1.

A Framework for Action to Comprehensively Address Homelessness in Fresno County (Jean Rousseau) [INFORMATION]

2.

AB 617 Presentation - San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District [INFORMATION]

3.

Honoring Mary Savala for her Community Service

4.

Caltrans Report (CALTRANS) [INFORMATION]

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 Resolution 2019-02 adopting the Fresno Area Express 2018-19 Transportation Development Act claim for $29,306,990.00.

Summary:  In mid-December, Caltrans advised the 2018-19 Senate Bill 1 (SB1) grant apportionment will be $420,480 which is $12,997 higher than previously anticipated. A local match of $1,684 is required.  Caltrans requires the SB1apportionments to be programmed in dedicated work elements by fiscal year and project.  The deadline for programming the increased amount is February 1, 2019.  The 2018-19 SB1 apportionments were initially programmed at the lower amount in Work Element (WE) 142 Sustainable Communities Planning, WE146 Better Blackstone and WE 146 Fresno County Trail Master Plan, however, WE 146 and WE 147 resulted from a split when another project received grant funding so each work element contains a minimal provision for staff administration.  Staff proposes splitting the additional $14,681 in half and programming $7,341 each in staff support for 146 Better Blackstone and WE 146 Fresno County Trail Master Plan.

Action:  Approve the fiscal year 2018-19 Overall Work Program Amendment No. 3 increasing the budget $14,681.

Summary:  In 2010 the Fresno County Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee (RTMF) Agency was formed to impose and administer an RTMF fee mandated by the extension of Measure C in 2007.  Fresno COG, in conjunction with the Fresno County Transportation Authority and member cities and the county, developed a nexus to implement the fee.  Per state law, the nexus must be updated every five years.  The next update is due January 1, 2020.  Fresno COG has contracted with WSP (formerly Parsons Brinkerhoff) to provide this update and is scheduling a subcommittee kick-off meeting January 17, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in the Sequoia Room at Fresno COG.

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

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has released its finalized Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process Guidelines.

Chapter 366, Statutes of 2017 (SB 35, Weiner) requires a streamlined, ministerial approval process for developments in communities that have not yet made sufficient progress toward their regional housing need allocation.

Effective January 1, 2019, these Guidelines establish terms, conditions and procedures for a development proponent to submit an application that is subject to the streamlined, ministerial approval process.

In addition, HCD will be releasing a series of tools in the coming months to help localities and developers successfully navigate the process.

Additional information can be found on HCD's 2017 Housing Package website and the final guidelines are available here: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/docs/SB-35-Guidelines-final.pdf. 

Please contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x203 with any questions.

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

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2019 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program (Partnership Program).

The program supports capital projects to repair, replace, or rehabilitate publicly-owned railroad assets and improve intercity passenger rail performance. The funding is intended to benefit both the Northeast Corridor (NEC) as well as publicly-owned or Amtrak-owned infrastructure, equipment, and facilities located in other areas of the country, including rural communities. Applicants should note that there are different eligibility requirements for NEC and non-NEC projects as outlined in the NOFO. All proposed projects should seek to advance the Administration’s established priorities, which are economic vitality, innovation in project delivery and safety, accountability, and the ability to leverage federal resources.

FRA will award approximately $272 million in total program funding for capital projects. The nonfederal cost share requirement is at least 20 percent, which can be satisfied in public or private resources; however, projects seeking a federal share accounting for less than 50 percent of the total project cost will be prioritized.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday, March 18, 2019.

The NOFO is available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/16/2018-25044/notice-of-funding-opportunity-for-the-federal-state-partnership-for-state-of-good-repair-program 

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

Summary: The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has announced recipients for the Round 4 Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Technical Assistance Program. Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. and San Joaquin COG are the leads for the San Joaquin Valley Technical Assistance Team to provide technical assistance for Valley AHSC applicants. Fresno COG’s portion of the technical assistance grant is $3,000.

As the lead agency, San Joaquin COG is requesting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this collaborative effort. Attached is Resolution 2019-01, intended to allow Fresno COG to bill for its portion of program activities.

For additional information on the AHSC program, please visit http://sgc.ca.gov/programs/ahsc/.

For any questions, please contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org or 559-233-4148 Ext. 203 or Trai Her-Cole at traih@fresnocog.org or 559-233-4148 Ext. 205.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve entering an MOU with San Joaquin COG by signing Resolution 2019-01, allowing for Fresno COG to participate in the AHSC Technical Assistance Program.

Summary:  Want to know who represents you at the various levels of government? Fresno COG has developed an all-in-one map where users can see the legislative representatives at the county (Board of Supervisor district), state (Assembly and Senate districts), and national level (Congressional districts). The free map is now available at Fresno COG's website at www.fresnocog.org under “Latest News.”

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

Summary: The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) program awards community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues. Funds may be used to develop strategies for addressing those issues, build consensus in the community, and set community priorities.  The EJSG program will award approximately $1.5 million nationwide for this competitive opportunity. The Environmental Protection Agency (ETA) anticipates awarding approximately 50 grants (five per EPA region) of up to $30,000 each. 

Given projected increases in extreme weather events and the vulnerability of underserved populations, this opportunity will emphasize projects that address emergency preparedness and increase resilience, as well as projects that consider the needs of US military veterans and homeless populations. 

The FY2019 application is now available at FY2019 Request for Proposals - Environmental Justice Small Grant Program

Due Date: 11:59 PM eastern time, Friday, February 15, 2019. 

Eligible applicants:

• incorporated non-profit organizations —including, but not limited to, environmental justice networks, faith-based organizations and those affiliated with religious institutions

• federally recognized tribal governments 

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

Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released guidelines and request for proposals for the FY 2019 Brownfields Assessment Grant Program, Brownfields Cleanup Grants and Brownfields Multipurpose Grants. EPA will award approximately $56 million for these grants: $37 million for an estimated 114 Assessment Grants, $11 million for 40 Cleanup Grants, and $8 million for an estimated 10 Multipurpose Grants at $800,000 each.

The application deadline is January 31, 2019. For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/solicitations-brownfield-grants.  

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

Summary: Fresno COG was awarded a Caltrans Planning Grant to conduct a Fresno County Regional EV Charging Infrastructure Network Plan. The plan will assess existing EV charging programs, program funding goals, current and planned units. It will also conduct a gap assessment to identify deficiencies in the charging network for publicly accessible units and for regional and interregional units for transit services. The plan will recommend and prioritize site locations to fill the gaps in the charging network along with identified potential funding.

Fresno COG released a request for proposals (RFP) on November 29, 2018, and it was due on January 9, 2019. It is expected that consultant interviews will occur the week of January 21, 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 Working Group to help steer the project to its completion in early 2020.

• Fresno/Clovis
• County – Supervisor Nathan Magsig
• East city – Rob Terry, City of Reedley
• West city 
• Transit – Moses Stites, Fresno County Rural Transit Agency
• Public Health
• Non-Government Organization – Monte Cox, EOC

If you are interested in participating in the consultant selection and/or the Working Group, please contact Trai Her-Cole traih@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x205.

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

Summary: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued its Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Fiscal Year(s) (FY) 2018 and 2019 Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program.

The purpose is to provide assistance to HUD customers navigating complex housing and community development challenges by equipping them with the skills, tools, and systems necessary to successfully implement federal programs and policies with effective administrative and managerial oversight. 

HUD will award approximately $73.5 million in total FY 2018 program funding, and the agency reserves the right to make FY 2019 awards through this solicitation contingent upon the availability of appropriations. HUD expects to make 20 grant awards, each ranging from $250,000 to $20 million per project period. There is no cost share requirement. The project period is 36 months.

The application deadline is February 14, 2019. Please see the attached memo for more information. 

Action: Information only. Direction may be provided at the discretion of the Committee.

Summary: The Transportation Development Act (TDA) requires a triennial performance audit of administering agencies such as Fresno COG and transit operators, including FAX, FCRTA, Clovis Public Transit, and Fresno EOC CTSA for the fiscal years 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18. Fresno COG released a request for proposals on October 30, 2018, and received two proposals from consultant firms.  A selection committee comprising representatives from the four transit operators reviewed the proposals and chose Moore & Associates as the preferred consultant. 

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Moore & Associates as the consultant for the triennial performance audit and authorize Fresno COG’s Executive Director to enter into a contract with Moore & Associates for an amount not to exceed $50,000.

Summary: Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (November 6, 2000), requires regular and meaning coordination with federally recognized tribes. Title 23 CFR part 450 requires MPO to consult, as appropriate, with state and local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation. Furthermore, FTA, FHWA and Caltrans have all recommended that Fresno COG developed a Tribal Consultation Plan. The attached Tribal Consultation Plan outlines the minimum protocol for conducting government-to-government consultation regarding planning and programming activities with tribes, identifies strategies for outreach and specific documents that require tribal coordination.

The three federally recognized tribes in Fresno County are Big Sandy Rancheria of California, Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, and Table Mountain Rancheria of California. Although consultation is not mandated for non-federally recognized tribes, this does not preclude Fresno COG from consulting with local, non-federally recognized tribes when plans or activities might impact cultural values or the community.

In preparation of this document, FCOG staff reached out to all three tribes and met with two (Table Mountain and Big Sandy) to discuss infrastructure and priority safety needs, pipeline projects, collaboration and partnerships for funding requests. Fresno COG staff strives to continue to conduct extensive outreach to the tribes, provide an update and maintain an active positive line of communication. The strategies outlined in the consultation plan are further implemented through Fresno COG’s Public Participation Plan for engaging disadvantaged communities and Title VI Limited English Proficiency Plan.  The plan will be included as an appendix to the FCOG Overall Work Program (OWP). Outreach and engagement will be documented and updated annually as part OWP under Work Element 313 and each year thereafter. 

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend approving the Fresno COG Tribal Consultation Plan to the Policy Board.

Summary: Fresno COG was awarded a 2018-19 Caltrans Adaptation Planning Grant to develop a Fresno County Regional Transportation Network Vulnerability Assessment (TNVA). The TNVA will identify areas of the multimodal transportation network that are vulnerable to potential impacts of climate change and recommend resiliency strategies for future capital projects, general plans, policies, and other efforts.

Fresno COG released an RFP on September 17, 2018 for consultant services and received three proposals. A consultant selection committee comprising representatives from the City of Fresno, Fresno County Department of Public Health, City of Reedley, Fresno County Rural Transit Agency, and California Rural Legal Assistance interviewed the two top scoring consultants on November 5, 2018 and unanimously chose WSP Inc. as the preferred consultant. WSP is a leader in adapting transportation systems to climate change at the national, state, and regional level.

Additionally, Fresno COG is seeking representatives interested in participating in a Vulnerability Assessment Working Group to assist in producing the assessment. Please contact Meg Prince, Associate Regional Planner, at mprince@fresnocog.org or (559) 233-4148 x203 for more information.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve WSP Inc. as the consultant for the Fresno County Regional Transportation Network Vulnerability Assessment, and authorize Fresno COG’s Executive Director to enter into a contract with WSP for an amount not to exceed $215,471.99.

Summary: Fresno COG's most recent Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) contractor abruptly resigned in October 2018, sparking the need to re-advertise an FSP request for proposals (RFP).

Fresno COG issued a request for proposals (RFP) for Freeway Service Patrol towing service on November 8, 2018, for the 40-month period beginning March 4, 2019, and ending June 30, 2022. It was mailed to 60 towing companies on the California Highway Patrol Fresno County Tow Rotation List and posted on the Fresno COG website.

The previous contract covered a five-year period. This contract will provide FSP service for the remaining months in the previous contract. One slight change introduces a requirement for GPS tracking of the FSP fleet.  Other aspects of the program remain unchanged. There will still be four beats along each of the major freeways in the City of Fresno: SR 41, 99, 168 and 180, running Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) that will provide service during peak traffic congestion, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The following companies submitted a proposal by the November 8, 2018 deadline:

• Reyna Towing
• All Knight Towing

The FSP partners' selection committee (Fresno COG, Caltrans District 6, and the California Highway Patrol, plus a member from the private sector) interviewed both companies on Thursday, December 13, 2018, and recommended Reyna Towing based on enthusiasm, company strength and experience, and provision for all-new trucks. The contract shall not exceed $1,534,560 for the 40y-month period.

Action:  The FSP partner selection committee requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to sign a contract with Reyna Towing for an amount not to exceed $1,534,560 for the period March 4, 2019, through June 30, 2022.

Summary: The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century (MAP-21) and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to set targets for a series of transportation-related performance measures. Last year, the 2018 safety targets (PM1) were established and approved, which were included in the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Since it is an annual target, Fresno COG's 2019 safety performance targets need to be set by February 2019 for the following five performance measures:

• Number of fatalities
• Rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
• Number of serious injuries
• Rate of serious injuries per 100 million VMT
• Number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries

Fresno COG organized a safety target subcommittee to discuss the target options and recommendations. City of Fresno, City of Clovis, County of Fresno and Caltrans attended the committee meeting. Three options were discussed including using the state's target, evidence-based targets and maintain 2017 level. Upon analysis of recent trends, the committee recommended supporting the statewide targets for 2018 for all five safety performance measures. The statewide target is an aspirational goal consistent with the California Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), aiming for a 3 percent annual reduction for fatalities and 1.5 percent annual reduction for serious injuries. Staff will make a short presentation to demonstrate the recent trends and target options.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board support the statewide targets for all five safety performance measures for 2019.

Summary: Measure C's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Program was established to boost transit ridership and encourage transit-supportive land use, such as higher-density development and mixed uses. TOD program projects serve as models that reduce vehicle trips, improve air quality and provide access to physical activity opportunities through integrated land use and transportation.

