TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or his designee, to submit an application to Caltrans for a Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant;
Authorize City Manager, or his designee, to accept a grant from Caltrans for $300,000 for Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant funds and execute all documents necessary to accept the funds; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Public Works (PW) by $300,000. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) annually awards grants for the preparation of transportation planning studies. The grants are intended to promote strong and healthy communities, economic growth, and enhanced mobility within cities. The Department of Public Works is requesting authorization to submit a grant application to Caltrans for a community-based transportation planning project to fund a West Long Beach (WLB) complete streets plan.
A resolution has been prepared for the City Council that authorizes the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and appropriate up to $300,000 in Caltrans Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant funds. If the City is awarded funding, the Grant will be used to develop a new community-based mobility plan that re-imagines a portion of the Terminal Island Freeway from Pacific Coast Highway to Willow Street as a local street, makes enhancements to WLB's only major corridor along Santa Fe Avenue, and improves overall neighborhood connectivity. Staff will conduct extensive community outreach for the development of this plan.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on February 27, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on March 8, 2012.
SUSTAINABILITY
The project will result in new complete street guidelines and standards to encourage walking, bicycling and transit as alternatives to reliance on the automobile and improve air quality. The planning effort will identify capital improvements that will physically improve the neighborhood environment and support walking, bicycling and transit as viable modes of mobility.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 20, 2012, as the deadline for submitting the Caltrans Transportation Planning grant is April 2, 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total project costs are anticipated to be $300,000 over two years. If successful, the City will receive $300,000 in grant funding from Caltrans, with a 10 percent cash match of $30,000 from the Capital Projects Fund (CP) utilizing funds from the Traffic Mitigation Program. Since these grant funds are not budgeted, an appropriation increase is requested. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund and no known jobs impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR UP TO 4300,000 UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
AMY BODEK
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER