Policy Advisory 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 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.

2025-01 OWP FY 24-25 Amendment No 2 Resolution

Summary: 2024-25 Overall Work Program Amendment No. 2 recognizes a new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grant, adjusts FHWA Planning (PL) funds and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5303 apportionments, and programs additional modeling resources. The amendment increases the budget $525,000 to $46,538,384.

WE 111 – Regional Transportation Modeling – The work element increases $25,000 to $732,141 to augment the contract with Resources Systems Group (RSG) to calibrate the activity-based model.

WE 156 Safe Routes to Schools – FHWA awarded a $500,000 grant to create an action plan to develop a list of Safe Routes to School projects that would be eligible for federal Safe Streets for All funding.

WE 170 Regional Transportation Plan – Staff adjusted various net balances to reconcile current year grant balances to final federal apportionments. With the exception of the $799 adjustment from WE 179 below, the scope and total cost of this work element remains unchanged.

WE 179 Complete Streets – The 2024-25 apportionment was reduced $799.  Staff support in that amount is transferred to WE 170 Regional Transportation Plan.

Action: Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend the Board adopt Resolution 2025-01 approving 2024-25 Overall Work Program Amendment No. 2.

Safety Performance Management Targets for 2025

Summary: Caltrans, in cooperation with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), sets the statewide safety targets for five safety measures every year, known as Safety Performance Management Targets (SPMTs). This is pursuant to the Federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The safety performance measures are:

• • Number of fatalities
  • Rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
  • Number of serious injuries
  • Rate of serious injuries per 100 million VMT
  • Number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can either choose to support the statewide target or set a separate regional target. Fresno COG has been supporting the statewide targets except for the first round in 2018 when Fresno COG set its own targets. Last year, Caltrans set statewide safety targets consistent with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s new requirement that would reflect constant targets between the 2021 and 2026 five-year rolling average.

In preparation for the California 2025 Statewide Safety Performance Management Target (SPMT) setting efforts, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and MPOs coordinated at the MPO outreach webinar on Sept. 10, 2024. When developing the FY 2024 – 2026 Highway Safety Plan (HSP), Caltrans and OTS coordinated to develop a target setting methodology that is consistent and meets both NHTSA and FHWA targets for the three common performance measures.

Caltrans and OTS agreed on a method for the performance measures for FY 2024, 2025, and 2026 that builds on trends during COVID and other impacts that are causing fatalities and serious injuries to increase. The State ensured that targets provide a reduction or remain constant compared to the 2021 five-year rolling average, aligned with the NHTSA rulemaking. Therefore, OTS set the 2026 five-year rolling average target equal to the 2021 five-year rolling average and used the average annual change to calculate the annual 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 values.

Based on this methodology, 2.84% and 3.69% are the annual reduction targets for the number of fatalities and serious injuries, respectively. Similarly, the annual reduction targets for the rate of fatalities and rate of serious injuries are 4.61% and 3.69%, respectively. The number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries are computed using 2.84% and 3.69% annual reduction, respectively, to calculate the annual target for 2025. The five-year rolling average is calculated by averaging 2021-2025 annual numbers. The white paper for Caltrans’ PM1 2025 Safety Performance Management Target-Setting is attached.

To be consistent with the Caltrans approach of safety target setting for FY 2024 – 2026, Fresno COG decided to continue supporting statewide targets as it did last year. Since the methodology and annual reduction targets are same for 2024 and 2025, it is reasonable to continue supporting the statewide targets for 2025. Fresno COG will plan and program safety-related projects through various funding programs that will contribute to the achievement of these targets.

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board support the statewide targets for all five safety performance measures for 2025.

Fresno 2023-2024 Annual Obligation Listing Revised Final DRAFT

Summary: Fresno COG is required to develop the Annual List of Obligated Projects (including investments in pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities) for which Federal funds were obligated in the preceding program year within 90 calendar days following the end of the program year. The listing shall be published or otherwise made available in accordance with Fresno COG’s public participation criteria for the FTIP.

