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Policy Advisory Committee
Date:
Time:
Place:

Friday, June 10, 2022
10:00 AM
Via Zoom and at COG Sequoia Conference Room
2035 Tulare St., Ste 201

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.

The Policy Advisory Committee will take place

in person at the Fresno COG Sequoia Room and via Zoom.

 

Joining the meeting:

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Meeting ID: 830 9723 6661

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To facilitate electronic access, no person shall speak until recognized by the Chair.

POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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

PAC agenda and annotated agenda in PDF format - ALL EXHIBITS ARE ATTACHED BELOW

JOINT Transportation Technical/Policy Advisory Committee

A.
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 May 13, 2022 [APPROVE]
B.
Transportation Development Act (TDA) Claims

1.
City of Coalinga Fiscal Year 2020-21 Transportation Development Act Claim (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Action: Approve Resolution 2022-18 adopting the City of Coalinga's 2020-21 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $958,997.

2.
City of Coalinga Fiscal Year 2021-22 Transportation Development Act Claims (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Action: Approve Resolution 2022-19 adopting the City of Coalinga's 2021-22 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $816,111.

3.
Fresno County Rural Transit Agency Fiscal Year 2022-23 Transportation Development Act Claims (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Action: Approve Resolution 2020-20 adopting the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's 2022-23 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $18,720,778.

4.
City of Kerman Fiscal Year 2022-23 Transportation Development Act Claims (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Action: Approve Resolution 2020-22 Adopting the City of Kerman's 2022-23 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,009,633.

5.
City of Reedley Fiscal Year 2022-23 Transportation Development Act Claim (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Action: Approve Resolution 2020-21 adopting the City of Reedley's 2022-23 Transportation Development Act Claims totaling $1,520,594.

6.
City of Kingsburg 2022-23 TDA Claim (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Action: Approve Resolution 2020-22 adopting the City of Kingsburg's 2022-23 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $761,272.

C.
Appeals Procedure for the Sixth Cycle Regional Housing Need Allocation (Meg Prince) [ACTION]

Summary: Pursuant to Government Code § 65584.05, any local jurisdictions within the Fresno County region, as well as the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), may file an appeal to Fresno COG to modify the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) allocation of one or more jurisdictions in the Fresno COG RHNA Plan. The 45-day period to file an appeal will commence upon the release of the draft RHNA Plan, scheduled for July 1, 2022. 

Fresno COG has prepared the attached, draft, Sixth-Cycle RHNA Appeals Procedure, in accordance with state law, outlining the basis of appeal, limitations on appeals, the appeal hearing procedure, and establishing a structure for a RHNA Appeals Committee.

If an appeal is filed, Fresno COG will request that the Fresno COG Policy Board -- at its Sept. 29 meeting -- appoint members to a RHNA Appeals Committee, which will undergo training and serve as the appeals hearing body. All decisions on RHNA appeals made by the RHNA Appeals Committee would be considered final and would not be reviewed in detail by the Fresno COG Policy Board.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board accept the Draft RHNA Appeals Hearing Procedure.

D.
Measure C New Tech Program 2022 Request for Proposals (Braden Duran) [INFORMATION]

Summary: Fresno COG is seeking proposals from eligible public agencies for advanced transit and transportation projects that offer potentially broad benefits to Fresno County residents and will assist the region in meeting its air quality goals.

Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) are proposing to fund projects of regional significance in the areas of: research, development, demonstration, and deployment that will advance public transit and transportation. This cycle of Measure C's New Technology Reserve Program will make approximately $4.465 million available for eligible new technology projects/programs.

For additional information please contact Braden Duran at bduran@fresnocog.org and/or visit fresnocog.org/measure-c-new-technology-reserve-fund. Proposals are due July 20.

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

E.
Fresno County Urban and Rural Consolidated Transportation Services Agency Operations Program and Budget, FY 2022-2023 (Todd Sobrado) [ACTION]

Summary: The Consolidated Transportation Services Agencies’ (CTSA) Operations, Program and Budget (OPB) for fiscal year 2022-2023 provides an overview of how, and in what manner, the CTSA will be providing service over the next fiscal year. 

The proposed adoption is scheduled for Thurs., June 30 at the Fresno COG Policy Board meeting. The document will soon be available on the Fresno COG website www.fresnocog.org

Action:  Staff and SSTAC request that the Fresno COG Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) and Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) recommend that the Fresno COG Policy Board approve Resolution 2022-24 for the Urban CTSA, and Resolution 2022-25 for the Rural CTSA, adopting the Urban and Rural Consolidated Transportation Service Agencies’ Operations Program and Budget.

