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Policy Advisory Committee

Date:
Time:
Place:

Friday, October 13, 2017
10:00 AM

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



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POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Policy Advisory Committee will consider all items on the agenda.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.

PAC agenda and annotated agenda in PDF format - ALL EXHIBITS ARE AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

JOINT Transportation Technical/Policy Advisory Committee

A.
PRESENTATIONS

1.
Caltrans Report (CALTRANS) [INFORMATION]

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 September 8, 2017 [APPROVE]
B.
City of Coalinga Fiscal Year 2016-17 Transportation Development Act Claim (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Action: Approve Resolution 2017-34 adopting the fiscal year 2016-17 Transportation Development Act Claims for the City of Coalinga in the amount of $657,931.

C.
City of Coalinga Fiscal Year 2017-18 Transportation Development Act Claim (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Action: Approve Resolution 2017-35 adopting the fiscal year 2017-18 Transportation Development Act Claims for the City of Coalinga in the amount of $657,744.

D.
City of Orange Cove FY 2017-18 Transportation Development Act Claim (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Action: Approve Resolution 2017-36 adopting the fiscal year 2017-18 Transportation Development Act Claims for the City of Orange Cove in the amount of $362,922.

E.
Fiscal Year 2017-18 New Contracts and Contract Amendments

1.
State Route 99 Mountain View/Mendocino Interchange Study (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary: Fresno COG staff met with Caltrans, Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) and the City of Kingsburg in July to discuss a planning study for potential interchange improvements near the City of Kingsburg.  The Mountain View/ State Route (SR) 99 interchange (located in Fresno County) serves both the north region of Tulare County including the cities of Dinuba, Kingsburg and Selma. The Avenue 416 corridor provides access to market for agricultural production in Tulare County, in which both TCAG and Fresno COG have recently invested heavily in capacity upgrades.  The Mendocino/SR 99 interchange (located in Tulare County) provides access to the City of Kingsburg.  The study will look at each interchange's short-term operational improvements and long-term reconstruction.  This partnership is an opportunity to work with Caltrans, TCAG and the City of Kingsburg to find a mutually beneficial solution for better access to SR 99.  Fresno COG, TCAG, and the City of Kingsburg have each pledged $30,000 to conduct the study.

Action:  Staff recommends that the TTC/PAC approve $30,000 in Federal Planning Funds for the SR 99/Mountain View and Mendocino Interchange Study.

2.
Contract with Sebastian Inc. to Upgrade Audio Equipment (Trai Her-Cole) [APPROVE]

Summary: Staff solicited proposals to upgrade the audio equipment in the Sequoia Room. The analog system is more than 10 years old.  The failing microphones and speakers are producing inconsistent sound and poor recording quality. Staff reached out to six local businesses; however, only two proposals were received: Sebastian and David Barrios Designs Inc. The upgraded equipment will include new microphones and speakers to improve the sound reliability and quality, as well as alleviate the trip hazards by removing floor wires. Sebastian’s proposal was significantly more competitive and included leveraging some existing, newly installed equipment.

Action: Staff recommends the TTC/PAC approve authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Sebastian in an amount not to exceed $27,722 to upgrade the Sequoia Room's audio equipment.

3.
Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Program Environmental Impact Report Contract Amendment (Meg Prince) [APPROVE]

Summary: Fresno COG contracted with VRPA Technologies Inc. for legal services pertaining to the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)/Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Fresno COG is requesting that an additional $25,000 be amended to the budget for potential legal consultation.

Action: Staff recommends that the TTC/PAC approve contract amendment with VRPA Technologies Inc. to increase the contract amount by $25,000 for potential legal services. 

4.
Fresno COG Activity-Based Model Contract Amendment (Kristine Cai) [APPROVE]

Summary: Fresno COG contracted with RSG to develop an Activity-Based Model (ABM), which provides a finer-grained traffic forecast than the existing four-step model. ABM model calibration requires origin and destination information to more accurately capture the travel pattern for both intra- and interregional trips.

Big Data (location records created by mobile devices such as smart phones, GPS and other sensors) is now widely used in understanding travel activities such as origin/destination patterns. A total of $25,198.58 is needed to purchase such data for the ABM development.

Action: Staff recommends that TTC/PAC approve the contract amendment with RSG to increase the contract amount by $25,198.58 for purchasing origin/destination data.

F.
2017 Fresno Council of Governments Transportation Planning Certification Review Final Report (Trai Her-Cole) [ACCEPT]

Summary: Pursuant to federal law, the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) must jointly certify the metropolitan planning process at least every four years to determine compliance with Federal transportation planning regulations and requirements. This process also offers the Metropolitan Planning Organization the opportunity to share its challenges, successes and actual experiences carrying out the transportation planning process with the review team.  The certification review process consists of:

  • A desk audit of information on transportation planning processes, activities and significant products that result from these processes.
  • A site visit by a Federal review team that includes opportunities for input and comment on the transportation process by members of the public, federally-recognized Tribal Governments, local elected officials and providers of public transit.
  • The preparation and distribution of a final report summarizes the findings and recommendations of the review team regarding the transportation planning as currently practiced.

Fresno COG's 2017 review resulted in no corrective actions and joint certification that Fresno COG’s transportation planning process meets the requirements of Section 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 450 and 49 CFR 613.  The certification is valid for four years beginning on June 28, 2017.

Action: Staff recommends the TTC/PAC accept the 2017 Fresno Council of Governments Transportation Planning Certification Review Final Report.

G.
Quarterly Funding Workshop (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: In an effort to increase member agencies’ access to available transportation funds, Fresno COG will be hosting a series of quarterly funding workshops. Each workshop will be specific to those programs and funding opportunities that are open or will be opening. These workshops are intended to provide an in-depth look at program requirements and criteria, answer technical questions and help build collaborative partnerships to better increase regional competitiveness. Below are proposed dates and meeting topics. The first meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on October 27; a meeting flyer and agenda will be forthcoming. To suggest additional topics or if there are other programs of interest, please contact Trai Her-Cole at traih@fresnocog.org.

MEETING CANCELLED - 8:30 a.m. October 27, 2017 – California Climate Investment (CCI) funding opportunities presented by the Strategic Growth Council and Greenlining Institute. (CONFIRMED)

8:30 a.m. January 19, 2018 – Grant Finder Technical Training and Sustainable Infrastructure Grant Program. (TENTATIVE)

April 6, 2018 – Active Transportation State and Regional Program (TENTATIVE)

July 27, 2018 – To be determined

October 26, 2018 – To be determined

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

H.
Regional Transportation Plan Draft Action Element (Jennifer Soliz) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The 2018 Regional Transportation Plan's (RTP) draft Action Element 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 through the RTP's planning horizon (2042) and contains short-term and long-term activities that address regional transportation issues and needs. It provides direction about the Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) and other agencies' roles and responsibilities  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 18, 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.

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

I.
RTP Financial Element - Project Scenarios/Revenue Projections Update (Suzanne Martinez) [INFORMATION]

Summary

Project Scenarios:

Staff has completed the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) call for projects and received 3,143 projects from member agencies and Caltrans.  Staff has entered these projects into the scenario tool that was presented to this Committee at the August 2017 meeting and is modeling those projects that made it onto the constrained list for each of the four scenarios. The following chart is a summary of the projects being modeled:

 

TOTAL PROJECTS SUBMITTED

Scenario A

Scenario B

Scenario C

Scenario D

Bike & Ped >>

522

522

522

522

508

Cap Inc >>

358

347

347

347

354

Maintenance >>

1,925

1,915

1,915

1,922

1,833

Operations  >>

264

262

262

264

262

Transit >>

74

74

74

74

74

TOTAL >>

3,143

3,120

3,120

3,129

3,031

 

Revenue Projections:

The RTP's revenue projections were developed using the following assumptions:

  • Current, annual funding allocation estimates have been extrapolated for the next 25 years.  [Example funding sources: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) formerly Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Active Transportation (ATP)].
  • Staff used a 2 percent inflation rate for estimating future revenues. 
  • For competitive funding sources, such as Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), staff relied on a historical projection d based on funding that has been awarded in previous years.
  • Measure C reauthorization is assumed.
  • Senate Bill 1 (SB1) funding is assumed for regional projects, such as Active Transportation Program (ATP), State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) projects. [NOTE: the majority of SB1 funding for 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 Committee.

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
Request by the City of Fresno, Fresno City College and State Center Community College District to Allocate $4.5 million in Measure C New Technology Program Funding to Technical and Academic Satellite Campus in West Fresno (Tony Boren) [DIRECTION]

Summary:  The City of Fresno, with support from Fresno City College (FCC) and the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), has requested in a letter (attached) that Fresno COG allocate $4.5 million in Measure C New Technology Program funding to a Technical and Academic Satellite Campus in West Fresno. City officials ask that the funding be directly allocated to the project rather than employing the formal “call for projects” process, which is both Fresno COG's and the Fresno County Transportation  Authority's (FCTA) mutually adopted policy.

