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RTC#03-045

February 4, 2003

SUBJECT:

Authorization for the City Manager to Execute Required Agreements for Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Over-crossings and Budget Modification No. 23

REPORT IN BRIEF

The Borregas Avenue Bicycle Corridor capital project is funded from a number of federal, state and regional sources through the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle Expenditure Program. The program requires that project specific grant applications be made for the assigned funding sources.

In April 2002, a grant application proposal for regional Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funds was submitted for the Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Over-crossings project (project #821870). Authorization and funding for $400,000 of TFCA funds was granted in July, 2002. The VTA has drafted the funding agreements and requested that the City execute the agreements. Given the current budget situation, review of this project will be considered during the Capital Project Review process. Signing of this grant agreement will still allow the City to not go forward with this project if that determination is made when we review Capital projects. Staff is also recommending a budget adjustment to reflect higher actual programming of federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act funds (ISTEA) in the amount of $14,000. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the funding agreements and approve Budget Modification No. 23 to recognize the additional revenue and the corresponding expenditure for the Borregas Avenue Bicycle Corridor project.

 

BACKGROUND

The Transportation Fund for Clean Air is a Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) program funded by a surcharge of $4.00 on motor vehicle registration fees paid within its jurisdiction. The surcharge revenues are to be used to implement specified transportation control measures that are included in the BAAQMD’s Clean Air Plan, developed and adopted pursuant to the requirements of the 1988 California Clean Air Act. Mayor Julia Miller is a member of the BAAQMD Board of Directors.

The Transportation Fund for Clean Air provides grants to local governments for projects that will reduce air pollution. Sixty percent of the annually available funds are administered by the BAAQMD and are awarded to local governments on a competitive basis. The remaining 40% of TFCA funds are returned to Bay Area counties - in Santa Clara County, the 40% TFCA funds are administered by the VTA as the designated Program Manager. Council Member Manuel Valerio represents the City on the VTA Board of Directors, and Vice Mayor Tim Risch sits on the VTA Policy Advisory Committee. The grant discussed in this report is administered by the VTA out of the 40% TFCA funds.

Eligible projects for TFCA funds include:

EXISTING POLICY

The following documents contain policy direction on this issue:

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.7: Pursue local, state and federal transportation funding sources to finance City transportation capital improvement projects consistent with City priorities.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5.4 - Maximize the provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Fiscal Sub-Element 7.1B.4d – Pursue and use intergovernmental assistance for projects in the Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan.

DISCUSSION

The City’s grant proposal for the Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Over-crossing project was authorized and funding was granted in July, 2002. The Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Over-crossing project is included in the Tier 1 list of projects in the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Expenditure Program. It is located on County Bicycle Corridor #14 as designated in the Valley Transportation Plan 2020. The over-crossings will provide safer and more convenient bicycle and pedestrian access between central Sunnyvale (residential areas and Caltrain) and north Sunnyvale (major employment area and light rail), along the north-south Borregas corridor. Freeways 101 and 237 constitute a major east-west barrier along the corridor. Borregas has low traffic volumes and medium-low density land uses within the project limits. The closest parallel routes that cross the freeways, Mathilda Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue, have high traffic volumes and speeds, side friction from driveways, parked vehicles and intersecting roadways, and no bike lanes. The over-crossings will eliminate about two miles of detours for bikes and pedestrians to cross over the freeways. The project will also improve access to the Bay Trail.

FISCAL IMPACT

The FY 2002/2003 Adopted Budget currently has $4,543,746 in project budget and $3,835,000 in revenues budgeted for the Borregas Avenue Bicycle Corridor project. The revenues are funded by the State Surface Transportation Program ($1.5M), ISTEA grant ($135K) and VTA funds ($2.2M). The remaining project budget of $708,746 is funded by City Gas Tax monies.

This Budget Modification seeks to increase the project budget to account for the TFCA grant of $400,000, and an increase in ISTEA grant funding, from $135K (original budget) to $149K (actual received).

Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the funding agreements and approve Budget Modification No. 23 to recognize the additional revenue and the corresponding expenditure for this project.

BUDGET MODIFICATION NO. 23

FISCAL YEAR 2002/2003

Current

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Revised

Capital Projects Fund

Gas Tax Sub Fund

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation Fund for Clean Air (VTA)

$ 0

 

$ 400,000

 

$ 400,000

ISTEA

$135,000

 

$14,000

 

$149,000

Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

821870 - Borregas Avenue Bicycle Corridor

$ 4,543,746

 

$ 414,000

 

$ 4,957,746

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

ALTERNATIVES

  1. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the required funding agreement for the Transportation Fund for Clean Air grant that has been awarded to the City.

  2. Approve Budget Modification No. 23 to increase the project budget by $414,000 and direct staff to program funds into the Borregas Avenue Bicycle Corridor project.

  3. Elect not to authorize the City Manager to execute the grant funding requirements and forego regional funding.

  4. Do not approve the Budget Modification No. 23 project budget increase in the amount of $414,000.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative #1 and 2.

Prepared by:
Dieckmann Wolfe
Transportation Planner

Reviewed by:
Jack Witthaus
Transportation and Traffic Manager

Marvin A. Rose
Director of Public Works

Mary J. Bradley
Director of Finance
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

Attachments
  1. TFCA Grant Agreement

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