TITLE
Recommendation to approve submittal of the recommended list of grant applications to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro); and
Authorize City Manager to administer and execute all necessary documents to accept and expend all Metro grant funds in connection therewith, and to take all other actions necessary to implement the use of such funds. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has initiated the 2013 Call for Projects. The Call for Projects is the primary mechanism through which discretionary federal, state and county transportation funds are allocated to local agencies and Caltrans for specific major capital improvement projects in the county. Generally, Metro sponsors this competitive grant process every two years, and the last Call for Projects was in 2011.
The 2013 Call for Projects will allocate discretionary funding for FY18 and FY19 to local projects in several categories, including: Regional Surface Transportation Improvements (RSTI), Goods Movement Improvements, Signal Synchronization and Bus Speed Improvements, Transit Capital and Transportation Enhancement Activities. The funding available for this Call for Projects cycle is $186.5 million, but may increase as funding for projects awarded in previous cycles is deobligated.
Within each category, Metro will rank project applications using several criteria, with an emphasis on regional significance and mobility improvement. Metro has specified certain requirements, including:
1. Applicants must fund a minimum of 20 percent of the total project costs for each project, referred to as a local match. The match is 35 percent for RSTI projects. The local matches proposed for the City's project applications are non-General Fund dollars that are restricted in use by eligibility requirements, such as Transportation Funds.
2. A Project Study Report (PSR) or Equivalent (PSRE) is required for all applications. This is documentation of project, scope and detailed cost breakdown, and is typically a minimum 6 to 12 month process.
3. In compliance with AB 32 and SB 375, Metro has formalized a new sustainability consideration for every category to consider each jurisdiction's efforts toward sustainability, recycling, emission reduction, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and resource conservation policies.
4. If an agency is submitting more than one application within a category, each project must be prioritized. Two City departments identified potential projects, and staff from the applying departments ranked the projects within each modal category based on a benefit to the transportation system, regional significance and inter-modal integration. Metro retains the prerogative to vary from the priorities of the submitting agency.
The schedule for the 2013 Call for Projects is as follows:
January 18, 2013 Applications due
June 2013 Metro staff completes preliminary project and funding recommendations
July 30-31, 2013 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) appeals of Metro staff rankings and funding recommendations
Mid-August 2013 Metro Board review of Staff and TAC recommended projects and rankings
September 26, 2013 Metro Board adoption of Call for Projects
City departments have developed a list of projects for submission for funding consideration (attached). The projects selected had some completed preliminary work that would satisfy Metro's PSR/PSRE requirements.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on December 18, 2012, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 19, 2012.
SUSTAINABILITY
The projects proposed for grant funding include a focus on sustainability, efficiency and alternative transportation modalities, which are intended to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with Metro's priorities.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested at the January 8, 2013 meeting in order to submit grant applications to Metro by the submittal deadline of January 18, 2013.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will be required to provide a minimum 20 or 35 percent match for any project awarded funding. Match amounts for each project indicated on the attachment would be included in future capital budgets subject to funds awarded. The local match proposed for all project applications are non-General Fund dollars that are restricted in use by eligibility requirements, such as Transportation Funds. Staff will return to City Council and request budget appropriations for projects as they are awarded. Approval of this recommendation may have a positive impact on the local economy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER