Report Prepared by: Laura Ivancich, Management Analyst, Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Assuring Timely Delivery for the 2025 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program Applications with Merced Association of Governments (MCAG)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting a resolution assuring timely delivery of the 2025 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program application for one project in the City of Merced.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2025-67, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Assuring Timely Delivery for the 2025 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program Application with Merced Association of Governments (MCAG); and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by Staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Council Goals and Priorities: Community Investment.
DISCUSSION
In August 2025, Merced Association of Governments (MCAG), released their next call for projects for the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) programs. There is approximately $8 million available for the entire county for this call for projects.
On September 30, 2025, staff met with the Transportation Subcommittee to discuss potential project options for the CMAQ applications. Staff and the Subcommittee reviewed the adopted 2025-26 Council Goals and Priorities and discussed other needs. As a byproduct of that conversation staff is recommending the Canal & Childs Sidewalk project has been a community and Council priority for many years. The city has previously applied for federal earmark funding, but those funds have not materialized. The project is currently under design which aides in being competitive for and would allow the project to enter into the construction phase sooner.
Subcommittee members asked that consider applying for additional funding for the existing CMAQ Traffic Synchronization project as well. After further discussion with MCAG, it was decided to not move forward with an additional funding application for the Traffic Synchronization project due to concerns with jeopardizing the existing CMAQ funding, as well as the possible change in scope altering emissions calculations further delaying the project.
The CMAQ funding for Canal and Childs would be used to install sidewalks, curb and gutter, access ramps, driveways, and install streetlights. Other local funding will be used to align the intersection, install storm drains, catch basins, and asphalt pavement.
One of the application requirements is to provide an Assurance of Timely Delivery of Programmed Projects declaring that the City is committed to delivering the project with the requested funds and within the schedule as submitted. This resolution is due to MCAG no later than November 20, 2025. The application for the project was submitted on October 24, 2025, to MCAG, and is provided in attachment A to this resolution.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No impact on City resources at this time. If the application is awarded, staff will bring the award to Council for appropriation.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2025-67