The TOD program is estimated to receive $16.9 million over its 20-year lifespan, with approximately $850,000 accrued annually. More than $7 million has been granted to projects for the last six funding cycles since 2012. In 2017, both the Fresno COG Policy Board and the Fresno County Transportation Authority Board approved the revised TOD program guidelines that allow the jurisdictions from the entire county to compete for the funding. Language addressing project delivery was added in 2018. The revised TOD Program policies and guidelines are attached for your reference and can be found on Fresno COG's website at https://www.fresnocog.org/measure-c-transit-oriented-development/

The TOD program Cycle VII call for projects opens on January 11, 2019, and applications are due on February 28, 2019. There is approximately $2 million available for Cycle VII. Attached is the application package.

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

Summary:  Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) requires that level of service (LOS) be replaced under existing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) law with a metric that can promote greenhouse gas emission reduction, help develop a multi-modal transportation system and a rich variety of land use development. The Governor's Office of Planning & Research (OPR) has recommended vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to measure the transportation impacts under CEQA. The CEQA guideline updates have been published and are going through the rule-making process. SB 743 is expected to take effect on July 1, 2020. The switch from LOS to VMT will have profound impacts on how local governments and other public agencies approve land use and transportation projects.

To better assist local governments in Fresno County with the SB 743 implementation, Fresno COG has developed a SB 743 Local Assistance Program intended to ease the transition to the VMT metric. Fresno COG will host an SB 743 workshop on January 8, 2019, to address the guidelines and the implementation process. Several speakers who have been extensively involved in the process will share their perspectives and experiences. Afterward, Fresno COG will assess member agency needs. Fresno COG has reserved SB 1 formula planning funding to potentially develop a set of regional guidelines for SB 743 implementation should the member agencies request it. The regional guidelines will be customizable and adaptable by cities of different sizes. Fresno COG's modeling staff will be able to provide assistance for VMT calculation when the cities/County decide on the metric and thresholds for their jurisdictions. The SB 743 workshop will be held at the following specific time and place:

                                                       Time: 1 p.m., January 8th, 2019

                                                       Place: Sequoia Room, Fresno COG

                                                                 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201,

                                                                 Fresno, CA 93721

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

Summary:  Each federal fiscal year the Fresno region must meet obligation authority (OA) delivery targets for federal transportation funding programs and comply with “use it or Lose it” provisions of AB 1012. Under these provisions, the region is required to obligate Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant funding (STBG) within three years of receiving apportionments.

At the end of FY 2018, the Fresno region delivered $19,991,164 or 97 percent of its authorized allocation. Since -- unlike previous years -- the region did not exceed its delivery target, it was unable to take advantage of additional August redistribution funding. The balance of $613,054 will be added to the 2018/19 OA target. As of October 31, 2018, $1,795,581 of CMAQ and STBG was deobligated, which increased the region's 2018/19 OA target balance to $25,222,557.

In preparing for the 2018/19 OA delivery plan that is due to Caltrans on April 1st, COG staff met with all of the member agencies in October to discuss project status. The region is on track to hit its OA target for FFY 2018/19; however, we have approximately $10 million of projects at risk due to various delivery issues such as right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations and environmental issues.  Approximately $7 million in projects can potentially be expedited and delivered early to help offset the at-risk projects. COG staff will continue working with each member agency to ensure that projects planned for obligation in 2018/19 are obligated on time.

Please keep COG staff updated on any changes to programmed projects that could possibly impact the region’s project delivery plan. If you have any questions regarding the federal fiscal year deadlines or process of obligating project funds, please contact Jennifer Soliz at 559-233-4148 ext. 223 or jsoliz@fresnocog.org.  

Action: Information only. The Committee 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 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.

SUMMARY: The Overall Work Program (OWP) is an annual administrative document developed to meet state and federal guidelines. Projects requested by local, state and federal agencies that address regional issues and concerns are included in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the annual Fresno COG program. Project scope is limited by available funding. A rough draft of the 2019-20 OWP without a preliminary budget can be reviewed at https://db.tt/GXklYcmkQw.

Agencies are encouraged to submit appropriate projects to Fresno COG staff for possible inclusion in the FY 2019-20 OWP. These proposals may include but are not limited to:

• Freight and rail studies
• Corridor or interchange studies
• Transit studies or plans and
• Requests for technical assistance.

Requests should be submitted in writing to the Executive Director no later than January 31, 2019. All requests will be reviewed for project eligibility and budgetary impacts. Eligible projects will be included in the preliminary Overall Work Program that will be presented to Fresno COG’s Board in February 2019.

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

Summary: Attached is the current legislative report for the California State Legislature 19-20 session and federal report from Simon and Company.  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 Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

Summary: Fresno COG's legislative platform includes advocacy priorities in state and federal legislative matters. It provides a consistent, reliable voice when communicating legislative priorities to our state and federal lawmakers as well as to relevant state and federal agencies. It also offers Fresno COG staff and advocacy partners guidance when advocating on behalf of the Policy Board. Attached is the draft 2019 legislative Platform. Staff is requesting review and comment.

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

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.