TITLE
Adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or his designee, to submit an application to Caltrans for an Environmental Justice Transportation Planning Grant; and
Authorize City Manager, or his designee, to accept these transportation planning grants from Caltrans for up to $550,000, and execute all documents necessary to accept the funds. (Districts 7,9)
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 Departments of Development Services and Public Works are requesting authorization to submit two grant applications to Caltrans for the Transportation Planning Grant Program within two separate categories to revitalize the Artesia Boulevard Corridor and restructure the Terminal Island Freeway.
In 2012, the City submitted these same grant proposals for the Transportation Planning Grant Program but was unsuccessful. City staff is working with Caltrans District 7 staff to prepare more competitive applications for this funding cycle, and believe these two projects are worthy of reconsideration. As the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles continue to grow, neighborhoods adjacent to the Terminal Island (TI) and Artesia Freeways continue to bear a disproportionate share of the negative impacts from goods movement.
Resolutions have been prepared that authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and appropriate up to $550,000 in Caltrans Transportation Planning Grant Program funds. If the City is awarded funding, the Grants will be used to develop new implementation strategies for Artesia Boulevard and the TI Freeway in order to create healthy and revitalized multi-modal corridors serving the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. Extensive community outreach will be conducted for the development of these plans.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais on February 21, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on March 5, 2013.
SUSTAINABILITY
The projects will result in new green infrastructure conceptual plans and standards to facilitate new public investment to support walking, bicycling and transit usage. In addition, the planning effort will identify new open space opportunities and ways to increase access to existing park space.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 19, 2013 in order to submit the grant applications with the resolutions by the April 2, 2013 deadline.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the grant applications are successful, the City will receive up to $550,000 in grant funding over two years from Caltrans. The grants require a ten percent match of $55,000. Matching funds are available in the Transportation Fund (SR 182) in Department of Public Works (PW). A request for appropriations is pending the results of the application process. 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 ClTY COUNCIL OF THE ClTY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR UP TO $250,000 UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT TO FUND A TERMINAL ISLAND FREEWAY COMPLETE STREETS PLAN AND COMMIT MATCHING ClTY FUNDS UP TO TEN PERCENT (10%) OF GRANT MONIES RECEIVED
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
ARA MALOYAN
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER