Summary:  The draft Action Element for the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) describes the programs and actions necessary to implement the RTP and assigns implementation responsibilities.  The draft describes transportation projects and programs anticipated to be completed during the RTP's horizon 2042 and contains short-term and long-term activities that address regional transportation issues and needs.  The draft Action Element provides direction about the roles and responsibilities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and other agencies as RTP projects and policies are established.  Each transportation mode is addressed, along with other transportation and air quality strategies, as listed below

Introduction: Moving People and Goods 5.1

Multimodal: Section 5.2

Highways, Streets, and Roads: Section 5.3

Urban Mass Transportation: Section 5.4

Rural Area Public Transportation & Social Service Transportation: Section 5.5

Aviation: Section 5.6

Active Transportation: Section 5.7

Rail: Section 5.8

Specific Transportation Strategies and Management Systems: Section 5.9

Air Quality: Section 5.10

Comments on the draft Action Element can be sent to Jennifer Soliz at JSoliz@fresnocog.org by October 9, 2017.  At the October RTP Roundtable meeting, staff will seek approval of the draft Action Element to move forward for public review with the RTP/SCS and Environmental Impact Report in early 2018.

The draft Action Element will be sent out prior to the Roundtable meeting.

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

Summary: 

Project Scenarios:

Staff has completed the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) call for projects and received 3,143 projects from our member agencies and Caltrans.  Staff has entered these projects into the project scenario tool that was presented to this Roundtable at the July 2017 meeting.  Modeling staff is currently working on modeling the projects that made it onto the constrained list for each of the 4 scenarios.  The following chart is a summary of the number of projects that are being modeled:

Revenue Projections:

The revenue projections for the 2018 RTP were developed using the following assumptions:

• The majority of revenue projections were developed using current annual funding allocation estimates and extrapolating out the amount of funds that could potentially be available from each of the funding sources for the next 25 years.  [Example funding sources: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) formerly Regional Serface Transportaton Program (RSTP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Active Transportation (ATP)].
• A 2% inflation rate was used for estimating future revenues. 
• For competitive funding sources, such as Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), a historical projection was used based on funding that has been awarded from the funding source in previous years.
• Reauthorization of Measure C is assumed
• Senate Bill 1 (SB1) funding is assumed in terms of funding for regional projects, such as ATP, State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and State Highway Operation and Protection Plan (SHOPP) projects. [NOTE: the majority of SB1 funding that is allocated to Fresno County will be allocated directly to local agencies for local streets/roads projects].

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

Summary:  Fresno COG is preparing to release the four Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) scenarios in October 2017 for public review and selection of a preferred SCS scenario.  Each scenario hosts a regional transportation project list that mirrors the priorities of the scenario.

Currently Fresno COG staff is putting together an outreach strategy that includes presentations of the scenarios and an opportunity for all participants to select a scenario preference. This effort launches on October 7th at two events where Fresno COG will be hosting informational booths. COG staff and the mini grant recipients have 16 events and 12 presentations currently scheduled through October 29th.

We are looking for additional rural events, opportunities for full presentations, and means to advertise our online, interactive survey that will be available in English and Spanish. This outreach cycle will run from October 7 through November 9, 2017.

Atttached is a calendar of current outreach opportunities for your review.  All outreach materials are under development at this time, but staff will provide a preview of the draft copies at the meeting.

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

Summary: Fresno COG has received two additional comment letters in September from several community groups raising issues and concerns regarding environmental justice, affordable housing, public participation, etc. Fresno COG staff will provide an update on the approach to respond to the letters.

Attached are the two comment letters received in September. Response letters will be provided at the Roundtable meeting.

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

Summary: The RTP Roundtable, TTC and PAC have each approved the Draft Policy Element. It will be brought to the Policy Board on September 28.

Since the August RTP Roundtable meeting, two community-based organizations have submitted comment letters requesting that the Element be updated to identify the specific groups of people that are protected by federal and state statutes.

Based on this request, staff has updated Goal B and Objective B.1 under Section 6.3.1 General Transportation Goals. The updated text is in bold as follows:

B. Goal:  Improved mobility and accessibility for all, including the protected populations in accordance with federal and state statutes. 

Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

California Government Code §11135 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation by any agency that is funded directly by the state or receives any financial assistance from the state.

B.1 Objective: To incorporate principles for environmental justice into transportation planning and implementation decisions. 

Presidential Executive Order 12898 - Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations - focuses federal attention on the environmental and human health effects of federal actions on minority and low-income populations with the goal of achieving environmental protection for all communities.

Staff is requesting approval from the RTP Roundtable to update the text under Goal B as shown above. Staff will then request approval from TTC, PAC, and the Policy Board in October.

Action: Staff recommends that the RTP Roundtable approve the updated Draft Policy Element.