TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the acceptance of a Sustainable Communities Planning Grant from the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), in the amount of $733,610;
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents with CalTrans relating to the Grant awarded to the Department of Development Services for professional planning services to study land use and mobility regulations for North Long Beach in the context of the City’s proposed updated General Plan; and
Increase appropriations in the Development Services Fund (EF 337) in the Development Services Department (DV) by 733,610, offset by grant revenue. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
CalTrans recently awarded the City of Long Beach (City) a Sustainable Communities Planning Grant (Grant) in the amount of $733,610, to procure planning and community engagement services in consultation with CalTrans. The new Grant will fund Phase II of work already underway in the Uptown area of North Long Beach that is funded through a previously awarded sustainability grant. The purpose of this Phase II grant is to address physical and social barriers to mobility including hardscape and infrastructure, safety, and perceptions of safety through a multifaceted, interdepartmental, community-centered equitable planning process. Accordingly, the Grant provides funding for activities that will build the capacity of residents, businesses, organizations, and other local stakeholders to engage with and ultimately drive planning and development processes in North Long Beach. This scope of work expands upon the ongoing Uptown Planning Land Use and Neighborhood Strategy (UPLAN) project to address the development of underutilized land, housing policy updates, mobility (street and transit) enhancements, and industrial and residential zoning updates (Attachment A).
Phase I of the UPLAN planning and outreach work began in 2017 through a $250,000 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) grant. The Phase I SCAG grant provides funding through March 2019. Together, the combined Phase I and Phase II efforts allow for more community engagement and expands the geographic scope of the technical analysis and zoning code updates to more commercial and multi-family corridors such as Long Beach Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard, Artesia Boulevard, Cherry Avenue, Paramount Boulevard, and South Street.
CalTrans requires a City Council Resolution for the acceptance of this Grant. Upon adoption of the Resolution, the City Manager and Development Services will enter into a detailed agreement with CalTrans, complete the consultant procurement process, and begin the project.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais on June 11, 2018 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on June 21, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 24, 2018, to meet the timing and procedural requirement of CalTrans.
FISCAL IMPACT
This action will allow the City to access $733,610 in professional services funded by the Grant from CalTrans, for a planning and mobility consultant. The local match requirement of this grant is $110,060, which will be provided through already budgeted staff time. An appropriation increase in the amount of $733,610 in the Development Services Fund (EF 337) in the Development Services Department (DV) is requested, offset by grant funds. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
LINDA F. TATUM, FAICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER