Report Prepared by: John C. Sagin, Jr., AIA - Principal Architect, Engineering Dept.
Title
SUBJECT: Consideration of Roadway Projects for the 2015/2016 Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Funds Claim
REPORT IN BRIEF
Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) has received a RSTP exchange contract from Caltrans for Fiscal year 2015/2016 and the City of Merced can claim, by simple resolution, its portion of the exchange funds.
RECOMMENDATION
OPTION 1:
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Selecting “Yosemite Avenue - San Augustine to Highway 59” to be completed utilizing the FY 2015-2016 RSTP Exchange Funds; and,
B. Directing staff to complete the 2015-2016 RSTP Claim Form by listing the selected projects and corresponding project costs; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2016-40, 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 2015-2016.
OPTION 2:
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Selecting “N Street - 8th Street to Childs Avenue” and “15th Street - R Street to O Street” to be completed utilizing the FY 2015-2016 RSTP Exchange Funds; and,
B. Directing staff to complete the 2015-2016 RSTP Claim Form by listing the selected projects and corresponding project costs; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2016-40, 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 2015-2016.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff; 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 Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) 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.
Monies received (and the interest earned on such monies subsequent to allocation) 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
As provided for in the 2016-17 Adopted Budget.
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 2015/2016 RSTP funds.
The City of Merced is entitled to a total of $876,003 in RSTP Exchange Funds through MCAG. As part of MCAG’s claim process, the City is required to submit the completed claim form containing a list of up to 4 projects to be funded with the exchange funds, as well as a City Council Resolution authorizing the RSTP Claim.
Below are two options for projects to be completed utilizing the FY 2015/2016 RSTP Exchange Funds:
Option 1:
• Yosemite Avenue - San Augustine to Highway 59 $876,003
Option 2:
• N Street - 8th Street to Childs Avenue $480,000
• 15th Street - R Street to O Street $396,003
Staff is seeking Council direction to select which projects will be completed utilizing the RSTP exchange 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.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Apportionments
3. Claim Form
4. MCAG Letter