Fresno COG submitted the Annual Listing of Projects with Federal Funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 to the Office of Federal Programming and Data Management on Dec. 26, 2024. This report indicates that $86.5 million in federal funds were obligated for transportation projects in the region between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024. This includes approximately $7.6 million of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for transit projects and $786,251 in Coronavirus Response and Relief Program (CRRSSA) funds. The Annual Listing of Projects with Federal Funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 can be found attached to this agenda item.

The FY 23/24 obligation authority (OA) delivery target was $19.5 million. Fresno COG obligated an estimated total of 130.0% or $25.7 million as of Aug. 31, 2024. Staff will be scheduling obligation plan meetings in late January with all member agencies to discuss programmed projects and finalize the OA plan to submit to Caltrans by March 15.

Staff encourages member agencies to continue obligating projects. Please keep Fresno COG staff updated on any changes to programmed projects that could possibly impact the region’s project delivery plan. Contact Ofelia Abundez at 559-233-4148 ext. 205 or oabundez@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.

TOD-Funding-Application-Package-13th cycle-2025-1

Summary: Measure C’s 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, mixed uses and other transit-complementary infrastructure development and planning activities. It provides TOD seed money in Fresno County and promotes 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 its 20-year lifespan and accrues around $850,000 annually. The 13th cycle has approximately $1.5 million available. 

The call-for-projects for the 13th funding cycle opens Jan. 17, and applications are due March 4. The TOD Program policies and guidelines are available at: Fresno County Measure C. The application package is attached with this agenda.  

Please contact Simran Jhutti at jhutti@fresnocog.org for any questions regarding this program.  

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

Summary: A round-up of Federal and State transportation and housing-related grant opportunities for which member jurisdictions may apply.

Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2026 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program.The program supports projects that strengthens  surface transportation infrastructure against natural hazards such as climate change, sea level rise, heat waves, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. Up  to $876 million in funding is available, comprised of up to $576 million in FY 2024 and 2025 funding and up to $300 million in FY 2026. The deadline to apply for FY 2024 and 2025 is February 24, 2025.

The agency will offer awards in three categories: resilience improvement; community resilience and evacuation routes, and; at-risk coastal infrastructure. Facilities eligible for funding include: highway projects; public transportation facilities or service; facilities or service for intercity passenger rail; and port facilities, including those that connect ports to other modes of transportation, improve evacuation and disaster relief, or aid transportation.

Bridge Investment Program (BIP)

FHWA has issued a NOFO for FY 2023-2026 Bridge Investment Program (BIP): Planning and Bridge Project Grants, which supports bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection on the National Bridge Inventory (NBI). This is a multiyear funding opportunity with multiple application deadlines for each program.

Planning grants support planning, feasibility analysis, and revenue forecasting for bridge projects to develop proposals that would subsequently be eligible under the large bridge projects or bridge projects programs.There is up to $20 million available each year from FY 2023 to 2026.There is no minimum or maximum award size; however, the cost of the ultimate construction project must be at least $3.125 million. The deadline to submit applications for FY 2026 funding is Oct. 1, 2025.

Bridge Projects support replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection of one or more bridges on the NBI with total eligible costs less than $100 million.Up to $9.62 billion is available from FY 2023 to FY 2026 (which may also be allocated toward Large Bridge Projects issued in a previous NOFO). Total eligible project costs must be at least $3.125 million. The deadline to submit applications for FY 2026 funding is Nov. 1, 2025.

Prohousing Incentive Program

While the deadline to apply for the third round of Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) funds was Dec. 31, 2024, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is allowing limited flexibility by extending the deadline to submit executed resolutions  by Feb. 28, 2025. Please see Attachment B of the PIP Program Guidelines for a resolution template. PIP Round 3 makes approximately $8 million available for jurisdictions with a prohousing designation.

Please note that the deadline for the remainder of the completed application is December 31, 2024, and an extension cannot be provided. For more information, please see the PIP webpage at https://www.hcd.ca.gov/grants-and-funding/programs-active/prohousing-incentive-program. Please send any questions to ProhousingIncentive@hcd.ca.gov.

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

Summary: Fresno COG will conduct a “program-level” environmental impact report (EIR) for the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The EIR will be completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act); Senate Bill (SB) 375; and all other applicable State and Federal laws. In addition, the grant will be combined with a “legal services” award to provide legal assistance to Fresno COG with developing the RTP, SCS and EIR.

