Fresno COG Header

Fresno COG Policy Board

Date:
Time:
Place:

Thursday, May 30, 2019
5:30 PM

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



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 public hearing, after receiving proper notice, the hearing will be continued on a specified date when accommodations are available.

AB23 REQUIREMENT: IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT AND AB23 THE STIPEND AMOUNT PAID TO MEMBERS FOR ATTENDING THIS MEETING OF THE FRESNO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS POLICY BOARD IS $100

AGENDA AN ANNOTATED AGENDA IN PDF FORMATING FOR PRINTING

Fresno County Rural Transit Agency Meeting Package - Meeting will follow Policy Board meeting

Exhibits:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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 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.

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

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) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's draft 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, which the TTC and PAC initiated on May 10, 2019 and will culminate on June 27, 2019, with the scheduled FCRTA Board meeting following a public hearing. 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: Information only. The Board may provide additional direction at its discretion.

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

Summary: The draft 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 TTC and PAC initiated the 45-day public review process on May 10, 2019, with a proposed adoption of June 27, 2019, following a public hearing. The SRTP is available on Fresno COG's website fresnocog.org and FCRTA's website ruraltransit.org.

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

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 execute and file applications, all certifications of assurance, contracts or agreements, and submit and approve a request for reimbursement.

Action:  Staff, TTC and PAC recommend that the Policy Board 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 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 Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

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

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 Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

K.
Call for Applications - 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. Additional information is available at Recreation Economy for Rural Communities

Action:  Information only.  The Board 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 housing.

All applications are due June 1, 2019. 

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

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

M.
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 Board may provide further direction at its discretion

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
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, TTC and PAC recommend the Board approve Resolution 2019-09 to adopt the 2019 Fresno COG Title VI Program.

B.
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 and TTC/PAC recommended funding all the seven applications.

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

 

C.
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 multi-use trails, shared-use paths, 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, comprising 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 project scope of work is attached to this item.

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

D.
PUBLIC HEARING: FY2019/2020 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment (Todd Sobrado) [PUBLIC HEARING]

Summary:  During its June 2019 meeting, Fresno COG's Policy Board must determine that public transportation needs within Fresno County will be reasonably met during fiscal year 2019-20 prior to approving Local Transportation Fund claims for streets and roads. As a part of the public process for that finding, this Unmet Needs Public Hearing is being held to receive public comment on transit needs that can be met by the following four transit providers:

  • Fresno Area Express (City of Fresno)
  • Clovis Transit
  • Fresno County Rural Transit Agency
  • Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission

Public Outreach to Date:

Fresno COG’s Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) is responsible for evaluating unmet transit needs. Public outreach for the unmet needs process began in early February. To date, the meeting schedule has been publicized in two of Fresno COG's "Coming Up at Fresno COG" e-newsletters; via public notices published in the Fresno Bee and Vida En El Valle newspapers; and with request-for-comments letters, in English and Spanish, mailed out to 380 agencies.

Based on feedback from the unmet needs process two years ago, the SSTAC increased the number of public outreach meetings from three to eight. Four of these meetings were held in the urban area and four in the rural area. Two of the rural meetings were held on the west side of Fresno County and two on the east side.    

The meeting schedule is as follows (all beginning at 5:30 p.m. except as noted):

West side of Fresno County: Tuesday, February 19, Firebaugh Community Center, 655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93630

East side of Fresno County: Thursday, February 21, Kingsburg City Hall, 1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631

Fresno Metropolitan Area: Tuesday, February 26, Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 San Pablo, Fresno, CA 93728

Fresno Metropolitan Area: Wednesday, February 27, Pinedale Community Center, 7170 N. San Pablo Ave., Pinedale, CA 93650

West side of Fresno County: Wednesday, March 5, Coalinga City Hall, 155 W. Durian Ave., Coalinga, CA 93210

Fresno Metropolitan Area: Wednesday, March 6, Center for New American, 4879 E. Kings Canyon Rd., Fresno, CA 93727

East side of Fresno County: Tuesday, March 12, Sanger City Hall, 1700 7th Street, Sanger, CA 93657

Clovis Metropolitan Area: Clovis Senior Center, 850 Fourth Street, Clovis, CA 93612

In addition to the eight published meetings, Fresno COG staff held an informal meeting for stakeholders of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

To date, SSTAC has received three written comments, all of which are included along with responses in the draft 2019 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment out for 45-day public review and comment.  To include comments in this cycle of the Unmet Transit Needs Cycle, please attend the public hearing or submit written comments to SSTAC Chairman Bill Hyatt at:

Email:  comments@fresnocog.org

Regular Mail:  Central Valley Regional Center, Inc., 4615 North Marty, Fresno, CA 93722

All comments have been discussed and evaluated by the Social Service Transportation Advisory Council.

Action:  OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, RECEIVE COMMENTS and CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. The Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

E.
Caltrans Report (Caltrans) [INFORMATION]

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 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.

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 Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

IV.ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION/DICUSSION 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.
One Voice Washington D.C. (Robert Phipps) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Fresno COG hosted its annual One Voice delegation in Washington D.C. May 4-9, 2019. Elected officials, board members and staff from multiple agencies and companies attended, including Fresno County's Economic Opportunities Commission and Economic Development Corporation, CALSTART, Mid-Valley Disposal and FMKT Building Trades. The One Voice group met with Fresno's Congressional delegation and representatives from several Federal agencies, including the White House on 12 priority issues.

Staff will present an oral report on the trip, including responses and feedback received from Federal officials. The priorities brochure and a written summary provided by legislative advocates with Simon and Co. are attached.

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

C.
Budget Trailer Bill - Housing Planning Incentives (Tony Boren) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Staff will provide an update on Governor Newsom's proposed budget trailer bill, which would provide financial incentives to local jurisdictions and metropolitan planning organizations to address any planning-related obstacles to housing production.

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

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 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.