Agenda Item Wording:
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Measure R Trails Reallocation of Funds - Authorization to reallocate Measure R Trail Funds between project categories within the City of Visalia’s Measure R Trail funding allocation of $30,390,000 as outlined in this report.
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Prepared by:
Dolores Verduzco, Financial Analyst, Dolores.Verduzco@visalia.city, (559) 713-4540
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, Chris.Crawford@visalia.ctiy, (559) 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering & Building Director, Jason.Hucklebery@visalia.city, (559) 713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the reallocation of Measure R Trail Funds between project categories within the city’s Measure R funding allocation of $30,390,000 for trails, bike, and/or pedestrian projects as outlined in this report.
Summary:
Measure R funding in the amount of $30,390,000 is identified in the Measure R Expenditure Plan for the City of Visalia to utilize towards trail, bike and/or pedestrian projects. The total Measure R funding allocation of $30,390,000 is separated into different project categories to identify projects along specific trails within the city. Measure R funds can be reallocated between project categories based on funding needs and contingent upon City Council approval. The proposed reallocation of Measure R Trail funding will move budget between project categories listed in the Measure R Expenditure Plan. This is a revenue neutral action, and the recommended action is not increasing the budget.
Background Discussion:
In November 2006 voters approved a 30 year ½ cent sales tax measure to fund transportation projects countywide. The Measure R Expenditure Plan was prepared with input from member agencies and voters as a guide to fund transportation needs in Tulare County through the year 2037. The Measure R Expenditure Plan identifies funding categories to outline the projects that will be funded to include Regional Projects, Local Projects, and Transit/Bicycle/Environmental (Air Quality) Projects. The plan is administered by the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) acting as the Tulare County Transportation Authority (TCTA) of the Measure R Program.
In the Transit/Bicycle/Environmental funding category within the Measure R Expenditure Plan, $30,390,000 is identified for the city to utilize towards trail, bike and/or pedestrian projects. The City of Visalia has many Measure R trail/bike/pedestrian projects completed, underway, and/or planned throughout the city. Staff has been working with the TCTA to secure the necessary Measure R funding for projects approved by City Council in the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The Expenditure Plan lists project categories for the use of the $30,390,000 allocated to the city. City staff and the TCTA refer to the Measure R Expenditure Plan to ensure projects are within the Measure R funding allocation amount and on the approved project list.
In January 2016, Council approved a reallocation of Measure R Trail Funds in order to meet the current project cost estimates and allow the continued delivery of projects prioritized for construction according to the approved project list in the City’s CIP. Thereafter, Council has continued to approve the reallocation of funds as funding needs have arose on a project by project basis.
Upon review of estimated funding needs, the reallocation of funds between the project categories listed in the city’s trail/bike/pedestrian list is needed in order to continue with projects underway and planned projects. In addition, a new project category titled Maintenance and Security previously approved by Council to utilize Measure R Trail funding needs to be added to the city’s trail/bike/pedestrian project list. Council approved on June 15, 2020 the amendment to the Measure R Expenditure Plan to provide the flexibility to utilize Measure R Trail funding for the maintenance of trails within the city. Council approval is required to reallocate Measure R Trail funding between the project categories and to add the new project category for Maintenance and Security. This is a revenue neutral action and will not result in an increase or decrease in Measure R funds.
The proposed reallocation of Measure R Trail funds will shift funds to provide local matching funds for projects that have received an award of grant funds to include ATP awarded projects for the Goshen Trail Replacement project and the Santa Fe Bike Lanes project, and previously approved funding for trail projects. As City Council previously identified a need for funds for the maintenance of existing trails and future trails to be constructed, staff recommends reallocating $500,000 within the Measure R Trail Fund for maintenance and security needs of trails. Maintenance and security improvements may include maintenance of asphalt trails, landscaping maintenance, and additional lighting for enhanced security.
Although, Council has previously approved Measure R Trail funds for these projects, the reallocation of funds with the Measure R trail/bike/ped list is needed in order to maintain a balanced Measure R Trail Fund.
The table below lists the project categories for the $30,390,000 of Measure R funds allocated to the city for trail/bike/pedestrian projects and the proposed reallocation of funds between project categories.
|
Project Category |
Current Measure R Trail Allocation |
Proposed Reallocation |
Updated Measure R Trail Allocation |
|
Mill Creek |
$3,700,000 |
$(382,670) |
$3,317,330 |
|
Santa Fe |
$7,370,057 |
$(512,837) |
$6,857,220 |
|
St. John’s River Path |
$3,000,000 |
$372,986 |
$3,372,986 |
|
Packwood Creek |
$5,746,764 |
$0 |
$5,746,764 |
|
Modoc Creek |
$3,000,000 |
$170,700 |
$3,170,700 |
|
Goshen Ave Trail |
$3,000,000 |
$1,912,000 |
$4,912,000 |
|
Cameron Creek |
$3,000,000 |
$(3,000,000) |
$0 |
|
K Street |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
K Road (along SJ rail line) |
$737,179 |
$(737,179) |
$0 |
|
Visalia Class 1 Trails |
$836,000 |
$1,677,000 |
$2,513,000 |
|
Maintenance & Security (new category) |
$0 |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
Total |
$30,390,000 |
$0 |
$30,390,000 |
The updated allocation amount for project categories for Cameron Creek, K Street, and K Road is listed as zero. A trail along K Street and K Road was previously found infeasible by an engineering study because of the challenges of the railroad. Currently, there are not any planned projects identified along Cameron Creek. Funding from Cameron Creek is being recommended to shift to other projects previously approved by Council. The list may be revised by Council in the future based on project needs. The attached list is provided for reference to show in detail the currently active and completed trail/bike/pedestrian projects.
Fiscal Impact:
This is a revenue neutral action, funding is not being increased or decreased. The Measure R Expenditure Plan is a document utilized by the TCTA to ensure projects are within the approved Measure R allocation amount. The reallocation of Measure R trail funds will align funding between project categories in the Measure R Expenditure Plan to match funding for projects previously approved by Council. City Council approval is required for the reallocation of funds between projects within the Measure R Expenditure Plan.
Prior Council Action:
November 20, 2023
Authorized the Notice of Completion for Greenway Trail Phase 2 (Mill Creek Bridget on Greenway Trail Project), appropriate and additional $10,000 from the Measure R Trailway Fund, and authorized the amendment to the Measure R Expenditure Plan to reallocate $10,000 from K Road along SJ line to the Mill Creek Bridge on Greenway Trail Project.
September 19, 2022
Authorized the Notice of Completion for the Packwood Creek Trail, execute an amendment to the Measure R Supplemental Agreement, authorized an appropriation of $70,000 from the Measure R Trails Fund, and amend the Measure R Trail Expenditure Plan to reallocate $70,000 from the K Road along SJ line to the Packwood Creek Trail.
June 21, 2021
Authorized the appropriation of $400,000 from the Measure R Trails Fund, execute a Measure R Supplemental Agreement with TCAG for the Santa Fe Class IV Bike Lane from Tulare Ave. to Houston Ave. Project, and authorized the Measure R Trail Expenditure Plan be revised to reallocate $1,187,236 from the K Street Bike Path to Santa Fe and $1,682,821 from the K Road along SJ line to Santa Fe.
May 3, 2021
Authorized the City Manager to award a contract to Romanazzi General Engineering in the amount of $749,632.82 for the construction of the Greenway Trail Phase 1 & 2, execute a Supplemental Agreement with TCAG, and amend the Measure R Trail Expenditure Plan to designate $236,000 from the K Street Bike Path to the Mill Creek Bridge at Greenway Trail.
March 15, 2021
Authorized the City Manager to award a contract to Avison Construction Inc., in the amount of $1,099,500 for the Packwood Creek Trail Project, amendment to the supplemental agreement with TCAG, and amendment to the Measure R Expenditure Plan to designate $76,764 from the K Street Bike Path to the Packwood Creek Trail.
January 4, 2016
Approval of Measure R Trail funding allocation update of $30,390,000.
September 15, 2014
Authorized the update to the allocation of Measure R Trail Funds of $30,390,000.
Alternatives: Retain allocation of Measure R Trail funding and utilize other funding for trail projects.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the reallocation of Measure R Trail Funds between project categories within the city’s Measure R Trail funding allocation of $30,390,000 as outlined in this report.
Environmental Assessment Status: Not applicable.
Deadline for Action: 8/18/2025
Attachments: Visalia Measure R Trail, Bike & Pedestrian List of Projects