Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize the City Manager to submit a funding appliciation to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) Program for landscaping of the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street. (Resolution 2022-34 required).
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Deadline for Action: 6/3/2022
Submitting Department: Administration - CIP Engineering
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Katherine Woodhull-Fuget, Assistant Engineer, Katherine.Woodhull-Fuget@visalia.city, (559)-713-4447
Frank Senteno, City Engineer, Frank.Senteno@visalia.city, (559) 713-4331
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, Nick.Mascia@visalia.city, (559) 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council authorize an application to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) Program 2022 Grant Cycle for landscaping of the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street and adopt Resolution 2022-34.
Background Discussion:
The California Natural Resources Agency is administering the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) Grant Program and accepting proposals from April 8th, 2022 through June 3rd, 2022. This program, as provided by California Streets and Highways Code Section 164.56 (Article XIX, Section 1, of the State Constitution), authorizes the legislature to allocate up to $7 million each fiscal year from the Highway Users Tax Account (Motor Vehicle Revenues, Section 2100).
EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list.
Eligible EEM projects must fit one of the following categories:
A. Urban Forestry - projects designed to offset vehicular emissions of carbon dioxide.
B. Resource Lands - projects for the acquisition or enhancement of resource lands to mitigate the loss of, or the detriment to, resource lands lying within the right-of-way acquired for transportation improvements.
C. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency - projects to mitigate the impact of proposed Transportation Facilities or to enhance the environment, where the ability to effectuate the mitigation or enhancement measures is beyond the scope of the lead agency responsible for assessing the environmental impact of the proposed transportation improvement.
The City may submit more than one Acquisition project proposal, but may only submit one Development project proposal. CIP Engineering Staff intend to submit a Development project proposal for the planting of trees in the median of the Caldwell Avenue between Akers and Shady. The proposal will include tree planting and irrigation, and meets the Urban Forestry project category requirements.
This proposed project would plant street trees in the new medians installed by the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street (CP9485), slated to start construction August 2022. The Caldwell Avenue Improvements Project from Akers Street to Shady Street is part of the larger Avenue 280 corridor widening project sponsored by Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), County of Tulare, City of Farmersville, and the City of Exeter. The Avenue 280 project extends from State Route 99 to the City of Exeter. The larger project is being constructed in stages and by different agencies. The Caldwell Avenue Improvements Project from Akers Street to Shady Street will reconstruct existing pavement; add median islands, sidewalk, curb, gutter, fiberoptic conduit, and streetlights.
Fiscal Impact:
This project has a total estimated cost of $250,000. The project scope and cost estimate is still being developed and will be further refined as necessary to the final cost estimate submitted in the grant application.
Matching funds are not required, however, project proposals which include matching funds may be more competitive. The Caldwell Avenue Improvements Project from Akers Street to Shady Street (CP9485) will be included in the grant application as the local match. The Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street has a total budget of approximately $10M from a combination of funds from the Gas Tax (111), SB1 Road Maintenance (113), Measure R Local (131), Measure R Regional (133), and Measure N (141).
Contingent upon grant award, staff will return to City Council to request appropriation of the final award amount.
Prior Council Action:
September 7, 2021-Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. to provide construction management services for the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street in the amount of $410,100. (3010-72000/CP9485)
August 16, 2021 - Receive a staff presentation on the construction staging plans for the upcoming Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street and provide feedback and direction regarding night work impacts.
Alternatives:
Do not approve application to the EEP Program Grant. Funds for landscaping will need to be sought at a later date.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize application to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) Program grant for landscaping of the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project from Akers Street to Shady Street and adopt Resolution 2022-34.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
Completed with Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project
CEQA Review:
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) - State Clearinghouse #2008081126, Notice of Determination (NOD) - Receipt TC0663
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2022--34
2. Caldwell EEM Concept Exhibit