurisdictions in Fresno County. These population estimates are produced annually by the Department of Finance for use by local areas to calculate their annual appropriations limit.

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

G.
FY 2015-16 Transportation Funding Claims (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary: The City of Fresno and Coalinga are submitting their 2015/16 Transportation Development Act Claims for approval.

Claimant                                   LTF                      STA                                 Total

City of Fresno                           $21,343,232            $4,099,559                        $25,442,791

City of Coalinga                        $542,425                $82,883                              $625,308

Action: Staff requests TTC/PAC to recommend approval  of Resolution 2016-07 adopting the 2015/16 Transportation Development Act Claims for the City of Fresno, and Resolution 2016-08 adopting the 2015/16 Transportation Development Act Claims for the City of Coalinga.

H.
Urban & Rural Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) Operations Program & Budget, FY 2016-17 (Gary Joseph, Fresno EOC) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: The Consolidated Transportation Service Agency’s (CTSA) Operations Program and Budget (OPB), FY 2016-17 for the Fresno Urban and Rural CTSA is available on the Fresno COG website at: http://fresnocog.org. The document is designed to provide an overview of how and in what manner the Consolidated Transportation Service Agencies will be providing service over the next fiscal year. The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) began their review of the document on April 19, 2016 and initiated the 45 day review process.  It is scheduled to be ratified by the Governing Board on June 30, 2016. 

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

I.
Clovis Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) FY 2016-17 Operations Program & Budget (Shonna Halterman, City of Clovis) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: The Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agency’s (CTSA) Operations Program and Budget (OPB) FY 2016-17 for the Clovis Urban Area is designed to provide an overview of how and in what manner the Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agency will provide service over the next fiscal year. The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) began their review of the document on April 19, 2016 and initiated the 45 day review process.  Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agency’s (CTSA) Operations Program and Budget FY 2016-17 for the Clovis Urban Area document is available on the Fresno COG website at: http://fresnocog.org.  It is scheduled to be ratified by the Governing Board on June 30, 2016. 

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

J.
FCRTA Draft 2016-17 Annual Budget for 45 Day Review (Moses Stites) [ACCEPT]

Summary:   The budget has been prepared to be reflective of the Fresno Council of Government’s (Fresno COG) 2014 Regional Plan (RTP) and the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) for the 2015-2020 Rural Fresno County Area.  The document recommends the implementation of programmed service improvements, and the continuation of existing services.  This year’s draft Budget has been developed for your continued review, comment, and action during a forty-five (45) day review period that will culminate on June 30, 2016, with the scheduled FCRTA Board meeting.  The numbers in the Draft budget are subject to refinement following: service contract negotiations, an opportunity for public presentations, and a public presentation before the Board of Directors.  The budget is quite dynamic and may require periodic amendments during the course of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.    Final budget will return to the committee for approval in June.

Action:  Staff recommends acceptance of FCRTA’S DRAFT 2016-17 ANNUAL BUDGET.

K.
Transportation Development Act 2016/17 Final Apportionment (Les Beshears) [ADOPT]

Summary: The preliminary 2016/17 Transportation Development Act Apportionment were released in February using 01/01/2015 Population Estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF) to allow member agencies to incorporate into their budget. DOF released the 01/01/2016 Population Estimates in May. The Final Apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however it includes the 01/01/2016 population revision. The estimate is $3 million higher than last year’s estimate.

Action: Adopt the Transportation Development Act 2016/17 Final Apportionment of $35,000,000.

L.
State Transit Assistance Apportionment 2016/17 (Les Beshears) [ADOPT]

Summary: The preliminary 2016/17 State Transit Assistance Apportionment were released in February using 01/01/2015 Population Estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF) to allow member agencies to incorporate into their budget. DOF released the 01/01/2016 Population Estimates in May. The Final Apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however it includes the 01/01/2016 population revision. The estimate is $668,270 lower than last year’s estimate due to a change in distribution methodology by the State Controller’s Office.

Recommendation:  Adopt the State Transit Assistance 2016/17 Final Apportionment of $4,855,218.