F.
Clovis Consolidated Transportation Services Agency Operations Program and Budget, FY 2022-2023 (Todd Sobrado) [ACTION]

Summary: The Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agency’s (CTSA) Operations Program and Budget (OPB) FY 2022-2023 for the Clovis Urban area provides an overview of how, and in what manner, the Clovis Consolidated Transportation Services Agency will provide service over the next fiscal year.

The proposed adoption is scheduled for Thurs., June 30, at the Fresno COG Policy Board meeting. The document is available on the Fresno COG website www.fresnocog.org

Action:  Staff and SSTAC request that the TTC and PAC recommend the Fresno COG Policy Board approve Resolution 2022-23 adopting the Clovis Consolidated Transportation Service Agencies’ Operations Program and Budget.

G.
Reappointments for the Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee (Todd Sobrado) [ACTION]

Summary:  Fresno COG’s Policy Board formed the Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee (SSTAC) in May 1988 to: respond to state legislation, coordinate social service transportation, assist the 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 any other transit issues. The Board appoints SSTAC members for two-year terms.

Nominated for reappointment to the Council are:

Amy Hance – General Services Manager, City of Clovis

Chenier Derrick – Paratransit Coordinator, Fresno Area Express

Transportation Development Act Article III, Section 99238 requires a minimum number of SSTAC members in specific categories. There is no maximum number specified, 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. 

Action:  Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board reappoint Amy Hance and Chenier Derrick to the SSTAC.

H
Fresno County Rural Transit Agency 2022-23 Annual Budget (Moses Stites) [ACTION]

Summary: Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's (FCRTA) 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 2022-2026.

The document recommends programmed capital improvements and continuing existing intracity and fixed-route services. This year's budget has been developed to include continued review, comment and action during its 45-day review period that will culminate on June 30 with the scheduled FCRTA Board meeting, following a public hearing. The dollar amounts in the budget are subject to refinement following service contract negotiations, an opportunity for a public presentation before the Board of Directors. The budget, which may require periodic amendments during the fiscal year, is available at www.fresnocog.org and www.ruraltransit.org.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Board approve the fiscal year 2022-23 Fresno County Rural Transit Agency Budget and adopt FCRTA Resolution No. 2022-07.

I.
Temporary Buy America Waiver for Construction Materials (Robert Phipps) [INFORMATION

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a temporary waiver of Buy America requirements for construction materials for projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). To deliver projects "while ensuring robust adoption of Buy America standards," DOT has established a 180-day public interest waiver for construction materials between May 14 and Nov. 10. DOT is establishing this transitional waiver to prepare for compliance with the new Made in America standards for construction materials. During this period, DOT expects states, industry, and other partners to begin developing procedures to document compliance. DOT will "continue its engagement through the waiver period to ensure robust enforcement and compliance mechanisms and to rapidly encourage domestic sourcing of construction materials for transportation infrastructure improvements."

The full notice can be found at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-05/Temporary%20Waiver%20of%20Buy%20America%20Requirements%20for%20Construction%20Materials.pdf

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

J.
Federal Transit Administration Transit-Oriented Development Planning Pilot Program (Robert Phipps) [INFORMATION]

Summary: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2022 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning. The program is intended to support comprehensive and site-specific transit-oriented development (TOD) planning for new, fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects. The deadline to submit an application is July 25, 2022.

The full NOFO may be found at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-05-26/pdf/2022-11336.pdf

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

II.TRANSPORTATION ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.
Final Sixth-Cycle Regional Housing Need Allocation Methodology (Meg Prince) [ACTION]

Summary: California housing law requires each local jurisdiction to plan for its share of the state’s housing need. The Regional Housing Needs Allocation, or RHNA, is the process outlined in State law for determining the number of housing units in each of four affordability tiers (very low-, low-, moderate-, and above-moderate income) assigned to each jurisdiction's housing element of its general plan. The sixth RHNA cycle covers the housing projection period from June 30, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2031.

The final methodology was developed based on direction from the Fresno COG Policy Board and the guidance of the Fresno COG RHNA Subcommittee, a 20-member advisory committee comprising: representatives from each of the 16 Fresno COG member jurisdictions; three at-large members representing Fresno Building Industry Association, the Fresno Housing Authority, and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability; and a nonvoting representative from HCD. The proposed methodology underwent a 30-day public review period, a public hearing, and consideration by the Fresno COG Transportation Technical Committee, Policy Advisory Committee, and Policy Board. This final methodology includes revisions from the proposed methodology, based on input provided during the review period. The methodology consists of two primary components: the overall jurisdictional allocation and the distribution of units by income tier.

Below is a summary of the distribution by jurisdiction by income tier, also shown in Table 6 of the final methodology.

Distribution by Jurisdiction by Income Tier

Jurisdiction

Very Low

Low

Moderate

Above Moderate

Total
Housing Units

%

Housing Units

%

Housing Units

%

Housing Units

%

Housing Units

Clovis**

32.6%

 2,855

17.3%

 1,512

16.1%

 1,412

34.0%

 2,980

 8,759

Coalinga**

27.7%

 153

16.8%

 93

15.8%

 87

39.7%

 219

 552

Firebaugh

22.9%

 99*

10.2%

 44*

14.8%

 64*

52.1%

 225*

 432

Fowler

27.8%

 92

16.6%

 55

14.2%

 47

41.4%

 137

 331

Fresno**

25.5%

 9,166*

16.0%

 5,742

15.3%

 5,514*

43.2%

15,550*

 35,972

Huron

14.1%

 44*

13.8%

 43*

16.7%

 52*

55.3%

 172*

 311

Kerman**

26.8%

 278

12.4%

 129*

15.5%

 161*

45.2%

 469*

 1,037

Kingsburg

28.1%

 242

18.2%

 157

17.1%

 147

36.6%

 315

 861

Mendota

20.1%

 126*

10.4%

 65*

14.9%

 93*

54.6%

 342*

 626

Orange Cove

14.0%

 64*

10.3%

 47*

18.3%

 84*

57.4%

 263*

 458

Parlier

20.1%

 144*

12.7%

 91*

14.5%

 104*

52.6%

 376*

 715

Reedley

27.6%

 394

12.3%

 176*

14.2%

 203*

45.9%

 655*

 1,428

Sanger

27.6%

 402

12.8%

 186*

16.2%

 236*

43.5%

 634*

 1,458

San Joaquin

19.5%

 38*

13.8%

 27*

17.4%

 34*

49.2%

 96*

 195

Selma

26.2%

 381*

10.9%

 158*

15.5%

 226*

47.5%

 691*

 1,456

Unincorporated County

30.1%

 1,114

16.7%

 618

15.7%

 583

37.6%

 1,392

 3,707

HCD Requirement

26.7%

15,592

15.7%

9,143

15.5%

9,047

42.1%

24,516

58,298

* The initial Income-Shift adjustment results in a discrepancy between the regional determination by income tier and the sum of allocations by income tier. To address this, Fresno COG made manual adjustments that resulted in reduced allocations of the very low- and/or low-income tiers for jurisdictions with an existing share of units in these income tiers that is greater than the regional determination and corresponding increases to those jurisdiction’s allocations in the moderate- and above moderate-income tiers.

**Additional manual adjustments (of 1.0 or -1.0) were made to address discrepancies with the total allocation and the sum allocations by income tier resulting from rounding in previous steps.

Following the Policy Board’s direction on Feb. 24, Fresno COG submitted the Draft RHNA Methodology to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a 60-day review. HCD has completed its review and found that the Draft RHNA Methodology furthers the statutory objectives described in Government Code 65584(d).

Fresno COG is requesting that the Policy Board approve the final methodology so that it may be included in the Draft RHNA Plan, which will be released for a 45-day public review period beginning July 5 and ending on Aug. 19.

All aforementioned documents are available on Fresno COG’s RHNA webpage:

https://www.fresnocog.org/project/fresno-county-regional-housing-needs-allocation-plan/

Please contact Meg Prince, Senior Regional Planner, at mprince@fresnocog.org with questions or comments.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2022-17, approving the Final RHNA Methodology for inclusion in the Draft Sixth-Cycle RHNA Plan.

B.
Draft Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement and Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Guidelines (Braden Duran) [ACTION]

Summary:  In June 2021, as part of its routine federal and state certification process, FHWA and FTA issued Fresno COG a corrective action to remove suballocations of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) programs from its project programming and selection procedures. A similar corrective action was issued for the Caltrans Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Program in accordance with 23 CFR 450.324(j).

Historically, Fresno COG split the CMAQ and STBG distributions into two programs. The regional competitive bid program was based on scoring criteria developed by a programming subcommittee, evaluated by a scoring committee, and approved by the Fresno COG Policy Board.

The Targeted Performance Program (TPP) -- formerly known as Lifeline -- was directly suballocated to member agencies based on population. TPP funds have been used at an agency’s discretion; however, TPP projects are also based on criteria developed by a programming subcommittee and then evaluated by Fresno COG Staff to ensure they adhere to regional program guidelines and meet regional performance planning goals.

Under the corrective action, Fresno COG is mandated to remove the suballocation procedure from the CMAQ and STBG guidelines by Oct. 1. Accordingly, staff convened the Fresno COG Programming Subcommittee from January through May to review, develop, and approve new guidelines for both programs. Additionally, staff developed a project delivery policies and procedures document to streamline obligational activities and strengthen coordination across agencies. The Programming Subcommittee approved all three documents, which are included in the agenda packet.

The updated CMAQ guidelines also reflect funding distribution changes the Programming Subcommittee prefers. This new policy directs staff to allocate at least 95% of CMAQ apportionment to fund the regional bid competitive program, with the remainder to be reserved for: projects on the contingency list, post-programming adjustment requests, EPSP requests, or for retainment for future programming cycles.

Additionally, the CMAQ guidelines reflect changes to the scoring process and funding distribution within the regional bid program. Specifically, the Programming Subcommittee and staff are recommending new project category targets as a way to ensure a diverse set of projects is funded each cycle. Staff’s proposed targets are indicated in the guidelines but may be subject to change (more on that below).

The updated STBG guidelines also reflect the subcommittee's changes to funding distribution, calling for staff to allocate at least 85% of STBG apportionment to fund the regional bid competitive program, with the remaining apportionment to be reserved for: post-programming adjustments, EPSP requests, pavement management system (PMS) updates, current contingency list projects, or for future programming cycles.

Fresno COG will manage the remaining apportionment of both programs based on fiscal year project delivery to ensure funds are obligated in a timely manger, and will follow Fresno COG’s proposed Project Delivery Policies and Procedures.

Staff notes that guideline updates reflect only the changes needed to specifically address the corrective action. Topics such as: scoring rubrics, applications, STBG scoring process, CMAQ category targets, and others, will be discussed during the normally scheduled CMAQ and STBG call-for-projects cycle, scheduled for summer 2023.

If approved, Fresno COG will circulate the updated guidelines and resolution to Caltrans and FHWA to resolve the corrective action. Staff also notes that Caltrans and FHWA have been patiently and continuously involved in the guidelines update process.

Action: The Programming Subcommittee and staff request the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2022-27 adopting the updated CMAQ and STBG guidelines.

C.
FY 2022-2023 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment Findings Report (Todd Sobrado) [ACTION]

Summary:  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 2022-23 before approving Local Transportation Fund claims for streets and roads. Fresno COG's Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) is responsible for evaluating unmet transit needs. 

Each year the SSTAC begins soliciting comments by sending approximately 400 letters to agencies and individuals interested in providing feedback on their public transportation needs within Fresno County. The request for comments letters, in English and Spanish, was sent in January.

Public outreach was a combination of in-person and virtual events.  In-person outreach consisted of six public events and a public hearing.  Four of the six in-person events were held in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan area, while two were held in rural Fresno County. Based on feedback received in the last cycle of the UTN, one of the meetings within the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan area was held on a Saturday to allow participation by those who were not able to participate in outreach events held during the week.  

Virtual events consisted of three Zoom meetings, one of which was broadcast on the Fresno COG Facebook page, and an online survey.  The three Zoom meetings took place throughout the day on Thurs., Feb. 17. 

The second component of public outreach was an online survey available in both English and Spanish throughout February and March 2022. Staff received 12 comments, all through the online survey.  A summary of the comments includes:

  • Requests for transit service to Clovis Community College. 
  • Comments about service between outlying rural communities and the Fresno metropolitan area.

Public outreach for the current Unmet Transit Needs Assessment concluded with the public hearing that took place at the Fresno COG Policy Board on April 28. No comments were received.

After a thorough review of all comments and issues, the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC), at its April 14, meeting, found that of the 12 comments received, four were found to be unmet needs, none of which were deemed “reasonable to meet.”

Action: Staff and SSTAC request the TTC/PAC recommend that the Board adopt Resolution 2022-26, approving Fresno COG's 2022-23 Unmet Need Assessment and to find that there are four unmet transit needs, none of which are “reasonable to meet.”

D.
Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan (Tony Boren) [ACTION]

Summary:    As has been discussed with the TTC/PAC and Fresno COG Policy Board, since late 2019, Fresno COG and Fresno County Transportation Authority staff in collaboration with a team of professional consultants (VRPA Technologies/Jeffrey Scott and Associates, Props and Measures) have been engaged in a vigorous regional planning process to develop a Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan for Fresno County voter’s consideration in 2022.  While our current Measure C (1/2 cent sales tax for transportation purposes) does not expire until July 1, 2027, there has been strong recognition at the staff and policy levels that there would be some significant advantages to seeking an early reauthorization of Measure C prior to its termination.  Fresno COG staff will be giving a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan and the process to produce that plan. Consequently, this annotated staff report will briefly highlight some of the major considerations/benefits/planning processes used to develop the new Expenditure Plan.  The complete Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan and the related PowerPoint presentation can be found on Fresno COG's Measure C Renewal webpage at this link: Measure C Renewal Plan Development Process - Fresno Council of Governments (fresnocog.org).  The expenditure plan will be available after June 6th.

Following the Fresno COG Policy Board’s action, the FCTA will be asked to consider and approve the Expenditure Plan at its July 20  meeting.  Following FCTA Board approval, the plan will be presented to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for approval and inclusion on the November 2022 ballot.

Measure C Renewal “Regional” Planning Process

  • Fresno County region- 6,000 sq. miles/6,637 road miles
  • Current population-1,023,358

15 Incorporated Cities

  • Fresno - Population-546,770-53.26%
  • Clovis - Population- 121,834-11.87%

13 Small Rural Incorporated Cities

  • Population range -4,145-23,000          
  • Seven eastside cities-population 11.97%
  • Six westside cities-population 6.32%

Fresno County-Unincorporated

  • Population-170,067
  • Population % -16.56
  • Unincorporated communities within incorporated cities-Fig Garden/Sunnyside/Mayfair/Tarpey,  
  • Thirty-four “disadvantaged” unincorporated communities:
    • Eastside-Del Rey, Tombstone, Calwa, Malaga,
    • Westside-Easton, Caruthers, Raisin City Bowles, Cantura Creek, Lanare, Tranquility, West Park

 The Measure C renewal planning process consisted of a two-prong strategy led by two committees with different membership compositions and responsibilities:

Technical Working Group (TWG)

Responsibilities:

  • Identify funding needs, available funding, and funding gaps by mode
  • Help develop preliminary recommendations to the Executive Committee
  • Forward draft TWG products to Executive Committee for review and feedback
  • Provide information and feedback to other related stakeholders
  • Project identification, prioritization and recommendations 

Executive Committee (EC)

Responsibilities:

  • Understand current & future transportation needs
  • Review surveys and develop funding recommendations
  • Provide Information & feedback to other related stakeholders/community leaders
  • Assist with preparing the draft & final Measure C extension Expenditure Plan that best meets mobility needs and will have voter support

The Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan was developed following a set of five “guiding principles” adopted by both the TWG and the EC.  These specific principles were:

  1. Stewardship
  2. Flexibility
  3. Air quality and climate resiliency
  4. Equity
  5. Sustainability & resource conservation

In addition, there are several significant themes in this Expenditure Plan including “Fix it First”, “No Neighborhood Left Behind”, “Improve Transportation Safety”, and “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” For over 35 years Measure C has kept its promises of delivering high priority transportation improvements and services throughout Fresno County. Staff believes that this track record has led to the exceptionally high level of voter support reflected in the two surveys conducted to date.

Public Engagement Strategies

  • Fourteen community meetings
  • Door-to-door; 1,070 Spanish responses
    • Cantua Creek, Lanare, Tranquility, Orange Cove, Parlier, Kerman, Caruthers, Biola, Hmong community, Coalinga, Del Rey, Five Points, Huron, Sanger, Kingsburg, San Joaquin, Punjabi community
    • Community events
    • Virtual meetings
    • Online & in-person surveys: 2,800 surveys, 2,000 comments
    • Two public opinion surveys - statistically valid surveys - just short of 5,500 responses

FCTA/Fresno COG staff believe the Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan balances the inherently varied transportation interests of different stakeholders and represents the necessary regional consensus to garner support from two-thirds (66.7%) of Fresno County voters in 2022.

“Why now in 2022? “Why not wait until 2024?”

There are several reasons that proceeding in 2022 makes sense.  These include:

  • Recent surveying shows incredibly high voter support for a Measure C renewal.
    • Voter support for Measure C renewal is at 80% countywide.
    • Even when presented with negative arguments, voter support remains well in the 70% range.
    • Surveying demonstrates that voter opposition - “definitely no” is very low at about 10%.  Statewide surveying average generally runs about 20%.
    • Due to ever shifting political winds, there is no guarantee that same support would be present in 2024 or beyond.
      • Voter approval in 2022 would allow the FCTA and local agencies to borrow or bond against future revenues generated to begin street/road pavement needs now
      • The sooner the necessary street/road repairs and associated transportation projects identified in the Measure C renewal plan can begin, the lower the cost will be. This is particularly true in times of high inflation.  Obtaining voter approval in 2022 will allow the benefits to be experienced by the public much sooner.
      • Waiting another two years is not likely to change residents’ perception of their transportation needs. 
      • The proposed Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan is well considered and reflects the views of transportation professionals at both the regional and local levels, as well as the 15 cities, the County of Fresno and the general public.
      • The Expenditure Plan reflects substantial public and private sector input..
      • The Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan is targeted toward Fresno County voters’ highest transportation needs and includes significant local control with maximum flexibility at the local level.
      • The apparent goal of those opposed to a 2022 ballot measure is to shift elected officials’ decision-making authority away to non-elected community-based organizations (CBOs). 
      • The Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan is designed to give maximum local control to those elected officials chosen by voters in their community
      • Voters’ transportation priorities are immediate needs. We owe it Fresno County residents to move forward now.  Delaying voter consideration beyond 2022 makes no fiscal or policy sense. 

 Duration of Measure C Renewal - 30 years vs. 20 Years

  • Revenue projections:  20-year - $4 billion

                                         30-year - $6.8 billion      

  • Achieving a Countywide pavement condition index (PCI) of 70 would take nearly 90% of a 20-year MC3
  • With a 30-year measure, a 70 PCI would take about 50% of the renewal funds
  • A 30-year measure allows sufficient revenues to achieve a “good” PCI, defined as 70 out of 100, along with substantial funding for other important transportation facilities and services, including public transit and active transportation
  • Surveying indicates that both durations -- 20-year or 30-year – enjoy widespread voter support: 80+%

 Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan Highlights include:

  • About $6.84 billion in new revenue over 30 years for transportation improvements
  • Slightly more than one-half of the revenue, $3.5 billion, dedicated to Local and Neighborhood Street Repair and Maintenance. Fixing local streets has over 80% support in the two public surveys and is consistently the highest priority within all communities and areas of the County, cutting across all demographic and economic categories. It is also the top priority for nearly all the people who have attended public meetings and participated in on-line and in-person surveys. This level of funding is sufficient to raise the countywide average PCI to 70, which is within the good category. Further, the plan will require that each agency spend a minimum of 30% of their pavement repair funds in disadvantaged areas (as defined by CalEnviroScreen 4.0) until certain criteria is met.
  • Over $800 million will be dedicated to Urban and Rural Public Transit, more than double what transit will receive through the current measure. Keeping transit fares low for students, seniors, veterans, and the disabled also scored high in two surveys.
  • Just under $1 billion in the Major Roads and Highways Safety Improvements and Congestion Relief Program will focus on reducing and avoiding congestion, improving safety, and reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) and improving air quality. This funding is almost exclusively for modifications to the existing system, not for expansion. The Regional Program in the current measure used 30% of the overall funding, but in this measure, it is one half that amount at just under 15%.
  • Safe Bikes and Pedestrians will receive approximately $75 million, which may be the smallest program in the new measure; however, there are significant funding opportunities through non-Measure C sources resulting in well over 95% of the overall need in this category being met.
  • $144 million is dedicated to Environmental Sustainability, including: transit-oriented development, alternative fueling facilities, clean-air vehicles, and new technology projects. This program is a bit of a misnomer, as it implies that only these funds are being invested in these sustainability projects. In fact, environmental sustainability is built in to all of the other programs. This Environment Sustainability Program is over and above the funding in the other program categories.
  • Lastly, $1.2 billion is dedicated to the Local Control Program. Local Control allows each agency to address its highest priority transportation needs not specifically addressed in one of these categories; or, an agency can supplement any of the previously mentioned categories depending on where the highest need lies.

Under this proposed Measure C3, administrative expenses have been reduced from 1.5% to 1.25%.

Besides the flexibility built into the Local Choice and other programs, this measure focuses on the first 15 years rather than trying to predict the 30-year need. This plan provides for a comprehensive review of the programs’ successes or shortcomings near the measure’s midpoint. That midpoint review will also re-evaluate the then-current needs and can make program or project adjustments at that time if the needs have changed.

“Local control” of Measure C funding is built into all of these programs. Local and Neighborhood Street Repair and Maintenance, Urban and Rural Transit, Safe Bikes and Pedestrians, and the Local Choice Programs are all under local control – each elected body will determine how and where those funds are invested. The Major Roads and Highways Safety Improvement and Congestion Relief project lists can be found on the Fresno COG renewal webpage linked above, and were all developed with input from each of the 16 local agencies in Fresno County. Environmental Sustainability will be a competitive program with funding recommendations made by committees that will all contain public agency staff.

This plan also provides enhanced accountability measures. First, the Citizens Oversight Committee will be retained and enhanced. Second, each program category will have performance indicators to help the FCTA evaluate if the Measure C funds are being invested efficiently and effectively.

Similarly, the plan contains key principles to make sure that the transportation benefits provided by Measure C are shared equitably throughout Fresno County.

Action:  Fresno COG staff recommends the TTC/PAC approve the draft Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan as presented and move the Expenditure Plan forward to the Fresno COG Policy Board for its consideration.

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.
Contracts

1.
Regional Transportation Planning Agencies Valleywide Coordinator (Robert Phipps) [ACTION]

Summary: Sigala, Inc. of Clovis has provided administrative support and coordination services to the San Joaquin Valley Regional Transportation Planning Agencies for the last 11 years. The duties include organizing and producing agendas and minutes for the Valley COG Directors group and San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council, assisting with special projects and initiatives, organizing the SJV Policy Conference, planning Valley Voice trips to Washington and Sacramento, and other duties as required.

At their May 2022 meeting, the Valley COG Directors voted to extend Sigala, Inc.'s contract through 2023 at a rate of $125,000 plus expenses.  This represents a zero net increase over 2022. While Fresno COG administers the contract, the cost is split on a pro-rata basis with each of the other seven Valley COGs.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve an extension to Sigala, Inc.'s contract through June 30, 2023, at a rate not to exceed $125,000 plus supported expenses.

2.
San Joaquin Valley Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Technical Assistance Contracts (Robert Phipps) [ACTION]

Summary: Fresno COG serves as the fiscal agent for the San Joaquin Valley Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Committee, which is responsible for distributing nearly $19 million in state housing planning funds. Those funds are intended to assist member jurisdictions and regional planning agencies prepare for the sixth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process.

To date, approximately $5.5 million has been reserved for tasks, activities and deliverables intended of a Valleywide scope and benefit among all eight counties.

Phase two of Valleywide activities, tasks and deliverables included $1.5 million in technical assistance work to assist jurisdictions in updating housing elements, zoning codes, infrastructure planning, GIS mapping and other assistance on an as-needed basis.

In June 2021, the Fresno COG Policy Board approved $925,000 across four contracts for housing technical assistance for jurisdictions Valleywide. Those four consultants are:

AECOM: $225,000

Mintier-Harnish: $250,000

Precision Engineering: $200,000

Quad Knopf: $250,000

Each of the four contracts are structured on a strict, fee-for-service arrangement that allows billing only upon approval of a specifically assigned task. 

To date, Precision Engineering has been developing a generic accessory dwelling unit (ADU) model ordinance that may be adapted for any Valley city or county; as well as boilerplate blueprints, floor plans and elevations to accompany it. AECOM is producing a housing policy manual summarizing all housing legislation in the last five years.

Separately, the Policy Board in September 2021 approved a $325,000 contract with HDR/Calthorpe for a geographic information systems (GIS)-based land-use model of available housing sites in each of the Valley's 70 jurisdictions, as well as three potential development scenarios.

Action: Staff recommends five, separate actions:

1. Staff and the PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with Mintier-Harnish through June 30, 2023 at a cost not to exceed $250,000 for technical assistance to San Joaquin Valley jurisdictions through the REAP program.

2. Staff and the PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with Quad Knopf through June 30, 2023 at a cost not to exceed $250,000 for technical assistance to San Joaquin Valley jurisdictions through the REAP program.

3. Staff and the PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director exten the contract with AECOM through June 30, 2023 at a cost not to exceed $225,000 for technical assistance to San Joaquin Valley jurisdictions through the REAP program.

4. Staff and the PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to sign a contract with Precision Engineering at a cost not to exceed $200,000 to provide technical assistance to San Joaquin Valley jurisdictions through the REAP program.

5. Staff and the PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with HDR/Calthorpe at a cost not to exceed $325,000 to provide technical assistance to San Joaquin Valley jurisdictions through the REAP program.

3.
Circuit Planner and Engineer Program Contract Renewal / Extension (Meg Prince) [ACTION]

Summary: Since 2019, Rincon Consultants Inc., along with subconsultants Collins & Schoettler and VSCE, have served as Fresno COG’s circuit planner and engineer. The circuit planner and engineer team provides planning and project delivery assistance to the smaller cities and the County, and works to complete smaller transportation-related projects that support the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).

Circuit planner and engineer tasks have included feasibility studies, technical reports, intersection operations analyses, and active transportation and Safe Routes to Schools plans and studies. The circuit planner also provides grant-writing assistance for plans and projects that further RTP/SCS goals.

Staff is requesting authorization to amend the circuit planner and engineer contract to add $100,000, as is typically granted each fiscal year. This recommendation is included in the adopted 2022/23 budget.