Staff received two proposals for this project. The scoring committee consisted of representatives from Fresno COG, County of Fresno, City of Fresno, City of Reedley, City of Selma, and City of Coalinga. After an exhaustive evaluation of proposals, Fresno COG found that LSA Associates was the most qualified candidate with relevant years of experience necessary to complete the project.

The consultant will take primary direction from the Fresno COG project manager. All work is intended to be completed within 18 months of negotiating a contract, in accordance with the schedule component, and the consultant’s work will begin immediately upon receiving a notice to proceed, with an estimated completion date no later than July 2026.

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve LSA Associates for the 2026 RTP/SCS environmental impact report and legal services, and authorize the Fresno COG executive director to execute a contract for an amount not to exceed $350,000.

Summary: Fresno COG was awarded a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant in fiscal year 2024-25 to conduct a Fresno County Extreme Heat Analysis.

The analysis is intended to provide valuable data for future climate adaptation and mitigation responses to extreme heat induced by climate change. The plan will also identify native and drought-tolerant tree canopy and vegetative cover improvement projects in communities most vulnerable to extreme heat, based on the extreme heat vulnerability analysis, and bike and pedestrian traffic analysis. This plan will inform general plans, long-range plans, and the design and retrofit of future and present infrastructure.

The parties involved in this project will be Fresno COG, each of the 15 local incorporated cities; Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Fresno, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, San Joaquin, Sanger, and Selma; along with Fresno County, community organizations, and the general public.

Staff received three proposals for this project. The scoring committee comprised representatives from: Fresno COG, County of Fresno, Fresno Area Express, and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. After an thorough evaluation of proposals, the scoring committee approved Dudek as the most qualified firm.

The consultant will take primary direction from the Fresno COG project manager.  All work is intended to be completed within 18 months of negotiating a contract in accordance with the schedule, and the consultant’s work will begin immediately upon receiving a notice to proceed (estimated completion date no later than July 2026).

Action: Staff requests that the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Dudek for the Fresno County Extreme Heat Analysis, and authorize the Fresno COG executive director to enter a contract for an amount not to exceed $235,503.

Summary: In October 2024, the Policy Board approved a $1.75 million cooperative agreement from the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) for Fresno COG to contract with a project manager, survey firm, public outreach firm and a committee facilitator to begin developing the proposed 2026 Measure C expenditure plan.  The FCTA Board followed suit in December 2024.

Specifically, staff proposed the $1.75 million be allocated over a roughly 18-month timeframe in the following manner:

• Project manager, to organize and manage statutory requirements and information/input from the public, MC3 renewal committee(s), stakeholders and elected representatives, develop and craft the final draft expenditure plan, as directed: $650,000
• Public outreach firm, to coordinate and hold a minimum, anticipated 40 public workshops/meetings throughout the region, create and manage social media and radio advertising, billboards, focus groups, and multiple other strategies designed to maximize transparent, thorough and meaningful public input from community residents on specific project ideas, program areas and other components that make up the next Measure C initiative: $750,000, with a minimum $150,000 reserved for community-based organizations to host public workshops/meetings
• Meeting/Community Facilitator to bring together disparate interests, stakeholders, jurisdictional representatives and the public as part of one or more committees to receive, address and consider public input as well as professional, technical and policy analysis in making recommendations to the Fresno COG and FCTA boards of directors: $200,000
• Survey firm to provide statistically valid survey results to determine public familiarity with Measure C and its performance to date, test voter sentiment regarding the viability of a renewal initiative and recommend communications/messaging suitable for a renewal effort: $150,000.

To this end, Fresno COG solicited for all four contracts in November 2024 and received multiple proposals for each in December, as depicted in the table below.

Staff assembled four separate scoring committees that included: three city managers (Ben Gallegos [Firebaugh], Elizabeth Cabrera [San Joaquin], Nicole Zieba [Reedley]); a public works director (Scott Mozier [Fresno]); a member of the Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee (Gail Miller) and; Fresno COG and FCTA staff (Robert Phipps, Terry Ogle, Paul Herman, Brenda Thomas, Rose Willems).

After reviewing all proposals and interviewing the top two to three firms for the facilitator, project manager and public outreach contracts, the scoring committees separately voted to award the four contracts accordingly:

Facilitator:                     DKS/Provost & Pritchard,                $199,629.82;

Program Manager:       DKS/Provost & Pritchard/LSA/FM3, $649,931.22

Public Outreach:          Tripepi Smith, not to exceed            $750,000

Public Survey/Polling: FM3 Research,                                $149,250

Total:                                                                                       $1,748,811.04

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board award the following contracts totaling $1.75 million, and authorize the executive director to execute the agreements:

Facilitator:                     DKS/Provost & Pritchard,                 $199,629.82;

Program Manager:       DKS/Provost & Pritchard/LSA/FM3, $649,931.22

Public Outreach:          Tripepi Smith, not to exceed             $750,000

Public Survey/Polling: FM3 Research,                                 $149,250

Measure-C-Renewal-Committee-Expression-of-Interest

Summary:  Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority invite interested stakeholders who would like to sit on the Measure C Renewal Committee to submit an Expression of Interest form by Jan. 31. The committee will be responsible for developing both a draft and a final expenditure plan for the proposed 2026 Measure C sales tax extension, which will be placed on the 2026 ballot. Committee members will engage in a collaborative, participatory process, contributing their expertise and perspectives as representatives of Fresno County taxpayers. Their work will help ensure that the renewal plan reflects the community’s needs and priorities for improvements throughout the region. Committee members may expect to meet monthly for up to two hours, with the first meeting anticipated to be a half-day. Only Fresno County residents are eligible to sit on the committee.

If you are interested in sitting on the Renewal Committee complete an Expression of Interest Form.

All meetings will be hybrid (virtual and in person options), open, public meetings. Meeting recordings will be available following each meeting on the Renewal community information hub and Fresno COG’s YouTube channel.

Action:  Information Item.

Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) staff is updating the Measure C website and is requesting a short list of six to eight completed local Measure C pass-through funded projects from each agency partner to showcase the accomplishments of Measure C throughout Fresno County. The project lists will be used to create digital fact sheets for each city and transit agency, the FYI airport and Fresno County, with a rotating carousel of photos highlighting examples of how local agency pass through funds have been spent. The goal is to include at least one improvement from each councilmember or Supervisor’s District in each city or County community.

FCTA is requesting the list of six to eight projects by Jan. 31. Please include project limits and the type of Measure C improvement that was completed. Details about each project are not necessary. If photos were taken of submitted projects, please forward them as well. FCTA will have representative photos taken to post on the website if none are supplied. Email project lists and photos to rose@measurec.com.

Scope of Work_On-call Amendment_FY2024-25

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 vehicle-miles-traveled impacts. The ABM is an essential planning tool for COG and the Fresno County region.

Since 2019, Fresno COG has maintained an on-call contract with RSG, which 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 on new model enhancements, and fixes any bugs related to the code.

Fresno COG completed the base-year update of the ABM in September 2024. With some unforeseen transit and interregional trip-related issues being carried over from FY 23-24 into FY 24-25, the on-call budget for this fiscal year was expended by September 2024. To continue the on-call services through the end of this fiscal year, additional money is needed.

Also, the 2026 RTP/SCS scenarios development and modeling will start in spring 2025. With a newly updated model, COG staff will be testing high-capacity commuter rail services like light-rail transit (LRT) and regional rail services as an aspect of the 2026 SCS scenarios. To incorporate these scenarios, a model enhancement is needed, which requires an estimated budget of $19,006 and is scheduled to be completed by February. Altogether, staff proposes an additional $57,500 to the existing on-call contract for the FY 24-25, for a total of $97,500. Attached is the scope of work for the new model enhancement.

Action: Staff requests that TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to amend the existing on-call support contract with RSG by $57,500 for a new total of $97,500.

2025 Legislative Platform

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 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 the Policy Board’s behalf. Attached is the final 2025 Legislative Platform for review and comment.

Action: Staff requests the PAC recommend the Policy Board approve and adopt the 2025 Fresno COG Legislative Platform. The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.