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Fresno COG Policy Board

October 29, 2026 5:30 pm

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

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations
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 publichearing, after receiving proper notice, the hearing will be continued on a specified date when accommodations are available..

The Fresno COG Policy Board meeting will take place in person at the Fresno COG Sequoia Conference Room. The meetings are accessible to the public in person and are available for listening via Zoom webinar. Public comments will be taken in-person only.

In-person public attendees must state their first and last name and any affiliated agency for the record. Please turn on the microphone before speaking.

Zoom Webinar Listening Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82436393587

Zoom phone call-in number: 1 669 444 9171 

 

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 the September 28, 2026, Fresno Cog Policy Board meeting minutes.

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-29 adopting the City of Coalinga’s 2026-27 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,176,024

Action: Staff  and TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-24 adopting the City of Kerman’s 2026-27 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,163,468

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve resolution 2026-35 adopting the City of San Joaquin’s 2026-27 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $241,793

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve resolution 2026-36 adopting the City of Selma’s 2026-27 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,628,116

Action: Staff recommends the Policy Board approve the FY 2026-27 first quarter report.

Summary:

Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG), as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Fresno County, is responsible for preparing and maintaining the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP), and the associated transportation conformity determinations. The RTP/SCS is also subject to applicable state planning requirements, and the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) addresses the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The 2026 RTP/SCS establishes the region’s long-range transportation vision and investment strategy, including roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation improvements, within a planning horizon extending at least 20 years. The RTP/SCS considers projected transportation needs, land use, population growth, and regional mobility and air quality objectives.

The 2027 FTIP identifies transportation projects and programs proposed for implementation over a four-year period that require federal funding or approval, along with other regionally significant projects included for planning and air quality analysis purposes. Projects in the FTIP must be consistent with the applicable RTP/SCS and satisfy applicable fiscal constraint, programming, and transportation conformity requirements.

Federal regulations require metropolitan planning organizations to update their transportation improvement programs at least every two years. The previous FTIP was adopted by the Fresno COG Policy Board on July 25, 2024. Fresno COG is now proposing adoption of the 2027 FTIP in conjunction with the 2026 RTP/SCS, the associated PEIR, and the corresponding Air Quality Conformity Analysis.

Public Review and Environmental Documentation

Fresno COG conducted public review and comment periods for the draft documents, including a 30-day review period for the 2027 FTIP and draft Air Quality Conformity Analysis, a 45-day review period for the PEIR, and a 55-day review period for the 2026 RTP/SCS. The review periods closed on August 17, 2026.

Staff held a public hearing on July 29, 2026, at the Fresno COG office to receive comments on the 2027 FTIP, 2026 RTP/SCS, PEIR, and associated documents. A virtual public workshop was also held on August 5, 2026, to provide an additional opportunity for public participation.

Comments received during the public review process have been addressed in the final documents. Comments on the FTIP and the corresponding responses are provided in Appendix J, Formal Comments and Responses, of the final FTIP. Responses to comments on the RTP/SCS, PEIR, and Air Quality Conformity Analysis are included in the respective final documents. Revisions resulting from public comments are documented in the applicable responses and final materials.

The final documents have been prepared to address applicable federal metropolitan transportation planning and transportation conformity requirements, including 23 CFR Part 450 and 40 CFR Part 93, as well as applicable state planning and environmental requirements.

The final 2027 FTIP is available on the Fresno COG FTIP webpage. The final 2026 RTP/SCS and PEIR are available on the Fresno COG RTP webpage.

Action:  Staff recommends that the Policy Board take the following actions, consistent with the accompanying resolutions:

  1. Approve the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).
  2. Certify the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2026 RTP/SCS; adopt the CEQA findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
  3. Adopt the 2027 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP).
  4. Approve the corresponding Air Quality Conformity Determination for the 2026 RTP/SCS and 2027 FTIP, consistent with the accompanying conformity resolution.

Summary: Fresno COG develops regional Active Transportation Program (ATP) guidelines and recommends projects to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). For the 2027 ATP Cycle 8, staff developed a supplemental Quick-Build application and scoring rubric to identify and prioritize eligible Quick-Build projects that provide interim pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements through low-cost, scalable, and expedited project delivery.

Quick-Build projects are interim capital improvements that use durable, low-to-moderate-cost materials and typically remain in place for one to five years. They allow communities to address safety needs quickly, test improvements, and incorporate community feedback before permanent improvements are constructed. Quick-Build Projects must be submitted directly to Fresno COG and are due December 11, 2026 along with the supplemental project applications.

The scoring rubric evaluates projects based on need, safety, community engagement, interagency support, project flexibility, performance metrics, potential for a permanent project, funding and maintenance strategies, and project readiness. The process aligns with statewide ATP requirements while incorporating regional priorities.

In addition, we are seeking representatives for the ATP scoring committee, to be held in January, with the applications distributed by the end of November.

Active Transportation Program (ATP) – Fresno Council of Governments

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

Summary: Caltrans is implementing changes to its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program in response to revisions to federal DBE requirements under 49 CFR Part 26. Caltrans has issued Office Bulletins 26-02 and 26-03 outlining changes that affect local agencies administering federally funded transportation projects. Beginning October 1, 2026, local agencies are required to use the new Exhibit 9-L, Bidder’s/Proposer’s List, for applicable federal-aid contracts advertised on or after that date. Caltrans is also preparing to resume DBE contract goal-setting following completion of the DBE certification reevaluation process and required federal approvals. Caltrans has proposed a new statewide Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) DBE goal of 11.80 percent for Federal Fiscal Years 2027–2028, compared to the previous statewide goal of 21.35 percent. Contract-level DBE goals remain suspended until the revised DBE Program is approved and authorized for implementation.

Caltrans accepted comments on the proposed goal and methodology between September 16 and September 30 and will conduct additional DBE training on November 18th, to provide local agencies with information regarding the revised requirements, goal-setting methodology, and implementation of the updated DBE Program. In addition, Caltrans has indicated that when the DBE program returns, retention can non longer be held on a Federal-aid contract.  FCOG staff encourages member agencies involved in the development, procurement, and administration of federally funded transportation projects to participate in the training and become familiar with the new requirements. FCOG staff will continue to monitor Caltrans and FHWA guidance and provide updates to member agencies as additional information becomes available.

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

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 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: Fresno COG’s revised 2027 One Voice D.C. Call for Priorities form is attached for board review. The Call for Priorities packet will be released by November 2 when it will be widely circulated throughout Fresno County communities.

Staff has received conformation that Covino, Smith & Simon will work with staff to organize the trip, set meetings and represent the Fresno COG delegation in D.C. once again. Possible trip dates have also been identified but no hard date has been selected.

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide additional 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 three minutes.

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