To submit a new project for consideration, or for more information on the program, contact Meg Prince at mprince@fresnocog.org.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with Rincon Consultants Inc. and amend the contract to add $100,000 for the Circuit Planner and Engineer Program.

4.
Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2022 RTP/SCS Contract Extension (Meg Prince) [ACTION]

Summary: Fresno COG employs VRPA Technologies, Inc. to develop a program environmental impact report (PEIR) for the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The existing contract is not to exceed $173,491.42. Staff is requesting that this contract be extended into fiscal year 2022-23, as the document is expected to be finalized and certified in July 2022.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with VRPA Technologies Inc. at a cost not to exceed $173,491.42 to develop the program environmental impact report for the 2022 RTP/SCS.

5.
Legal Services for Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, Program Environmental Impact Report, and Regional Housing Need Allocation Plan Contract Extension (Meg Prince) [ACTION]

Summary: Fresno COG has an existing contract with Best Best & Krieger (BB&K) for legal counsel relating to the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), the environmental impact report for the 2022 RTP/SCS, and the Sixth-Cycle Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) Plan. The existing contract is not to exceed $75,000. Staff is requesting that this contract be extended into fiscal year 2022-23 to cover the period during which those documents will be finalized and adopted/certified.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with Best Best and Krieger at a cost not to exceed $75,000 for legal services relating to the 2022 RTP/SCS, environmental impact report, and Sixth-Cycle RHNA Plan.

6.
Modeling On-Call Contract with RSG (Kristine Cai) [ACTION]

Exhibits:

Summary: Fresno COG's activity-based model (ABM) is a cutting-edge travel demand forecasting model that has been used to develop plans such as the RTP/SCS, conduct air quality conformity analyses, and analyze traffic and VMT impacts projects. The ABM is an essential planning tool for COG and the region. 

Fresno COG has maintained an on-call contract with RSG, who built the ABM for Fresno COG and has been providing technical assistance to Fresno COG modeling staff. The RSG team helps COG staff troubleshoot the model, provides training, and fixes any bugs related to the code. 

Attached please find the scope of work for the on-call contract with RSG for FY22-23.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board authorize the executive director to enter into a contract with RSG for the amount not to exceed $20,000.

7.
CA Inland Port System Planning Phase 4 Contract (Braden Duran) [ACTION]

Summary: Fresno COG continues to manage the California Inland Port System Project. The first three feasibility studies/planning phases and the final Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) phase (known internally as Phase 5) have been completed or are proceeding this year with funding mainly from seaport and air district local funds, state grants (with matching SJV MPO/RTPAs funds), and federal grants.

To bridge the Phase 3 planning work and RIA Phase 5 “project delivery” work, the Fresno COG Policy Board approved roughly $640,000 of carryover federal planning (PL) funds to be used for portions of Phase 4 project planning. These funds will help identify sites for San Joaquin Valley TradePorts (the anchors to the Inland Port System) and for establishing the delivery entity, which is mainly happening in the RIA project phase.

This project calls for a tightly choreographed workplan to weave three project phases together and allow work to continue simultaneously and with the necessary speed to begin implementation by 2024, in line with state and USDOT expectations. Consequently, Fresno COG staff is recommending a contract with GLDPartners specifically using these federal PL funds. Work completed under this contract would complement the work already started in Phase 3 and the RIA phase, also under GLDPartners. Fresno COG would retain some funds for administration.

Action: Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to enter into a contract with GLDPartners for an amount not to exceed $630,000.

8.
California Inland Port System Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Contract Extension (Braden Duran) [ACTION]

Summary: Fresno COG has an existing contract with GLDPartners to conduct the USDOT Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) phase of the Inland Port System Project, which the Policy Board approved in April. This contract extension will allow the work to continue as scheduled into the 2022-23 fiscal year. The contract amount is not to exceed $960,000.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with GLDPartners at a cost not to exceed $960,000.

9.
Golden State Boulevard Project Contract Extension (Pankaj Joshi) [ACTION]

Summary: In April 2016, Fresno COG contracted with Mark Thomas for design engineering services on the Golden State Boulevard (GSB) project, as approved in the Measure C expenditure plan. The GSB project has progressed to the 100% design phase.

In February, the Policy Board authorized an additional $240,132 for work the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) requires. The project is being phased to proceed with construction while UPRR is reviewing the final plans that affect railroad right-of-way. Since design approval is still pending from CPUC, and considering the potential for design revisions, the contract with Mark Thomas will need to be extended into the next fiscal year.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to extend the contract with Mark Thomas into the next Fiscal Year at a cost not to exceed $240,132.

VI.ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

VI.OTHER ITEMS

A.
Items from Staff

B.
Items from Members

V.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 three minutes.