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: California Government Code sections 65400 and 65700 mandate that all cities and counties submit an annual progress report (APR) on their general plan's status and progress to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1 of each year. The APR updates local legislative bodies and the public regarding the general plan's progress.

The housing element APR fulfills statutory requirements to report certain housing information, including: the local agency’s progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs (i.e., applications, entitlements, permits and certificates of occupancy), certain rezoning activities, actions taken towards completion of housing element programs, and local efforts to remove governmental constraints to housing development.

The 2021 APR form contains new reporting requirements in response to AB 2345, which requires local governments to provide more information on density bonus projects that have been submitted or are in development.

Annual Progress Reports are due to OPR and HCD on April 1, 2022

Jurisdictions with questions or that need assistance completing APR should email APR@hcd.ca.gov. For additional information, visit HCD’s APR website: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/annual-progress-reports.shtml#newapr.

To request support with preparing the APR from Fresno COG’s circuit planner, please contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org.

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

Summary: In December, Caltrans released the FY 20/21 Fresno County region's obligation authority (OA) funds delivery report. The 20/21 OA delivery target was $22.1 million and the region was able to obligate $20.9 million, or 94.9% of Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds. The remaining $1.1 million will carry over to the FY 21/22 delivery target.

The FY 21/22 OA delivery target is $24.3 million. Based on member agency discussions, Fresno COG is projecting to obligate $26.9 million and exceed the 21/22 target, as shown in the quarterly report. Staff will be scheduling obligation plan meetings in late February with all member agencies to discuss programmed projects and finalize the OA plan to submit to Caltrans by April 1.

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

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

Summary: The Measure C Transit-Oriented Infrastructure for Infill Development (TOD) program was established as part of the Measure C 2006 Extension Plan. It was designed to boost transit ridership through transit supportive land uses such as compact development and mix uses, and other transit complementary infrastructure development and planning activities. It was intended to provide seed money for transit-oriented development in Fresno County and promote livable, sustainable and healthy communities that are walkable, bikeable and transit friendly. 

There are three subprograms under the TOD program:

1. Capital Improvement Program: This program funds capital improvement projects that support transit and encourage walking and biking.

2. Planning Program: This program provides funding for planning activities such as transit station area planning, transit corridor plans, etc., that will enhance transit and promote transit-oriented development.

3. Housing Infill Incentive Program: This program rewards local governments for encouraging higher-density development with TOD characteristics. Funding may also be used to offset development impact fees or on a capital infrastructure project that would support TOD.

The TOD program is estimated to generate around $16.9 million over the 20-year lifespan, and accrues around $850,000 annually. The 10th cycle has approximately $1.2 million available. The final funding availability will be adjusted prior to the call for projects.

The call for projects for the 10th funding cycle is opens Jan. 14, and applications are due Feb. 28. The TOD Program policies and guidelines are available at: https://2ave3l244ex63mgdyc1u2mfp-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-TOD-Program-Policies-and-Guidelines.pdf. The application package is attached with this agenda.

Please contact Kristine Cai at kcai@fresnocog.org or Jennifer Soliz at jsoliz@fresnocog.org for any questions regarding this program.

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

Summary: Please save the date for a Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program programming subcommittee meeting, which will be held virtually from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 18. Staff will discuss policy and guideline updates to future STBG/CMAQ cycles that include eliminating formula funds and Targeted Performance Program (formerly Lifeline) funds, as Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) require.

Please contact Jennifer Soliz at jsoliz@fresnocog.org or Braden Duran at bduran@fresnocog.org for more information.

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

Summary: The Overall Work Program (OWP) is an annual administrative document that details all tasks and deliverables that Fresno COG intends to provide during a budget year to meet state and federal guidelines. Projects requested by local, state and federal agencies that address regional issues and concerns are included to provide a comprehensive overview of the annual Fresno COG program. Project scope is limited by available funding.

Agencies are encouraged to submit appropriate projects to Fresno COG staff for possible inclusion in the FY 2022-23 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 Jan. 31, 2022. All requests will be reviewed for project eligibility and budgetary impacts. Eligible projects will be included in the Draft Overall Work Program that will be presented to Fresno COG’s Board in February or March 2022.

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

Summary: On June 24, 2021 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 of STBG regional bid projects is $18.5 million. Applications were due Oct. 1, 2021. Staff received 35 applications requesting over $39 million in funding.  The STBG scoring committee convened on Dec. 7, 2021 to deliberate on the recommended program of projects.  The scoring committee comprised representatives from: urban city (Fresno), county, east side, west side, Caltrans, Fresno COG, and transit. The scoring committee project recommendations are included as an enclosure along with the contingency list, regional bid results by agency, and the total funding distribution results, including Targeted Performance Program funds.

Action: Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend Board approval of the scoring committee’s project recommendations for the 2021-22 STBG Program.

Summary: On June 24, 2021, the Fresno COG Policy Board issued a formal call-for-projects for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program regional bid program. The available funding for this round was $21.2 million. Staff received 37 applications representing more than $43.6 million in funding. The CMAQ scoring committee convened Dec. 15-16, 2021 to deliberate on the recommended funding of projects. The scoring committee comprised the following representatives: City of Fresno, representing the Fresno-Clovis metro area; Fresno County; east side cities; west side cities; Caltrans; Fresno COG; FAX (representing transit) and; the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Attached to this agenda item is the CMAQ scoring committee’s funding recommendations. Additionally, attachments in the meeting packets include:

• Scoring committee project recommendations (which includes the contingency list)
• CMAQ regional bid agency results
• Total CMAQ funding results for this cycle, including Transportation Performance Program Funds

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve the scoring committee’s project recommendations for the 2021-22 CMAQ regional bid program.

Summary: Fresno COG and its consultant Kittelson and Associates kicked off the Regional Safety Plan (RSP) in September 2020. The safety plan is designed to reduce fatalities and serious injuries for all transportation modes and users in Fresno County. 

Staff and consultants provided an existing conditions report in April 2021 that included a draft plan, policy review, and data analysis of the five most recent years of crash data, focusing on regional crash patterns and trends. The plan integrates the four "Es" of highway safety: engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency response. A new, regional countermeasure toolbox identified 20 priority locations across the region to illustrate how the RSP can be applied. The plan also developed the safety education campaign “Safe Roads Save Lives” with a goal of educating road users on safe behaviors. Finally, different policies and recommendations have been included regarding enforcement and emergency response.

The draft version was released for public review on Nov. 14, 2021, that ended on Dec. 13, 2021. Staff collected feedback, which has been incorporated in the final report. The final report can be found on the project website: https://www.fresnocog.org/project/2021-regional-safety-plan-local-road-safety-plan/

Action: Staff requests TTC and PAC recommend the Policy Board accept the final Regional Safety Plan.

Summary: In March 2021, Fresno COG and consultant Kittelson and Associates kicked off the Multijurisdictional Local Road Safety Plan (MLRSP) for 10 agencies: Fresno County, Coalinga, Clovis, Huron, Firebaugh, San Joaquin, Orange Cove, Kerman, Mendota, and Selma. The MLRSP was built off of the Regional Safety Plan and was developed concurrently to maximize public engagement, data analyses and countermeasure design. The MLRSP analyzed historical crash patterns and trends, identified engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency response countermeasures and strategies, and prioritized safety improvements based on crash data and stakeholder engagement. Each local agency developed its own safety goals, policies, and project priorities.

Future Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding cycles will require all jurisdictions to have a Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) or an equivalent document. Each city council or county board must approve its LRSP to be eligible for Caltrans’ HSIP funding. As part of this process, HSIP applications are being prepared for each participating agency to submit to the next HSIP cycle beginning in spring 2022.

The draft MLRSP public comment period ended on Dec. 13, 2021. The MLRSP can be found on the project website: https://www.fresnocog.org/project/2021-regional-safety-plan-local-road-safety-plan/

Action: Staff requests TTC and PAC recommend the Policy Board accept the final Multijurisdictional Local Road Safety Plan.

Summary:  Fresno COG, acting as project manager on behalf of a multitude of state partners, is leading the effort to develop the California Inland Port. Phase Three will move the project from its feasibility stage to the planning phase and is funded by a Caltrans Strategic Partnership grant that was awarded in June 2021.

The California Inland Port is proposed as a public-private platform to transform the state's logistics system into the cleanest, most sophisticated supply chain system in the world. The Inland Port would establish higher efficiencies through new strategic mobility hubs, sustainable technologies, and business partnerships. It will be a multi-modal network of integrated clean and automated truck, rail, and cargo facilities underpinning a next-generation ecosystem of goods movement, and radically boost California's economic competitiveness.

This approach would be a paradigm shift from the current conditions, and would serve to cut greenhouse gases, improve air quality, reduce road congestion, increase traffic safety, increase investment and jobs, and shape California’s extraordinarily large, intra-state, freight movement system as the most advanced in the world. This “system of projects” is designated as an “emerging project” by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) due to its long-term benefits to help the supply chain crisis. It is also designated as a “Regional Infrastructure Accelerator” by the Build America Bureau at the USDOT and the federal government has expressed strong support to be involved.

The primary stakeholders represent a unique blend of public and private partners, all committed to increasing competitiveness in the San Joaquin Valley: the Port of Los Angeles; Port of Long Beach; Port of Stockton; Union Pacific Railroad; BNSF Railroad; San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; South Coast Air Quality Management District; San Joaquin Valley metropolitan planning organizations (Kern, Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties); Sacramento County; Sacramento Council of Governments; Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; and the Central Valley Community Foundation. The project has received further involvement from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA), and Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

Phase Three will require a similar approach as used in the previous phases and will move the project forward to the delivery stage, utilizing the contribution and involvement by a range of partners and other stakeholders. Tasks will be sequenced to Phase Two so that there is a logical progression, culminating with clear direction to support advancing the project to delivery. Phase Three will specifically detail a Project Financial Performance Model, develop a Business Plan for Green, High-Efficiency Logistics/Investment Hubs Around Intermodal Facilities, plan for an Intermodal Facility Site Selection, develop Detailed Capital Cost Programs, deliver a Railroad Agreement to Collaborate, and develop Public-Private Delivery Options. This phase will also continue the meetings of the Executive Advisory Group (EAG) formed in Phase Two and will see the formation of a steering committee to advise this EAG.

The local match is being split among San Joaquin Valley MPOs (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Tulare) and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Previous phases were funded by various other project stakeholders.

CONSULTANT SELECTION

Fresno COG released a request for proposals on Nov. 8, 2021 for consultant services and received one proposal from a multi-disciplinary team lead by Global Logistics Development Partners (GLDPartners). A consultant selection committee reviewed the proposal and voiced unanimous support for the GLDPartners proposal.

GLDPartners is globally recognized for its expertise in key areas critical for the project’s success. The core project team comprises GLDPartners, Jacobs Engineering Group, and HPC Consulting; together providing a range of depth and capability in core areas including ports and rail, logistics, market, public-private partnerships, environmental strategy, and planning. An expert advisory team includes the California Fuel Cell Partnership, Zayo, the (US) Agricultural Transportation Coalition, Kalmar Global, Daimler Trucks AG, Nossaman LLP, and Fehr & Peers. These companies and non-profit organizations will provide the core project team a layer of market and technical expertise in areas such as: national agricultural policy and transport issues, rail and truck technology, clean powertrain technology, public private partnership (P3) structures, and transportation planning. GLDPartners has been involved with the project since its inception in 2017.

Action: Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board authorize the executive director to enter into a contract with GLDPartners to conduct the California Inland Port Feasibility Study Phase III for an amount not to exceed $465,000.

Summary: California housing element law requires every jurisdiction to prepare and adopt a housing element as part of general plans. In California, it is typical for each city or county to prepare and maintain its own separate general plan and housing element. However, Fresno County and 12 of the 15 cities in Fresno County, with help from Fresno COG, prepared a multi-jurisdictional housing element for the fifth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which was adopted in 2016.

The sixth-cycle RHNA housing elements must be submitted to the state for certification by the end of 2023. Fresno COG met with local jurisdictions on Nov. 3, 2021, to discuss the potential for a sixth-cycle multijurisdictional housing element. While legislative changes have increased the cost and complexity of the housing element since the fifth cycle, there are some advantages in pursuing a joint effort, and local members have again requested Fresno COG hire a consultant to be paid for by participating member agencies.

To meet the state’s deadline, the region should begin as soon as possible, and participating jurisdictions must provide requested information in a timely manner to avoid falling out of compliance with state housing law. Recent legislation has dramatically increased the noncompliance consequences. Staff encourages member agencies to review the attached information sheet prepared by ABAG regarding the consequences of noncompliance.

Below is the rough cost estimate for each jurisdiction to participate. Please note that this is an estimate and subject to change depending on the number of participating jurisdictions and varying levels of participation.

• Clovis - $190,000
• Fresno - $190,000
• Fresno County - $190,000
• Coalinga - $120,000
• Firebaugh - $120,000
• Fowler - $120,000
• Huron - $120,000
• Kerman - $120,000
• Kingsburg - $120,000
• Mendota - $120,000
• Orange Cove - $120,000
• Parlier - $120,000
• Reedley - $120,000
• San Joaquin - $120,000
• Sanger - $120,000
• Selma - $120,000

Fresno COG will amend the budget for Work Element 420 to add $2,130,000 for a consultant and staff time.

Memorandum of Understanding

Fresno COG will act as the fiscal agent for the regional consultant contract and is drafting an MOU for jurisdictions to share project costs. Member agencies should review the MOU and take it to their councils/board for signature. Fresno COG anticipates having the signed MOU by the April 28, 2022 Policy Board meeting, at which time a consultant contract will be presented for approval. Since reimbursement will occur after the fact, Fresno COG will ask for a $10,000 deposit from each participating jurisdiction to alleviate the cash flow problems of making payments on a $2 million-plus contract. The $10,000 deposit will be applied when the last payment to the consultant is invoiced.

Next Steps

• Meeting with local jurisdictions at 2 p.m., Jan. 12 to discuss the process in more detail.
• RFP: Fresno COG is planning to release an RFP on Feb. 1 for a consultant team to prepare the MJHE. Jurisdictions interested in participating in the consultant selection process should notify Fresno COG.
• Kick-Off will ideally occur in the spring. Staff will continue to provide updates to the TTC, PAC, and Policy Board.

Update on RHNA:

The RHNA Subcommittee will have its last meeting on Jan. 19 to discuss the final housing need determination from HCD and the final methodology. The final methodology will be released for public review in February and public hearing will be held at the Feb. 28 Policy Board meeting.

Please contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org with any questions or concerns.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to enter into an MOU with participating agencies to administrate the sixth-cycle multijurisdictional housing element. The Committee may provide further direction at its discretion.

Summary: Fresno COG, in partnership with the other seven Valley MPOs, has secured about $1.5 million to conduct a Valleywide household travel survey (HTS). Of the $1.5 million, $500,000 is provided by the Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) through the Regional Early Action Plan 1.0 (REAP 1.0), $325,000 from Kings County Association of Governments' (KCAG) federal planning dollars, and about $700,000 in grant funding from Caltrans' Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program. 

The survey will collect travel information from about 6,720 Valley households. The data will provide critical input for updating the Valley MPOs' travel demand forecast models, which are the key tools the for Valley COGs' planning activities such as: Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) development, air quality conformity, SB 743 VMT assessment, corridor studies, environmental impact report (EIR) development for local governments' general plans & specific plans, etc. A supplemental housing survey will be included as part of the travel survey since housing funding was provided. The survey results will provide insight for developing the sixth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment housing elements in the Valley. Household travel survey data is typically updated every 10 years, but some large MPOs have started collecting data annually on a smaller scale, similar to the American Community Survey. 

Acting as the project lead, Fresno COG released a request for proposals (RFP) on Oct. 20, 2021, and received proposals from two, reputable, nationwide survey firms: Westat and RSG. An interview panel comprising modeling staff from the Valley MPOs conducted interviews for both firms on Dec. 9, 2021, and unanimously recommended RSG to conduct the  survey. RSG has over 30 years of experience in conducting travel surveys and has collected data for regions throughout the country, including: Seattle, WA; San Diego; the Bay Area; Los Angeles; Washington D.C.; Sacramento; Twin Cities, Minn.; Tampa and Jacksonville, FL; New York, N.Y. and Baton Rouge, LA.

The survey's scope of work is attached to the agenda packet. The project will be launched in early February and is expected to be completed in January 2023. Kristine Cai will serve as the project manager, and can be reached at kcai@fresnocog.org for any questions regarding this project.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend to the Policy Board that RSG be selected as the consultant for the Valleywide Household Travel Survey project, and that the executive director be authorized to enter into contract with RSG for an amount not to exceed $1,493,969.87.

Summary:  Work Element 420 Regional Housing Needs -- Member agencies requested Fresno COG hire a regional consultant to conduct a Regional Housing Needs Assessment cycle six multijurisdictional housing element.  The consulting work is estimated at $2.05 million and Fresno COG will dedicate $75,000 in staff time for a total of $2.13 million. The cost will be spread among the member agencies.

Action:  Approve Resolution 2022-02 adopting Fresno COG's 2021-22 Overall Work Program Amendment No. 4.

Summary: Staff will provide a short update on the Measure C renewal process and timeline.

Action: Information and discussion. 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 three minutes.