For City Council Meeting [July 9, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Rod Foster, City Administrator
FROM: Sean Grayson, Acting Public Works Director
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 7538 Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application for $2,171,200 to the BUILD Transportation Grant through the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, Department of Transportation (DOT) for the SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Secretary of Transportation, Department of Transportation (DOT) has established the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grant Program that will provide special consideration to projects which emphasize improved access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities in rural areas, such as projects that improve infrastructure condition, address public health and safety, promote regional connectivity or facilitate economic growth or competitiveness. Such projects may concurrently invest in broadband to better facilitate productivity, including through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Loan and Grant program, and help rural citizen’s access opportunities, or promote energy independence to help deliver significant local or regional economic benefit.
The BUILD Transportation grants program has $900 million available for award. The FY 2019 BUILD Transportation grants support capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and the DOT will award grants on a competitive basis for projects that have a significant local or regional impact. Additionally, the grant may award up to $15 million (of the $900 million) for the planning, preparation or design of eligible projects. The BUILD Transportation grants may not be less than $5 million and not greater than $25 million. There is no minimum award size, regardless of location, for BUILD Transportation planning grants. No more than 10 percent of the funds made available for BUILD Transportation grants (or $90 million) may be awarded to projects in a single state. Additionally, not more than 50 percent of the funds provided for BUILD Transportation grants (or $450 million) shall be used for projects located in rural areas with population equal to or less than 200,000, to ensure adequate measures are in place to address the needs of urban and rural areas, and investment in a variety of transportation modes.
The grant application is due on July 15, 2019. Funds are available for obligation only through September 30, 2021. Obligation occurs when a selected applicant and DOT enter into a written grant agreement after the applicant has satisfied applicable administrative requirements, including transportation planning and environmental review requirements. All FY 2019 BUILD funds must be expended (the grant obligation must be liquidated or actually paid out to the grantee) by September 30, 2026. The Federal share of project costs for which an expenditure is made under the BUILD Transportation grant program may not exceed 80 percent for a project located in an urban area.
Eligible projects for BUILD Transportation grants are surface transportation capital projects that include, but are not limited to:
(1) Highway, bridge, or other road projects eligible under title 23, United States Code;
(2) Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code;
(3) Passenger and freight rail transportation projects;
(4) Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry); and
(5) Intermodal projects
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The Rialto grant application will request funding for the proposed SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project. The proposed project will allow for growth in the region by accommodating projected traffic demand from future development in the area, including housing, businesses, schools, and other projects. The proposed improvements will emphasize creating a compelling streetscape environment that is sustainable and encourages the use of alternate modes of transportation. To that end, improvement of the interchange will provide for pedestrian facilities, allowing for connectivity to regional facilities. The improvements will also upgrade existing facilities to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. This project will facilitate future business and regional mobility by enhancing operation of the existing interchange, as well as allowing for implementation of active transportation elements.
Project readiness assessment by the granting agency depends on providing the information requested on technical feasibility, project schedule, project approvals and project risks. The proposed SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project estimated to be $2,714,000 and the grant request of $2,171,200, with the local match of 20% or $542,800 funded from Renaissance Specific Plan fees. The proposed SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project is reasonably expected to begin construction in a timely manner according to the project readiness criteria for the grant schedule.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 3-11.1: Allocate resources for the maintenance and operations of City facilities; explore alternative funding options for maintenance and operational costs of new facilities.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the staff report and Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The construction of the proposed SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project projects will increase the maintenance operations budget with a yet to be determined amount for the City of Rialto for those improvements that are within the maintenance sphere of influence of Rialto and not within the Caltrans right of way.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The cost estimate for the proposed SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project is $2,714,000, and the grant request of $2,171,200, with the local match of 20% or $542,800 will be funded from the Renaissance Specific Plan/EIR fees Development Fair Share Fund Account No.301. If the City is successful, staff will return to Council for authorization to accept the grant and adopt a resolution for funding appropriations. A purchase order in the amount of $14,000 was issued to Advanced Civil Technologies for grant writing services related to this application from Measure I Fund Account No. 201-500-4310-2011.
Licensing
This action will not require an application of a business license nor demand a payment of a Business License tax.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application for $2,171,200 to the BUILD Transportation Grant through the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, Department of Transportation (DOT) for the SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project.