Report Prepared by: Ken F. Elwin, PE, Director of Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Selection of Eligible Roadway Projects and Submittal of 2018/2019 Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Funds Claim Form in the Amount of $980,871 to be Filed with the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Selects projects and authorizes staff to complete the FY 2018/2019 Regional Surface Transportation (RSTP) Claim Form in the amount of $980,871 for submittal to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Selecting Project 1 - B Street Improvements, in the amount of $500,000 and Project 2 - M and Main Street Improvements in the amount of $480,871, to be completed utilizing the FY 2018-2019 RSTP Exchange Funds; and,
B. Directing staff to complete the 2018-2019 RSTP claim form by listing the selected projects and corresponding project costs; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2019-51, 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 2018-2019; and,
D. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make necessary budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
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
Address Council’s priority for improving local roads, sidewalks, and traffic.
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 2018-2019 RSTP funds.
The City of Merced is entitled to a total of $980,871 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 2018-2019 RSTP Exchange Funds:
• B Street Improvements in the amount of $ 500,000
• M and Main Street Improvements in the amount of $ 480,871
The funding enhancement that is being recommended for the B Street Improvements Project is in addition to the existing $517,000 in funding allocated by Council as part of the FY 2013/14 RSTP Claim Form. This project is being completed in concert with the recently award Childs and B Street Affordable Housing grant project.
In addition to the recommended RSTP funding, the M and Main Street Improvements project includes $550,000 of Measure V funding.
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
2. Apportionments
3. Claim Form
4. MCAG Letter
5. Vicinity Map