M.
Release of Draft 2016 Public Participation Plan Update for 45-day Review and Comment Period (Brenda Veenendaal) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: Fresno COG staff has updated the Public Participation Plan (PPP) in compliance with Federal legislation. The updated Public Participation Plan will be released for 45-day public review on Friday, May 13, 2016 and will be handed out at the TTC and PAC Meetings. It will also be posted to the Fresno COG website and will be available for review at the Fresno COG Office. The complete timeline for review and adoption are as follows:

Release of Draft 2016 PPP for 45-day review and comment period 

May 13, 2016

Conclusion of Draft 2016 PPP 45-day review and comment period

June 27, 2016

Release Final Draft 2016 PPP Update for review and approval

July 7, 2016

TTC and PAC review Final Draft 2016 PPP for approval

July 15, 2016

Policy Board review Final Draft 2016 PPP for approval

July 28, 2016

Updates to the document include reordering of chapters, added federal outreach requirements, and summaries of Fresno COG’s commitments to public participation as well as detailed descriptions of specifically how the public may participate in any of Fresno COG’s plan or project developments.

In response to all comments received prior to and during this process, the Public Participation Plan will be revised and enhanced in accordance with requirements identified in federal regulations. The Fresno COG Policy Board will consider the adoption of the Draft 2016 PPP at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, July 29, 2016 at 5:30 pm.

Further information regarding this process may be obtained by contacting the Fresno COG office via mail, through the Fresno COG website at www.fresnocog.org, or by calling (559) 233-4148.

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

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION / DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
2015-16 CMAQ Project Recommendations from the CMAQ Scoring Committee (Lauren Dawson) [APPROVE]

Summary: On December 17, 2015 the Fresno COG Policy Board issued a formal call-for-projects for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) regional bid and lifeline process.  The available funding for this round of CMAQ Regional Bid projects is $18,464,775.  We received 40 applications requesting over $50 million in funding. On April 14, 2016 the CMAQ Scoring Committee (as appointed by the Programming Sub-committee) convened, reviewed the applications, and made their recommendations.  The Scoring Committee recommendations are included as an enclosure in your meeting packet.  Also included is a listing of the lifeline amounts per agency and the funding amounts per agency and per urban and rural splits.

Action: Staff recommends approval of the Scoring Committee’s recommendations for the 2015-16 CMAQ call-for-projects.  Approved projects will be programmed for funding in the 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP). 

B.
2015-16 RSTP Project Recommendations from the RSTP Scoring Committee (Suzanne Martinez) [APPROVE]

Summary: On December 17, 2015 the Fresno COG Policy Board issued a formal call-for-projects for the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) regional bid and lifeline process.  The available funding for this round of RSTP Regional Bid projects is $8,960,778.  We received 50 applications requesting over $43 million in funding. On April 19, 2016 the RSTP Scoring Committee (as appointed by the Programming Sub-committee) convened, reviewed the applications, and made their recommendations.  The Scoring Committee recommendations are included as an enclosure in your meeting packet.  Also included is a listing of the lifeline amounts per agency and the funding amounts per agency and per urban and rural splits.

Action: Staff recommends approval of the Scoring Committee’s recommendations for the 2015-16 RSTP call-for-projects.  Approved projects will be programmed for funding in the 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP).

C.
Prop 84 Task 1 – Greenprint (Clark Thompson) [APPROVE]

Summary: In response to the Request for Proposals for Greenprint Demonstration Projects, the following five proposals and the amounts requested were submitted by the April 29 deadline.

  • Sequoia Riverlands Trust - Watershed Enhancement Strategies for Groundwater Sustainability ($59,870)
  • Sustainable Conservation - Groundwater Recharge Planning Tool ($90,057)
  • San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization - Pathway for Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Benefits with Urban Tree Canopy ($79,984)
  • CSUF, Fresno Foundation and Department of Geography and City & Regional Planning - A Computer Application to Visualize Community Opportunities ($39,951)
  • American Farmland Trust - The Land/Water Interface in the San Joaquin Valley and Choices about their Use and Management ($50,000) 

The Scoring Committee met to review and recommend the selection of Demonstration Projects on May 6, after the TTC/PAC agenda was prepared and distributed.  Consequently, the recommendation of the Scoring Committee will be presented in a handout at your meeting along with a verbal presentation by staff.

ActionStaff recommends approval of the Greenprint Demonstration Projects Scoring Committee recommendations and that the TTC/PAC authorize the Fresno COG Executive Director to enter into contracts with the proposers of the Demonstration Projects in the amounts recommended by the Scoring Committee. 

D.
2017 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 3 Guidelines, Resolution 2016-09 (Chelsea Gonzales) [APPROVE]

Summary: Active Transportation Program (ATP) funds are separated into three main components: the statewide competitive program, the small urban and rural area competitive program (to be managed by the state), and the large urbanized area competitive program (managed by the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) - also known as the Regional Competitive ATP). Large MPO's, such as Fresno COG, have the option of developing their own policies, procedures, and project selection criteria that differ from those adopted by the California Transportation Commission (CTC), provided they are approved by the CTC.

The Cycle 3 Fresno COG Regional Competitive ATP will cover two additional years of funding, FY 19-20 through FY 20-21. The CTC will be taking their ATP Fund Estimate to their Board for approval on May 18-19, 2016; however, Fresno COG anticipates roughly $1.3 million/year will be available for the Fresno COG Regional Competitive ATP as this was the annual funding amount awarded to Fresno COG during Cycle 2. Per the ATP legislation, at least 25% of the program funds must benefit projects in disadvantaged communities. Also, it was determined that the Call for Projects for the region will be initiated on July 1st and will close on September 15th. The Multidisciplinary Advisory Group (MAG) will convene on November 2nd to score and deliberate on the recommended program of projects.  

The MAG met on April 27th to review and discuss the updates to the regional guidelines, criteria, and application.  The MAG agreed that the regional guidelines and criteria should match the adopted statewide guidelines as closely as possible to simplify the application process and limit any confusion for applicants.  As such, one of the updates for Cycle 3 included aligning the disadvantaged communities definition and scoring system verbatim with the statewide guidelines.  This negated the need for the disadvantaged communities question on the supplemental application.  With only three questions remaining on the supplemental application, the MAG agreed the remaining questions would not significantly benefit an application or assist the scoring committee reviewing projects so there will not be a supplemental application for Cycle 3.  In addition, this will alleviate some confusion for project applicants between the regional and statewide application requirements. The MAG also agreed that the scoring committee will follow the scoring rubric set forth by the CTC, which breaks down in greater detail how applications are scored for each category.  The CTC has not yet released their final scoring rubric, but this is expected to be available well before the November 2nd scoring committee meeting.

Only a few minor differences remain between the statewide guidelines and Fresno COG's regional guidelines.  As in Cycle 2, the MAG agreed to continue with no minimum funding amount to allow for our member agencies to submit smaller or scaled back projects compared to those submitted at the statewide level and to continue "encouraging" projects less than $1,000,000.  Both of these items differ from the statewide guidelines.  The MAG also added some clarifying language to a couple sections of the guidelines.  Otherwise, the regional guidelines are consistent with the adopted statewide guidelines. 

These documents are all included for your review and approval.  The MAG and staff recommend several non-substantive changes that have been identified in the guidelines; however, there are some substantive changes, and while they are identified in the guidelines, staff has also enclosed a table that outlines the specific substantive changes for review and approval. The enclosures for this item include:

      1. Resolution 2016-09

      2. Table that outlines specific changes between Cycle 2 and Cycle 3

      3. Final Draft Regional ATP Guidelines with proposed changes agreed upon by the MAG

      4. Multidisciplinary Advisory Group member list

The electronic ATP Cycle 3 Statewide Application and other guidance documents can be found at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/atp/cycle-3.html.  If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Gonzales via email at CGonzales@fresnocog.org or via phone at 559-233-4148 ext. 223.

Action: Recommendation for approval of Resolution 2016-09 for the Cycle 3 Fresno COG Regional Competitive Active Transportation Program Guidelines and acceptance of the updated Multidisciplinary Advisory Group member list.

E.
Fresno/Madera Origin-Destination Study Phase (Rob Terry) [ACCEPT/DISCUSSION]

Summary: Following the completion of traffic count and survey response analysis, the consultant has now completed the draft final report for the Fresno/Madera Origin-Destination Study, which is attached for review.  The working group will be reviewing and finalizing the document prior to the May TTC/PAC meetings.  If applicable, any recommended adjustments or changes to the attached draft will be highlighted for the Committee(s).  Please note that due to the size of the appendices, these items are not contained within the document, but can be provided electronically, upon request.

