REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 25, 2020
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Interim Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to California Department of Transportation for Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 Call for Projects to Construct Pedestrian Infrastructure in the Muscoy Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in the amount of $1,881,000, for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements in the Muscoy area.
2. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer or the Director and/or Interim Director of the Department of Public Works to sign grant application documents, as required by Caltrans, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director and/or Interim Director of the Department of Public Works to transmit all documents in relation to the grant application to the Clerk of the Board within 30 days of submission.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Assistant Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). No local match is required for the Active Transportation Program (ATP), however, the ATP awards extra points to agencies that are able to provide matching funds. The total estimated cost for the improvements is $2,355,000. The Department of Public Works (Department) intends to submit a grant application requesting $1,881,000 to construct pedestrian safety improvements in the Muscoy area. The Department will provide a 20.1% local match of $474,000 to be funded by Gas Tax if the project is awarded funding. The ATP awards a maximum of five additional points towards the application’s score if a local match greater than 20% is provided. Providing a local match in this amount will maximize the application’s competitiveness. Should grant funds be awarded, the Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for award acceptance and any necessary budget adjustments. Sufficient appropriation is included in the Department’s 2020-21 Road Operations budget (6650002000) and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department will submit a grant application for the ATP, a competitive statewide program created to encourage the increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking, and requests authorization for the Chief Executive Officer or the Director and/or Interim Director of the Department to sign the grant application documents on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel. If the grant application is successful, funds will be provided to the County on a reimbursement basis to fund the design and construction of pedestrian safety improvements in the Muscoy area.
This action meets the County’s and Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of operating in a fiscally-responsible and business-like manner by seeking grant funding for projects. Additionally, should grant funds be awarded, the action helps ensure the development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable county by constructing facilities that encourage walking, as well as construct facilities that promote health and social activities.
On March 25, 2020, Caltrans announced the call-for-projects for the Cycle 5 of the ATP with applications due to Caltrans no later than September 15, 2020. The ATP provides competitive grant funding for infrastructure projects to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as walking and biking. Because the ATP is a competitive grant program, submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding. Grant awards will be announced in February of 2021. The Department intends to submit a grant application requesting funding to upgrade existing crosswalks to more visible ladder style crosswalks, install pedestrian flashing beacons, signage, red curb, and sidewalks around the Muscoy and Vermont Elementary Schools.
Per the grant guidelines, the grant applications require the signature of “the Chief Executive Officer, or other officer authorized by the governing board of the implementing agency.” Due to the requirement to include a significant amount of community data, the Department anticipates that the final grant application will not be completed until just prior to the application submission deadline. Once finalized, the grant application will be submitted to County Counsel for review. If the Board approves this item, the designated individual will sign the grant application and the Department will submit the grant application to Caltrans for consideration.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5442) on July 30, 2020; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on August 4, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on August 9, 2020.