Report Prepared by: Ken Elwin, Public Works Director, Public Works Department
Title
SUBJECT: Ratification of Grant Application for Three Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Projects for a Total Amount of $1,661,529.27
REPORT IN BRIEF
Ratify grant application for three (3) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) projects at various locations within the City limits of Merced for a total amount of $1,661,529.27.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion ratifying the grant application for three Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) projects grants at various locations within the City.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff;
2. Deny; or,
3. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) is a federal transportation program with the primary goal of improving air quality and reducing congestion that is administered locally by Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG). CMAQ provides funding for transportation projects or programs that will contribute to attainment or maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter (PM) of both PM10 (coarse particles) and PM2.5 (fine particles). Since the Merced County Region has been designated as nonattainment for ozone and PM2.5, and attainment for PM10, MCAG received approximately $3 million dollars of apportioned CMAQ funding. The federal funding that has been apportioned to MCAG and must be utilized for projects that are transportation related. Per the California Air Resources Board, the projects must generate an emission reduction and cost-effectiveness calculation. Projects that are eligible for CMAQ include:
1. Transit Capital/Improvements/Manageme...
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