Appoint one (1) Member to the Countywide Redevelopment Oversight Board, term effective
immediately, replacing Robert Silva, the term is indefinite.

This portion of the meeting is reserved for a person desiring to address the City Selection Committee on any matter the committee has jurisdiction over which is not on this agenda.

Summary:  Fresno Council of Governments' Policy Board, acting as the Fresno County Mayors’ Select Committee, along with the chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, is tasked with appointing members to the Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee (COC) consistent with the November 2006 voter-approved Measure C Expenditure Plan. The COC informs the public and ensures that Measure C program revenues are spent as promised.

The Measure C Expenditure Plan specifies that the COC shall comprise 13 members, including six at-large public members who respectively reside in each of the five Fresno County Supervisorial Districts. Three of the six must reside in the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area and two must reside in the unincorporated rural area of the county (east and west). The remaining seven members must be representatives drawn from a diverse mix of interested community organizations.

Members serve four-year terms, with a maximum limit of eight years on the committee. Appendix G of the Measure C Extension Expenditure Plan (attached) states the Committee’s duties and responsibilities. 

The Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee’s webpage is: fresnocog.org/citizen-oversight-committee/

The attached application form was received from a resident who wishes to be appointed to the Oversight Committee as a community organization representative. Please see the attached form and letter of recommendation for Gail Miller. 

Action: Appoint one new member to sit on the Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee.

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.

Approve Resolution 2020-02 adopting the City of Clovis' 2019-20 Transportation Development Act claims for $5,932,350.

Approve Resolution 2020-05 adopting the 2019-20 Transportation Development Act Claims for the City of Fresno in the amount of $33,024,507.

Approve Resolution 2020-06 adopting the City of Reedley's 2019-20 Transportation Development Act claims for  $1,260,153.

Summary:  The State Controller’s Office has estimated the FY 2019-20 Low Carbon Transit Operations apportionment at $2,079,758.  This is down $137,717 (6%) from last year.  A spreadsheet detailing the distribution of funds to Transit Operators is attached. 

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

Summary:  Fresno COG proposes to continue Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) services for the 2020 summer season, May 11 through September 11. A proposed budget is attached to this item. YARTS funding comes from: Federal Transit Administration 5307 (CMAQ), Caltrans 5311(f) grants, Yosemite National Park, and fare box receipts. 

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the Executive Director to enter into a contract with YARTS not to exceed $746,776. 

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 2020-03 authorizing Fresno COG staff to submit and approve all necessary documents for FTA Section 5311 (f) funding with Caltrans.

Summary:  Fresno COG's Board formed the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) in May 1988 to: respond to State legislation and coordinate social service transportation; assist the Fresno COG Board in identifying transit needs throughout Fresno County; review and recommend action for Fresno COG to address at its unmet transit needs hearing and; advise Fresno COG on other major transit issues.  The Fresno COG Board appoints SSTAC members for a term of three years.

SSTAC new member appointments to the Council are:

Matthew Gilliam, Inspiration Transportation.  Replaces Robert Meisel

Article III, Section 99238 of the Transportation Development Act requires a minimum number of SSTAC members in specific categories. There is no maximum membership number specified in TDA and in the interest of diversity, staff is seeking additional nominations. Specifically, staff is seeking members who represent minority groups, social service providers for seniors and potential transit users.  A complete list of SSTAC members is included in your agenda package.

Action:  Staff, TTC and PAC recommend to the Fresno COG Board approve appointing the new member to SSTAC.

Summary: This is an update on those tasks underway through Fresno COG's Circuit Planner and Engineer Program, which provides technical assistance to the small cities in Fresno County. Such assistance may include, but is not limited to: planning studies, delivering projects, grant applications, environmental documents, engineering services, etc.

Circuit Planner:

• City of San Joaquin - Rincon has prepared updates and developed a strategy to present to the City for updating San Joaquin’s zoning code to incorporate Blueprint/smart growth principles. Rincon submitted an SB 2 planning grant for the City. Staff expects confirmation on the grant in late February/March.
• Sanger zoning review – Collins & Schoettler has started reviewing the City of Sanger’s zoning code and will be providing recommendations for opportunities to streamline and/or incorporate smart growth principles.
• City of Kingsburg alley design guidelines – Collins & Schoettler has completed and submitted design guidelines to convert various downtown alleys into pedestrian-friendly environments. Kingsburg staff will be presenting it to City Council this month.
• City of Selma downtown multi-use overlay zone – Rincon has submitted a recommendation to the City for developing a downtown overlay zone and proposed boundary for the overlay zone. This is anticipated to be rolled into the City's zoning code update.
• Reedley Manning/Buttonwillow Master Plan Assistance – on-call technical assistance for master plan for property located on Manning and Buttonwillow.
• City of Coalinga – Developing an RFP for CEQA/NEPA analysis on specific segments of the City's Trails Master Plan. This included coordinating a meeting with Caltrans Local Assistance to identify NEPA technical studies to be conducted.
• Participated in the FCOG AB 101 meeting with local housing experts to identify best opportunities for using REAP funding in Fresno County and to be a lead in the San Joaquin Valley.

Circuit Engineer:

• Mendota bike & pedestrian counts – VSCE has been coordinating with Mendota regarding “before” bike and pedestrian counts for an Active Transportation Program (ATP) project grant that city officials received.
• Fowler bike & pedestrian counts – VSCE is coordinating with Fowler’s engineering staff to identify segments in the Fowler Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to conduct ATP counts.
• City of Firebaugh – Coordinating with Ben Gallegos on potential projects for the City.
• Reedley Manning/Buttonwillow Master Plan Assistance – on-call technical assistance to develop a master plan for property located on Manning and Buttonwillow avenues.

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

Summary: New for FY19-20, the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) is a pilot program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase access to key destinations, and address community residents’ transportation needs.

For this first round of solicitation, $2 million is available for planning and capacity-building grants. Funding is intended to help low-income and disadvantaged communities identify residents’ transportation needs and prepare to implement clean transportation and land use projects. Additionally, $20 million is available for one to three implementation block grants to fund clean transportation and land use projects in disadvantaged communities. Funded projects will work together to increase community residents’ access to key destinations so they can get where they need to go without a personal vehicle.

Draft STEP requirements and guidelines are scheduled for a one-month public comment period in mid-February, with an anticipated two-and-a-half-month solicitation period opening in mid-May 2020. Funding will begin to be available in early 2021 for selected recipients.

Fresno COG will continually update our Committee's and Policy Board on this new pilot program and encourage all member agencies to take advantage of this new funding opportunity that is beginning later this year.

Workshop presentations and general information (including eligible types of projects) can be found at https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/lct/opportunitiesgov/step.htm.

For questions or more information, please contact Braden Duran at bduran@fresnocog.org or (559)-233-4148 x217.

Action: Information only. The Policy Board can provide further action at its discretion.

Summary:  Fresno Council of Governments has kicked off another cycle of the Unmet Transit Needs Assessment for fiscal year 2020 with a Social Services Transportation Technical Committee meeting held at Fresno COG on Wednesday, January 21.

Under California’s Transportation Development Act, Fresno COG’s Policy Board must determine that public transportation needs within Fresno County will be reasonably met in fiscal year 2019-20 prior to approving Local Transportation Funds claims for streets and roads.  Fresno COG’s Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) is responsible for evaluating unmet transit needs.

Public Outreach and feedback is an essential component of the Unmet Transit Needs Assessment. Consequently, staff has scheduled six public meetings and a public hearing.  The public meetings are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, February 25, 2020 – 1 p.m.
City of Fresno-northeast side, Fresno State University-Vintage Room, 5241 N. Maple Ave., Fresno CA 93740

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – 5:30 p.m.
City of Clovis-metropolitan area, Clovis Senior Center, 850 Fourth Street, Clovis, CA 93612

Saturday, February 29, 2020 – 11:30 a.m.
City of Fresno-northwest side, Central Learning Adult School, 2698 N. Brawley Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Monday, March 2, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.
City of Fresno-south side, Maxie L. Parks Community Center, 1802 E. California Ave., Fresno, CA 93706

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 – 5:30 p.m.
Fresno County-west side, Kerman Community Center, 15101 W. Kearney Blvd., Kerman, CA 93630

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – 5:30 p.m.
Fresno County-east side, Fowler City Hall, 128 S. 5^th Street, Fowler, CA 93625

Transportation is being provided to and from the meetings scheduled for the west side and east side of Fresno County. Rides to these meetings must be scheduled in advance by calling (855) 612-5184.

Comments can be submitted via email to comments@fresnocog.org

Comments can also be submitted via conventional mail to:

Bill Hyatt, SSTAC Chairman
Central Valley Regional Center, Inc.
4615 North Marty, Fresno, CA 93722

The flyers announcing the public meetings are attached herein in both English and Spanish.

The public hearing satisfying the requirements of the Unmet Transit Needs process will be scheduled for the March Fresno COG Policy Board meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020.

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

1.

Fiscal Year 2020-21 Local Transportation Funds (LTF) Preliminary Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

2.

Fiscal Year 2020-21 State Transit Assistance (STA) Preliminary Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

3.

Fiscal Year 2020-21 State Of Good Repair (SGR) Preliminary Estimates (Les Beshears) [INFORMATION]

Summary: On September 26, 2019, the Fresno COG Policy Board issued a formal call-for-projects for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) regional bid program. The available funding for this round is $11,784,035. Staff received 42 applications requesting more than $48 million in funding. The STBG scoring committee convened on January 21, 2020, to score and deliberate on the recommended program of projects.  The scoring committee comprised the following representatives: urban city (Clovis), county, east side, west side, Caltrans, FCOG, and transit. The scoring committee project recommendations are included as an enclosure in your meeting packet along with the contingency list, a listing of the lifeline amounts per agency and the funding comparison.

The STBG scoring committee is recommending the following projects, in ranked order:

Action: Staff,  TTC and PAC recommend the Board approve the scoring committee’s project recommendations and contingency list for the 2019-20 STBG regional bid program.

Summary:  The fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 Overall Work Program (OWP), totaling $21,645,686, is submitted for public review. The proposed budget increased $1,524,545 from last year. 

Federal revenues decreased 19 percent ($1,137,460). FTA 5304 decreased $269,372, reflecting progress on the Better Blackstone Challenge. Projects funded by FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities program decreased $494,705 reflecting programmed bus procurements for transit agencies while FTA Section 5316 & FTA Section 5317 were reduced by $156,281 as grants funded by the discontinued JARC and New Freedom program are closed out. Federal planning funds decreased $349,461 as carryover FHWA PL and FTA 5303 balances are spent down.

State revenues increased 253 percent ($4,507,304). The largest portion of this increase centers around the State Regional Early Action Plan (REAP) which provides $4,749,860 to Fresno and Central Valley MPOs to develop a Valleywide plan for housing. Also, STIP planning funds ($399,000) were reinstated in the 2018 STIP to fund FCOG’s stewardship of the multi-million dollar federal aid projects allocated to local agencies in Fresno County. State Highway account, SPR, and RMRA funding all decreased a total of $650,951, reflecting progress on programmed projects.  

Local revenues decreased 15 percent ($1,845,119), reflecting drawdowns on Measure C funded projects such as the significant design phase of the Golden State corridor, Fresno State Transportation Institute, and FCRTA electric vehicle purchases.

Staff activity surrounding the Measure C III reauthorization will also be a major initiative for 2020-21.

Staffing & Benefits:

There are no new Fresno COG planning positions included in this year’s proposed budget. FCRTA reclassified an Administrative Assistant position to Operations Manager and added an accounting position. Contingencies are carried for merit-based salary increases as well as contingencies for anticipated health insurance increases. The overall proposed budget for salaries increased by 5 percent and benefits by 8 percent.

Overhead Accounts:

Overhead accounts increased by 4 percent ($18,793 total) reflecting increases in computer supplies ($5,000), building maintenance ($1,000), and travel ($11,500). The office lease also was adjusted up $8,937 per the existing contract. Another $7,644 in audit expenses were reallocated to a direct program.

Consulting:

The overall consulting budget is $4.7 million, which is a decrease of $826,848 corresponding to projects associated with revenue reductions discussed above regarding multi-year projects. Some of those include the Eastside Corridor Study and the Fresno-Madera Sustainable Corridor Study along State Route 41.

To review and access the OWP click here.

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend that the Policy Board approve the release of the draft Fresno Council of Governments Fiscal Year 2020-21 Overall Work Program for a 45-day review and comment period.

Summary:  As Fresno COG embarks on the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) update, it is once again time to form the RTP Roundtable. The Roundtable supports Fresno COG staff and COG standing committees in developing the 2022 RTP and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS).  It is vital to the process that the Roundtable generates consensus about the plans, based upon the input of an informed and active local constituency. While the Roundtable will provide comments and input on issues related to the 2022 RTP/SCS, the final decisions on RTP content will be the Policy Board's responsibility.

COG staff will release the RTP Roundtable application for appointment on March 3, 2020, for those positions that are not appointed by a local or public agency. Completed applications will be due to Fresno COG staff by April 27, 2020, with the first Roundtable scheduled for June 24, 2020, at 2 p.m. There are 39 proposed positions that must be filled on the Roundtable: 16 seats that allow for one staff person from each member agency; 20 seats open to a variety of agencies and interest groups, and three “public-at-large” seats. A list of the proposed Roundtable positions is attached. 

Fresno COG's TTC and PAC voted to approve the positions as recommended with a caveat that all public-at-large applications be screened by COG staff, appointment recommendations be forwarded to the TTC and PAC for review and recommendation, and final approval be granted by Fresno COG's Policy Board in May of this year.

Action: Staff requests that the Fresno COG Policy Board approve the RTP Roundtable position appointments as outlined in the enclosed attachment.

Summary:  Fresno County Transportation Authority Executive Director Mike Leonardo and Fresno COG Executive Director Tony Boren will offer a presentation on the Measure C Expenditure Plan development process that will be used for the initiative's renewal effort.

Action: Information. The Policy Board 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 Policy Board or public wishes to comment or ask questions.  If comment or discussion is desired by anyone, the item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered in the listed sequence with an opportunity for any member of the public to address the Policy Board concerning the item before action is taken.

Summary: Fresno COG's 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 partners guidance when advocating on behalf of the Policy Board. Attached is the Final 2020 Legislative Platform, a draft was published on January 10 and no comments were received. 

Action: Staff, TTC and PAC recommend Board approval of the Fresno COG 2020 Legislative Platform. 

Summary: Attached is the most recent legislative report for the California State Legislature 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/

1.

Designation of Rural City Representative to Street2Home (Fresno County) [APPOINT]

2.

Selection of Westside City Representative for the Measure C Renewal Executive Committee (Tony Boren) [APPOINT]

3.

Selection of an Eastside City Representative for the Measure C Renewal Executive Committee (Tony Boren) [APPOINT]

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.