For reference, key findings notated within the draft final report include:

  • Northbound and Southbound flows are roughly equal throughout the day
  • Avenue 12 is utilized as a bypass route by City of Madera and Chowchilla residents
  • Fresno residents utilize services along SR 41 in Madera County but not as a bypass
  • Roughly 85% of observed vehicles were registered in Fresno or Madera County
  • Origination of trips:
    • On SR 99, more trips originated in Fresno County
    • On SR 41, more trips originated in Madera County
    • Overall, roughly the same number of trips originated in each county
    • Roughly 10% of inter-county trips use Avenue 12
    • Fresno to Madera trips mainly use SR 99, Madera to Fresno work trips mainly use SR 41

Following acceptance of the Draft Final Report, formulation of the request for proposals (RFP) to conduct Phase Two activities (fiscal impact analysis) is anticipated to begin, utilizing the deliverables contained within the Phase One Draft Report.  In June, staff will deliver both the Phase One Final Report and draft RFP to the TTC/PAC and Policy Board for final acceptance/approval.

For any questions regarding upcoming activities associated with this project, please contact Rob Terry at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 222 or via email at rterry@fresnocog.org.

Action: Staff recommends the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board accept the Fresno/Madera Origin-Destination Study Phase One Draft Final Report, and direct staff to prepare the RFP for Phase Two activities.

F.
FY 2016-17 Overall Work Program and Budget-Resolution 2016-02 (Tony Boren) [APPROVE]

SummaryThe FY 2016-17 Overall Work Program (OWP), totaling $18,555,775, is submitted for adoption. The proposed budget decreased $2,989,156 from last year.  Operational revenues remain intact, reserves are adequate and the agency continues to operate within the bounds of prudent management.

The proposed Final Budget decreased by $370,000 from the Draft Budget submitted in February, reflecting the elimination of WE 123 PTIS. We have applied for a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5304 grant to fund this project and Caltrans has advised us not to include it in the budget until it is formally approved; however, if the grant application is successful,  we will amend the project back to reflect the amount awarded or implement negotiations with the Transportation Authority to advance additional PTIS funding from the Measure C.

The FY 2016-17 budget total reflects a decrease of 14% from the approved FY 2015-16 budget.  This decrease is spread over a large variety of programs; however, a significant factor causing this reduction is simply that federal grants for multi-year projects are fully funded in our operating budget and funds that are spent are not reflected in the subsequent year’s budget.  There is a commensurate decrease in one-time expenses associated with this phenomena and generally operating expenses are not affected. Decreases in revenues resulting of this sort are the FTA Section 5307 funding demonstration projects providing public transit service to Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, the FTA JARC\New Freedom Grant program, and the Proposition 84 Sustainable Communities Grant from the Department of Conservation.

Federal revenues decreased by 23% ($2,191,276) reflecting the previously mentioned FTA 5307 and FTA Section 5316 & 5317 drawdowns. State revenues decreased by 31% ($688,784) largely due to the drawdown of the Prop 84 Sustainable Communities grant as well as progress on the state funded San Joaquin Valley Goods Movement  Study. Local revenues decreased by 1%  ($109,096), a significant part of which is Cash Match revenue from FTA Section 5316 & 5317 projects that were spent down as the program continues to be phased out and Local Measure C revenues programmed for High Speed Rail.  Furthermore, utilization of the Measure C Taxi Scrip, Carpool, Commuter and Farm Worker Vanpool programs continue to grow.

The full document is available online at http://www.fresnocog.org/sites/default/files/publications/OWP/FINAL_OWP_4.11.16_v.1.pdf

Action: Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2016-02 approving the FY 2016-17 Overall Work Program and Budget. 

G.
Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element (Rob Terry) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: Over the past two-years, Fresno County and 12 of the 15 cities in Fresno County (Clovis, Coalinga, Fowler, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Parlier, Reedley, San Joaquin, Sanger, and Selma) have conducted a Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element (MJHE) for the fifth round of housing element updates.  Fresno COG has helped to coordinate the effort by contracting with the consulting firm Mintier Harnish to provide technical services as the agencies have moved towards individual adoption and State certification.  After years of work and progress, the Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element was officially submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on April 26, 2016.  Prior to submission to HCD, each individual agency conducted their own local adoption process, including approval by their respective governing board.  It is anticipated that HCD will provide final approval (certification) of the MJHE in the coming months.  HCD has been involved throughout the process, and has been highly supportive of the collaborative effort.

