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Transportation Technical Committee

Date:
Time:
Place:

Friday, May 11, 2018
8:30 AM

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



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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 AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

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 April 13, 2018 [APPROVE]

Exhibits:

B.
Third Quarterly Work Element and Financial Report (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]
C.
Transportation Development Act 2018-19 Final Apportionment (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The preliminary fiscal year 2018-19 Transportation Development Act apportionment was released in February using January 1, 2017, population estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF). DOF released the January 1, 2018 population estimates in May. The final apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate, however it includes the January 1, 2018 population revision. The estimate increased $1 million.

Action:  Adopt the Transportation Development Act 2018-19 final apportionment of $36 million.

D.
State Transit Assistance 2018-19 Final Apportionment (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The preliminary fiscal year 2018-19 State Transit Assistance Apportionment was released in February using January 1, 2017 population estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF). DOF released the January 1, 2018 population estimates in May. The final apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however, it includes the January 1, 2018 population revision. The estimate is up $3,871,732 from the 2017-18 estimate. The increase is attributable to Senate Bill 1. The State Controller will revise its numbers after the Governor adopts the state budget.

Action:  Adopt the State Transit Assistance 2018-19 final apportionment of $8,008,013.

E.
State of good Repair 2018-19 Apportionment Estimates (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Exhibits:

Summary:  The preliminary fiscal year 2018-19 State of Good Repair apportionments were released in February using January 1, 2017 population estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF). DOF released the January 1, 2018 population estimates in May. The final apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however, it includes the January 1, 2018 population revision. Transit operators should use this to estimate their 2018-19 project submittals. The State Controller will release revised allocation estimates August 1, 2018 and project submittals are due September 1. The project list will be submitted to Fresno COG staff in this and future years per the guidelines.

Action:  Adopt the State of Good Repair 2018-19 Apportionment Estimate of $1,517,695.

F.
Fiscal Year 2018 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant Program. The BUILD Program replaces the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program. DOT will award approximately $1.5 billion under the largest round of funding since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The application deadline is 8 p.m. (EDT), Thursday, July 19, 2018.

The BUILD Program program supports projects of regional or local significance, including highways, roads, bridges, transit, passenger and freight rail, ports or intermodal projects. DOT will invest in a variety of transportation modes in geographically diverse locations across the country. The agency will select projects that align with the following evaluation criteria: safety; economic competitiveness; quality of life; environmental protection; state of good repair; innovation; partnership and additional non-Federal revenue for future transportation or infrastructure investments.

No state can receive more than 10 percent of the total BUILD funding, or $150 million, available under this NOFO. The maximum federal award is $25 million. The award floor is $5 million for urban projects with a maximum federal cost share of 80 percent, while the minimum award size is only $1 million for rural projects.

There is a 30 percent, or $450 million, set-aside for projects located in rural communities; however, DOT staff have noted that this set-aside should be considered a floor. DOT awarded 64 percent of funds to rural projects in the previous round of TIGER. The Secretary may choose to provide a federal cost-share greater than 80 percent for rural projects. Rural projects are those located outside the boundaries of an Urbanized Area (UZA) designated by the U.S. Census Bureau. Costs incurred along the boundary of a UZA would be considered urban.

DOT may award up to $15 million of this funding for eligible planning, preparation and design, which may include environmental analysis, feasibility studies and other pre-construction activities. Planning projects do not have a minimum award size.

Up to 20 percent of funds available through the BUILD Grant Program, or $300 million, may be used to provide subsidy and administrative costs for projects receiving federal credit assistance through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program.

Funds are available for obligation through September 30, 2020, and all funds must be expended by September 30, 2025. Therefore, DOT grant reviewers will evaluate project readiness to ensure these milestones can be met. If appropriate, applicants are encouraged to identify project segments that have independent utility and public benefit and the separate, corresponding costs of constructing that phase. The applicant must demonstrate how each phase separately fulfills the objectives outlined in the agency’s evaluation criteria.

See the attached memo for more information on the Administration’s priorities, project eligibility and the schedule of upcoming webinars.

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

G.
Fiscal Year 2018 Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative.

ATCMTD supports model deployment sites for large-scale, advanced transportation technologies' installation and operation to improve safety, efficiency, system performance and return on infrastructure investment.

This year, DOT is interested in proposals that will result in reduced traffic fatalities and injuries; reduced congestion and improved travel time reliability; reduced emissions; optimized multimodal system performance; improved access to transportation alternatives, including for underserved populations; enhanced public access to real-time integrated traffic, transit, and multimodal information to better inform travel decisions and/or cost savings to transportation agencies, businesses and the public. Additional objectives are outlined in the NOFO.

DOT will award $60 million through five to ten grants of up to $12 million each. The minimum non-federal cost share requirement is at least 50 percent of the total project cost. The performance period may range from one to four years. The application deadline is Monday, June 18, 2018.

See FHWA Press Release, ATCMTD Program Website, or Grants.gov postings for more information on eligible activities.

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

H.
Fiscal Year 2018 Clean Diesel Program Request for Proposals (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Transportation and Air Quality has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Clean Diesel Program, funded under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA).

The program supports projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in tons of pollution produced and exposure, particularly from fleets operating at goods movement facilities in designated areas of poor air quality. The goal is to protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions.

The agency will award approximately $40 million through an estimated two to eight cooperative agreements per EPA Regional Office. The maximum federal grant request will range from $900,000 to $3 million per award, depending on the EPA Regional Office of Jurisdiction. The EPA may choose to partially fund portions of proposals. The maximum federal cost share depends on the type of eligible activities and solutions proposed by the applicant. 

Please see the attached memo for more information on this program. The application deadline is Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

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

I.
Fiscal Year 2018 Low or No Emissions Vehicle (Low-No) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Low or No-Emissions Vehicle (Low-No) Program under Section 5339c of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

The program supports incorporating low-emission or zero-emission vehicles and related equipment into public transit service nationwide. FTA will award approximately $84.45 million. The application deadline is Monday, June 18, 2018.

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

J.
Circuit Planner and Circuit Engineer Report (Meg Prince) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Below is an update on each of the active circuit planning and engineering projects. Please note that activities that are completed, considered inactive, on the wait list or placed on hold by their respective agency, are not included below.

Current planning-related projects include:

1.  City of Fowler – Golden State Boulevard Realignment Study Phase 2, to identify potential funding sources and other resources for long-term actions needed in the Phase 2 Golden State Boulevard Realignment and Design Study. A funding matrix has been developed and City staff is determining next steps.

2.  City of Orange Cove – Identifying potential funding sources for bicycle and pedestrian projects. A draft funding matrix has been sent to the City for review and comment and City staff is determining next steps.

3.  City of Reedley – Updating the Bicycle Master Plan based on the Regional Active Transportation Plan. A draft Work Plan and Schedule has been developed and the Circuit Planner is meeting with City staff in early May to move forward.

Current engineering-related projects include:

1.  City of Sanger – Perform traffic safety analysis for the intersection of Bethel Avenue and 5th Street. The Circuit Engineer has completed the findings report and addressed some follow-up questions which have been forwarded to the City for a final review.

Staff can provide details on the status of individual projects, as requested. Please contact Meg Prince at (559) 233-4148 Ext. 203 or via email at mprince@fresnocog.org with any questions, comments or concerns regarding the tasks associated with either the circuit planning or circuit engineering programs. 

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

K.
Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) Amendments (Suzanne Martinez) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Staff has completed 10 amendments to the 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (2017 FTIP). Amendments one through five have been previously reported to the TTC, PAC and Policy Board. Details on amendments six through 10 are provided below:

Administrative Modifications

Administrative Modifications are amendments to the FTIP that include:

  • Project funding increases of less than 40 percent of the total cost, subject to programming capacity
  • Funding decreases to projects, as long as the reduction does not result in deleting a project or phase
  • Project additions and/or deletions that are part of a group listing (as long as the addition does not increase the total cost of the grouped listing by over 40 percent; subject to programming capacity)
  • Changes to a project funding source, or a project’s lead agency
  • Revisions to project descriptions that do not change the project scope or conflict with the approved environmental document.

Administrative modifications do not require State or federal approval.

Fresno COG has completed the following Administrative Modifications:

  • Administrative Modification No. 6: This Administrative Amendment was approved by the Fresno COG Executive Director on September 19, 2017, as authorized by the Policy Board.
  • Administrative Modification No. 8: This Administrative Amendment was approved by the Fresno COG Executive Director on February 9, 2018, as authorized by the Policy Board.
  • Administrative Modification No. 10: This Administrative Amendment was approved by the Fresno COG Executive Director on April 18, 2018, as authorized by the Policy Board.

Formal Amendments (Types 2 & 3)

Formal Amendments (Types 2 & 3) include:

  • Adding or deleting projects that are exempt from regional air quality emissions analyses
  • Adding or deleting a project phase
  • Funding increases of more than 40 percent or more than $10 million of the total project cost
  • Changes to project scope and/or description,
  • Any project changes that qualify under an administrative modification.

Type 2 & 3 Formal Amendments require approval by Fresno COG, Caltrans and FHWA.

Fresno COG has completed the following Formal (Type 2 & 3) Amendments:

  • Formal Amendment No. 7 (Types 2 & 3): A seven-day public review and interagency consultation period was conducted and completed for Formal Amendment No. 7 at 4:30 p.m. on October 11, 2017. The Executive Director approved this amendment on October 18, 2017, followed by Caltrans' on October 31, 2017, and FHWA on November 27, 2017.
  • Formal Amendment No. 9 (Types 2 & 3):  A seven-day public review and interagency consultation period was conducted and completed for Formal Amendment No. 9 at 4:30 p.m. on April 16, 2018. The Executive Director approved this amendment was on April 18, 2018, by Caltrans on April 24, 2018, and FHWA on May 1, 2018.

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

L.
Urban & Rural Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) Operations Program & Budget Fiscal Year 2018-19 (Monte Cox) [APPROVE]

Summary: The Consolidated Transportation Service Agency’s (CTSA) Operations Program and Budget (OPB) fiscal year 2018-19 for the Fresno Urban CTSA will be distributed as a handout at the May 11, 2018, Fresno COG TTC/PAC meeting.  The document is designed to provide an overview of how the Consolidated Transportation Service Agencies will be providing service over the next fiscal year.  The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) will begin their review of the document on May 15, 2018.  The OPB 45 day review process will be initiated on May 11, 2018, by TTC/PAC  and is scheduled for public hearing and adoption at the June 28, 2018, Fresno COG Policy Board meeting. 

Action: Staff recommends initiation of the 45-day review for adoption on June 28, 2018, by the COG Policy Board.

M.
Clovis Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) Fiscal Year 2018-19 Operations Program & Budget (Amy Hance) [APPROVE]

Summary: The Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agency’s (CTSA) Operations Program and Budget (OPB) FY 2018-19 for the Clovis Urban Area is designed to provide an overview of how the Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agency will provide service over the next fiscal year. The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) will begin their review of the document on May 15, 2014.  Clovis CTSA OPB FY 2018-19 for the Clovis Urban Area document is available on the Fresno COG website at: http://fresnocog.org.  The OPB 45 day review process will be initiated on May 11, 2018 by the TTC/PAC and is scheduled for public hearing and adoption at the June 28, 2018 Fresno COG Policy Board meeting. 

Action: Staff recommends initiation of the 45-day review for adoption on June 28, 2018 by the COG Policy Board.

