SunnyvaleRTC

March 21, 2006

SUBJECT: Request Appropriation of Transportation Development Act (TDA) Funds to Calabazas Creek Trail Project - Budget Modification No. 20

REPORT IN BRIEF

This report recommends Council adopt Budget Modification No. 20 to recognize and appropriate $209,598 of TDA grant revenues to the Calabazas Creek Trail project. This will increase the FY 2005/2006 budget for the Calabazas Creek Trail project to $803,911.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has approved the Sunnyvale allocation request and the final TDA Article 3 allocation has been administered by the MTC. This budget modification establishes the appropriation to allow for expenditure and reimbursement of funds. The allocation is consistent with the City's previously established priorities for TDA funding. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee took action regarding this priority in March 2004.

BACKGROUND

The TDA is a source of funds created by State legislation which annually returns to each region in the State 1/4 of 1% of sales tax revenues which are to be used for transportation projects. TDA Article 3 funds are earmarked for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

The TDA Article 3 application process involves submittal of the application to the VTA towards the beginning of each year. VTA prioritizes the submitted projects and then submits their list of recommended projects to the MTC for approval. Traditionally, MTC approves the projects with instruction to implement the projects within three years of the funding year. The City implements the approved projects and then submits paperwork to MTC to be refunded for the money expended.

Projects which have been funded from prior years include purchase and installation of bike racks and lockers, marking of bike symbols on loop detectors, upgrading of loop detectors, purchase of bike rodeo equipment, sidewalk installations around the City, handicap ramp construction, the installation of audible pedestrian signals, bike lane construction, and a comprehensive bike facilities study.

The VTA apportionment formula gives 70% of the funds to cities and the County according to population. The remaining 30% will be available for bicycle projects listed on the Valley Transportation Plan 2020 Bicycle Expenditure Program project list.

City Council authorized filing of the TDA requests on June 1, 2004 (RTC 04-189) and June 17, 2005 (RTC 05-136).

EXISTING POLICY

The following documents contain policy direction on this issue:

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

Bicycle Plan BP.B3; The City of Sunnyvale shall pursue all available funding options for bicycle facility construction and improvements.

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

DISCUSSION

The Calabazas Creek Trail project seeks to upgrade an existing maintenance road along Calabazas Creek between Old Mountain View Alviso Road and Mission College Boulevard to a paved pedestrian and bicycle trail. See Attachment A for project location. In addition, the project will provide a bridge structure that links trail users from the west side, to the creek trail on the east side. The project intent is to provide gates, signs, and fencing along the maintenance road and a bridge structure that crosses Calabazas Creek. This would allow public access and create a recreational trail parallel to a 9000 foot segment of Calabazas Creek. The project is currently under construction.

FISCAL IMPACT

Approval of Budget Modification No. 20 will recognize the TDA grant allocations for FY 2004/05 and FY 2005/06, and appropriate the grant funds to the Calabazas Creek Trail project. This will increase the FY 2005/2006 budget for the Calabazas Creek Trail project to $803,911; the breakdown of the funding sources is summarized below:

ISTEA Grants $309,726

TDA – FY 2002/03 Allocation $199,036

TDA – FY 2003/04 Allocation $ 50,152

TDA – FY 2004/05 Allocation $ 27,550

TDA – FY 2005/06 Allocation $182,048

Gas Tax $ 35,399

Total $803,911

It should be noted that the FY 2005/2006 TDA allocation included in the current budget was not appropriated to any specific projects at the start of the year. Approval of Budget Modification No. 20 would appropriate the current budget and $99,648 in additional TDA allocations for FY 2005/2006 to the Calabazas Creek Trail Project.

BUDGET MODIFICATION NO. 20 FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006
	Current	Increase (Decrease)	Revised

TDA Fund
Revenues
FY 2004/2005 Allocation	$0	$27,550	$27,550
FY 2005/2006 Allocation	$82,400	$99,648	$182,048

Capital Projects Fund/Gas Tax Sub-fund
Expenditures
821570 Calabazas Creek Trail Project	594,313	$209,598	$803,911

Conclusion

This report recommends Council adopt Budget Modification No. 20 to recognize and appropriate $209,598 of TDA Allocation revenues to the Calabazas Creek Trail project. This will increase the FY 2005/2006 budget for the Calabazas Creek Trail project to $803,911.

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. Approve Budget Modification No. 20 to recognize and appropriate TDA funds to the Calabazas Creek Trail project in the amount of $209,598.

2. Do not take action at this time and forfeit the TDA funds.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative 1, Approve Budget Modification No. 20 to recognize and appropriate TDA funds to the Calabazas Creek Trail project in the amount of $209,598.

Reviewed by:
Marvin A. Rose Director, Public Works
Prepared by: Dieckmann Cogill, Senior Transportation Planner

Reviewed by:

Mary J. Bradley Director, Finance

Approved by:
Amy Chan

City Manager

Attachments

A. Calabazas Creek Trail Location (.pdf)