REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for FY 2019/20 Transportation Development Act Funding for the Lafayette/Bassett Bike Lane Project
Report
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, as the County of Santa Clara Congestion Management Agency, is soliciting project proposals from cities for FY 2019/20 Transportation Development Act Article 3 grant funding. TDA funds may be used for bicycle or pedestrian related improvement projects and funding is derived from a quarter cent of the general sales tax collected statewide. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission delegated authority to the local CMA to coordinate how funds are spent within the County. An authorizing resolution is required for the City of Santa Clara to apply to the VTA for TDA funds. VTA will submit a consolidated application to the MTC for its final approval. Once MTC approves the allocation of funds, local agencies have three years to complete projects and submit a claim for reimbursement.
For FY 2019/20, staff recommends requesting additional TDA grant funding for the existing Lafayette/Bassett Bike Lane project, which will install a class II bicycle facility along the Lafayette/Bassett corridor from Agnew Road to Central Expressway (“Project”). During the FY 2018/19 TDA funding cycle, the City was awarded $600,000 in TDA grant funding for the Project. On May 7, 2019, the Council approved a FY 2018/19 budget amendment to appropriate the $600,000 in FY 2018/19 TDA funding for the Project. In the agenda report, staff mentioned the need for supplemental Project funding. Since submitting the initial application for FY 2018/19 TDA grant funding, staff has observed that recent construction bids on City projects have increased significantly, due to the economy and bidding environment, and has determined that additional funding is necessary to complete this Project.
DISCUSSION
Staff estimates that an additional $224,361 in funding is necessary to complete the Project and recommends that the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment 1) to apply for FY 2019/20 TDA grant funding. Combined with the $600,000 in approved FY 2018/19 TDA grant funding, this additional funding of $224,361 would result in a total funding of $824,361.
At the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting on January 28, 2019, the committee discussed and supported staff’s recommendation to apply for the additional TDA funds to support the Project. Additionally, staff has had preliminary discussions with the VTA and they have indicated their early support for the additional TDA funding. With the original $600,000 of funding approved, staff has started the design phase on this project. It is anticipated that the MTC will approve the additional funding by August 2019, which will not delay delivery of the Project. However, if the additional TDA funding is not approved, staff will look for other funding opportunities elsewhere and will report this information to the Council at a later date.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15304, “Minor Alterations to Land,” subdivision (h), as the activity consists of the creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights-of-way, and 15301, “Existing Facilities,” subdivision (c), as the activity consists of the minor alteration to existing highways and streets.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2018/19 TDA grant funding application to be submitted by staff will request funding in the amount of $224,361 for the design and construction of the Lafayette/Bassett Bicycle Lane Project. Appropriations into the Capital Improvement Project account will occur at the time the City receives notification from VTA that MTC has approved the allocation of funds for the project. No general fund money is impacted by this project.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
At the BPAC’s January 28, 2019 meeting, the members discussed projects for potential application for FY 2019/20 TDA grant funding and recommended the Lafayette/Bassett Bike Lane Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for Allocation of Transportation Development Act Article 3, Pedestrian and Bicycle Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2019/20.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Location Map