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 Policy Board 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 Policy Board concerning the item before action is taken.

Summary:  In accordance with Fresno County Transportation Authority procedures, resolution 2018-21 adopts claims for ADA/seniors/paratransit ($601,127), farmworker vanpools ($441,334), ridesharing/vanpools ($441,334) and administrative/planning ($380,460) from the $1,864,255 in Measure C funds available in 2018-19 for programs Fresno COG administers.

Action:  Adopt resolution 2018-21 approving Measure C Claims for ADA/seniors/paratransit, farmworker vanpools, ridesharing/vanpools and administrative/planning.

Summary:  The preliminary 2018-19 Transportation Development Act apportionment was released in February using January 1, 2017, Department of Finance (DOF) population estimates, allowing member agencies to incorporate those numbers into their budgets. 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 by $1 million.

Action:  Adopt resolution 2018-22 for the Transportation Development Act 2018-19 final apportionment of $36 million.

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

Action:  Adopt resolution 2018-23 for the State Transit Assistance 2018-19 final apportionment of $8,008,013.

Action:  Approve resolution 2018-27 adopting 2018-19 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,122,156 for the City of Reedley.

Summary: In May, the Policy Board approved the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program project and funding recommendations. Cycle 1 was awarded to the City of Fowler for a Community Landscape Plan for $150,000. Tree Fresno was the named partner/consultant for the awarded project.  Tree Fresno will prepare community landscape plans in disadvantaged communities to optimize the tree canopy and research the mitigation of near-road air pollution with trees on State Route 99.  The Community Landscape Plan meets the grant-specific objectives that include sustainability to reduce GHG emissions, preservation, mobility and safety.

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board authorize Fresno COG’s Executive Director to enter into a contract for $150,000 with Tree Fresno for the City of Fowler’s Community Landscape Plan as approved and awarded in the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program.

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2018 Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Grant Program. FTA will award approximately $336.3 million in total program funding. There is a set-aside of at least 10 percent for rural projects.

The program provides support for capital projects that replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease buses and related equipment, as well as capital projects to rehabilitate, purchase, construct, or lease bus-related facilities. FTA will prioritize projects based on how they address significant repair or maintenance needs, improve the safety of transit systems, and deploy connective projects, including advanced technologies to connect bus systems with other networks.

Please see the attached memo, FTA Program Website, Full NOFO, Press Release, or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information. The application deadline is Monday, August 6, 2018.

Action: Information only. The Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

Summary: The 2017-18 federal fiscal year (FFY) ends on September 30, 2018. All funds programmed in FFY 2017-18 in the 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) should be obligated prior to October 1, 2018. This requires that requests for authorizations be submitted to Caltrans Local Assistance no later than Friday, July 27, 2018, to allow time for processing and to submit to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). District staff will continue to work on requests submitted after this date on a first-come-first-served basis, but authorization approval before October 1, 2017, will no longer be guaranteed.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) transfer requests must be submitted to Caltrans Local Assistance by Friday, July 22, 2018. Agency staff unable to submit FTA transfer requests by the deadline should contact the Local Assistance engineer directly.

As previously reported at the April 2018 Committee meetings, the region's overall Obligational Authority (OA) target for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) federal funding sources in FFY 2017-18 is $20,422,143. As of May 31, 2018, $2,888,078 has been obligated, reducing the region's 2017-18 OA target balance to $17,534,065, only 14.1 percent of the estimated OA target for last FFY. The region should deliver the complete $20,422,143 to comply with the “use it or lose it” provisions of Assembly Bill 1012 and to avoid having OA redistributed to other regions.

It is imperative that projects programmed within FFY 2017-18 be obligated to avoid redistribution. Agencies with projects scheduled in later years can take advantage of the Expedited Project Selection Procedures (EPSP) to deliver their projects early. Obligating funds programmed in later years can help the Fresno County region get closer to its target. Project delivery beyond the OA target makes the region eligible to capture any available funds during the statewide open obligation period. Keep in mind that toll credits may be applicable for project phases that have not been obligated at 100 percent federal reimbursement if residual federal funds are available. Furthermore, if funds need to be reprogrammed and financial capacity is not available, projects can become substantially delayed if moved to the FTIP's outer years. Fresno COG will continue working with each of its member agencies to ensure that projects in 2017-18 are obligated on time.

Contact Jennifer Soliz at 559-233-4148 ext. 223 or your District 6 Local Assistance Engineer with any questions regarding the FFY deadlines or process of obligating project funds. 

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

Summary:  A 30-day public review and comment period for the Fresno County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) commenced on Friday, July 13, 2018, and concludes on Monday, August 13, 2018. The plan is available for review during regular office hours at the Fresno Council of Governments office, 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201, in downtown Fresno or may also be downloaded directly at http://fresnocounty.airportstudy.com/.

