Title
a. Approve the submittal of Highway Safety Improvement Program grant applications to Caltrans; and
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.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the submittal of Highway Safety Improvement Program grant applications to Caltrans; and
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.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Approval of this item will allow the Resource Management Agency (RMA) - Department of Public Works (PW) to apply for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funds for County roadway projects. The RMA - PW is currently analyzing and prioritizing several roadway projects that will compete statewide for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funds. The applications are due in July 2012. Caltrans has not finalized/published the guidelines, instruction or application forms. Due to the uncertain publication of the documents listed, and the application deadline, the RMA - PW requests the Board approve and authorize the Director of Public Works to apply for HSIP grant funds.
The HSIP is intended to fund safety projects on publicly-owned roadways or bicycle/pedestrian pathways that corrects or improves the safety for it users. Eligible projects include but are not limited to: intersection safety improvements; improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and individuals with disabilities; pavement and shoulder widening; installation of rumble strips or other warning devices; installation of guardrails; installation of traffic control or warning devices at a location with high accident potential; elimination of roadside obstacles; and traffic-calming devices.
Staff is analyzing collision data along various roadways and will prepare grant applications which yield a high benefit to cost ratio as required by the grantor. Potential projects include pavement and shoulder widening; installation of rumble strips or other warning devices; installation of guardrails; installation of traffic control or warning devices and elimination of roadside obstacles.
The grant guidelines indicate projects that are submitted for grant award consideration should not require significant right-of-way acquisition or extensive environmental review and mitigation; but should have a high benefit-to-cost ratio. If HSIP grant funds are awarded to the County, the Director of Public Works will present the project(s) to the Board of Supervisors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Caltrans administers the HSIP grant program. Applications will be reviewed and prioritized for funding by Caltrans Headquarters. The program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. The maximum funding an agency can receive is expected to be the greater of the following two limits: between $1.5M to $2M or 1.5 to 2 times the ratio of the agency's population divided by the State's population times the total funding available. Projects require a minimum 10% match or a maximum of $100K match. The match will be funded by the Road Fund. The minimum funding for any single project is expected to be $100K. The Operations and Maintenance will be funded by the RMA - PW Road Fund (Fund 002, Unit 8195).
Prepared by: Patricia A. Lopez, Management Analyst III, (831) 755-8998
Approved by:
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Paul H. Greenway, P.E., Acting Director of Public Works
Approved by:
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Benny J. Young, RMA Director
Dated: June 1, 2012