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
Support for Proposition 69 - Support Safer Roads and Protect Local Transportation Improvements (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary:  In April 2017, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1)  to provide more than $5.5 billion annually for road safety improvements, pothole repair, maintenance for local streets, freeways, tunnels, bridges and overpasses, and to invest in public transportation in every California community. Road safety and transportation improvement projects are already under way or planned in every community. On the June 2018 ballot, Proposition 69 would prohibit the Legislature from raiding new transportation funds, establishing a "lockbox" on them to ensure the funds can only be used for transportation projects. Proposition 69 extends constitutional protections to the new revenues SB 1 generates. This will ensure that all revenues from SB 1 can only be used for transportation improvement purposes. 

Action: Staff recommends that the TTC/PAC approve resolution 2018-11 supporting Proposition 69.

B.
Senate Bill 1 Presentation (Jennifer Soliz) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Staff will provide a presentation on SB 1 and the impact SB 1 will have on Fresno County.

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

C.
Regional Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program Project Recommendations (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary: On February 22, 2018, the Fresno COG Policy Board issued a formal call for projects for Cycles 1 and 2 of the Regional Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program (SIPGP), FY 2017-18 and 2018-19. Each cycle has $155,278 in available funding. Fresno COG received seven applications requesting more than $640,000 in funding: four applications for cycle 1 and three applications for cycle 2. On April 30, 2018, the SIPGP scoring committee convened, reviewed the applications and made its recommendations, which are attached. 

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC approve the Scoring Committee’s recommendations for SIPGP cycle 1 and cycle 2 projects and to recommend that the Policy Board adopt the same recommendations.

D.
Blackstone/Shaw Activity Center Project Consultant Selection (Peggy Arnest) [APPROVE]

Summary: Fresno COG released a request for proposals (RFP) on February 26, 2018, for community-based urban design, multimodal transportation planning and traffic analysis feeding a complete streets strategy for the Blackstone/Shaw Activity Center. This project will convene an Advisory Committee that will include the City of Fresno, Caltrans, Metro Ministry/Better Blackstone Association, local property owners, local business owners and project area residents, especially from environmental justice organizations or disadvantaged communities. 

Attached is the scope of the project. The budget is $150,000. A selection committee comprising representatives from the City of Fresno Public Works and Planning departments, Metro Ministries and Fresno COG narrowed the field from four to three firms based on the consultant’s written proposals. Based on the strength of their team, proposal and interview, the selection committee unanimously recommended Toole Design Group. 

Action:  Staff recommends that the TTC/PAC approve the selection committee’s recommendation of Toole Design Group as the consultant for the Blackstone/Shaw Activity Center Project and authorize Fresno COG’s Executive Director to enter into a contract with Toole Design Group for $149,998.26.

E.
Release of Measure C New Technology Reserve Program 2018 Grant Application (Peggy Arnest) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Fresno COG is seeking proposals from eligible public agencies for advanced transit and transportation projects that have the potential for broad benefits to Fresno County residents and will assist the region in meeting its air quality goals. Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) are proposing to fund projects of regional significance in the areas of research, development, demonstration, and deployment that will advance public transit and transportation. This second cycle of the Measure “C” New Technology Reserve Program will make up to $6.4 million available for eligible new technology projects/programs.  A copy of the application is attached to this item.

Timeline:

ACTIVITY DATE
Request for Proposals Released   April 16, 2018
Last day to submit requests for clarification  June 4, 2018
NEW: Deadline for Electronic Proposal Submittal for   
          agencies wishing to partner with Fresno COG  June 21, 2018
Deadline for Proposal Submittal   July 23, 2018
Scoring (Tentative) July 25 - August 10, 2018
Potential Interviews (Tentative) Week of August 20 - 24, 2018
Policy Board Approval (Tentative) September 27, 2018
FCTA Board Approval (Tentative) October 10, 2018
Notice to Proceed - Subject to Contract Signing (Tentative) January 1, 2019

In February 2016, the Policy Board approved a formal process to solicit and accept members to sit on a Multidisciplinary Advisory Group (MAG).  The MAG will review, evaluate and score the New Tech applications and recommend projects for funding.  Nominees are needed from the following categories:  City of Fresno, City of Clovis, east side city, west side city, County of Fresno, Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee, FCTA, transit, business, education and two public seats. 