The primary objective of the project was to prepare a regional plan for addressing housing needs through a single certified housing element for all 13 jurisdictions. The Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element represents an innovate approach to meeting State Housing Element law and coordinating resources to address the region’s housing needs, resulting in a comprehensive document that is cost-effective and timely. The regional housing element approach, while tested in a few counties at much narrower scales, was a major undertaking for the 13 jurisdictions and Fresno COG, and has been seen as a major success, thus far.

Significant efforts, including robust public outreach efforts and environmental documentation/review, have taken place throughout the life of the project.  Details related to all of these efforts, as well as the Final Adopted MJHE document, individual agency adoption dates, HCD correspondence, and much more, can be found on the projects home webpage at  http://www.fresnocog.org/multi-jurisdictional-housing-element

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

H.
2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program and Corresponding Conformity (Chelsea Gonzales) [INFORMATION/DIRECTION]

Summary: Fresno COG is required to update the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) every 2 years.  The most recent update was the 2015 FTIP, which was adopted by the Fresno COG Policy Board on June 26, 2014.  As such, Fresno COG is due to update the FTIP again and is in the process of developing the 2017 FTIP.  Fresno COG tentatively plans to have public review of the 2017 FTIP from June 27-July 27, 2016. Subsequently, staff would take the Final Draft 2017 FTIP to the Fresno COG Policy Board for proposed approval on September 22, 2016 in order to submit the FTIP to Caltrans by the October 1, 2016 deadline.

However, Fresno COG is currently one of four MPOs (including Stanislaus Council of Governments, Tulare County Association of Governments, and San Joaquin Council of Governments) anticipated to enter a conformity lockdown later this summer, tentatively planned for late July through September at this time.  If Fresno COG stays in a conformity lockdown beyond October 1, 2016 though, we will not be able to adopt a full FTIP until the lockdown has ended and we will be forced to adopt an Interim FTIP in its place. 

An Interim FTIP differs from a typical FTIP in the types of projects that are allowed for inclusion.  An Interim FTIP cannot include non-exempt regionally significant projects (i.e. all capacity increasing projects, projects requiring conformity determination/emissions analysis).  It can include: transportation control measures (TCMs) in approved State Implementation Plans (SIPs); non-regionally significant non-federal projects; regionally significant non-federal projects in a previously conforming FTIP or Plan (only the project phase for which local approval has been granted may proceed); federal aid projects in a previously conforming FTIP or Plan (only the project phase for which federal approval or a funding commitment has been granted may proceed); and exempt projects as referenced in 40 CFR 93.126, 93.127, 93.128.  Currently, all projects consistent with the 2014 RTP and 2015 FTIP, as amended, would be able to acquire E76s until December 14, 2016.  Starting December 15, 2016, or the date of federal approval of the 2017 FSTIP, whichever is sooner, (if a lockdown occurs), project sponsors would be unable to secure E76s for non-exempt projects until a regionally significant 2017 FTIP amendment is federally approved (i.e. the lockdown ends).

Fresno COG will not know whether we must adopt an Interim FTIP or can proceed with a full 2017 FTIP Update until third quarter of 2016 so staff are developing the (2) FTIP documents concurrently to allow enough time for the necessary public review process. Both the Interim FTIP and full FTIP will be released for public comment, but only one will be adopted by the Policy Board in September 2016.  Staff will keep each of our member agencies updated over the next few months so that Fresno COG staff can implement the appropriate option at the time of FTIP adoption.  Please see the attached technical memo for additional details on this process.

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

III.OTHER BUSINESS

A.
Items from Staff

B.
Items from Members

IV.PUBLIC PRESENATIONS

A.
Public Presentations

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

JOINT Transportation Technical Committee / Policy Advisory Committee

A.
Caltrans Update

B
Beacon Program Champion (Karalee Browne, Institute for Local Government)

The Institute for Local Government will present opportunities for participating in the Beacon Program. The program provides a framework for local governments to share best practices that create healthier, more efficient vibrant communities and honors voluntary efforts by local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and adopt policies that promote sustainability.