Report Prepared by: Laura Ivancich, Management Analyst, Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Selection of Eligible Roadway and Safety Projects and Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to File the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Fund Claim in the Amount of $1,268,872 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers selecting the Right Turn Channelization on Highway 59 at 16th Street (CP140049), New Traffic Signal on Highway 59 at 16th Street (CP140052), Canal Street Watermain (CP210055), Santa Fe Strip Park Sidewalk (CP220021), R Street from Northwood Drive to Olive Avenue (CP220050), and Main Street Directional (CP230014) as Eligible Projects and authorizes staff to complete the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Claim Form in the total amount of $1,268,872 for submittal to Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Selecting Right Turn Channelization on Highway 59 at 16th Street (CP140049), New Traffic Signal on Highway 59 at 16th Street (CP140052), Canal Street Watermain (CP210055), Santa Fe Strip Park Sidewalk (CP220021), R Street from Northwood Drive to Olive Avenue (CP220050), and Main Street Directional (CP230014) Projects as the Eligible Projects; and,
B. Directing Staff to complete the 2023-2024 RSTP Claim Form by listing the selected projects and corresponding project costs; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2024-82, 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 2023-2024; and,
D. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make necessary budget adjustments for Fiscal Years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025
E. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
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 Priorities for local roads/sidewalks/traffic/safety.
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 2023-2024 RSTP funds.
City of Merced’s exchange funds apportionment claim for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 will be $1,268,872. 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 2023-2024 allocation be allocated to the following projects:
1. Right Turn Channelization on Highway 59 at 16th Street (CP140049) - $75,000
2. New Traffic Signal on Highway 59 at 16th Street (CP140052) - $75,000
3. Canal Street Watermain 14th-15th (CP210055) - $50,000
4. Santa Fe Strip Park Sidewalk (CP220021) - $268,872
5. R Street from Northwood Drive to Olive Avenue (CP220050) - $500,000
6. Main Street Directional (CP230014) - $300,000
The Santa Fe Strip Park, R Street Reconstruction, and Main Street Directional were selected due to a short fall in construction funds, the Canal Street Watermain 14th-15th was selected to supplement the extra costs for additional roadway construction that was not the responsibility of PG&E, and the Right Turn Channelization and new Traffic Signal projects at the intersection of Highway 59 and 16th Street for additional cost associated with completing the design.
All of these projects 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 these projects, and the associated estimated revenue have been accounted for in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget, under CP250004-Project To Be Determined for a claim estimated to be $1,268,872. Once it is approved by City Council, staff will allocate the funds of $1,268,872 to the projects list.
ATTACHMENTS
1. RSTP Resolution 2024-82
2. MCAG RSTP Apportionment Distribution
3. MCAG FY 23-24 RSTP Claim Form