The MAG application was released May 10, 2018.  For more information regarding the Measure C New Technology program please visit http://www.fresnocog.org/measure-c-new-technology-reserve-fund and/or contact Peggy Arnest at parnest@fresnocog.org.  

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

F.
Fiscal Year 2018-19 Overall Work Program and Budget Resolution 2018-12 (Robert Phipps) [APPROVE]

SUBJECT: FINAL Fiscal Year 2018-19 Overall Work Program Recommendations:

Summary:  The final, fiscal year (FY) 2018-19 Overall Work Program (OWP), totaling $19,016,134, is submitted for adoption. The proposed budget decreased $3,340,290 from last year. Operational revenues remain intact, reserves are adequate and the agency continues to operate under prudent management.

The final 2018-19 OWP has increased by $14,937 since the draft was released in February, reflecting restructuring in FCRTA staffing levels. In addition, at Caltrans’ direction, Work Element (WE) 140, Sustainable Communities Planning, was divided into two separate work elements (WE 140 and 142) to identify funding by fiscal year.

Overall, the proposed FY 2018-19 budget total reflects a 15 percent decrease from the approved FY 2017-18 budget. This decrease is a net number spread over a large variety of programs; however, one significant factor affecting this reduction is that it contains fully funded, multi-year projects, and as these “one-time” funds are spent they are not reflected in subsequent years’ budgets. Generally, operating expenses are not affected this way.

Federal revenues decreased 1 percent ($45,000).  FTA 5304 decreased $290,000, reflecting progress on the Long-Range Sustainable Transit Plan and the Business Commute Options projects. Projects funded by FTA’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities program increased $825,000; however, FTA Section 5316 & FTA Section 5317 reduced by $204,000. Federal Aviation funds decreased $198,000, given the Airport Land Use Plan will be completed. The balance of Federal planning funds decreased $158,000.  OWP and budget highlights follow:

Staffing & Benefits

There are no new Fresno COG planning positions included in this year’s proposed budget. FCRTA added a new planning position in 2017-18, which is reflected in this budget. Contingencies are carried for merit-based salary increases and anticipated health insurance increases. The overall proposed budget for salaries increased by 7 percent and benefits by 3 percent.

Consulting

The overall consulting budget is $3.1 million, a decrease of $4 million corresponding to projects associated with revenue reductions discussed above regarding multi-year projects.  

New Work Elements

(WE 142) Sustainable Planning Grants Cycle II

(WE 143) Reverse Triangle

(WE 171) Transportation Performance Management                                                                                                    

Eliminated Work Elements

(WE 331) Zero Net Energy Farms

(WE 812) Rural Transit Alternatives

Notable Work Elements

Work Element 140 Sustainable Community Grants Cycle I – This SB1 program provides $160,000 for Sustainable Communities Planning for member agencies for 2017-18 Cycle I.

Work element 141 Pavement Management  – This SB1 program provides $300,000 for a regional pavement management software system.

Work Element 142 Sustainable Community Grants Cycle II – This SB1 program provides $160,000 to member agencies for Sustainable Communities planning projects in 2018-19 Cycle II.

Work Element 143 Reverse Triangle – This SB1 program provides $300,000 to study the developing commercial area southwest of the North Cedar Interchange on State Route 99, known as the Reverse Triangle.

Work Element 171 Transportation Performance Managment – Transportation Performance Management is a new federal emphasis area. Fresno COG budgeted $84,000 to develop Performance Management criteria.

Action:  Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board approve Resolution 2018-12 adopting the FY 2018-19 Overall Work Program and budget, totaling $19,016,134.

III.OTHER ITEMS

A.
Items from Staff

B.
Items from Members

IV.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.

JOINT Transportation Technical/Policy Advisory Committee

A.
PRESENTATIONS

1.
LAFCo Budget (Dave Fey) [INFORMATION]

2.
Caltrans Report (CALTRANS) [INFORMATION]