Title
a. Approve the submittal of the following grant applications for roadway and bicycle/pedestrian projects: to the United States Department of Transportation for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant; to the California Department of Transportation for the Active Transportation Program grant funds; and to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County for Regional Surface Transportation Program Competitive Grants program;
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, or his designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds; and
c. Direct the Resource Management Agency - Public Works to return to the Board for approval prior to acceptance of any grant award (s).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the submittal of the following grant applications for roadway and bicycle/pedestrian projects: to the United States Department of Transportation for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant; to the California Department of Transportation for the Active Transportation Program Grant Fund; and to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County for Regional Surface Transportation Program Competitive Grants Program;
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, or his designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds; and
c. Direct the Resource Management Agency - Public Works to return to the Board for approval prior to acceptance of any grant award (s).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Today's action authorizes the Resource Management Agency (RMA) - Director of Public Works to submit several grant applications and directs the RMA - Public Works (PW) to return to the Board of Supervisors for approval prior to acceptance of any grant award.
The current procedure for processing grant applications requires approval and authorization by the Board of Supervisors prior to submittal of a grant application. The ability to act quickly when grant opportunities present themselves is critical to securing grant funds and avoids the potential of losing future grant opportunities. In the process of announcing and making grant application materials available, Grantors often do not provide the time needed to both prepare all of the grant documentation and present a completed grant application through the board report administrative review process. The RMA-PW is currently compiling documentation and preparing grant application materials for a number of such grants. Attachment 1 provides grant source and project details for each of the proposed applications. If approved, RMA-PW will proceed with completion of grant application materials and submit to meet grantor deadlines in an effort to maximize on critical grant funding opportunities. In the event that any of the grants are awarded to the County, the Director of Public Works will present the project(s) and grant(s) to the Board of Supervisors for approval prior to acceptance of the award.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The RMA - PW will collaborate and coordinate with outside agencies as needed.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. If grant funds are awarded and a local match is required the match will be funded either with Road, Regional Surface Transportation, Salinas City Elementary School District or other applicable grant funds.
Prepared by: Patricia A. Lopez, Management Analyst III (831) 755-8998
Approved by:
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Robert K. Murdoch, P.E., Director of Public Works
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Benny J. Young, RMA Director
Dated: April 11, 2014
Attachment: Attachment 1 - Grant Source and Project Details