Measure C funding would supplement the City's existing $15.5 million commitment to the West Fresno Satellite Campus project, which will also receive $16.9 million in Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) funding from the Strategic Growth Council. The TCC program provides disadvantaged communities funding for neighborhood-level projects that provide local economic, environmental and health benefits while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

The satellite campus links to Measure C's New Technology program through proposed technical education and training in general automobile and truck maintenance and repair, as well as new, advanced technologies, including electric, hybrid electric and alternative fuel propulsions systems. The City also proposes improved public transportation services to the new campus using the next generation of all-electric, heavy-duty transit buses, providing a secondary nexus. Given these vehicles' highly specialized nature, City officials are looking to partner with FCC, SCCCD and the bus manufacturer to provide general maintenance, as well as ongoing product development and technical support. 

Background on the Measure C New Technology Program - Approved by Fresno County voters in 2006 as part of the Expenditure Plan, the New Technology program allocates 2.1 percent of all Measure C funding to projects that Fresno's COG New Technology Program steering committee certifies. 

The program's first formal call for projects took place in March 2016, with the recommendations being approved by the Fresno COG and FCTA Boards in September and December 2016, respectively. Cycle 1 had approximately $10 million in funding available. Fresno COG and FCTA authorized five projects totaling approximately $8 million.  Included as an attachments for reference purposes are the list of Cycle 1-funded projects and the New Technology Program call for projects application. The $5,084,386 in the New Technology account as of September 19, 2017 reflects approximately $2 million that went unprogrammed in the first cycle and roughly $3 million in additional revenues that have been collected since Cycle 1.

A direct Measure C funding allocation would be a major deviation from both Fresno COG's and FCTA's boards' mutual policies for competitive programs within the Measure C Expenditure Plan, and could set a precedent for future funding decisions.    

Action:  Staff request direction from TTC/PAC on the City of Fresno's request to allocate $4.5 million in Measure C New Technology Program funding to a Technical and Academic Satellite Campus in West Fresno.

B.
Golden State Boulevard Project/Mark Thomas Contract Amendment (Peggy Arnest) [APPROVE]

Summary: In April 2016, the Fresno COG Policy Board entered into a $3.7 million contract with Mark Thomas and Co. to design engineer the Golden State Boulevard project.  Prior to that, Fresno COG had contracted with Quad Knopf, Inc. to develop the project's first phase. 

During this initial phase, Quad Knopf was tasked with reducing the budget and scope of construction from $65.3 million to $41.4 million to be consistent with the funding identified in the Measure C Expenditure Plan. Part of that scope reduction involved decreasing the northern end of the project by 1.3 miles. This eliminated the section from American Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. The County recently requested that the deleted section be restored. This makes sense from a regional perspective considering the upcoming projects to reconstruct the American Avenue/Golden State Boulevard intersection and the State Route (SR) 99/American Avenue Interchange Reconstruction Project.  Mark Thomas estimates that restoring this section of the project will cause an increase of approximately $4.1 million for design and construction costs.  

Additionally, Mark Thomas reworked the 30 percent design at the request of participating cities and revised the cost estimates, resulting in approximately $1 million more for construction. The majority of this increase comes from the updated pavement strategy due to geotechnical recommendations. Other additions to the revised scope include:

  • Realigning Stroud Avenue, including traffic signalization and railroad requirements
  • Signalizing McCall Avenue instead of DeWolf Avenue
  • A pedestrian bridge across the Fowler Switch Canal for the Class 1 shared-use path
  • Decorative lighting in downtown areas
  • City monument signs

The revised 30 percent design budget also includes a 20 percent contingency that will be distributed to project components or reduced as costs become clearer during later design phases. 

The total Golden State Boulevard project cost will increase $5.5 million, with approximately $5 million in construction cost increases and a $428,864 increase in the Mark Thomas contract for the design engineering necessary to cover the increased scope.

Action:  Staff recommends the TTC/PAC approve the $428,864 increase to the Mark Thomas and Company contract for design engineering of tasks that were not included in the original scope of the Golden State Boulevard contract.

C.
Fiscal Year 2017-18 Overall Work Program Amendment #1 (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary: Work Element 110 – At the request of Kingsburg and Tulare County, Caltrans has agreed to perform a planning study to explore a new interchange on State Route 99 at Mendocino/ Mountain View.  Fresno COG has been asked to partner on this $90,000 study, with each participant contributing $30,000.

Work Element 111 – In the process of developing the activity-based model, staff needs to acquire origins and destination data that will be supplied by RSG for $25,000.

Work Element 117 – In consultation with the participating member agencies during the biannual update to the Measure C Regional Transportation Program, the scope of the Golden State project increased $5.5 million, including a $428,864 increase in the design contract with Mark Thomas.

WE 140 – Staff proposes putting $160,278 into a Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program. The program will be funded with $141,894 from Senate Bill 1 and with $18,384 in local match.

WE 141- Staff proposes programming $300,000 to perform a pavement management system analysis funded with $265,590 from Senate Bill 1 and with $34,410 in local match. 

Work Element 170 – In response to various letters from advocacy groups involved in our Regional Transportation Program (RTP) update, county counsel has recommended increasing the contract with Best, Best & Krieger, LLC, which subcontracts through VPRA to provide advice pertaining to the RTP Environmental Impact Report. Staff proposes increasing the budget for Best, Best & Krieger, LLC by $25,000.

Work Element 310 – Pursuant to a grant by the Strategic Growth Council, San Joaquin COG has allocated $4,750 to Fresno COG to participate in the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Technical Assistance program.  

Work Element 910 – Sebastian Corporation has proposed a $27,722 upgrade to the audio equipment in the Sequoia conference room, which includes replacing speakers, microphones and cabling to eliminate the audible distortion.  The revised cabling arrangement will cross over the walkway at one point with a covered ramp to eliminate the multiple carpet covered wires that must currently be navigated.

Action:  Staff recommends the TTC/PAC authorize fiscal year 2017-18 Overall Work Program and Budget Amendment #1 in the amount of $1,001,614.

D.
Senate Bill 1 Planning Grant - Fresno COG Project Proposal for the Formula Grant for FY2017-18 (Kristine Cai/Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary: Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) allocates $25 million annually in planning grants to encourage local and regional multimodal transportation and land-use planning that advances Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) goals, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and furthers other state goals. Of the $25 million, $12.5 million is set aside for a statewide competitive program, while the other $12.5 million is administered by the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) on formula basis. Fresno COG will be receiving $407,484 annually for this formula-based planning grant.

Fresno COG is planning to submit two programs/projects for the FY 2017-18.

The first is the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program for $160,278, which will fund planning projects that help implement the SCS and address disadvantaged communities's needs. The program is competitive, and staff is working with a subcommittee to develop detailed guidelines, which will be presented to the TTC/PAC and the Policy Board for approval before a call for projects is issued in January 2018. 

The second proposed project is a regional Pavement Management System (PMS) for the eight jurisdictions that don't already have it.

With PMS Without PMS
Clovis Coalinga
County Fowler
Fresno Firebaugh
Kerman Huron
Parlier Kingsburg
Reedley Mendota
Sanger Orange Cove
Selma San Joaquin

Pavement management is the process of planning roadway network maintenance and repair to optimize pavement conditions over time. The regional PMS provides pavement condition assessment by roadway functional class, cost estimates by different maintenance treatments, and calculation of Pavement Condition Index (PCI). It also analyzes multiple budget scenarios for street network maintenance, which can include projected PCI achievable under existing and future funding levels.

Establishing the regional PMS through StreetSaver -- a pavement management system developed and maintained by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in the Bay Area -- will cost around $300,000, which includes the license fee for the first year. Each agency is expected to pay the $1,500 license fee annually after that. The PMS will need to be updated every three years and the fees for the update are estimated to be around $200,000.

Action: Staff recommends that TTC/PAC approve to include $160,278 for the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant program and $300,000 for the regional Pavement Management System in the SB1 formula planning grant for FY 2017-18.

E.
Congestion Management Process (CMP) Update Final Report (Kai Han) [APPROVE]

Exhibits:

Summary: In response to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) comments, Fresno COG started its Congestion Management Process (CMP) update in 2015. Working with the CMP steering committee -- comprising representatives from member agencies, transit agencies, Caltrans, FHWA and stakeholders -- COG staff updated the CMP network, developed new travel-time-based performance measures and the Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) project analysis methodology. An online congestion monitoring dashboard was also developed as part of the update to analyze both historical and real-time traffic conditions. FHWA plans to showcase the online dashboard in its national newsletter. The attached final draft CMP report includes a detailed description of these new enhancements, which have all been reviewed and approved by the CMP steering committee. A live demonstration of the online tool will also be offered at the TTC and PAC meetings.

