Title
a. Accept grant funds from the California Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Planning grant award in the amount of $248,596 to fund a feasibility study for zero emissions micromobility options in the County; and
b. Enter into, execute, and deliver a restricted State of California Grant Agreement and all other grant documents as required by the Department of Transportation subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Assistant County Administrative Officer or his designee to:
a. Accept grant funds from the California Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Planning grant award in the amount of $248,596 to fund a feasibility study for zero emissions micromobility options in the County; and
b. Enter into, execute, and deliver a restricted State of California Grant Agreement and all other grant documents as required by the Department of Transportation subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The State of California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans) issued a Grant Application Guide on October 27, 2021, under the Sustainable Transportation Planning grant program. These funds are intended for local jurisdictions to encourage local and regional planning that furthers state goals, including, but not limited to, the goals and best practices cited in the Regional Transportation Plan Guidelines adopted by the California Transportation Commission.
The Grant Application guide relates to the guidelines for the competitive funding for these grants. To accept this award, the County must submit a Resolution adopted by the County Board of Supervisors to Caltrans.
Therefore, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt this Resolution to allow the Assistant County Administrative Officer to accept this award; enter into, execute, and deliver a restricted State of California Department of Transportation Grant Agreement; and meet Caltrans requirements for funds awarded to the County.
The State of California Restricted Grant Agreement and its General Terms and Conditions are included as attachments to this staff report as well as the award letter, application and resolution.
The goal of the Monterey County Zero Emissions Shared Mobility Study is to evaluate the potential of innovative zero emissions shared mobility solutions to address unmet transportation needs throughout the county and advance clean mobility alternatives to low-occupancy vehicle travel. The project team will first work with regional stakeholders to survey residents and employers representing the region’s demographic diversity, which includes large low-income Latino and other minority populations, farmworkers, and employees of small and large businesses, in order to identify their transportation needs and challenges. The project team will also survey employers and local governments to identify what challenges they face relating to employee commuting as well as congestion and traffic patterns. A series of interactive community forums will be deployed to facilitate conversations about mobility challenges and directly engage community members in identification of potential solutions. The study will then evaluate what shared mobility solutions could be deployed to create sustainable, safe, convenient, affordable, and equitable transportation alternatives throughout the county and with a focus on farmworkers and hospitality employees. The proposed solutions will be developed through an extensive outreach and engagement process focused on how to best address identified needs and gaps and could include a variety of shared mobility options, such as:
• Zero Emissions Vehicle(ZEV) carsharing
• ZEV carpooling and vanpooling,
• Bike sharing and scooter-sharing.
• Improved Access to Transit
• Enhanced Public Transit
It is expected that this study will be completed by the partners on the grant application, the Local Government Commission and AMBAG. The study will build upon a number of planning and implementation efforts aimed at improving access to transit and increasing transportation equity and mobility choices, reducing vehicle miles traveled, increasing transportation electrification, meeting GHG reduction targets, and adapting to a changing climate and has a goal of attracting private investment to the region for the ridesharing options listed above.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This application was prepared in coordination with Civicwell’s technical assistance program and AMBAG. TAMC, MST and other jurisdictions in the County were consulted as well.
FINANCING:
Adoption of this Resolution will allow the County to accept up to a $248,596 award under the Cal Trans Sustainable Planning Grant Program. This program requires an 11.47% match in the amount of $28,514, all of which will be funded through staff time in the CAO’s office. Should additional revenues and appropriations be required to complete the work funded by this grant opportunity, the County Administrative Office will present a Budget Augmentation to the Board through their Budget Committee for consideration and approval.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Climate action planning is essential to the health and safety of the County’s future. Transporation is responsible for a large portion of emissions in Monterey County and as such requires strategic planning to address.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
X_Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Report prepared by: Ashley Paulsworth x5455
Report approved by Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer x5145
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board
Attachments:
2022 DOT Sustainable Transportation Grant Resolution
2022 DOT Sustainable Transportation Award Letter
2022 DOT Sustainable Transportation Application
2022 DOT Sustainable Transportation General Conditions
2022 DOT Sustainable Transportation Restricted Agreement