Report Prepared by: Steven Son, Deputy Public Works Director, Public Works Dept.
Title
SUBJECT: Selection of Three Street Improvement Projects for the 2016/2017 Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Funds; Authorization to Submit the Required Claim Form
REPORT IN BRIEF
Selects three street improvement projects to be funded by Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Funds and authorizes filing of the FY 2016/2017 Claim Form.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Selecting “N Street - 8th Street to Childs Avenue”, “Yosemite Avenue and San Augustine”, and “HWY 59 and 16th Street Improvements” to be completed utilizing the FY 2016-2017 RSTP Exchange Funds; and,
B. Directing staff to complete the 2016-2017 RSTP Claim Form by listing the selected projects and corresponding project costs; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2017-39, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced California, authorizing the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to file the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Funds claim for Fiscal Year 2016-2017; and,
D. Authorizing the Interim Finance Officer to make necessary budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2017-18.
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 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 2017-18 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 2016/2017 RSTP funds.
The City of Merced is entitled to a total of $874,498 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 four projects to be funded with the exchange funds, as well as a City Council Resolution authorizing the RSTP Claim.
Staff recommends the projects below be completed utilizing the FY 2016/2017 RSTP Exchange Funds:
• Yosemite Avenue and San Augustine $654,498
• N Street - 8th Street to Childs Avenue $110,000
• HWY 59 and 16th Street Improvements $110,000
The “Yosemite Avenue and San Augustine” and “N Street - 8th Street to Childs Avenue” projects were previously listed on the FY 2015/2016 RSTP claim form; however, due to the funding split on the previous form there have been insufficient funds to complete the projects.
The City currently has grant funding to complete improvements at the Highway 59 and 16th Street intersection, including the addition of a traffic signal and right-turn lane on westbound 16th Street. This project also has insufficient funds to complete and staff is looking for alternative funding sources to supplement the grant.
Past RSTP Allocations:
Projects listed on past RSTP Claim Forms are listed below for reference.
|
Project Location |
RSTP Allocation |
|
V Street - 16th St to 18th St |
$ 263,000.00 |
|
B Street - Childs to 15th Street |
$ 517,000.00 |
|
R & 18th Street Reconstruction (project is complete) |
$ 70,321.00 |
|
R Street - 16th St to 18th St |
$ 300,000.00 |
|
G Street - Childs to 13th Street |
$ 430,000.00 |
|
M Street - North of Bear Creek |
$ 122,894.00 |
|
Intersection of Yosemite Avenue and San Augustine |
$ 252,003.00 |
|
N Street - 8th Street to Childs Avenue |
$ 624,000.00 |
Measure V, SB 1 and Measure C Funding:
The City of Merced is currently working collaboratively with the Merced County Associations of Governments (MCAG) to develop a comprehensive pavement management plan, evaluating existing roadway conditions within the City. In addition, the City has also begun developing an active transportation plan to evaluate sidewalks and infrastructure that supports alternative modes of transportation to maintain and enhance additional transportation options. These two plans will be brought before the City Council and Measure C Committee for input to develop a list of projects.
The City will coordinate support of these projects through Measure V, SB 1 and a local sales tax initiative, Measure C. In the first year, funding from these initiatives will be used to provide immediate relief for existing pot holes and sidewalk repairs, as well as supporting the development and integration of the two comprehensive plans locally. As a more concrete list of projects is developed, staff will provide a detailed schedule at a future meeting.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
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. The Claim Form must be approved by resolution and submitted to MCAG in order for the City to receive its share of the RSTP funds.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2017-39
2. Apportionments
3. Claim Form
4. MCAG Letter