Title
a. Ratify the submittal of two (2) grant applications to the California Department of Transportation for Active Transportation Program grant funds for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Segment Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project and the Las Lomas Drive Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements Project;
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. Ratify the submittal of two (2) grant applications to the California Department of Transportation for Active Transportation Program grant funds for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Segment Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project and the Las Lomas Drive Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements Project;
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:
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. Due to these challenges, the RMA-PW requested authorization from the Board of Supervisors for the submittal of two Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant applications via memo on May 15, 2015. Applications were due on June 1, 2015.
The ATP is funded from various Federal and State funds with approximately $119.7 million in funds for this cycle. Annual funding distribution is 40% to Metropolitan Planning Organizations with populations greater than 200K, 10% to small urban and rural areas with population of 200,000 or less, and 50% to projects competitively awarded by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) on a statewide basis. The minimum request for ATP grant funds is $250,000. A match is not required, but for projects that opt not to include a match; the 11.47% federal match needs to be programmed with use of Toll Credits.
ATP funds are for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects that encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. Eligible projects include infrastructure projects, plans, and non-infrastructure projects such as education, encouragement, and enforcement activities.
The Resource Management Agency - Public Works (RMA-PW) submitted ATP grant applications for the following projects:
• Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (MBSST) - Moss Landing Segment Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project
o Consists of the installation of a Class I bicycle path approximately 0.84-mile long from the North Harbor (northwest of the existing State Highway 1 Bridge) to Moss Landing Road and a 386 foot long bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the Elkhorn Slough (parallel to the existing State Highway 1 Bridge). The total Project cost is $10,234,000. The County has secured $4,339,000 in Local, State, and Federal grant funds and is requesting the difference of $5,895,000 in ATP grant funds to fully fund the Project.
• Las Lomas Drive Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements Project
o Consists of the completion of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) right of way, and design phases. It also consists of the construction of curb, gutter, sidewalks, driveways, water treatment and drainage facilities, retaining walls, and Class II bicycle lanes along Las Lomas Drive from Hall Road to Thomas Road and portions of Sill Road approximately 0.25 mile long. The total Project cost is $2,216,466. The County has secured $365,031 from Road funds, Fund 404, and 2% Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant funds, and is requesting $1,851,435 in ATP grant funds to fully fund the Project.
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 coordinated with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) and the County of Monterey Health Department.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. Partial funding of the Las Lomas Drive Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvement Project includes: Road funds ($103,769), Fund 404 ($90,962) and 2% TDA funds ($170,300) for a total of $365,031. Partial funding secured for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Segment includes SAFETEA-LU Demo Funds ($4,062,000) and 2% TDA funds ($277,000) for a total of $4,339,000. If awarded, grant funds will fund 100% of the remaining project cost, $5.9 million for the Moss Landing Segment and $1.9 million for the Las Lomas Project.
Prepared by: Ogarita Carranza, Management Analyst II (831) 755-5174
Approved by: Robert K. Murdoch, P.E. Director of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting RMA Director
Dated: June 12, 2015
Attachments: Project Budget - MBSST-ML Segment; Project Budget - Las Lomas Drive Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements; Memorandum dated May 15, 2015; MBSST- Moss Landing ATP Grant Application; Las Lomas ATP Grant Application; (attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)