The Fresno County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) will also hold a public hearing on the ALUCP update and the Initial Study/Negative Declaration during its regularly scheduled meeting at 2:00 p.m. on August 6, 2018.  Public comments are welcomed at the hearing or may be submitted in writing by 5:00 p.m. August 6, 2018, to Brenda Veenendaal, Administrative Services Manager, (559) 233-4148 or brendav@fresnocog.org, 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201, Fresno, CA 93721.  After considering the comments, the ALUC will consider adopting the documents by resolution at a special meeting on September 10, 2018, or as near as possible thereafter.

The ALUCP provides policies for evaluating compatibility between proposals for land-use development near public use airports in Fresno County (Coalinga Municipal, Firebaugh, Fresno-Chandler Executive, Fresno Yosemite International, Harris Ranch, Reedley Municipal, Selma, Sierra Sky Park, and William Robert Johnston Municipal). Additionally, this plan incorporates recommendations from the Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Report for Naval Air Station (NAS), Lemoore, that apply within Fresno County. The local agencies that have jurisdiction over land uses within the areas covered by this plan include Fresno County and the Cities of Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fresno, Mendota, Reedley and Selma. The plan is prepared in accordance with the California State Aeronautics Act.  

Individuals with disabilities may call Fresno COG (with three-working-day advance notice) to request auxiliary aids necessary to participate in the public hearing. Translation services are also available (with three-working-day advanced notice) to participants speaking any language, by available professional translation services.

Action:  Information only. The Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

Summary:  Administered by California's Strategic Growth Council, the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program provides funding for affordable housing developments (new construction or renovation) and transportation infrastructure. This may include sustainable transportation infrastructure, such as new transit vehicles, sidewalks, and bike lanes; transportation-related amenities, such as bus shelters, benches, or shade trees; and other programs that encourage residents to walk, bike, and use public transit.

The AHSC program Round 4 draft guidelines are expected to be released next month. The final application and notice of funding availability are expected to be released in October of this year, with applications due in February of 2019.  

Agencies with potential applications, or those interested in learning more about the program, are encouraged to reach out to Fresno COG staff, who can help connect applicants to technical assistance and other resources.

Fact sheets with additional information on the program can be found on the Strategic Growth Council’s website: http://sgc.ca.gov/programs/ahsc/resources/fact-sheets.html

Inquiries can be directed to either Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x203 or Trai Her-Cole at traih@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x205.

Action: Information only. The Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion. 

Summary:  The original Golden State Boulevard Project design called for shifting Golden State over to 8^th Street in Fowler’s main business district, from approximately Adams Avenue to South Avenue – 1.5 miles. During a series of public meetings in Fowler during April and May, several public comments expressed concern about this shift. Many businesses on 8^th Street were adamantly against this original design. At its June 5 meeting, the Fowler City Council voted to remove the shift and keep Golden State on its current alignment. Because of this change, construction costs will decrease by close to $4 million. FCOG staff recommends holding these funds in the City of Fowler’s contingency to be used for the improvements the California Public Utilities Commission and Union-Pacific Railroad are requesting. In addition, the contract with design engineering consultant Mark Thomas will need to increase by approximately $200,000 to cover the redesign engineering costs.  The Mark Thomas extra work request is attached to this item.

Approve: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to amend the agreement with Mark Thomas to increase their contract by $197,128 to revise the project improvements of the Golden State Boulevard alignment from South to Bonita Avenue.

Summary: For the last three years, COG staff has researched options to move the Measure C Senior Taxi Scrip Program from paper scrip to a digital currency while also incorporating transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft.  GoGoGrandparent provides a phone service that connects older adults without smartphones to Uber or Lyft rides. By calling a central hotline number, users can request and pay for rides without using a ride app or needing a smart phone.  GoGoGrandparent has been in business for three years with service everywhere there are Lyft and or Uber drivers. (A company brochure is attached.) In a recent comparison of trip prices, staff found that Uber and Lyft's prices are one-half to one-third of the cost of current taxicab fares in Fresno, providing an additional incentive to coordinate services for senior participants.

After monitoring GoGoGrandparent's services and progress, staff approached the company regarding a partnership opportunity with the Measure C Senior Taxi Scrip program. GoGoGrandparent agreed to allow Taxi Scrip participants to use their monthly scrip value to access rides with Uber and Lyft using the GoGoGrandparent service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an effort to assess the viability of this partnership, COG staff is asking for approval to launch a GoGoGrandparent/Senior Scrip pilot program beginning September 1, 2018, and concluding March 1, 2018. The pilot program would include up to 80 Taxi Scrip seniors, providing them $50 of scrip per month to utilize the service and report their experiences back to Fresno COG staff. The total cost for this pilot program would not exceed $26,500.

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with GoGoGrandparent to conduct a six-month pilot program beginning September 1, 2018, and not to exceed $26,500.

Summary: Fresno COG is required to update its Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) every four years. The 2018 RTP/SCS development process began in fall 2016. An RTP Roundtable Committee comprising representatives from local governments, Caltrans, transit operators, the Air District and other sectors such as water, education, farming, social justice, cycling, building industry, environment/air quality, etc. was formed to help guide the process. Staff developed a robust and extensive outreach program to engage the public that included 15 community workshops, 20 informational booths at community events and 11 presentations to organizations to determine a preference of SCS scenarios. All outreach information was made available online and in both English and Spanish.

In November 2017, after careful consideration of the public's input and recommendations from the Roundtable and the TTC/PAC, the Fresno COG Policy Board selected Scenario D as the preferred SCS scenario. Scenario D is:

• An ambitious sustainability plan with significant advancements over the status quo (i.e. the projected growth pattern before the 2014 SCS)

• A growth plan that acknowledges current planning assumptions and local land use authority

• On track to meet the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint’s goals

• Meets SB 375 requirements

• A realistic and feasible growth scenario that allows the Fresno County region to grow at its own pace and retain its own character

Fresno COG released the draft RTP/SCS, draft EIR, draft FTIP document and the draft corresponding Air Quality Conformity Analysis for public comment on April 5, 2018. A revised conformity analysis was recirculated for 30 days on May 18. All the final documents are available on Fresno COG's website.

• The 2019 FTIP is a near-term listing of capital improvement and operational expenditures using federal and state monies for transportation projects in Fresno County during the next four years (https://www.fresnocog.org/project/federal-transportation-improvement-program-ftip/).

• The 2018 RTP/SCS is a long-term, coordinated transportation/land use strategy to meet Fresno County transportation needs to 2042 (https://www.fresnocog.org/project/regional-transportation-plan-rtp/).

• The EIR document provides an analysis of potential environmental impacts related to the 2018 RTP/SCS' implementation, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (https://www.fresnocog.org/project/regionaltransportation-plan-rtp/).

• The conformity analysis contains the documentation to support a finding that the 2019 FTIP and 2018 RTP/SCS meet the air quality conformity requirements for ozone and particulate matter (https://www.fresnocog.org/project/regionaltransportation-plan-rtp/).

Staff received eight comment letters during the 55-day public review period. The responses are included in the final documents.

Staff requests that action be taken separately on each item listed below:

1) FTIP: The FTIP is a four-year program that includes a listing of transportation projects requiring federal funding and approval by federal transportation agencies. Projects included in the FTIP are consistent with Fresno COG's Regional Transportation Plan and are part of the area's overall strategy for providing mobility, congestion relief and reduction of transportation-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emission in support of efforts to attain federal air quality standards and to meet the State's climate change requirement. One comment was received from Caltrans about the 2019 FTIP, and responses are included in the final document.

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend approving of the 2019 Federal Transportation Improvement Program

2) The Air Quality Conformity Analysis: A transportation conformity analysis is required by section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, in non-attainment areas to ensure that transportation plans, programs and projects will not produce new air quality violations, worsen existing violations or delay timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards. No comments were received about the conformity analysis for the 2018 RTP and the 2019 FTIP during the public comment period.

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend approving the conformity analysis for the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan and the 2019 Federal Transportation Improvement Program.

3) EIR: Fresno COG prepared a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2018 RTP/SCS project assessing environmental effects related to the development of the 2018 RTP/SCS.

The 2018 RTP/SCS identifies the region’s transportation needs and issues, sets forth an action plan of projects and programs to address the needs consistent with the adopted policies and documents the financial resources needed to implement the plan. Projects are identified at a conceptual level for purposes of the RTP, and the program EIR is programmatic in nature – meaning it does not specifically analyze individual projects. The PEIR finds that the implementation of the 2018 RTP/SCS could result in potentially significant and unavoidable direct and cumulative environmental impacts in the following areas: aesthetics, agricultural & forestry resources, air quality, biotic resources, climate change/greenhouse gases, cultural resources & tribal cultural resources, energy and energy conservation, geology/soils/minerals, hazardous materials, hydrology & water resources, land use and planning, noise, population, housing and employment, public utilities, other utilities and services, and transportation/traffic. Included in the final PEIR are responses to comments received on the draft PEIR document, changes made/addressed within the document in response to those comments, findings of potential impacts and a statement of overriding considerations, and a mitigation monitoring program to address such findings.

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend certification of the Program Environmental Impact Report for the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy to the Policy Board by the adoption of resolution 2018-25 as attached.

4) RTP/SCS: The 2018 RTP/SCS identifies the region’s transportation needs and issues, sets forth an action plan of projects and programs to address the needs consistent with the adopted policies, and documents the financial resources needed to implement the plan. Fresno COG has included all the required elements in the plan, has engaged in extensive public outreach, prepared the required Program Environmental Impact Report and completed the associated Federal Transportation Improvement Program and Air Quality Conformity documents. Responses to the comments about the Draft RTP/SCC are included in the document.

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend approving the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy to the Policy Board by the adoption of Resolution 2018-26 as attached, which also includes the aforementioned FTIP and Air Quality Conformity Analysis.

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 Policy Board 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 Policy Board concerning the item before action is taken.

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

1. USDA Rural Development Financial Assistance

2. Community Development Block Grant

Action:  Per Board procedure, unless an item is pulled from the Consent Calendar, tacit authorization is given for staff to forward any comment(s) received, or any Committee/Board comment(s) generated as a result of this informational item, to the appropriate agency. It is understood that if in the event this item should be pulled from the consent calendar, discussion and comment by the Committee members and the public will be taken.

Summary: AB 2734 would restore the manner in which the California Transportation Commission was originally established within state government in 1978, before Governor Brown’s reorganization in 2012, by removing the CTC from the administrative umbrella of the California State Transportation Agency, and establish it as its own separate entity in state government.

The 2012 reorganization was intended to consolidate government entities under agency structures and clarify roles and responsibilities; however, for the CTC, this has sometimes created confusion about roles and responsibilities within the California State Transportation Agency. This bill would clarify the independence of the Commission, thereby instilling confidence in its ability to be transparent and provide objective oversight over the state’s transportation programs. Functionally, nothing would change under AB 2734.  This bill essentially restructures the organizational chart, but keeps the authorities, responsibilities, resources, and administrative functions the way they are currently in the Government Code.

Action: Staff and PAC recommend approving the attached support letter for AB 2734.

Summary:  Fresno COG’s contract with its auditing firm is set to expire, and the County Auditor/Controller has recommended bidding out the contract for a five-year term.  The engagement includes audits for Fresno COG, Fresno County Rural Transit Agency, member agency Transportation and Development Act funds, and the Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Agency.  The RFP includes provisions for a separate contract with the Fresno County Transportation Authority to perform the Measure “C” Local Transportation Fund member agency audits consistent with Fresno COG and the Authority’s policy of combining with the Transportation Development Act member agency audits to avoid the inconvenience of two audit firms at the same time.

The current contracts are for 751 hours at an annual cost of $90,120.

Staff mailed an RFP to the list provided by the Auditor/Controller on June 11, 2018, with a July 5 deadline. Staff received two proposals.  Both firms have the apparent technical qualifications and experience to perform the audit.

Price Page & Company, a Clovis accounting firm, has conducted audits for planning agencies similar Fresno COG, such as Merced County Association of Governments and Madera County Transportation Commission. It has also audited cities in Fresno, Madera and Kings Counties. That bid estimated 790 hours totaling $110,600 for the first two years, $113,918 for the third and fourth year and $117,336 for the fifth for a total of $566,372.

Hudson, Henderson & Co. Inc., a Fresno accounting firm, has conducted audits for planning agencies similar to Fresno COG as well, such as Kings County Association of Governments. It has also conducted audits for various cities, counties, special districts and school districts.  Theat bid estimated 1,725 hours totaling $149,405 for the first three years and $156,790 for the next two for a total of $761,795.

The audit committee, comprising representatives from the Fresno County Auditor\Controller’s Office, Fresno Area Express, the City of Coalinga and The Fresno County Transportation Authority completed its review and unanimously recommended Price, Page and Co.  Out of 80 technical points, two of the four reviewers scored Price, Page and Co. higher, with one reviewer scoring them even with an average score of 72.  Hudson Henderson & Co. was ahead on one scorecard averaging 68 for a technical score.  Out of 20 points for cost, Price, Page and Co. was ahead on all scorecards with an average 19 while Hudson Henderson & Co. averaged 12.  The combined total average score was: Price, Page and Co., 91; Hudson Henderson & Co., 80.  On the basis of the audit committee evaluation, the recommendation is to award the audit contract to Price, Page and Co. The Policy Advisory committee concurs with the audit committee recommendation.

Action:  Staff and PAC recommend awarding the audit contract for 2017-18 – 2021-22 to Price Page & Company for $566,372.

This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Policy Board on items within its jurisdiction but not on this agenda.  Note:  Prior to action by the Policy Board on any item on this agenda, the public may comment on that item.  Unscheduled comments may be limited to 3 minutes.