Report Prepared by: Ken F. Elwin, PE, Director of Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Selection of Projects for the Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB1) FY18/19 Apportionment and Prioritization of Regional Measure V Projects
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approves the list of projects proposed to be funded with Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds pursuant to SB1 for FY 18/19, as well as prioritizes proposed regional projects to be funded by Measure V.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving Resolution 2018-24, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Approving the “FY 2018-2019 Project List” for the Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB1), Local Streets and Roads Funding for Fiscal Year 2018-2019”; and,
B. Prioritizing the list of proposed Regional Projects to be submitted to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG).
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications by City Council; or,
3. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Streets and Highways Code (SHC) Section 2034(a)(1) requires an eligible city to submit to the California Transportation Commission a list of projects proposed to be funded with Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds; the approved project list must be incorporated into City budget and adopted at a regular public meeting.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Addresses City Council Priority for local roads/sidewalks/traffic.
DISCUSSION
Background (SB1)
On April 28, 2017, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1 (SB1), also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. This program provides funding for basic road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety needs for state highways and local streets.
The funding will be deposited by the State Controller into the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and will be apportioned by formula to eligible cities. In order for a city of be eligible to receive RMRA funding, an approved project list must be approved at a regular public meeting and submitted to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) no later than May 1st each year.
Projects eligible for RMRA funding include, but are not limited to, road maintenance and rehabilitation, safety projects, railroad grade separations, complete street components (including active transportation purposes, pedestrian and bicycle safety projects, transit facilities, and drainage and stormwater capture projects in conjunction with any other allowable project), and traffic control devices.
The project list must include a description, location, completion schedule, and estimated useful life of the improvement. This project list does not limit the City’s flexibility in completing projects based on local needs and priorities, as long as the projects meet the standards in the RMRA guidelines. The City is required to annually submit a project list to the CTC in order to continue to be eligible for RMRA funding.
RMRA Apportionment and Project List
The City of Merced is anticipated to receive $1,402,613 in RMRA funding for FY18/19. The Public Works Director and City Engineer have developed a list of projects to be funded utilizing the FY 18/19 RMRA Apportionment. As not all of the FY 17/18 projects were completed, these must appear again on the FY18/19 project list. These projects include:
1. Sidewalk Replacement at various locations throughout the City.
2. Curb and Gutter replacement at various locations throughout the City.
3. Scrub Seal Projects on Canal Street from Childs to 16th Street, East El Portal Avenue from “G” Street to Joerg Avenue, West 26th Street from “G” Street to “M” Street and Merced Avenue from Parsons Avenue to Motel Drive.
4. Childs Ave Roadway Improvements (Parsons Ave to Campus Parkway)
5. Yosemite Ave (St. Augustine to State Route (SR) 59)
6. Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation Programs and Material Purchase (13.5%) (Various Locations)
Background (Measure V Regional Projects)
As part of the Measure V ½ Cent Transportation Sates Tax, 44% of the Transportation Measure funds will be allocated to Regional Projects which are to be established in the adopted Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) approved by the MCAG Governing Board. Regional Projects are to provide for the movement of goods, services and people throughout Merced County and should benefit multiple jurisdictions.
27% of the total is for an Eastside share, to be spent on projects east of the San Joaquin River.
17% of the total is for a Westside share, to be spent on projects west of the San Joaquin River.
The dividing line between Eastside and Westside shares is the San Joaquin River. Two committees will be created to recommend projects:
The Eastside Regional Projects Committee will consist of one council person from each City that includes area east of the San Joaquin River and each County Supervisor whose district includes area east of the River.
The Westside Regional Projects Committee will consist of one council person from each City that includes area west of the San Joaquin River and each County Supervisor whose district includes area west of the River.
MCAG, As the Local Transportation Authority overseeing the funds, the Governing Board of Merced County Association of Governments has the authority to approve recommendations made by the Regional Projects Committees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the MCAG Governing Board shall not approve a project that has not been recommended by a Regional Projects Committee.
Earlier this year, at the request of MCAG, staff provided a list of potential regional candidate projects for consideration. Due to the number of projects submitted and the limited funding available, MCAG is seeking to prioritize the various projects. A technical group has been formed to evaluate and vet the many projects and to provide feedback to their respective project committees.
Prioritization of Measure V Regional Projects
Staff is seeking direction from Council to prioritize the City’s submitted list of proposed regional projects attached herewith.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The adopted SB 1 projects list must be submitted to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) no later than May 1, 2018 in order for the City of Merced to be eligible to receive the FY 18/19 apportionments.
A city or county receiving an apportionment of RMRA funds is required to sustain a “Maintenance of Effort” (MOE) by spending at least the annual average of its “general fund” expenditures during the 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-2012 fiscal years for the street and roadway purposes. The current MOE estimate is $1,050,000 per year in order to remain eligible for RMRA funding. Although the language used is “general fund” the MOE can be and will be met with a variety of funding sources, including Public Works Administration (Fund 029), Street Trees (Fund 558), Streets Maintenance (Fund 022), Measure C (Fund 061), and the General Fund. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2017/18 budget to allow the City to meet this MOE requirement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2018-24
2. FY 18/19 SB1 Project List
3. FY 17/18 SB1 Project List
4. Measure V - City of Merced East Side Regional Projects List
5. Location Map