Action: Staff recommends the TTC/PAC approve of the final Congestion Management Process report.

F.
2017 Fresno COG Active Transportation Program Augmentation – Metropolitan Planning Organization Component Funding Recommendations (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary: Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes of 2013) and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes of 2013) consolidated multiple state and federal funding streams to create The Active Transportation Program (ATP), which encourages active modes, such as biking and walking.

ATP funds are separated into three main components: the statewide competitive program (managed by the state), the small urban and rural area competitive program (also managed by the state) and the large urbanized area competitive program (managed by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) - also known as the Regional Competitive ATP). Eligible entities, such as Fresno COG's member agencies, can apply for projects through both the statewide and regional competitive solicitations. Under the 2017 ATP program (cycle 3), funding was available for fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21. Senate Bill (SB) 1 provides an additional $2,094,000 to the MPO component for fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19.  Funding from the 2017 ATP Augmentation is only available to:

•    Projects programmed in the adopted 2017 ATP that can be delivered earlier than currently programmed, or

•    Projects that were not selected in the 2017 ATP, based on the MPO’s 2017 ATP contingency list. 

Agencies applying for augmentation funds for the Statewide Component were required to submit their projects to the California Transportation Commission by August 1, 2017 and to the MPO for the MPO Component by October 2, 2017.  Below are the proposed SB 1 Augmentation MPO component funding recommendations.  Upon Board adoption, they will be submitted to the CTC for final adoption at its December 2017 meeting.

Agency

Project Title

ATP
Funding

Comments

Coalinga

Coalinga SRTS Sidewalk Gap Closure & Ped Improvements

$1,109,000

Fund larger scoped project and advance project delivery from 19/20 and 20/21 to 17/18 and 18/19.

Sanger

Sanger Active Transportation Access

$849,000

Fund larger scoped project and advance project delivery from 19/20 and 20/21 to 17/18 and 18/19.

Fresno PARCS

Fresno Pedestrian and Bike Safety Education Program

$250,000

Advance project delivery from 19/20 to 18/19.

Mendota

Mendota Junior High SRTS

$158,000

New project recommended for funding in 19/20.

Fowler

Golden State Blvd Bike/Ped Trail from Adams to Clayton

$242,000

New project recommended for funding in 19/20 and 20/21.

Fresno County-1

Biola Community Sidewalk

$243,000

New project recommended for partial funding for PS&E phase in 20/21.

Total ATP Funding

$2,851,000

 


Action: Staff recommends that TTC/PAC approve the 2017 ATP Augmentation MPO component-recommended projects based on the Cycle 3 contingency list and forward to the Board for adoption.

G.
Regional Transportation Plan Progress (Kristine Cai)

1.
Comment Letters from Stakeholder Groups (Kristine Cai/Robert Phipps) [INFORMATION]

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.

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

2.
Draft Policy Element: Updated Text Regarding Protected Populations (Meg Prince) [APPROVE]

Summary: The RTP Roundtable, TTC, PAC and Policy Board have each approved the 2018 RTP's Draft Policy Element in August and September. Since then, 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 TTC and PAC to update the text under Goal B as shown above.

Action: Staff recommends that the TTC/PAC approve the updated Draft Policy Element. 

3.
Sustainable Communities Strategy Fall 2017 Outreach Schedule (Brenda Veenendaal) [INFORMATION]

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 includes a regional transportation project list that mirrors its priorities.

Fresno COG staff has developed an outreach strategy that includes scenario presentations and an opportunity for all participants to select a scenario preference. This effort launched on October 7 at two events where Fresno COG hosted informational booths. COG staff and mini-grant recipients have 16 events and 12 presentations scheduled through October 29.

Staff is looking for additional rural events, opportunities for full presentations and better 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.

Attached is an outreach calendar for review.  All outreach materials are under development, 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 Committee.

III.ADMINISTRATIVE 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.

IV.ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION/DISCUSSION ITMES

A.
Senate Bill 1 Update (Tony Boren) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Staff will give a verbal update to the committee.

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

V.OTHER BUSINESS

A.
Items from Staff

B.
Items from Members

VI.PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

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.