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.

Action:  Approve Resolution 2018-37 adopting the City of Sanger's 2018-19 Transportation Development Act claims for $1,133,134.

Summary:  The Fresno County Trails Master Plan Update is designed to improve convenience, safety and quality of life for those using recreational trails by providing, maintaining and improving hiking trails in Fresno County. This project will identify regional trail gaps, identify planned and conceptual trail projects, help prioritize locations for trail infrastructure improvements and develop a consistent trail wayfinding sign plan throughout Fresno County. The County of Fresno requested SB 1 funding for this project, which will require another funding source if Proposition 6 passes in November 2018.

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

Summary: Fresno COG, in partnership with the City of Fresno and the County of Fresno, received a Caltrans grant to study impacts from industrial growth in the area commonly known as the "Reverse Triangle," where the Amazon and Ulta distribution centers are located. The study area is bounded by State Route 41 to the west, State Route 99 to the east, Church Avenue at the north and Adams Avenue to the south. The study area also includes the potential High-Speed Rail heavy maintenance facility site.

Staff has organized a stakeholder group comprising representatives from: Caltrans, Fresno COG, City of Fresno, County of Fresno, Fresno Area Express (FAX), Clovis Transit, Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA), High-Speed Rail Authority, east side cities, west side cities and community representatives from Southwest Fresno and Malaga areas. The stakeholder kick-off meeting is scheduled on October 16 at Fresno COG. Staff is still seeking a representative from the west side cities. Interested west side representatives should contact Kristine Cai at kcai@fresnocog.org or Braden Duran at bduran@fresnocog.org.

The study is anticipated to take twenty months, and the findings and recommendations will be brought to the TTC/PAC and the Policy Board for approval.

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

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the fiscal year 2018 Access and Mobility Partnership Grant Program. There are two separate grant opportunities available under this solicitation:

1.) Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program and

2.) Human Services Coordination Research (HSCR) Program available through the Public Transportation Innovation Program.

The grant is intended to improve mobility options and target populations’ access to public transportation through better coordination among transportation, health, and other service providers. The application deadline is November 13, 2018.

FTA will grant approximately $3.9 million through the Mobility Pilot Program to support innovative capital projects that improve coordinated transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation services. The local non-federal cost share requirement is at least 20 percent. Eligible applicants include FTA designated recipients and sub-recipients of the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (49 U.S.C. 5310) including units of state and local government, private non-profit organizations, and public transportation operators. Eligible sub-recipients include public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and private providers involved in public transportation.

In addition, the FTA will award approximately $2.4 million for research projects through the HSCR Program to support innovation in coordinated human services transportation to provide more effective, efficient public transportation services to seniors, those with disabilities and low-income individuals. These efforts should seek to address service gaps identified in the locally developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. The maximum federal share of capital project costs is 80 percent, while the maximum federal share for the project’s operating costs is 50 percent. Eligible activities include operating and capital project expenditures necessary to develop and deploy projects serving those target populations. Eligible applicants include units of state and local government, public transportation providers, and private and nonprofit organizations.

For more information, see the FTA website or Federal Register notice. Please contact Trai Her-Cole at 233-4148 x 205 with any questions.

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

Summary: The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has released its streamlined ministerial approval process draft guidelines.

SB 35 requires a streamlined, ministerial approval process for developments in localities that have not yet made sufficient progress towards their regional housing need allocation. These guidelines establish terms, conditions and procedures for a developer to submit a development application to a locality that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process provided by Government Code section 65913.4.

According to the SB 35 determination map, all jurisdictions in Fresno County are subject to streamlining for proposed developments with either:

• At least 10 percent affordability for jurisdictions that have insufficient progress towards their above moderate income RHNA and/or have not submitted the latest housing element annual progress report
• At least 50 percent affordability for jurisdictions that have insufficient progress towards their very low and low income RHNA.

Comments on the draft guidelines can be sent to CAHP@hcd.ca.gov by October 30, 2018. More information is available on HCD’s California's 2017 Housing Package webpage.

For questions, contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x203.

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

Summary: Senate Bill 2 imposed a $75 real estate transaction fee to establish a permanent funding source for increasing affordable housing stock in California. SB 2 directs the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to use 50 percent of the revenue in the first year to establish a program that provides financial and technical assistance to local governments that are updating planning documents, processes and zoning ordinances to accelerate housing production.

Planning Grants: HCD is developing funding guidelines for the SB 2 planning grants. To encourage applications for projects that address short-range planning (e.g., zoning, specific plans, CEQA) and to streamline funding approvals, the guidelines will include a list of six to seven pre-approved activities that demonstrate a nexus to accelerating housing production and streamlining. Planning grants will be provided “over-the-counter” (non-competitive process) to local governments that apply and meet the following threshold criteria:

• Compliant Housing Element
• Submitted annual progress report
• Demonstrate how proposed activities contain a nexus to accelerating housing production and streamlining approvals

Technical Assistance: HCD has issued a request for proposals for both direct assistance to local governments as well as new toolkits, best practice handbooks, online resources, and other applicant resources. Direct assistance may include providing support to local governments in completing applications, identifying appropriate streamlining activities and conducting outreach and assistance to under-resourced local governments that have housing elements that are not in compliance.

Timeline: HCD expects technical assistance to be available in late 2018 or early 2019. The Notice of Funding Availability for the planning grants is expected to be released in May 2019.

Fresno COG will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Additional information on SB 2 and other 2017 housing legislation can be found here: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/lhp.shtml

Inquiries can be directed to Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x203.

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

Summary: Fresno COG was awarded a Caltrans Adaptation Planning Grant to conduct a Fresno County Regional Transportation Network Vulnerability Assessment, which will identify areas where the multimodal transportation network is vulnerable to impacts, such as increased precipitation, extreme heat, and wildfire, and identify strategies to remedy those impacts.

Senate Bill 379 and the General Plan Guidelines direct cities and counties to address climate adaptation and resiliency in the safety elements of their general plans. The vulnerability assessment will provide information that local agencies may incorporate into their safety elements with regard to the transportation network. The vulnerability assessment will also provide a summary of climate projections through which local agencies can evaluate potential impacts on other functions and assets within their communities.

Fresno COG released a request for proposals (RFP) on September 17, 2018, which are due on October 17, 2018. It is expected that consultant interviews will occur the week of November 5, 2018.

Fresno COG is seeking representatives from the geographic areas and categories listed below who are interested in participating in consultant selection and possibly continued involvement through a Vulnerability Assessment Working Group to help steer the project to its completion in early 2020.

• Fresno/Clovis - Jill Gormley, City of Fresno
• County - Mohammad Khorsand, Fresno County
• East city
• West city
• Transit - Janelle Del Campo, Fresno County Rural Transit Agency
• Public health
• Non-Government Organization

If you are interested in participating in the consultant selection and/or the Vulnerability Assessment Working Group, please contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x203.

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

Summary: In June 2018, Fresno COG was notified that approximately $2 billion in Highway Infrastructure Program (HIP) funds were set aside and apportioned for activities also eligible for Regional  Surface Transportation Program (RSTP)/Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding.  Of that $2 billion, Fresno COG was apportioned $2,438,180 in HIP funding that must be obligated by September 30, 2021, and expended by September 30, 2026. A fact sheet regarding the HIP funding is included as an attachment to this agenda item.

Due to the time sensitivity for obligating and expending these funds, instead of developing a separate call-for-projects that are specific to this HIP funding, staff proposes that this newly acquired HIP funding be allocated to projects that were submitted to the 2017-2018 RSTP/STBG call-for-projects.  A spreadsheet is included with this agenda item detailing how staff proposes the allocation of this HIP funding.

In summary, staff proposes providing additional funding to four projects that were only partially funded during the 2017/2018 call-for-projects to make them whole.  Staff also proposes to fully fund the next project on the list, as well as preliminary engineering for the next seven projects, as detailed in the attached spreadsheet.

The goal is to program the HIP funding on just one project, Fresno County’s Jensen: Fig to Fruit Reconstruction project. Limiting the HIP funding to only one project is easier to track for obligation and expending deadlines. The RSTP/STBG funding that is discharged from this project would then be allocated to the rest of the projects on the list.

If approved, staff will program these project changes in the first amendment to the 2019 FTIP after December 2018.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve the allocation of HIP funding to 2017/2018 RSTP/STBG regional bid projects as presented.

Summary:  The Better Blackstone Design Challenge project will leverage community effort to improve the Blackstone corridor.  The project will develop architectural/urban designs and real estate analyses for eight design scenarios of mixed-use, zoned blocks in specific activity center areas along the Blackstone BRT corridor surrounding the intersections of Blackstone at Shaw, Shields, Weldon and Olive Avenues.  The goal is to encourage sustainable, pedestrian-friendly and economically viable designs that will help implement the  City of Fresno's General Plan and Fresno COG's RTP/SCS.  The study's recommendations will serve as a guide to direct investment in private development and public infrastructure.   

Metro Ministry conceived the Better Blackstone Design Challenge as a catalyst to developing transit-supportive, mixed-use and affordable housing along the Blackstone BRT corridor.  Metro Ministry brings with it a unique set of partners (local architecture firms, local section of the American Institute of Architects, CSUF, Fresno City College, City of Fresno, FAX, American Planning Association, and Central Valley Community Foundation) and a unique scope of work that integrates architectural & urban design by four local architectural firms and economic and real estate analyses conducted by partners at the CSUF Craig School of Business and Gazarian Real Estate Center.

Metro Ministry and the nonprofit corporation it developed -- the Better Blackstone Community Development Corporation -- have been either wholly or partially involved in many projects on the Blackstone corridor in the last few years. Ministry members co-wrote the grant application and are partners with the City of Fresno on the Caltrans-funded Southern Blackstone Smart Mobility Project and are donating time and resources for all community outreach and engagement for the Fresno COG Blackstone-Shaw Activity Center Project – both of which are streetscape design studies to develop community-driven concepts to implement complete streets improvements that increase the range of public transit and serve all roadway users, particularly pedestrians.

Metro Ministry has also co-written and received a number of other grants for the Blackstone corridor area, from the California Energy Commission and California Air Resources Board for electric vehicle (EV) ride-sharing, EV community ready infrastructure, and local air quality work – all complementary and supportive of the Better Blackstone Design Challenge. After four years of community outreach, Metro Ministry and the Better Blackstone Community Development Corporation now have hundreds of relationships with residents, businesses and institutions along Blackstone Avenue. They are eminently qualified and prepared to be the consultant for this project, which is why they were chosen as the sole source consultant.

This project is relying on SB 1 funding.  If Proposition 6 fails in November 2018, the funding for this project will be secure.  If Proposition 6 passes, another funding source will need to be secured or the project will not move forward.  

Action:  Staff, TTC and PAC recommend that the Policy Board authorize the Fresno COG Executive Director to enter into a sole-source contract with Fresno Metro Ministry to conduct the Better Blackstone Design Challenge Project for an amount not to exceed $153,998.

Summary: In 2017, Fresno COG's Policy Board and the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) Board approved revised TOD program policies and guidelines to allow all jurisdictions in Fresno County to compete. In the revised guidelines, separate density requirements were developed for the Fresno-Clovis metro area and the rest of the county. The transit requirement was lowered to include Clovis Transit and Fresno County Rural Transit in addition to all FAX routes. The boards established a minimum average score of 70 points to ensure quality projects were being funded. Under the 2017 Guidelines, the TOD program cycle 6 (2018) funded three projects, which were sponsored respectively by the City of Fresno, City of Clovis and City of Kingsburg.

When approving the revised guidelines in 2017, the Fresno COG Policy Board and the FCTA Board requested a review to assess the efficiency of the 2017 revised guidelines after the sixth (2018) funding cycle is concluded. The TOD Technical Advisory Committee has recommended adding the following language in the guidelines to address project delivery issues:

"Grant recipients must enter into a cooperative agreement with their sponsoring agencies (if applicable) and the Fresno County Transportation Authority within one year of funding approval by the Fresno COG Policy Board and the FCTA Board for their prospective projects. Recipients unable to enter an agreement with FCTA within a year may ask the FCTA Board for an extension. If no extension is requested or granted, identified funds will revert to the TOD subprogram. Recipients must also make every reasonable effort to meet the project delivery schedule as indicated in their application. If unforeseen circumstances impact project delivery by more than 12 months beyond the submitted schedule, the recipient must obtain a time extension from the FCTA Board.”

Attached is the updated 2018 TOD Program Policies and Guidelines with the additional language for project delivery.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve the 2018 TOD Program Policies and Guidelines with the additional language for project delivery as attached.

Summary: Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, required California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 1990 levels by 2020. Senate Bill 32 codified the GHG reduction target for 2030 and requires the State to slash GHG emissions to 40 percent lower than the 1990 level.

In July 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released an inventory report that indicated the State reached the 2020 goal in 2016, four years ahead of schedule. However, according to the report, most of the GHG emissions drop came from renewable energy growth such as solar rooftops and power plants. The transportation sector, which produces the highest percentage of GHG, instead increased its emissions in 2016 due to the strengthening economy and cheap gasoline prices. According to CARB, the 2030 target will be a lot harder to reach. CARB's 2017 Scoping Plan shows a 6 percent gap in reaching the 2030 targets. CARB will be working with governments at various levels to try to come up with policies and programs to close that gap.

SB 375 is one of the many programs the State developed to implement AB 32 and SB 32 goals. The MPOs are charged with developing Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) to lower GHG emissions from travel. In light of the 6 percent gap, CARB adopted higher GHG reduction targets for all 18 MPOs in the State in spring 2018. SB 375 authorizes CARB to update GHG targets for the MPOs at least every eight years. Staff expects that CARB will push the targets higher during every update, making it harder and harder for the regions to achieve them. This in turn will put ever-increasing pressure on land use decisions, considering that most of the SCSes are based on local general plans.

In addition, SB 150, passed in 2017, requires CARB to monitor whether the regions are making progress in SCS implementation and to determine whether the regions will be able to achieve the targets that were demonstrated in the plans. CARB staff is working with MPOs in producing the first SB 150 report to the legislature.

CARB is also in the process of updating the SCS review guidelines, which will be applied in the third round of SCSes statewide, which will be the 2022 RTP/SCS for Fresno region. MPOs, including Fresno COG, are working closely with the CARB to ensure that the law is followed and no unnecessary, additional regulatory burdens are added to the regions.

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

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.

To locate current and past-year state bill information go to the Official California Legislative Information webpage at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/

To locate current and past-year federal bill information go to THOMAS, the Library of Congress’s bill information website at http://thomas.loc.gov/

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

Summary: 

Work Element 110 – Regional Streets and Roads – The initial budget programs $30,000 for Fresno COG’s share of a $90,000 State Route 99/Mendocino study conducted in partnership with Tulare County, and the cities of Kingsburg and Selma.  Fresno COG agreed to administer the study. The $60,000 contribution from participating members will be programmed.

Work Element 115 – Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee (RTMF) – The statutory five-year update to the Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Nexus is due in January 2020. Staff recommends budgeting $105,000 to get started on the update. The Fresno County Transportation Authority will pay for the update from RTMF fee collection proceeds.

Work Element 123 – Long Range Transit Plan – The Board authorized this FTA 5304 project in 2017-18. Staff initially estimated $150,000 would carry into this budget year but is adjusting that estimate to the actual cost incurred, increasing this work element $29,566.

Work Element 124 – Commute Options – The Board authorized this FTA 5304 project in 2017-18. Staff initially estimated $230,533 would carry into this budget year but is adjusting that estimate to the actual cost incurred, decreasing this work element $16,177.

Work Element 146 – Better Blackstone Design Challenge – This Senate Bill 1-funded work element provides $153,998 for the Better Blackstone design project.

Work Element 147 – County Trail Master Plan – This Senate Bill 1-funded work element provides $153,999 to conduct a Fresno County Trail Master Plan update.

Work Element 150 – Other Modal Element & Work Element 310 Intergovernmental – The County of Fresno was initially planning to fund a significant part of the County Trail Master plan using internal staff, costing $50,000 in county support costs, which is typically programmed in Work Element 310. This was transferred to Work Element 150 – Other Modal Elements; however, now that SB 1 grant funding for an expanded scope is available, residual county support costs are being transferred back to Work Element 310.

Work Element 152 – High-Speed Rail Planning – The prior year budget included $120,000 for developing the City of Fresno’s High-Speed Rail Station Plan. This adjustment carries over $75,000 in Measure C Planning funds to complete the project.

Action:  Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board adopt 2018-19 Overall Work Program Amendment No. 2, which increases the budget by $558,002.

Summary: Fresno COG is issuing its 2019 One Voice D.C. call for regional priorities. Each priority should include a strong transportation nexus or component. Please submit any proposed regional priorities using the attached white paper template. Submit all information needed to educate federal elected officials, administration staff and other decision-makers regarding the priority's requests and significance to the region, as well any maps, photos or other visuals available.  All proposed recommendations must be submitted to rphipps@fresnocog.org by 4:30 p.m. Friday, November 16, 2018.

Those planning to resubmit a previous year's priority for consideration should provide an updated white paper for review and consideration.  Staff strongly encourages the submittal of new regional priorities as well. The Steering Committee will review and select the 2019 priorities and recommend a regional priority listing for February or March 2019 approval by the Fresno COG Policy Board.

Those submitting more than one regional priority for consideration should identify them by order of priority.

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

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.