TITLE
Recommendation to approve submittal of the recommended list of grant applications to potential funding agencies, including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro); and
Authorize City Manager to administer and execute all necessary documents to accept and expend all grant funds in connection therewith, to pursue additional grant funds for the projects listed as needed, 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 2015 Call for Projects. The Call for Projects is a key 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 2013.
The 2015 Call for Projects will allocate discretionary funding for FY20 and FY21 to local projects in several categories, including: Regional Surface Transportation Improvements (RSTI), Goods Movement Improvements (GMI), Signal Synchronization and Bus Speed Improvements (SS), Transportation Demand Management (TOM), Bicycle Improvements, Pedestrian Improvements, and Transit Capital. The funding available for this Call for Projects cycle will be available in Spring 2015.
Within each category, Metro will rank project applications using several criteria, with an emphasis on sustainability, complete streets, and first/last mile projects. 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 local matches proposed for all of the City's 8 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 will continue to consider sustainability in every category, taking into consideration each jurisdiction's efforts toward sustainability, recycling, emission reduction, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and resource conservation policies. This year, Metro has also added Complete Streets and FirsULast Mile considerations, and will also prioritize projects that provide access for all users and to the regional transit system.
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 competitiveness with Metro's prioritized criteria: regional significance & intermodal integration, first/last mile improvements, project need & benefit to transportation system, local match requirement, cost effectiveness, and land use and sustainability policies/principles. Metro retains the prerogative to vary from the priorities of the submitting agency.
The schedule for the 2015 Call for Projects is as follows:
January 30, 2015 Applications due
June 2015 Metro staff completes preliminary project and funding
recommendations
July 28-29, 2015 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) appeals of Metro
staff rankings and funding recommendations
Mid-August 2015 Metro Board review of Staff and TAC recommended
projects and rankings
September 2015 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 Amy Webber on December 31, 2014, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on January 7, 2015.
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
Council action is requested on January 20, 2015 in order to submit grant applications to Metro by the submittal deadline of January 30, 2015.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will be required to provide a minimum 20 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. For all 8 projects, the City's local match funding proposed for the project applications includes AB2766, Proposition A, Proposition C and Transportation Improvement Fees. Each proposed capital funding source is restricted in use by eligibility requirements. 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,
ARA MALOYAN, P.E.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER