Report Prepared by: Ken F. Elwin, PE, Director of Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Project List for the Road Repair Accountability Act (SB 1) and Council Prioritization of SB1 and Measure V Local Street Projects for the Fiscal Year 2020/2021
REPORT IN BRIEF
Requests the City Council to approve the list of projects proposed to be funded with Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds pursuant to SB1 for FY 2020/2021, and requests City Council prioritization of Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/2021 SB1 and Measure V local projects.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion selecting Projects for the FY 2020/2021 Project List (SB1) and Prioritizing FY 2020/2021 Projects and approving Resolution 2020-18, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Approving the “FY 2020-2021 Project List” for the Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB1), Local Streets and Roads Funding for Fiscal Year 2020-2021”.
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. On April 29, 2020 the CTC took action to approve a one-time extension for submittal of project lists and expenditure reporting due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The approved project list must be submitted by July 15, 2020.
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.
Background (Measure V, Local and Regional Projects)
On November 8, 2016, the voters of Merced County approved “Measure V”, a one-half cent sales transaction and use tax to supplement transportation roads and alternative transportation project funding. The Measure V transportation sales tax will be in place for 30 years, expiring on March 31, 2047. The Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) will administer the apportionment of sales tax funds to the County, six Cities and the agreed upon regional areas within Merced County.
On October 1, 2018, City Council approved the Measure V Regional Project Funding Agreement. Two City of Merced projects were selected by the Eastside Regional Project Committee and approved by the governing board, including:
1. Highway 59 Black Rascal Bridge (widening the bridge to a four-lane structure)
2. Highway 59 Phase 1 (widening of Highway 59 from 16th Street to Olive Avenue)
FY 2020/2021 Apportionment and Project Lists
The City of Merced is anticipated to receive $1,151,663 in RMRA (SB1) funding for FY 20/21. Additionally, the City is anticipated to receive $1,051,726 in Measure V funding for Local Projects and $262,931 for Measure V Alternative Modes. Total anticipated funding is $2,466,320. The Public Works and Engineering departments have developed a list of projects to be funded utilizing the FY 20/21 apportionments.
As not all of the FY 19/20 SB1 projects were completed, these must appear again on the FY 20/21 SB1 project list. These projects include:
Existing/Carryover FY 2019/2020 SB1 and Measure V Projects
• Sidewalk Replacement at various locations throughout the City - $360,000 (Under Construction)
• Curb and Gutter replacement at various locations throughout the City - $19,000 (Under Construction)
• Crack Filling at Various Locations - $209,600
• Grind & Overlay of Yosemite Avenue (Parson Ave to Mansionette) - $737,100
• Grind & Overlay of M Street (13th to Childs Ave) - $603,638 (Phase 1 - 8th to Childs Ave, Under Construction)
• Roadway Slurry Seal at Various Locations - $270,500 (Completed)
• 18th & R Street Roadway Improvements - $629,000
• Glen Avenue Roadway Improvements - $488,900
• R Street (Olive to Northwood) Roadway Improvements - $462,800
• 26th Street (Glen to 7th Street) Roadway Improvements - $360,300
• Childs Ave Roadway Improvements (Parsons Ave to Campus Parkway)** -$492,800
** - (propose moving out to a future year)
Existing/Carryover Measure V Projects
• Alpine Drive Overlay (G Street to Wainwright) - $300,000 (Bidding Soon)
• Canal Overlay (19th to Railroad) - $2,500,000 (Under Design)
• R Street Overlay/Reconstruct (Loughborough to Yosemite) - $1,100,000 (Phase 1 Bidding soon)
• CMAQ Hwy 59 Traffic Signal (grant match)
• CMAQ Right Turn Channelization (grant match)
• CMAQ Sidewalk Infill at John Muir (grant match)
• CMAQ Sidewalk Infill on Motel Drive (grant match)
• CMAQ Sidewalk Infill on Olive/Parsons/Alexander Avenue (grant match)
• CMAQ Sidewalk Infill on R/S/T Streets (grant match)
• CMAQ Sidewalk Infill on 7th/8th/Linda Lane (grant match)
Proposed FY 2020/2021 Projects List
• Sidewalk Replacement at various locations throughout the City - $621,800 (See attachment for locations)
• Curb and Gutter replacement at various locations throughout the City - $21,600 (See attachment for locations)
• R Street Overlay/Reconstruct (Loughborough to Yosemite) - $1,100,000 (Phase 1 - Loughborough to Buena Vista, Bidding soon)
• R Street Overlay/Reconstruct (Loughborough to Yosemite) - $700,000 (Phase 2 - Buena Vista to Yosemite)
• Grind & Overlay of M Street (13th to Childs Ave) - $650,000 (Phase 2 - 8th to 13th)
• Canal Overlay (19th to Railroad) - $2,500,000
• Railroad Crossing Improvements - $170,000 (See attachment for locations)
• Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation Programs and Material Purchase (Various Locations)
a. RMRA (SB1) - $523,249
b. Measure V Alternative Modes - $104,650
c. Measure V Streets/Roads - $418,599
SB1 Project List Submittal
The annual SB1 Project List submittal is due no later than July 15th to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). All carryover SB1 projects not completed by June 30th must be re-listed on the FY 2020/2021 Project List. Additionally, the annual Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation Program must be re-listed on the FY 2020/2021 Project List. This funding is used by the City’s Streets Division for basic maintenance needs, including filling potholes, repairing sidewalks and asphalt, maintenance of streetlights, replacement of signs, painting and striping, etc.
Staff is seeking from Council selection of projects for inclusion on the FY 2020/2021 SB1 Project List, as well as prioritization of the proposed projects for FY 2020/2021.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The adopted SB 1 projects list must be submitted to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) no later than July 15, 2020 in order for the City of Merced to be eligible to receive the FY 2020/2021 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 has been revised from $1,050,000 to $124,538 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 Measure C (Fund 061). The MOE requirement and the proposed list of projects have been included in the City Manager’s Recommended FY 2020-21 Budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2020-18
2. FY 20/21 SB1 & Measure V Project List
3. FY 19/20 SB1 & Measure V Project List
4. Arterial Pavement Condition Map 2018 with Project Locations
5. Presentation