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Policy Advisory Committee

Date:
Time:
Place:

Friday, May 10, 2019
10:00 AM

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



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POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Policy Advisory Committee will consider all items on the agenda.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.

PAC agenda and annotated agenda in PDF format - ALL EXHIBITS ARE AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

JOINT Transportation Technical/Policy Advisory Committee

A.
LAFCo Budget (Dave Fey) [INFORMATION]

B.
Caltrans Report (Caltrans) [INFORMATION]

I.TRANSPORTATION CONSENT ITEMS

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 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.

A.
Executive Minutes of April 12, 2019 [APPROVE]

Exhibits:

B.
Third Quarterly Work Element and Financial Report (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]
C.
Transportation Development Act 2019-20 Final Apportionment Resolution 2019-10 (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The preliminary 2019-20 Transportation Development Act apportionment was released in February using January 1, 2018, population estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF). The apportionment allows member agencies to better incorporate funds into their budgets.  DOF released the January 1, 2019, population estimates in May.  The final apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however, it includes the January 1, 2019, population revision.

Action:  Adopt Resolution 2019-10, adopting the Transportation Development Act 2019-20 final apportionment of $38,345,000.

D.
State Transit Assistance 2019-20 Final Apportionment Resolution 2019-11 (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The preliminary 2019-20 State Transit Assistance (STA) apportionment was released in February using January 1, 2018, population estimates provided by the Department of Finance (DOF). The apportionment allows member agencies better incorporate STA into their budgets. DOF released the January 1, 2019, population estimates in May. The final apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however, it includes the January 1, 2019 population revision. The State Controller's Office will revise their numbers after the Governor adopts the state budget and Fresno COG staff will notify transit operators.

Action:  Adopt Resolution 2019-11, adopting the State Transit Assistance 2018-19 apportionment of $11,656,376.

E.
State of Good Repair 2019-20 Apportionment Estimates Resolution 2019-12 (Les Beshears) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The preliminary 2019-20 State of Good Repair apportionments was released in February using January 1, 2018 Department of Finance (DOF) population estimates. The apportionments allow member agencies to better incorporate State of Good Repair funds into their budgets.  DOF released the January 1, 2019, population estimates in May. The final apportionment is unchanged in total from the preliminary estimate; however, it includes the January 1, 2019, population revision. Transit operators should use this to estimate their 2019-20 project submittals.  The State Controller's Office will release revised allocation estimates August 1, 2019, and project submittals are due September 1.

Action:  Adopt Resolution 2019-12, adopting the State of Good Repair 2019-20 apportionment of $1,623,047.

F.
Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA) 2019-20 Annual Budget (Moses Stites) [INITIATION]

Summary: Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's budget has been prepared to reflect Fresno COG's Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP) for the rural Fresno County area, 2020-2024.

The document recommends continuing existing services and capital improvements. This year's draft budget has been developed to include continued review, comment and action during its 45-day review period that will culminate on June 27, 2019, with the scheduled FCRTA Board meeting. The draft budget numbers are subject to refinement following final service contract negotiations, an opportunity for public presentations, and a public presentation before the Board of Directors. The budget, which may require periodic amendments during the 2019-2020 fiscal year, is available on Fresno COG's website fresnocog.org and FCRTA's website ruraltransit.org.

Action: Staff recommends initiation of the 45-day review with a proposed adoption of June 27, 2019, following a public hearing.

G.
Short-Range Transit Plan for Rural Fresno County 2020-2024 (Moses Stites) [INITIATION]

Summary: The Short-Range Transit Plan for the Rural Fresno County Area (SRTP) addresses public transportation for the cities of Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, San Joaquin, Selma and the County of Fresno. The SRTP provides a five-year, action-oriented program designed to implement the Regional Transportation Plan's Public Transportation Element, subject to funding. The SRTP is also consistent with the recently adopted Fresno County Regional Long-Range Transit Plan (LRTP) 2019-2050. The SRTP is available on Fresno COG's website fresnocog.org and FCRTA's website ruraltransit.org.

Action: Staff recommends initiation of the 45-day review with a proposed adoption of June 27, 2019, following a public hearing.

H.
Authorizing Resolution 2019-20 for YARTS FTA Section 5311(f) Funding with Caltrans (Peggy Arnest) [APPROVE]

Summary:  For Fresno Council of Governments to apply for FTA grants to run YARTS on State Route 41,  Caltrans is requesting a resolution authorizing Fresno COG staff to file and execute applications, execute and file all certifications of assurance, contracts or agreements, and submit and approve a request for reimbursement.

Action:  Staff recommends the TTC/PAC approve Resolution 2019-08 authorizing Fresno COG staff to submit and approve all necessary documents for FTA Section 5311 (f) funding with Caltrans.

I.
2019 Unmet Transit Needs: Public Hearing Announcement (Todd Sobrado) [INFORMATION]

Summary:  The 2019 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment public hearing will be held May 30, 2019, at the regularly scheduled Fresno COG Board meeting. The hearing has been moved up this year for staff and the transit agencies to address any public comments received prior to the Fresno COG Policy Board taking action on the unmet needs findings in June.

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

J.
Regional Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program Cycle 3 (Jennifer Soliz) [INFORMATION]

Action:  Forward any comment(s) received or any Committee/Board comment(s) generated as a result of this informational item to the appropriate agency.

Summary: The Regional Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program encourages local and regional multimodal transportation and land-use planning projects that further the region’s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. This competitive program also contributes to the state’s greenhouse gas reduction targets and addresses the needs of disadvantaged communities.

Program Cycle 3 will distribute $147,048 to eligible projects. Regional guidelines, scoring criteria and an application packet are being developed through a working group. The guidelines, application packet and call for projects are tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Fresno COG Policy Board for approval at its June 2019 meeting.

More information on this program can be found on the Fresno COG website:  https://www.fresnocog.org/project/fresno-cog-administered-grant-programs/.  To participate in the working group or address any questions regarding the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Grant Program, please contact Jennifer Soliz at jsoliz@fresnocog.org or 559-233-4148 ext. 223. 

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

K.
Call for Application - Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Program (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a call for planning assistance applications for the 2019 Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program.  A planning team will help communities bring together residents and other stakeholders to decide on strategies and an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. Partnering communities are encouraged to pursue activities that foster environmentally friendly community development and Main Street revitalization through conserving and responsibly using public or private forests or other natural resources.

The application deadline is May 31, 2019. Agencies interested in applying are invited to join a webinar presentation and Q&A from 3 to 4 p.m. EST on May 7. Click here to register for the webinar.

Additional information is available at Recreation Economy for Rural Communities

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

L.
Notice of Funding Availability - Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a notice of funding availability (NOFA) for $5 million for Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants. This grant supports neighborhood revitalization plans focused on addressing housing, people and neighborhood.

All applications are due June 1, 2019. 

For more information, please see the NOFA for the full program guidelines.

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

M.
Notice of Funding Opportunity- Transit Security Grant Program (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for $88 million within the 2019 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). The program supports security initiatives that protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies on transit, intracity bus, ferry, and passenger rail systems. 

There is no cost share or match requirement. Eligibility is limited to selected, FEMA-identified transit agencies.

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

N.
Notice of Funding Opportunity-Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants Program. (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2019 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants Program. DOT will award approximately $900 million to support eligible surface transportation infrastructure projects of national or regional significance, including: highways, bridges, roads, public transportation, passenger and freight rail, port infrastructure, and intermodal transportation. 

Award sizes range from $5 million to $25 million for projects in urban areas with a population greater than 200,000 individuals and from $1 million to $25 million for projects in rural areas with a population less than 200,000. No more than $90 million will be awarded to a single state. 

Applicants must provide a non-federal cost share of at least 20 percent for urban projects; however, the Secretary may choose to waive that requirement for projects in rural areas. To ensure equity, Congress mandated that neither urban nor rural projects would receive more than $450 million each.

The deadline to apply is 8 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2019.  For more information, please see the full NOFO, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or Program Website.

DOT will host a series of webinars on the program. For questions or assistance, contact Howard Hill at BUILDgrants@dot.gov or (202) 366-0301.

Applicants may schedule meetings to discuss their projects with DOT staff through May 31, 2019. Afterward, the Department may not be able to accommodate those meeting requests.

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

O.
2019 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program Solicitation (Meg Prince) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The California Natural Resources Agency will be accepting project proposals for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program from April 12 through June 17, 2019. Approximately $6.7 million in awards will be funded. Applicants submitting the most competitive proposals will be invited to participate in the next level of the competitive process, which is anticipated in late summer or early fall 2019.

Eligible projects must fit one of the following categories:

A. Urban forestry projects designed to offset vehicular carbon dioxide emissions.

B. Resource lands projects that mitigate losses or damage to resource lands lying within the right-of-way for transportation improvements.

C. Mitigation projects beyond the local, lead agency's scope for proposed transportation facilities or to enhance the environment.

Eligibility and program requirements, including online submittal information, can be found at: http://resources.ca.gov/grants/environmental-enhancement-and-mitigation-eem/

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

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
Fiscal Year 2019-20 Overall Work Program and Budget Resolution 2019-07 (Robert Phipps) [ADOPTION]

Summary: Deputy Director Robert Phipps will present the FINAL fiscal year 2019-20 Overall Work Program and budget.  Attached is the summary memo and draft FY 2019-20 Overall Work Program.

Action: Staff requests TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve resolution 2019-07 adopting the final Fresno Council of Governments fiscal year 2019-20 Overall Work Program and budget.

B.
Fresno COG Title VI Program Update (Trai Her-Cole) [APPROVE]

Summary:  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d).

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires that all direct recipients document compliance of Title VI requirements and guidelines by submitting a Title VI Program to their FTA regional civil rights officer once every three years. 

Fresno COG’s latest update is due June 1, 2019. The draft 2019 Title VI Program has been updated pursuant to  FTA's 2012 Circular 4702.1B.  The full document with appendices is available through this link https://db.tt/2T7ta5RJKK.

Action:  Staff recommends that TTC/PAC recommended the Board approve Resolution 2019-09 to adopt the 2019 Fresno COG Title VI Program.

C.
Measure C Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program Cycle VII Funding Recommendation (Kristine Cai/Trai Her-Cole) [APPROVE]

Summary: Measure C's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program was created to boost transit ridership and encourage transit supportive land use, such as higher density residential and mixed-use development. The program provides funding for three types of projects: infrastructure, planning, and housing infill incentives.  TOD-funded projects are intended to improve access to transit facilities, reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and contribute to the sense of place in transit-oriented communities. TOD projects will further our region's sustainability goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air quality improvement.

TOD program Cycle VII has $2,030,000 available, and received seven applications from four jurisdictions totaling $1,993,079. These funding applications are:

1. Landmark Commons, City of Clovis

The City of Clovis would use $300,000 at the Landmark Commons project to construct a sheltered bus stop at the new Clovis Transit Hub.                         

2. Francher Creek Trail Project, City of Fresno

The City of Fresno requested $475,219 for the Francher Creek Trail Project, which will connect senior housing in the Francher Creek community to FAX transit services.

 3. Merced Street Reconnection Project, City of Fresno

The City of Fresno applied for $75,000 toward the Merced Street Reconnection Project. Funding will be used for engineering plans that address connectivity problems between Hotel Fresno and the BRT station at Courthouse Park. The plans could help the project become "shelf-ready" for future state and federal grant funding.

 4. Transit-Oriented Tower, City of Fresno

The City of Fresno requested $347,860 for the Transit-Oriented Tower project, which would reconfigure the transit stop at Van Ness and Olive. This will provide improved access to transit for residents in the Tower District.

5. Kings Canyon TOD Connectivity Plan, City of Fresno

The City of Fresno sought $325,000 to develop a Kings Canyon TOD Connectivity Plan. The Plan will identify the area along the Kings Canyon Bus Rapid Transit corridor that has the highest potential for transit-oriented development, and formulate a station area plan template that can be applied regionally.

6. Selma Downtown and Civic Centre Transit Oriented Improvement, City of Selma

The City of Selma applied for $270,000 to relocate a transit stop and make sidewalk, ramp and crossing improvements at various locations in downtown.

7. Reedley Family Apartments – Phase II, City of Reedley

The City of Reedley requested $200,000 to offset development impact fees associated with the second phase of Reedley Family Apartments.

All seven applications received the minimum average score of 70 or above, and the TOD Scoring Committee unanimously recommended funding all the seven applications.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve funding for all seven applications to the Measure C TOD Program Cycle VII, for a total of $1,993,079.

 

D.
Fresno County Trails Master Plan Update Consultant Selection (Peggy Arnest) [APPROVE]

Exhibits:

Summary: Fresno COG issued a request for proposals in February 2019 for the Fresno County Trails Master Plan Update and received only one proposal, from Toole Design.  The Toole Design team has significant experience in planning and designing shared-use paths, multi-use trails, wayfinding systems, and parks. This same team is working with the City of Fresno on its Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Plan.  Furthermore, Toole's local sub-consultants are firms with which Fresno COG often works and has good relationships. 

A scoring committee, which included representatives from Fresno COG, Fresno County, Fresno Cycling Club and the off-road bicycling community, reviewed the proposal and unanimously recommends Toole Design be selected as the consultant to conduct the Fresno County Trails Master Plan Update.

The scope of work for the project is attached to this item.

Action: Staff recommends that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Toole Design for an amount not to exceed $149,981 for the Fresno County Trail Master Plan Update.

III.ADMINISTRATIVE CONSENT ITEMS

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 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.

A.
Regional Clearinghouse (Jennifer Soliz) [APPROVE]

Summary:  The Clearinghouse Calendar contains “Project Notification and Review Reports” for grant proposals.

 

Project

Applicant

1.

Alta Irrigation District – Groundwater Recharge Basin Project

Alta Irrigation District

Action:  Forward any comment(s) received or any Committee/Board comment(s) generated as a result of this informational item to the appropriate agency.

B.
Monthly Legislative Report (Trai Her-Cole) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Attached is the most recent legislative report for the California State Legislature 2019-20 session and a federal report from Simon and Company.  To locate current and past-year state bill information, go to the Official California Legislative Information webpage at 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. The Committee may provide further direction at its discretion.

IV.ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION/DICUSSION ITEMS

V.OTHER ITEMS

A.
Items from Staff

B.
Items from Members

VI.PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

A.
Public Presentations

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.