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Transportation Technical Committee

Date:
Time:
Place:

Friday, February 9, 2018
8:30 AM

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



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The Fresno COG offices and restrooms are ADA accessible. Representatives or individuals with disabilities should contact Fresno COG at (559) 233-4148, at least 3 days in advance, to request auxiliary aids and/or translation services necessary to participate in the public meeting / public hearing. If Fresno COG is unable to accommodate an auxiliary aid or translation request for a public hearing, after receiving proper notice, the hearing will be continued on a specified date when accommodations are available.

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TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

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

TTC agenda and annotated agenda in PDF format - ALL EXHIBITS ARE AVAILABE ON WEBSITE

I.TRANSPORTATION CONSENT ITEMS

About Consent

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 January 12, 2018 [APPROVE]
B.
Second Quarterly Work Element and Financial Report (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]
C.
City of Fresno Fiscal Year 2017-18 Transportation Development Act Claim Resolution 2018-05 (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary:  Fresno Area Express (FAX) has submitted its fiscal year 2017-18 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Claim totaling $25,252,612; programming $368,514 for Article 3 – Bicycle and Pedestrian, $514,631 in Regional Transportation Planning, $904,002 for Article 4.5 – Social Service Transportation and $23,465,465 in support of FAX's transit budget.

Action:  Approve resolution 2018-05 adopting the City of Fresno fiscal year 2017-18 Transportation Development Act Claim totaling $25,252,612.

D.
Annual Transit Productivity Evaluation Report (Jeff Long) [ACCEPT]

Summary:  The productivity evaluation is conducted annually to assess transit operators that receive State Transportation Development Act funds and to recommend potential productivity improvements. California Public Utilities Code 99244 requires that “each transportation planning agency shall annually identify, analyze, and recommend potential productivity improvements which could lower the operational costs of transit operators who operate at least 50 percent of their vehicle service miles...within the area under its jurisdiction.” If the responsible entity determines that the operator has not made a reasonable effort to implement the recommended improvements, then local transportation funds cannot exceed the appropriation from the prior year.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Productivity Evaluation assesses the following transit agencies:

1.  Fresno Area Express and Handy Ride

2.  Clovis Stageline and Roundup

3.  Fresno County Rural Transit Agency

4.  Consolidated Transportation Services Agencies for the metropolitan and rural areas.

The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) reviewed and accepted the FY 2017 Transit Productivity Report on January 23, 2018.

Action:  Staff recommends the TTC and PAC accept the FY 2017 Transit Productivity Evaluation Report.

E.
Appointments to the Fresno COG Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) (Jeff Long) [APPROVE]

Exhibits:

Summary:  Fresno COG's Policy Board formed the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) in May 1988 to: respond to state legislation and to coordinate social service transportation, assist the Board in identifying transit needs throughout Fresno County, review and recommend action during its unmet transit needs hearing and advise Fresno COG on any other major transit issues. The Fresno COG Board appoints SSTAC members for a term of three years.

SSTAC member appointments to the Council are:

Michael Mendez Jr., Resources for Independence, Central Valley - New Member          

Article III, Section 99238 of The Transportation Development Act requires a minimum number of SSTAC members in specific categories. There is no maximum number specified in the TDA and in the interest of diversity, staff is seeking additional nominations. Specifically, staff is seeking members who represent minority groups, social service providers for seniors and potential transit users. A complete list of SSTAC members in included in the agenda package.

Action:  Staff recommends the TTC and PAC approve the appointment of one new member to the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC).

F.
Draft Action Element (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The draft Action Element was presented at the September RTP Roundtable and October TTC, PAC and Policy Board. Since then, Fresno COG has received feedback and comment letters addressing the Element.

In response to a comment letter from Leadership Counsel and the Community Equity Coalition (CEC) partners in October, Fresno COG has added Section 4-11 (formerly 5-11), Integrated Transportation and Land Use Planning. A response letter was sent to the group along with Section 4-11.  Section 4-11 was emailed to the RTP roundtable for comments in November. 

Fresno COG did receive comments from Leadership Counsel and the CEC partners regarding section 4-11. Fresno COG sent out the comment letter along with a response letter to the RTP Roundtable via email in December.  There have been no further comments.  Comment letters and response letters for the Action Element can be found on the Fresno COG website: https://www.fresnocog.org/project/regional-transportation-plan-rtp/

The Action Element will not be formally adopted until June along with the entire RTP/SCS.  This draft Action Element will go out for public review with the RTP/SCS and Environmental Impact Report in March.

Action:  Staff and the RTP Roundtable recommend that the TTC and PAC approve the draft Action Element.

G.
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Preliminary Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

1.
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Preliminary Local Transportation Fund (LTF) Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The County Auditor-Controller has released the preliminary estimates for the fiscal year 2018-19 Local Transportation Fund (LTF): $36 million, up $1 million from the fiscal year 2017-18 estimate. The population estimates will be updated to 2018 when the State Department of Finance releases them in May.

Action:  Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

2.
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Preliminary State Transit Assistance Fund (STA) Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The State Controller’s office has released the preliminary estimates for the fiscal year 2018-19 State Transit Assistance (STA) fund: $8,008,013, up $3,871,732 from the fiscal year 2017-18 estimate. The increase is attributable to Senate Bill 1. The population estimates will be updated to 2018 when the State Department of Finance releases them in May.

Action:  Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

3.
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Preliminary State of Good Repair Fund Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The State Controller’s office has released the preliminary estimates for the fiscal year 2018-19 State of Good Repair Fund.  The total estimate this year is $1,517,695, which is unchanged from last year.  Transit operators should use this to approximate their fiscal year 2018-19 project submittals, however, do no submit projects at this time.  The population estimates will be updated to 2018 when the State Department of Finance releases the population estimates in May. The State Controller will release revised allocation estimates August 1, 2018.  Project submittals are due September 1, 2018.  The project list will be submitted to Fresno COG staff this year and in future years per the guidelines.

Action:  Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

H.
Initiation of Annual Unmet Needs Process (Jeff Long) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  Fresno COG's Policy Board must determine that public transportation needs within Fresno County will be reasonably met in Fiscal Year 2018-19 prior to approving claims of Local Transportation Funds for streets and roads. Fresno COG’s Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) is responsible for evaluating unmet transit needs. Each year the SSTAC begins soliciting comments from the public by sending approximately 400 letters to agencies and individuals interested in providing feedback on their public transportation needs within Fresno County. The request for comments letters, English and Spanish, are to be sent in February.

In addition to the request for written comments, SSTAC will be holding additional information-gathering meetings.

These meetings will be scheduled in both the rural communities as well as the urban.

Action:  Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

I.
2018 Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment Survey (Jennifer Soliz) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The 2016 Statewide Needs Assessment Report identified a funding shortfall of almost $80 billion for local streets and roads pavement and non-pavement needs.  The report assisted the League of California Cities (League) and California State Association of Counties (CSAC) staff in advocating for SB 1.  CSAC and the League have also used the findings in proactive efforts, including SB 375 implementation, seeking revenues for Cap-and-Trade funding and other sustainable transportation efforts. In 2018-19, the League and CSAC will continue to use the assessment's findings to emphasize retaining SB1 funding for local streets and roads maintenance.

Please visit www.SaveCaliforniaStreets.org to participate in the 2018 needs assessment survey by March 30, 2018. Survey instructions are included in the attached packet and an additional enclosure is attached with the survey questions for your information.

Action: Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

J.
Fresno COG Fiscal Year 2016-17 Audits (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The CPA firm Dedekian, George, Small, and Markarian have completed Fresno COG's fiscal year 2016-17 financial and compliance audit. The report details that Fresno COG managed its operations according to funding covenants, within budget and includes no findings of noncompliance. The report satisfies federal and state funding agencies' requirements. Total revenues were $8,591,037; total expenses were $8,775,090 and total fund balances at year end decreased $184,053 to $1,410,443.

The firm has also completed the FY 2016-17 Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee (RTMF) fund's financial and compliance audit. The report only details how COG managed administrative fee collections levied to cover administrative costs.  The report does not detail total collections since those are forwarded to the Transportation Authority and recognized as revenue on its books. However, for informational purposes, $4,161,418 in RTMF fees were collected in FY 2016-17. Total administrative fees collected were $46,598 and total expenses were $26,569, increasing the total fund balance of $23,987.

Lastly, the firm has completed the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's (FCRTA) FY 2016-17 financial and compliance audit. The report details that FCRTA managed its operations according to funding covenants, within budget and includes no findings of noncompliance. The report satisfies federal and state funding agencies' requirements. Operating revenues were $572,675; operating expenses were $6,987,716; non-operating revenues were $4,328,339; capital contributions were $1,347,559 and total fund balances at year end decreased $739,143 to $10,521,206. The decrease in fund balance was budgeted to keep reserves at a nominal level. The unreserved fund balance remains unchanged at $558,802. The fare revenue ratio of 11.68 percent (after depreciation adjustments) is in compliance with state Transportation Development Act statutes of 10 percent; however, fare ratios have been decreasing over the past few years. Copies of all three audits will be available at the meeting and on fresnocog.org.

Action:  Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

K.
Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee Available Positions (Brenda Veenendaal) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee keeps the public informed and ensures that Measure C revenues and expenditures are spent as promised.

The Measure C Expenditure Plan states that the COC shall comprise 13 members, including six, at-large, public members who respectively reside in each one of the five Fresno County Supervisorial Districts, and seven members who must be representatives drawn from a diverse mix of interested community organizations. COC members must meet certain eligibility and residency criteria as noted in the Measure C Extension Expenditure Plan - Appendix G – Citizen Oversight Committee.  Appendix G also states the Committee’s duties and responsibilities. It is attached for your review as part of the application packet.

Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority are advertising through The Business Journal, the Measure C and Fresno COG websites and on the Measure C and Fresno COG Facebook pages to fill the following committee vacancies. Positions will remain open until filled. An application form is attached.

There are two vacancies on the committee for four-year terms that began July 1, 2017:

  • One position for a community organization representative (Organization/agency must provide applicant with a letter of recommendation.)
  • One position for the unincorporated rural area west of State Route 99 (Supervisorial District 1)

Action: Information only. The committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Draft Overall Work Program 45 Day Review (Tony Boren) [APPROVE]

Summary:  Fresno COG Executive Director Tony Boren will give a presentation on the draft fiscal year 2018-19 Overall Work Program and budget. Attached is the summary memo. 

Action: Authorize Fresno COG staff to release the Draft Fresno Council of Governments fiscal year 2018-19 Overall Work Program and budget for a 45-day review and comment period.

B.
Regional Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Guidelines and Application Packet (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary: The Regional Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program (SIPGP) is one of the three Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) implementation programs that the Fresno COG Policy Board directs during the 2014 RTP/SCS adoption process. In October 2017 the Board approved formula funds from Caltrans' Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) planning grant program for the regional SIPGP.  

SB 1 grant funding is intended to support and implement local and regional multimodal transportation and land-use planning that furthers the region’s RTP/SCS, contributes to the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and other state goals, addresses the disadvantaged communities' needs and also assists in the guidelines' overarching objectives. Regional guidelines were developed based on statewide guidelines and input from the sub-committee. The SIPGP sub-committee met several times since September 2017 to develop guidelines and the application packet for the first cycle. Once the Board approves the guidelines and application packet, the call for projects will be initiated. Simultaneously, Fresno COG will also solicit applications for the anticipated fiscal year (FY) 2018-19 Cycle 2 round of funding. Cycle 2 projects will not be contractually obligated until Fresno COG’s FY 2018-19 Overall Work Program is approved.

The sub-committee comprised members from our local agencies, Caltrans, community-based organizations and non-profit organizations. Staff thanks all stakeholders for their participation, feedback and collaboration in developing this regional program. 

Action:  Staff and the sub-committee recommend that TTC/PAC approve the SIPGP guidelines and application packet. 

C.
Surface Transportation Block Grant Regional Bid Recommendations (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary: On September 28, 2017 the Fresno COG Policy Board issued a formal call for projects for the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) regional bid and lifeline process.  The available funding for this round is $11,496,344. 

Staff received 44 applications requesting more than $51 million in funding. On January 9, 2018 the STBG scoring committee convened, reviewed the applications, and made its recommendations, which are attached. Also included is the lifeline and funding amounts per agency and per urban and rural splits. 

Action: Staff recommends approval of the scoring committee’s recommendations for the 2017-18 RSTP call for projects.  Approved projects will be programmed for funding in the 2019 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP).

D.
Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan Negative Declaration Adoption (Peggy Arnest) [APPROVE]

Summary:  Fresno COG developed a Regional Active Transportation Plan (R-ATP) to provide a comprehensive document outlining the future of walking and bicycling in Fresno County. The R-ATP was developed in coordination with Fresno COG’s member agencies, the general public and stakeholder groups such as local bicycling groups, walking advocates, educational institutions and disadvantaged communities.

The R-ATP is intended to help Fresno COG’s member agencies better compete for funding sources that support ATPs and to satisfy California Transportation Commission (CTC) requirements. The cities of Clovis, Fresno, Selma and Coalinga have recently prepared or will soon complete their own ATPs; conclusions from those plans are incorporated into this R-ATP. Fresno COG’s 12 other member agencies can rely on the R-ATP to satisfy CTC requirements.

