July 13, 2004
SUBJECT: Authorization for Filing 04/05 Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Grant Program Proposals, Certification of Matching Funds, and Authorization for the City Manager to Execute Required TFCA Agreements
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City proposes to submit to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) three applications for grant funding from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) for the following projects: Radar Speed Signs for School Areas; In-Pavement Crosswalk Warning Lights; and Countdown Pedestrian Signal Indication.
Staff asks that City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the City of Sunnyvale to file the three projects listed above to the BAAQMD TFCA grant program. Local matching funds are required for the Radar Speed Signs for School Areas and In-Pavement Crosswalk Warning Lights projects. The Countdown Pedestrian Signal Indication project does not include a local match. Staff also asks that Council commit local matching funds for the two BAAQMD grant requests, and authorize the City Manager to execute any required TFCA agreements if funding is received. A budget modification will be prepared in the event that grant funds are awarded to the City. Council member Julia Miller is a member of the BAAQMD Board of Directors.
BACKGROUND
The Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) provides grants to local governments for projects that will reduce air pollution. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), of which Council member Miller is a member, administers the grant program in the San Francisco Bay Area.
TFCA is a 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.
TFCA provides grants to local governments for projects that will reduce air pollution. BAAQMD administers the grant program in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sixty percent of the annually available funds are administered by the BAAQMD, while 40% return to Bay Area counties. The grants discussed in the report are from the 60% fund administered by the BAAQMD. Grants are available for various types of projects, including:
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Design of physical improvements that support smart-growth.
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Implementation of low emission and zero-emission vehicle projects.
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Implementation of ridesharing programs.
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The purchase or lease of clean fuel buses for school districts and transit operators.
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The provision of local feeder bus or shuttle service to rail and ferry stations and to airports.
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Implementation and maintenance of local arterial traffic management.
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Implementation of rail-bus integration and regional transit information systems.
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Demonstration projects in telecommuting and congestion pricing.
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Implementation of bicycle facility improvement projects.
EXISTING POLICY
Air quality Sub-Element – Goal A: Improve Sunnyvale’s Air Quality and reduce the exposure of its citizens to air pollutants.
Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5.4 - Maximize the provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends the filing of three applications for the TFCA grant program. Approximately $10 million will be available for distribution via the competitive Regional Fund in FY 2004/05. The minimum Regional Fund grant for a single project is $10,000 and the maximum grant is $1 million. The Air District's objectives for the TFCA are to fund the most cost-effective projects that reduce motor vehicle emissions, and to support implementation of the transportation control measures and mobile source measures in the Clean Air Plan and the 2001 Ozone Attainment Plan.
At its May 20, 2004 meeting, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) recommended filing applications for the three projects discussed in this report with the TFCA grant program. BPAC also directed staff to review several other bike projects for this grant funding and if found to be good candidates, then include them in the application. Subsequent to this meeting, staff reviewed the bike projects as directed in consideration of the TFCA Regional Fund evaluation criteria and determined that these other projects would not be likely to obtain funding.
The applications for the TFCA grant program require a City Council resolution authorizing submittal of the application, certifying matching funds, and authorizing the City Manager to execute a funding agreement if the application is approved for funding. Staff is recommending that the Council approve such a resolution, shown as Attachment A. The resolution would authorize the filing of the following applications:
· Radar Speed Signs for School Areas
· In-Pavement Crosswalk Warning Lights
· Countdown Pedestrian Signal Indication
FISCAL IMPACT
TFCA is a program that provides cities with 100% of the incurred design and construction costs of projects if necessary. No matching funds are required for projects requesting less than $100,000 in TFCA Regional Funds. As per City Policy, staff is submitting applications to fund projects that are listed on the City’s Unfunded Project List.
In order to satisfy the TFCA Regional Fund requirement that projects requesting more than $100,000 provide matching funds for at least 20% of the total project cost, two of the applications include matching funds:
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Radar Speed Signs for School Areas – This project includes a 20% local match in the amount of $36,000 to reach the total project cost of $180,000.
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In-Pavement Crosswalk Warning Lights – This project includes a 20% local match in the amount of $32,640 to reach the total project cost of $163,200.
Staff is requesting 100% funding for the remaining project:
Staff is recommending that applications be submitted for the three projects. Local matching funds would be available in the Gas Tax Reserve. Staff will return to Council with a request for a budget modification in the event that grant funds are awarded to the City.
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. Adopt resolution as shown in Attachment A to authorize filing of 2004-05 TFCA applications, certify matching funds, and authorize City Manager to execute any TFCA agreements if funding is received.
2. Adopt resolution as shown in Attachment A with modifications.
3. Do not adopt resolution to authorize filing of 03/04 TFCA applications.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternatives 1 and 2: 1. Adopt resolution as shown in Attachment A to authorize filing of 2004-05 TFCA applications, certify matching funds, and authorize City Manager to execute any TFCA agreements if funding is received; 2. Adopt resolution as shown in Attachment A with modifications
Prepared by:
Tanya Higgins
Casual Professional
Reviewed by:
Jack Witthaus
Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by:
Marvin A. Rose
Director, Public Works
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution