COG Header image

Transportation Technical Committee

November 13, 2026 8:30 am

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 Transportation Technical Committee 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/84380577728

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 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.

Action: Approve the October 9, 2026, Transportation Technical Committee meeting minutes.

Summary:  The CPA firm, Price Paige & Company, has provided the 2025-26 Financial audit for Fresno COG.  The report details that COG managed its operations according to funding covenants, within budget and reported no findings of non-compliance.  The report normally satisfies requirements of federal and state funding agencies; however, final Single Audit Act compliance requirements have not been issued.  If final requirements are issued prior to the Board meeting, a revised draft, including Single Audit Act information, will be provided.  Total revenues were $17,969,842 and total expenses, net of capital outlay expense, were $17,334,599, resulting in an increase in fund balance of $635,243.  Total fund balance at year end is $5,717,127.

 

Action:  Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board receive and file Fresno COG’s 2025-26 Financial Audit.

 

 

Summary: On March 4, 2026, Fresno COG submitted its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025/26 obligation plan to Caltrans’ Division of Local Assistance, which documents the region’s estimated project delivery for the remainder of the year. The obligational authority (OA) final target for FFY 2025/26 was set at $13,936,956 by Caltrans.

To close the federal fiscal year, the region has obligated $37,084,687 in combined Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement funds as of September 30, 2026. This equates to roughly 266.1% of Fresno COG’s OA delivery target set by Caltrans.

Attached is the list of obligated and de-obligated projects from July 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, totaling $14,206,863 in federal project obligations during that quarter. It is the State of California’s goal to exceed the OA target and, in August, receive additional federal funds redistributed from other states to projects pending authorization. The State, along with many of its MPOs, succeeded in their goal, and was able to secure August Redistribution from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Fresno COG was able to secure $11,221,779; more than any other region in the Valley.  The $11 million does not represent additional funding, just the ability to obligate additional funds when prior year’s apportionments are unspent.  FCOG ends the 25-26 Fiscal Year carrying over $14.7 million in unobligated CMAQ, $6.6 million in STBG, and $1.4 million in TIFIA and $9.8 Million in CRP apportionments.

Please keep Fresno COG staff updated on any changes that could impact the region’s project delivery plan. Contact Blake Rincon at 559-233-4148 ext. 203 or brincon@fresnocog.org with any questions regarding fiscal year deadlines or the process of obligating project funds.

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

Action: Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve the 2027 Fresno COG Meeting Calendar.

Summary: Fresno COG has agreements with cities of Firebaugh, Fresno and San Joaquin to construct $12.6 million in REAP funded projects pursuant to a master agreement with the state department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The deadline for expending the REAP funds is 12/31/26, however, as of October 5, 2026, the City of Fresno is 23% complete with their project, City of Firebaugh is 46% complete, and City of San Joaquin is 45% complete. HCD has advised the Expenditure Deadline applies to Fresno COG, not the individual city projects, therefore as long as we have distributed the funds to the sub-recipients, the requirement will have been met.  Our agreements with the cities are on a reimbursement basis so we need to amend our agreements to extend the term through June 30, 2027 and change the payment terms from reimbursement to advance funding. This advance funding protocol is similar to other funding programs Fresno COG administrates such as the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) where funds are distributed to member agencies who report expenditures back to Fresno COG.

Action: 

  1. Staff request the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to amend the REAP 2.0 contract with the City of Fresno to extend the term through 06/30/2027 and change the payment terms from reimbursement to advance funding.
  2. Staff request the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to amend the REAP 2.0 contract with the City of Firebaugh to extend the term through 06/30/2027 and change the payment terms from reimbursement to advance funding.
  3. Staff request the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to amend the REAP 2.0 contract with the City of San Joaquin to extend the term through 06/30/2027 and change the payment terms from reimbursement to advance funding.

 

Background:  The Measure C New Technology Reserve program funds projects that advance transportation and public transit research, development, demonstration, and deployment, including the Fresno State Transportation Institute (FSTI).

FSTI is collaboration between Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering, the Craig School of Business and College of Social Sciences administered through the Fresno State Foundation  that seeks to address Fresno County’s transportation challenges through education, research, technical services, and public outreach. The Institute supports a variety of transportation-related activities and research projects, including emerging technologies and innovative approaches to transportation planning and public engagement.

One such project is iVoxera, an artificial intelligence-powered phone interviewing system capable of automatically dialing and conducting surveys with thousands of residents simultaneously. The technology was developed by three individuals working through FSTI.

Summary: FSTI is currently pursuing patent protection for the iVoxera technology, with the potential for future commercialization. Because the technology was developed through work performed under the FSTI agreement, the California State University, Fresno Foundation has requested that FCOG formally release any potential ownership interest it may have in the technology to clarify ownership and allow the patent process to move forward.

Amendment No. 4 addresses this request by releasing and relinquishing any ownership interest FCOG may have in iVoxera and assigning any such rights to the legal owner of the technology. In exchange, FCOG, its member jurisdictions, and the California Highway Patrol retain a perpetual, royalty-free license to use the technology for internal governmental purposes. This allows FCOG and its member agencies to continue having access to the technology while the Foundation and inventors pursue patent protection and potential commercialization.

FCOG and any participating member jurisdictions would be responsible for operating expenses associated with use of the technology, including telecommunications, cloud hosting, and artificial intelligence/API usage fees.

The amendment does not affect FCOG’s ownership rights in other materials produced under the agreement, including reports, data, studies, and other work products, and all other provisions of the existing agreement remain in effect.

Action:  Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board authorize the Fresno COG Executive Director to approve Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement for Contractor Services between Fresno COG and the California State University, Fresno Foundation, effective December 1, 2026, regarding ownership and licensing rights associated with the iVoxera artificial intelligence technology developed through the Fresno State Transportation Institute.

Summary: The U.S. Census Bureau is preparing to launch the 2030 Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program, which provides tribal, state, and local governments an opportunity to review and update the Census Bureau’s residential address list in preparation for the 2030 Census. The program is intended to improve the accuracy and completeness of address records to help ensure an accurate population count. Census data plays an important role in federal funding allocations, transportation planning, infrastructure investments, and other local and regional planning activities.

The LUCA Program is scheduled to begin in May 2027 with invitations, registration, training, and preparation activities. The address review and submission period will take place from October 2027 through March 2028. FCOG staff encourages member agencies to become familiar with the program and begin reviewing available resources in advance of the participation period.

Additional information, including key dates, participation requirements, training opportunities, and preparation resources, is available through the U.S. Census Bureau’s LUCA webpage and the National League of Cities (NLC) LUCA resources:

FCOG staff will continue to monitor program updates and share relevant information with member agencies as the LUCA participation period approaches.

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

Summary: Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) is an approach to improving the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the existing transportation system through coordinated operations, interagency collaboration, and the effective use of technology and data. TSMO focuses on making better use of existing transportation infrastructure to address regional transportation challenges.

Fresno COG is currently developing its first regional TSMO Plan, along with an update to the Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture. The planning effort is in its early stages, with ongoing activities to assess existing conditions, identify operational needs, and engage regional stakeholders.

FCOG staff will provide an introduction to TSMO concepts, highlight the benefits of regional coordination, and briefly discuss the current planning effort. The presentation is intended to increase awareness and understanding of TSMO among member agencies and encourage leadership engagement and collaboration as the planning process moves forward.

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

Background:  The developing El Niño increases the potential for a wetter-than-normal winter across California. While the timing, location, and severity of individual storms cannot yet be predicted, member agencies should be preparing for the possibility of repeated atmospheric river events, localized flooding, erosion, culvert failures, and roadway closures.

Summary:  The transportation consequences of a wet winter include flooding of low-lying roadways and rural roads, washouts and erosion of road shoulders and embankments, culvert and drainage system failures, damage to bridges, bridge approaches, and stream crossings, landslides and slope instability in foothill and mountain communities, damage to pavement and roadways from prolonged saturation, and access disruptions to rural communities and emergency services.

During the 2022-23 storms, there were full closures of SR-168 and Huntington Lake Road and a partial closure of Auberry Road, disrupting access to Shaver Lake and Big Creek. Later storms brought record rain and snowfall, runoff, flash-flood concerns, rockfall, mudslides and debris-flow risks in foothill and mountain communities.

Transportation Impacts and Vulnerable Corridors

FCOG’s Fresno County Climate Resiliency Plan, adopted in 2025, identifies flooding as a major transportation threat, along with wildfire and landslide exposure in rural and mountainous areas. Relevant findings include:

  • SR-168 and SR-180: landslide and post-wildfire debris-flow exposure; approximately 112 road miles identified for landslide-risk mitigation.
  • SR-99 and Belmont Avenue: among roads identified as having high flood risk.
  • Roads and bridges crossing waterways: washout and bridge-approach concerns.
  • FCRTA Coalinga Intercity and Westside routes, and FAX Routes 1, 28 and 38: flood exposure affecting access and service continuity.
  • Western Fresno County: a County climate adaptation planning effort is focused in part on flooding risks to transportation assets west of SR-99.

Emergency Response and Funding

Caltrans’ California Road System (CRS) maps show official functional classification. In general, federal-aid routes include functional classes 1–5 and minor urban collectors. Minor rural collectors and local/residential roads are generally non-federal-aid. On CRS maps, local/residential roads are gray and minor collectors are yellow; minor collectors must be distinguished as urban or rural. A city’s General Plan designation does not replace the CRS classification.

Caltrans/FHWA Emergency Relief (ER) is for eligible serious damage to federal-aid routes. Non-federal-aid local roads may instead be considered under FEMA Public Assistance or the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), subject to declarations and program rules. FCOG should complete a countywide CRS mileage analysis for all 15 cities and unincorporated Fresno County before publishing a definitive mileage split.

A summary of funding programs and requirements is below:

Cal OES / CDAA: Eligible local disaster response and restoration costs. A timely local emergency proclamation and Initial Damage Estimate (IDE) are generally required.

FEMA Public Assistance: Eligible emergency work, debris removal and permanent restoration of eligible public facilities. Governor requests a federal declaration; President decides. Applicant must meet FEMA/Cal OES requirements.

Caltrans / FHWA Emergency Relief: Eligible serious damage to federal-aid routes. Event-specific Governor’s proclamation or Presidential major disaster declaration; FHWA eligibility and route requirements.

Federal-aid routes – Caltrans Emergency Relief Program

Local/residential roads – FEMA Public Assistance, if declared and eligible

Rural minor collectors – FEMA Public Assistance, if declared and eligible

Bridges and drainage facilities – Depends on ownership, classification, and program eligibility

In addition, the CTC is allowing for flexibility in the use of State Transportation Improvement (STIP) funds for Emergency Relief.  Currently, FCOG’s policy is to only use its STIP allocation on the state highway system, but it could be a potential resource, depending on the road involved and the nature of the damages.

Emergency Declarations

A local emergency proclamation documents extreme peril and supports requests for state and federal assistance but does not guarantee funding. Under Cal OES guidance, a local emergency may be proclaimed by the City Council or by an official specifically authorized under city ordinance.

  1. Immediately after the event: activate emergency procedures, document damage, notify the County Operational Area and Cal OES representative, and begin an Initial Damage Estimate.
  2. Within 10 days of the actual occurrence of the disaster: issue the local emergency proclamation if seeking CDAA assistance. The deadline is measured from the event, not from completion of the damage assessment.
  3. If issued by a delegated official: the City Council must ratify the proclamation within 7 days.
  4. Every 60 days: the Council reviews the continuing need for the emergency until it is terminated.
  5. Submit promptly: send the signed proclamation and IDE through the Operational Area to Cal OES, and request the appropriate state assistance.

Board/Council resolution: Identify the event, date, affected areas and known damage; describe why local resources are inadequate or threatened; authorize emergency response/recovery actions; and authorize staff to submit damage assessments and assistance requests. Cal OES provides a sample proclamation.

Cities should coordinate with Fresno County Office of Emergency Services when an emergency affects multiple jurisdictions. Under California CDAA regulations, a county emergency proclamation may satisfy the local proclamation requirement for affected cities when the county’s proclamation specifically includes both incorporated and unincorporated areas.

The Governor has issued a proactive statewide state of emergency proclamation in preparation for this year’s El Niño. ER applications require an event specific Governor’s proclamation or Presidential major disaster declaration. Future events, even if related to the developing El Niño, will still require their own event specific proclamation for Caltrans to apply for ER disaster assistance.

Preventive work to avoid damage to a highway facility in anticipation of a disaster event is not eligible for ER funding.

Critical Actions and Deadlines

  • Report damage separately to BOTH Cal OES and Caltrans.
  • Caltrans ER: submit the Initial Damage Estimate within 14 days of the event start date specified in the applicable declaration.
  • Caltrans ER: submit the Damage Assessment Form within 3 months of the event start date; photograph damage before repairs and retain pre-disaster condition records.
  • FEMA Public Assistance: follow the federal declaration and Cal OES applicant briefing; Request for Public Assistance is generally due within 30 days of the declaration.
  • Track labor, equipment, materials, procurement, invoices, debris removal and emergency work by site.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs (Prevention)

Although it won’t assist with imminent storm events, FEMA offers mitigation funding to help reduce future disaster risks, not to repair damage after an event.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP): Supports projects such as culvert replacements, roadway elevation, drainage improvements, slope stabilization, bridge approach protection, and evacuation route improvements. Funding is tied to a Presidential disaster declaration and applicable grant requirements.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA): FEMA’s FY 2026 funding opportunity was released October 22, 2026. Local agencies apply through Cal OES as sub applicants. Potential projects include localized flood risk reduction and other eligible flood mitigation activities. Key requirements include participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), where applicable, and a current FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Agencies should monitor Cal OES for the FY 2026 FMA application deadlines and guidance, sign up for Hazard Mitigation Program Updates, and contact ResilientCA@caloes.ca.gov to discuss potential projects.

What Agencies Can Do Now:  Documentation, Public Outreach, and Staff Training

Pre-disaster Asset Documentation

The first step in the evaluation of a disaster assistance claim from FEMA or Caltrans is to establish what the facility looked like and how it functioned before the disaster. The funding programs generally only pay to restore eligible infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition and will not pay to bring an older road up to current standards or fund deferred maintenance.

Before the storms arrive, agencies should make sure they have recent photographs, maintenance and inspection records for roads, bridges, culverts, and drainage facilities on file.

Agencies should document roads with existing deterioration, a failing culverts or maintenance issues now. Otherwise, after a storm, it may be difficult to distinguish pre-existing conditions from actual disaster damage. Good documentation can make a significant difference in an agency’s ability to support its reimbursement request.

Public Outreach, Preparedness and Community Resources

In addition to preparing transportation infrastructure for potential storm impacts, member agencies should take steps to ensure residents have access to emergency preparedness information and community resources.

Recommended outreach and preparedness activities include:

  • Sandbag availability: Inform residents of local sandbag distribution locations, availability, hours of operation, pickup requirements, and assistance for the elderly and disabled.
  • Public service announcements: Coordinate with city and county communication staff to distribute emergency preparedness information through agency websites, social media, local news, and other communication channels.
  • Household preparedness: Encourage residents to develop a family communication plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, prepare their homes and properties for flooding, and make plans for children, older adults, and pets.
  • Evacuation awareness: Remind residents to monitor official emergency alerts, follow evacuation orders, and know where to find local emergency information.
  • Flood safety: Share guidance on avoiding flooded roadways and never driving or walking through floodwaters, such as “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” guidance on social media.

Upcoming Trainings

November 19, 2026 | 9:00–11:30 a.m. — Caltrans Emergency Relief Program Refresher Training. Topics include site eligibility, project applications, timelines, deadlines, NEPA considerations and the new Damage Assessment Form. Cities, counties, tribes and Caltrans District Local Assistance Engineers are encouraged to attend. No preregistration; log on by 8:55 a.m.

Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/214044716449779?p=FldCl6wzUBZg0wVilQ

Phone: +1 279-895-7250 | Conference ID: 806 371 48#

November 19, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. — California Transportation Commission workshop on the Draft Emergency Declarations Timely Use of Funds Policy. The draft addresses certain projects programmed in ATP, LPP, SCCP and TCEP affected by declared climate events or disasters; it is scheduled for Commission consideration in January 2027, not yet adopted.

FCOG’s current STIP practice is to program only Caltrans projects. Any potential use for local emergency projects requires review of CTC rules, project eligibility and FCOG policy.

Register here:  https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/b1157ae0-f111-466b-b4dc-78580ced7db5@621b0a64-1740-43cc-8d88-4540d3487556?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog

Resources/References

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

Summary: On March 26, 2026 the Fresno Council of Governments board directed the Executive Director to notify Calvans of  Fresno COGs intent to withdrawn from the Calvans Joint Powers Authority per Article IV 3. Withdrawal, which requires 180 day written notice. Executive Director Robert Phips notified Calvans Executive Director, Sid Nag to the boards intent on April 2, 2026. The 180 day waiting period has now expired and Resolution 26-37 formalizes the dissolution of the partnership.

Recent review of Calvans unaudited financial statements for August 31, 2026 indicate a cash balance of $96,000. The budget report thru August appears to be roughly in balance, however the approaching winter slow down is rapidly approaching making the low cash balance critical.

The Natural Resources Agency was appropriated $15.6 million in Prop. 4 funding earmarked for Calvans. The agency may need to establish new procedures to allocate $13.8 million to Calvans and retain $1.8 million as administration. This could provide significant relief to Calvans when all the formalities are attended to and Calvans receives the money, but until the grant document is negotiated, it is unclear how much this will improve Calvans current financial position and how much must be dedicated to expanded services.   It’s not likely Calvans will be able to grant money to resolve the $3.8 million in impaired deferred revenues on the balance sheet and the long term issue of capital vehicle replacement remains.  It is staff’s assessment the grant will not change the inherent structural issues Calvans faces as a going concern or merit reconsideration of the decision to withdraw from the JPA.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board adopt Resolution 26-37 formally terminating Fresno COG’s membership in the Calvans Joint Powers Authority.

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 three minutes.

« »
Secret Link