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.

1.

City of Fresno Fiscal Year 2022-23 TDA Claim (Les Beshears) [ACTION]

Summary: Under California Public Utilities Code 99244, Fresno COG annually conducts a productivity evaluation to assess transit operators in the region that receive State Transportation Development Act funds and to recommend potential productivity improvements. The evaluation identifies, analyzes, and recommends potential productivity improvements that could lower transit providers' operational costs. If Fresno COG determines that an operator has not made a reasonable effort to implement the recommended improvements, then local transportation funds allocated to that operator cannot exceed the appropriation from the prior year.

The FY 2022 productivity evaluation assesses the following transit agencies:

1. Fresno Area Express and Handy Ride

2. Clovis Stageline and Roundup

3. Fresno County Rural Transit Agency

4. Consolidated Transportation Services Agencies for the metropolitan and rural areas.

The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) reviewed and accepted the FY 2022 Transit Productivity Report on January 17, 2023.

Action: Staff and SSTAC request the TTC/PAC recommend that the Policy Board accept the FY 2022 Transit Productivity Evaluation Report.

Summary: Preliminary Local Transportation Fund (LTF) estimates are released each February to provide member agencies information to assist their budget process for the upcoming year. The final estimates will be adjusted for the Department of Finance's 2023 population numbers and presented to the Board for adoption in May. The County Auditor/Controller estimates 2023-24 LTF at $57 million, which is a $5.1 million (10%) increase. 

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

Summary: Preliminary tate Transit Assistance (STA) estimates are released each February to provide member agencies information to assist their budget process for the upcoming year. The final estimates will be adjusted for the Department of Finance's 2023 population numbers and presented to the board for adoption in May. The State Controller’s Office estimates the 2023-24 apportionment at $14.53 million, which is a $3.22 million (29%) increase.  

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

Summary: Preliminary State OF Good Repair (SGR) estimates are released each February to provide member agencies information to assist their budget process for the upcoming year. The final estimates will be adjusted for the Department of Finance's 2023 population numbers and presented to the board for adoption in May. The State Controller’s Office estimates the 2023-24 apportionment at $1.95 million which is a $95,258 (5%) increase. 

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

Summary:  At the beginning of each fiscal year, Fresno COG determines the Local Transportation Fund amounts (LTF) available to local agencies within Fresno County from Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds. Allocations are provided in four categories: bicycle and pedestrian facilities, social services transportation, regional transportation planning, and public transportation. Prior to allocating LTF funds for local streets and roads in individual jurisdictions, Fresno COG must identify any unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet in that jurisdiction. The annual Unmet Transit Needs Assessment is conducted for that purpose and to make any related findings. 

The FY 2023 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment kicked off at the Fresno COG Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee (SSTAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Public outreach is an essential component of the Unmet Transit Needs Assessment. This year, the public outreach component will consist of an online survey, six in-person events, two virtual events, and a public hearing.  The online survey is available in English and Spanish until March 24 at:

English - https://publicinput.com/utn2023

Spanish - https://publicinput.com/spanishutn2023

The dates, times, and locations of each public outreach meeting are as follows:

In-person Meeting No. 1
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Mendota for West Fresno County
Mendota City Hall, Council Chambers
643 Quince Street, Mendota, CA 93640

In-person Meeting No. 2
5:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 15 in Fresno for the urban area
Pinedale Community Center
7170 N. San Pablo Ave, Pinedale, CA 93650

Virtual Meeting No. 1
10 a.m. Thurs., Feb. 16 on ZOOM
Topic: Unmet Transit Needs Assessment Community Meeting
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DWGQuROjSlKhmOPix6HKqg

In-person Meeting No. 3
5:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 16 in Clovis for the urban area
Clovis Senior Center
850 4^th St., Clovis, CA 93612

Virtual Meeting No. 2
5:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 22 on Facebook
Topic: Unmet Transit Needs Assessment Community Meeting
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lNuwdaFaRfWtLDYxhx8xTA

In-person Meeting No. 4
9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Fresno COG
Fresno COG, Sequoia Room
2035 Tulare Ste. 201
Fresno, CA 93721

In-person Meeting No. 5
5:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 28 in Huron for West Fresno
Public Safety Building, Sky Room
17051 12^th Street, Huron, CA 93234

In-person Meeting No. 6
5:30 p.m. Wed., March 1 in Sanger for East Fresno County
Booked, awaiting confirmation.

Public outreach events for the FY 2023 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment conclude with a public hearing at the Fresno COG Policy Board meeting on Thursd., April 27, 2023. 

Transit riders and stakeholders can submit comments that are aggregated with the survey, in English at https://publicinput.com/utn2023, and Spanish at https://publicinput.com/spanishutn2023. They can also submit a comment via voicemail (855) 925-2801, entering project code: “8288”, when prompted. 

Marketing activities for the FY 2023 Unmet Transit Needs assessment include flyers to the FAX unmet transit needs mailing list, articles published in the Fresno COG and FAX newsletters, and social media posts through Fresno COG and FAX social media channels.

More information about the FY 2023 unmet transit needs process -- including outreach activities, meeting times, addresses, and call-in information for the virtual events -- can be found on at www.fresnocog.org/unmet-transit-needs-assessment/. 

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

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 annual unmet transit needs hearing, and advise Fresno COG on other transit issues. 

The Board appoints SSTAC members for two-year terms, including the chairperson.

SSTAC members selected Amy Hance with Clovis Transit as their new chairperson at their January meeting.

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

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board appoint Amy Hance the chairperson of the SSTAC.

Summary: Active Transportation Program (ATP) funds are separated into three main components: the statewide competitive program, the small urban- and rural-area competitive program (managed by the state), and the large, urbanized area competitive program [managed by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)] – also known as the Regional Competitive ATP.  The program encourages active transportation modes, such as biking and walking. Large MPOs such as Fresno COG have the option of developing their own policies, procedures and project selection criteria that differ from those the California Transportation Commission (CTC) adopted, provided the CTC approves them. The Fresno COG Policy Board approved the regional ATP guidelines on May 26, 2022. 

The state initiated its sixth-cycle ATP call for projects from March 16 through June 15, 2022. The Fresno region submitted 18 applications with a total project cost of $43.92 million. All applications were also eligible for the regional program. Agencies were encouraged to apply to the state competitive program but had the option to submit applications to the region. Staff received two applications not submitted to the statewide program and two applications that were submitted to the statewide program. Supplemental applications were due to Fresno COG on Nov. 18, 2022.  The supplemental application allows agencies to phase or segment a project for regional ATP consideration.

One Fresno County project totaling $2.98 million was awarded through the statewide competitive program. This project was no longer considered for the regional program.

ATP cycle 6 will cover four years of funding – FY 2023-24 through FY 2026-27. Fresno COG’s share provides $18.6 million. At least 25 percent of program funds must benefit projects in disadvantaged communities.

The regional program received 17 applications with a total project cost of $37.5 million. The regional scoring committee convened on Jan. 11 to consider and score the applications.  The scoring committee comprised representatives from the City of Clovis, Fresno County, eastside cities, westside cities, Caltrans, Fresno COG, a bicycling advocacy organization and a non-government organization.

The ATP cycle 6 recommended program of projects is attached and can also be found on Fresno COG’s ATP website: Active Transportation Program (ATP) - Fresno Council of Governments (fresnocog.org).

Please note that the programming years can vary based on funding capacity for each year.

Please see below the projects recommended for funding. A comprehensive list has been attached.

To summarize the proposed recommendations:

• The jurisdictions submitted 17 applications with a total project cost of $37.5 million. 
• The scoring committee recommended that $18.6 million in ATP funds be programmed for nine projects and one partially funded project.
• All of the recommended projects are located within and directly benefit disadvantaged communities, well exceeding the 25 percent minimum.

Below is the schedule for adopting the cycle 6 program of projects:

• Fresno COG Policy Board adopts recommendations: February 2023
• Deadline to submit the draft program of projects to CTC staff: February 21, 2023
• Deadline to submit the final program of projects to CTC staff: April 21, 2023
• CTC adopts MPO programs of projects: June 2023 meeting
• Fresno COG 2023 FTIP amendment to incorporate the approved Cycle 6 ATP projects: Fall 2023

Action: Staff and the ATP scoring committee request that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve the cycle 6 Regional Competitive Active Transportation Program of Projects by adopting Resolution 2023-04.

Summary: The fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 Overall Work Program (OWP), totaling $53.2 million is submitted for TTC/PAC, Board and public review. The proposed budget increased $5.9 million from last year. Operational revenues remain intact, reserves are adequate, and the agency continues to operate within the bounds of prudent management.

The largest part of the increase is attributed to $13.6 million in anticipated funding from the Regional Early Action Plan (REAP 2.0) funds provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, California Air Resources Board, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the Strategic Growth Council. This increase was partially offset by decreases in a variety of multi-year “one-time” project funds that are spent and not reflected in subsequent years’ budgets. Generally, operating expenses are not affected this way.

Federal revenues decreased 14 percent ($1.6 million). Included in this are decreases in multiple one-time projects where significant work occurred during the current budget year, such as the Inland Port Study and Regional Valleywide Travel Survey.   

State revenues increased 63 percent, ($10.9 million) primarily due to the REAP 2.0 grant.   

Local revenues decreased 26 percent ($3.4 million), resulting from elimination of in-kind revenues associated with the TradePort California and drawdowns from Measure C New Tech grants to Fresno State Institute and Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA).

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board release the Draft 2023-24 Overall Work Program and budget for public review and comment.

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.