One of the project's main goals is to create a network of safe and attractive trails, sidewalks and bikeways that connect Fresno County residents to key destinations -- especially local schools, parks and transit. The networks include shared-use paths, bike lanes and routes, sidewalks and crosswalk improvements. Other goals are to create a network of regional bikeways that allow bicyclists to safely ride between cities and other regional destinations, and to increase regional walking and bicycling trips by creating user-friendly facilities. Details of each jurisdiction’s networks are presented in R-ATP Chapters 6 to 17.  The networks were developed with the following primary considerations:

  • Connectivity to key destinations, especially schools, parks and transit
  • Collision history
  • Previous plans
  • Connections to adjacent jurisdictions’ networks
  • Public comment

Obtaining resident input was an important part of R-ATP development. The public helped identify recommended improvements to bicycling and walking facilities as well as project priorities. Participation was solicited through:

  • Interactive workshops held in early June in each city early in the planning process with city staff, local schools, local interest groups and the public;
  • An online, crowdsourced, interactive map, with both English and Spanish captions;
  • Outreach via email and local community groups;
  • Including the R-ATP in workshops held across the county to receive input on the development of a new Fresno COG Regional Transportation Plan (RTP);
  • A Fresno COG-hosted website to communicate the project schedule, share project documents and provide general information about the plan process; and
  • Workshops arranged by each city in early August to obtain public input on recommended networks.

Because the complete R-ATP is so large, this link is provided for access to the document: https://www.fresnocog.org/project/active-transportation/

The first five chapters contain:

  1. Introduction
  2. Relationship to other plans and policies
  3. Existing conditions
  4. Planned networks and program
  5. Implementation

Chapters 6–17 are devoted to each jurisdiction's status and future plans. Chapter 18 includes content from cities with current ATPs. The Appendix contains:

  1. Plan conformance with the CTC's ATP guidelines
  2. Public participation
  3. Relationship to state and federal plans and policies
  4. Project priorities and cost estimates
  5. Funding sources
  6. Jurisdictional resolutions adopting the plan*

* Jurisdiction resolutions are one of the ATP components the CTC requires. Fresno COG staff will follow up with city and county staff on this matter.

Fresno COG has prepared a Program Initial Study/Negative Declaration, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The R-ATP contains various programs, policies and recommendations that pertain to bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Fresno County. Projects are identified at a conceptual level for the Fresno County R-APT. Specific development is not being proposed under the regional plan and adopting the CEQA document would not authorize any development.

Action:  Staff recommends adopting the Negative Declaration for the Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan through Resolution 2018-03.

E.
Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan Approval (Peggy Arnest) [APPROVE]

Summary:  A description of the Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP) activities is included in the summary above. The Regional ATP includes all the elements the California Transportation Commission requires for ATPs, as well as a separate chapter for the County and each of the 11 cities involved. Both the draft plan and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document were released for a 39-day comment period.

Action:  Staff recommends approving Resolution 2018-04, adopting the Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan.

F.
Regional Transportation Plan Update (Kristine Cai)

1.
Environmental Justice Analysis (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The Environmental Justice (EJ) Analysis for the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) is intended to measure both the benefits and burdens associated with the transportation investments in the 2018 RTP, and to ensure that the environmental justice communities living within Fresno County share equitably in the benefits of the Plan’s investments without bearing a disproportionate share of the burdens.

EJ addresses equal and fair access to a healthy environment, with the goal of protecting minority and low-income communities from disproportionate negative environmental impacts. The analysis helps policymakers, local jurisdictions and the public understand the equity-related implications of implementing the RTP in the region, especially in the disadvantaged communities.

The draft EJ Analysis is attached for the Committee's review and consideration. Please send any comments to Trai Her-Cole by February 7. The final draft will be published with draft RTP and draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Also attached are comment letters received from the CRLA and Leadership Council on the Draft EJ Analysis. Staff’s response to letters will be forthcoming.

Action: Information only.  The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

2.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets Update (Kristine Cai) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) requires that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) update greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the 18 regions every eight years. CARB established the first targets in 2010 and must update them by 2018. In 2010, the eight San Joaquin Valley Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) received reduction targets of 5 percent for 2020 and 10 percent for 2035. Due to various reasons, the CARB Board was not able to establish new targets in 2017. CARB will be hosting workshops statewide in January and February 2018 to solicit public input on the new, proposed frameworks and targets. The CARB Board is expected to approve final targets in March or April 2018. 

Due to the timing of the new targets and the progress of the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) in the Valley, CARB acknowledges that the new targets won't be applied to the 2018 RTP/SCS. CARB staff has proposed 6 percent reduction for 2020 and 13 percent reduction for 2035 for the Fresno region. The targets of 5 percent in 2020 and 10 percent in 2035 will be measured against the 2018 RTP/SCS. Fresno COG's 2018 RTP/SCS is expected to achieve the 5 and 10 percent targets.

Action: Information only. The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

III.OTHER ITEMS

A.
Items from Staff

B.
Items from Members

IV.PUBLIC PRESENTATONS

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/Policy Advisory Committee

A.
PRESENTATIONS

1.
Caltrans Report (CALTRANS) [INFORMATION]