Agenda

1. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call

2. Approval of the December 17, 2015, Minutes

3. Transportation Authority (EASTSIDE)

Appoint one (1) Eastside Member to the Transportation Authority (Eastside), term effective June 30, 2016, replacing David Cardenas, whose term will expire June 30, 2016. The new term to expire June 30, 2018.

4. Public Presentations

This portion of the meeting is reserved for person desiring to address the City Selection Committee on any matter the committee has jurisdiction over which is not on this agenda.

5. Adjournment

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

Action: Accept.

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 Joaquin 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 Board.

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 Board.

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.

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 Board.

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 Board.

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 recommends 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.

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 board.

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 board.

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.

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.

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.

Summary: Fresno COG staff has updated the Public Participation Plan (PPP) in compliance with Federal legislation. The updated Public Participation Plan was released for 45-day public review on Friday, May 13, 2016.  It is available on the Fresno COG website at http://www.fresnocog.org/get-involved and will be available for review at the Fresno COG Office. The complete timeline for review and adoption are as follows:

Updates to the document include reordering of chapters, added outreach requirements regarding annual planning processes, 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. The 2016 Regional Transportation Plan Public Participation Plan is also included as Appendix A.

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 hold a public hearing on the Draft 2016 PPP on June 30, 2016, and then consider the adoption of the Draft Plan 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.

Summary: In response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) 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 score the proposals on May 6 and recommended funding three of the five proposals.  Additional information on these three proposals can be found in the attachment for this item.  Two of the three proposals were recommended for funding in the amounts requested, Sequoia Riverlands Trust ($59,870) and American Farmland Trust ($50,000).  The third proposal, Sustainable Conservation, was recommended for a reduced amount of funding, $84,587, in order to match the total amount available for Demonstration Projects.  Proposals were recommended for funding based on their better understanding of the objectives of the RFP and consistency with the overall Greenprint program.  The TTC/PAC concurred in the recommendation of the Scoring Committee.

Action:  The Greenprint Demonstration Projects Scoring Committee and TTC/PAC recommend funding the three identified Demonstration Project Proposals in the amounts noted and that the Fresno COG Executive Director be authorized to enter into contracts with the three entities. 

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, TTC and PAC recommend 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). 

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.  Fresno COG received 50 applications requesting over $43 million in RSTP competitive funding. The RSTP Scoring Committee (as appointed by the Programming Sub-committee) convened on April 19, 2016 to review and score the project applications resulting in the attached recommendations.  At the May 13^th TTC and PAC meetings, both committees provided comments on the approved scoring criteria which was used to score the projects recommended for funding.  Both committees recommended that the Programming Subcommittee reconvene within a 90 day period to discuss possible revisions to the existing scoring criteria that will be used for the next competitive funding cycle. The RSTP Scoring Committee recommendations are included as an enclosure in your meeting packet.  Also included is a listing of the RSTP Lifeline funding amounts per agency and per urban and rural splits. Approved projects will be programmed for funding in the 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP).

Action: Staff, TTC, and PAC recommend approval of the RSTP Scoring Committee’s recommendations for the 2015-16 RSTP Call-For-Projects, with the requirement that the RSTP Scoring Criteria be reassessed by the Programming Subcommittee within the next 90 days.  

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 Proposed ATP Fund Estimate to their Board for approval on May 18-19, 2016 and is proposing that Fresno COG receive $1,338,000 for each fiscal year, which is the same annual amount that was awarded to Fresno COG during ATP 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 1^st and will close on September 15^th. The Multidisciplinary Advisory Group (MAG) will convene on November 2^nd to score and deliberate on the recommended program of projects.  

The MAG met on April 27^th 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 2^nd 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

      5. 2017 CTC Proposed ATP Fund Estimate

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: Staff, TTC, and PAC recommend 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.

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,TTC and 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.

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 Board.

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 Policy Board.

Summary: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a key set of documents on March 8, 2016 that instructs state departments of transportation on how to redirect about $2 billion in old, unused congressional earmark funds and sets up a process for them to possibly tap into more.  According to AASHTO, State DOTs have been looking for the FHWA to free up unused earmark money ever since Congress included a provision in its fiscal 2016 omnibus appropriations bill in December to let states repurpose earmarks that have gone unspent for at least a decade.  That is, any earmark that was designated on or before September 30, 2005, and is less than 10 percent obligated or closed.  State agencies can now obligate the money to other projects within 50 miles of the ones Congress first earmarked.  California has about $148,724,639 in total unspent earmarks.  A portion of the money now available for repurposing also includes residual funds that were left after a project was completed but not closed out. Until now the remaining funds could not be reallocated elsewhere.  State agencies must let their FHWA division offices know by the end of August how they intend to use the money, and must obligate all their repurposed earmark funds no later than Sept. 30, 2019.

President Obama signed the bill into law on Dec. 18, and the FHWA totaled up qualifying earmark levels as of that date.  The formal FHWA guidance activates that pool of money, provides instructions on how to use the funds and includes lists of earmark funds that qualify so that states can  incorporate their amounts into their project planning processes. The guidance, list of projects and other information is available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cfo/earmarkrepurposing/.  Staff has been working with Caltrans to identify what projects can be repurposed in Fresno County. Attached is a list of potential projects in District 6.  An earmark repurpose workgroup met in Sacramento on April 14, 2016 to discuss the process that will be developed for California and the next meeting will be held on May 25th. The notes from the meeting are attached.  Fresno COG staff sits on that Statewide Workgroup representing Regional Transportation Planning Agencies.

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

Summary: On January 22, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) adopted a revised Fund Estimate for the 2016 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that included significantly less revenue than previously projected in August 2015 when the development of the 2016 STIP began. The revised Fund Estimate indicates a $754 million shortfall in projected revenue for the STIP over the five year STIP period. The Fresno COG adopted its 2016 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) programming priorities in December 2015 for CTC’s consideration of inclusion in the 2016 STIP based on the August 2015 Fund Estimate. However, in February 2016, the Fresno COG policy board considered and approved staff’s recommendation to reduce the state’s share of STIP funding programmed on the SR-180 East 3rd Segment: West of Smith Ave. to East of Frankwood Ave. project by $14.735 million and replace those funds with Measure C funds.  Furthermore, the board considered and approved delaying the $4.022 million programmed on the SR 180 West Landscape project to Fiscal Year (FY) 17/18 from FY 15/16.  This was done in an attempt to assist the CTC in aligning the new STIP programming with the reduced Fund Estimate.  CTC staff will release their official STIP recommendation on April 22^nd for adoption at the May 18/19 CTC meeting; however, on April 13^th we received unofficial notification that the CTC has reviewed and considered our revised RTIP submittal and will likely recommend that the Construction phase of the SR 180 East project not be deleted from the 2016 STIP but rather be programmed in FY 18/19.  While this is good news, it is still disappointing that the region will have to wait until FY 18/19 to start the Construction phase of SR 180 East when the project is shovel ready now.   The right-of- way phase for the SR 180 West Landscape project will likely be delayed to FY 19/20 and construction to FY 20/21.  Fresno COG will likely receive $322,000 of Planning, Programming, and Monitoring (PPM) funds for FY 16/17 but not for FY 17/18 and 18/19 ($644,000 total). Staff will provide an update at the Policy Board meeting once the final STIP recommendations are released by the CTC.  Attached is the letter sent by the CTC to all Regional Transportation Planning Agencies.

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

Update on SR-180W Passing Lanes Project (Neil Bretz)

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

1. Federal - $500,000, Total - $500,000

2. Federal - $800,000, Total - $800,000

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.

Summary: Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas)  introduced, AB 1815  California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: disadvantaged communities.  This bill seeks to help certain disadvantaged, pollution-burdened communities apply for AB 32 cap and trade funds to help pay for community improvements.  Alejo’s Assembly Bill 1815 builds off of SB 535, signed into law in 2012, which allocates 25 percent of the revenue in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) created by AB 32, the California Global Warning Solutions of 2006, to benefit disadvantaged communities. At least 10 percent must be allocated to projects actually located in these communities.  In 2014 California Environmental Protection Agency identified nearly 2,000 communities in the state that are eligible for GGRF money under the criteria specified in SB 535. But many of these communities lack the managerial and technical capacity to apply for these funds.  AB 1815 would award an additional percentage of AB 32 GGRF money to these communities to help them retain the technical assistance they need to competitively apply for the funds allocated by SB 535.  The bill would also require the California State Air Resources Board to prepare and post on its website a report on the projects funded to benefit disadvantaged communities, and it would prohibit the funds awarded to obtain technical assistance from counting against the 25 percent set-aside created by SB 535.

The Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) previously supported AB 156 (Perea) which is the same bill that now has been reintroduced by Assemblymember Alejo.  Based on the most recently adopted Fresno COG legislative platform, Fresno COG on April 6^th, provided a letter reaffirming support for this bill. 

Action:  Staff, TTC and PAC recommend the support of AB 1815  California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: disadvantaged communities. 

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, Brenda Veenendaal if you have any questions or comments.

Summary:  The Fiscal Year (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 Public Transportation Infrastructure Study (PTIS).  Fresno COG has 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 awarded; however, if the grant application is successful, we will amend the project back into the budget early in the FY 2016-17 fiscal year, 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 phenomenon and generally operating expenses are not affected.  Decreases in revenues resulting of this sort are the FTA Section 5307-Urbanized Area Formula Program funding demonstration projects providing public transit service to Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, the FTA Section 5316 Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC)\FTA Section 5317 New Freedom (NF) 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” Senior Taxi Scrip, Carpool, Commuter and Farm Worker Vanpool programs continues 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. 

Summary: In 2013, in coordination with an RFP issued through the County Auditor Controllers Office the board selected the local CPA firm Dedekian, George, Small, and Markarian and entered into a three year contract to perform audits for the fiscal year 2012/13 – 2014/15. The contract includes all Financial and Compliance reports for Fresno COG, FCRTA, and the TDA Trust Member agency program audits. In addition, the Transportation Authority and COG agreed to combine and coordinate the TDA Trust and Measure “C” program audits under one firm so member agencies don’t have to deal with separate auditing firms reviewing their street accounting records at the same time, therefore, a component of this audit regarding Measure “C” audits will also require authorization from the Authority board in May.  The CPA firm is currently completing the third year of the contract, has provided satisfactory service and is willing to extend service an additional two years at a cost of $90,120 per year.  The Authority’s share of this will be $29,280 and FCOG’s $60,840. The Auditor has requested an additional 2 hours for each of the 16 TDA Claimant audits. This represents an increase of $4,020 per year from the previous cost, which Staff feels is reasonable.  The Auditor Controllers Office has been consulted and recommends extending the contract. 

Action:  Staff recommends that the Board authorize a two year contract extension with the auditing firm Dedekian, George, Small, and Markarian at $60,840 per year for the audits of Fresno COG, Fresno County Rural Transportation Agency, the Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Agency and the Transportation Development Act program audits for member agencies. And, authorize a two year joint contract extension with the Transportation Authority and the auditing firm Dedekian, George, Small, and Markarian at $29,280 per year for the audits of Local Transportation Pass Through funds to member agencies.

Summary: The Annual Fresno COG One Voice trip to Washington D.C. for elected officials, was held April 16-21, 2016.  This trip provided an opportunity for a delegation of 24 local public and private representatives to expand upon the relationships with Congressional representatives and federal staff members, while advocating for legislative relief for priorities of regional significance. 

A number of meetings were held with the San Joaquin Valley Congressional delegation, Federal Agency leadership, and White House personnel. Fresno COG’s number one priority was Water Policy; however, an array of other regional priorities were presented and discussed with Federal officials. Staff is working with Simon & Co. and the One Voice delegates to identify follow-up items, draft letters of support and remaining tasks.  Enclosed is the final meeting agenda, Simon & Co.'s meeting summaries, the Fruits of One Voice brochure, the 2016 Priority Summary brochure and a matrix of the 2016 One Voice DC follow-up items. 

A post-trip participant survey was emailed to each participant. The survey results are attached for your review.

In addition, Fresno COG would like to thankfully recognize the following 2016 One Voice DC sponsors for their generous and needed support of these advocacy efforts (A sponsor thank you is attached):

• Granville Homes - $3,000
• Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission - $1,000
• Hospital Council of Northern and Central California - $1,000
• Community Medical Centers - $1,000
• Townsend Public Affairs - $1,000
• Precision Civil Engineering, Inc. - $1,000
• VRPA Technologies, Inc. - $750

As well as all of Fresno COG's member agencies who contribute local funds in support of the One Voice efforts. 

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

• S.2533 - California Long-Term Provisions for Water Supply and Short-Term Provisions for Emergency Drought Relief Act

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 Board on any item on this agenda, the public may comment on that item.  Unscheduled comments may be limited to 3 minutes.