Report Prepared by: Michael Wegley, Interim City Engineer, Engineering Division and Scott McBride, Director of Development Services
Title
SUBJECT: Selection of the R Street from Northwood Drive to Olive Avenue (CP220050), and Yosemite Avenue from Mansionette Drive to Parsons Avenue (CP200009) Reconstruction Projects as the Eligible Roadway Projects, Directing Staff to Complete the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP), Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to File the RSTP Exchange Fund Claim in the Amount of $1,278,748 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and Authorizing the Finance Officer to Make any Necessary Budget Adjustments
REPORT IN BRIEF
Selects R Street from Northwood Drive to Olive Avenue, and Yosemite Avenue from Mansionette Drive to Parsons Avenue Reconstruction Projects as the Eligible Roadway Projects, direct staff to complete the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Claim Form in the total amount of $1,248,748, and adopting a resolution authorizing the submittal of a Claim Form and said resolution to Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) in order to receive the City of Merced’s RSTP apportionment in the amount of $1,248,748 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and authoring the Finance Officer to make any necessary budget adjustments.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Selecting R Street from Northwood Drive to Olive Avenue, and Yosemite Avenue from Mansionette Drive to Parsons Avenue Reconstruction Projects as the Eligible Roadway Projects; and,
B. Directing Staff to complete the 2022-2023 RSTP Claim Form by listing the selected projects and corresponding project costs; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2023-72, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, authorizing the City Manager to file the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Funds claim for fiscal year 2022-2023; and,
D. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make necessary budget adjustments for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications by City Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) provides for the exchange of Local Un-obligated funds through MCAG per the Caltrans agreement.
Projects to be funded with this claim are only those projects that are defined under Section 133(b) and 133(c) of title 23, United States Code and Article XIX of the California State Constitution, implemented in accordance with the requirements of Section 182.6(d)(I) of the Streets and Highway Code.
Funding received, and the interest earned, must be used only for the purposes for which the claim is approved. If the claimant fails to use funds received in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the exchange funds must be returned to MCAG.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Addresses City Council Priority for local roads/sidewalks/traffic.
DISCUSSION
The Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) portion of the Federal SAFETEA-LU Act provides for revenues and allocations to local agencies. Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) has received authorization from Caltrans providing for fund distribution in a two-tier process. The funds allocated to the City through MCAG represent a City "Lifeline" apportionment with the remainder of the funds to be allocated by MCAG based on a mutually acceptable allocation formula.
The MCAG Board has adopted a formula based on population by jurisdiction. A summary of the apportionments is shown in Attachment 2. MCAG, on behalf of the local agencies, has entered into an agreement with Caltrans to exchange the Local Un-obligated balance of the 2022-2023 RSTP funds.
City of Merced’s exchange funds apportionment claim for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 will be $1,248,748. This exchange will then allow these funds to be spent on local projects and rehabilitation activities in accordance with the requirements of Section 182.6(d)(1) of the Streets and Highways Code.
It is recommended that the 2022-2023 allocation be allocated to two roadway reconstruction projects:
1. R Street from Northwood Avenue to Olive Avenue - $600,000; and,
2. Yosemite Avenue from Mansionette Drive to Parsons Avenue - $648,748.
Both of these projects are in the final phases of design and meet the guidelines for road classifications necessary to be eligible for funding purposes.
Staff is seeking Council direction on the recommended projects to utilize the RSTP exchanged funds. Per the requirements of the RSTP claim form agreement, once the projects are listed on the RSTP claim, the City is obligated to complete the projects or return the unspent exchange funds to MCAG.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding for this project, and the associated estimated revenue have been accounted for in the FY 2023/24 Adopted Budget for a claim estimated to be $1,248,748. The recommended action includes authority for the Finance Officer to make any budget amendments if they become necessary to receive these exchange funds.
ATTACHMENTS
1. RSTP Resolution 2023-72
2. MCAG RSTP Apportionment Distribution
3. MCAG FY 22-23 RSTP Claim Form
4. MCAG FY 22-23 RSTP Letter