Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize the City Manager to submit funding applications for the 2023 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG).
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Deadline for Action: 6/15/2022 - Funding Application Deadline
Submitting Department: Administration - CIP Engineering
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Dolores Verduzco, Financial Analyst, Dolores.Verduzco@visalia.city, 713-4540
Casey Chu, Assistant Engineer, Casey.Chu@visalia.city, 713-4491
Diego Corvera, Civil Engineer, Diego.Corvera@visalia.city, 713-4209
Frank Senteno, City Engineer, Frank.Senteno@visalia.city , 713-4331
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, Nick.Mascia@visalia.city, (559) 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to submit two (2) funding applications for the 2023 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 with a total estimated project cost of $16,400,000 (with refinements as necessary). The following two projects to improve safety and promote active modes of transportation in the City will be submitted for funding to both the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), for a statewide selection, and the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), for a countywide selection:
1. Goshen-Visalia Corridor Project ($14,000,000 estimated cost)
2. Houston Community Connectivity Project ($2,400,000 estimated cost)
Background Discussion:
The ATP is a grant program created to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation. The purpose of and goals of the ATP include the following:
• Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by walking and biking
• Increase the safety and mobility for non-motorized users
• Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction
• Enhance public health
• Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program
Cycle 6 of the ATP is funded by multiple federal fund sources such as the Transportation Alternative Program and the Highway Safety Improvement Program alongside state funding sources from the State Highway Account and the Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation Account. The ATP is a competitive statewide program with a funding application deadline of June 15 to Caltrans for funding consideration in the statewide component of the program. Projects not selected for award in the statewide competition will be eligible to be resubmitted to TCAG in the countywide competitive component of the program.
In preparation to submit projects to the ATP Cycle 6, staff referenced the City’s Active Transportation Plan, a plan identifying projects to improve non-motorized forms of transportation within the community, which was previously adopted by City Council on March 3, 2017.
The Goshen-Visalia Corridor Project selected for the current ATP Cycle 6 application had been submitted in previous ATP cycles. During the last ATP cycle, the City received an application score of 90 points out of 100 with a successful application score cutoff at 92 points. As a result, the City was not successful in the previous ATP cycle for the selected project.
In order to improve the grant application and receive the remaining points required for a successful funding application, City staff met with California Transportation Commission (CTC) staff to request a grant application debrief and received favorable comments from the CTC staff in applying for funds from the ATP again. The feedback received indicated that the identified projects were excellent candidates for the ATP application. CTC staff performed a site visit for each proposed project area and pointed out that each project would benefit a broad range of users. CTC staff recommended that City staff elaborate more in the application on the different types of users each project would benefit to help increase scores in the next funding cycle.
The Goshen-Visalia Corridor Project will benefit a broad range of users as the Goshen Trail provides a connection for residents to access important destinations including shopping centers, employment, transit, and several public schools. The project will also connect the unincorporated community of Goshen to downtown Visalia.
The Houston Community Connectivity Project will benefit not only the students at the Houston Elementary School but the neighboring residents as well by improving the safety and accessibility of non-motorized modes of transportation to the school and key neighborhood destinations.
Engineering staff conducted extensive public outreach to gather input and feedback from the community to ensure the community’s needs are being addressed. The public outreach conducted included:
• 7 Online Surveys - 4/4/22 to 4/18/22
• 3 Pop Up Events
o Industrial Park - 3/30/22
o Grocery Store (Akers & Goshen) - 4/2/22
o Senior Center - 4/13/22
• 3 Public Workshops
o Houston Elementary Afterschool Program - 4/5/22
o Senior Center - 4/6/22
o Virtual Workshop - 4/7/22
Goshen-Visalia Corridor Improvement Project
This project has a total estimated cost of $14 million. The proposed project will reconstruct a Class 1 multi-use trail from Giddings to Miller Park Court and will extend the trail from Miller Park Court to Camp Drive for a total trail length of six miles. As-built records indicate the existing trail from Giddings to Akers was constructed in 1996 and the segment from Akers to Miller Park Court in 1998. Both segments were capital improvement projects constructed by the City. The existing 8’ wide deteriorated asphalt trail will be reconstructed and elevated from street grade to prevent future flooding and for additional safety.
This project, referred to as the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Improvement Project in the grant application, would leverage up to 20% ($2.8 million) of Measure R Trail (132) funds to receive the maximum points available in the grant category of leveraging. This project would fund the construction aspect of CIP 8130, Goshen Avenue Trail Reconstruction Project. At the City Council meeting on May 2, 2022, Council awarded the design services contract for the Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project and authorized a total of $1,661,630 of Measure R Trail funds to be utilized for design. This amount will be applied to the matching funds contribution. The ATP allows for funds expended before the grant submission deadline to be considered toward the amount of funds for leveraging. If the grant is awarded, the remaining funds needed as leverage will be requested from the Measure R Trail Fund. The Goshen Trail is an approved project identified in the Visalia Bike/Pedestrian Projects list within the Measure R Expenditure Plan and earmarks funding in the amount of $3,000,000 towards the improvements of the Goshen Trail.
Houston Community Connectivity Project
This project has a total estimated cost of approximately $2,400,000. The leveraging of funds is not required for a project of this size and no additional points will be awarded if funds are leveraged. The cost of this project is estimated to be less than the $3.5 million threshold established by the ATP guidelines in which the leveraging of funds is not necessary. The final cost estimate for this project is currently being refined, however, staff anticipates the cost will not reach the $3.5 million threshold. Therefore, ATP funds will be requested as needed to fully fund the project from design to construction. Staff is reviewed feedback received from the outreach conducted to determine areas of priority for the impacted community. Proposed improvements to the neighborhoods are listed below and can be seen on attachment 1 Houston Community Connectivity Project Location Map.
Proposed Improvements:
• Crosswalk enhancements including the existing school crosswalk on Houston Avenue at Turner Street. Enhancements to include installation of ADA curb ramps, curb extensions, striping, and signage.
• Close gaps in sidewalks near the Houston Elementary School and surrounding neighborhoods. To include installation of ADA curb ramps, striping, and signage for safer street crossings.
• On street bike facility improvements to provide safer bike lanes for residents and provide a traffic calming effect as a byproduct.
The project scope and cost estimate for each project is still in development and will be refined as necessary in the grant application.
Fiscal Impact:
As outlined in this report, the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Project will be leveraged using Measure R Trail (132) funds. By leveraging funds towards this project, the City is eligible for increased scores. Final grant amounts may differ upon final award from Caltrans and/or TCAG. These grants are known for being very competitive.
If awarded, staff will return to City Council to request authorization of final award amounts. Amounts may still vary based on the final project estimate and funding levels offered by the awarding agencies.
For projects funded with Measure R funds, a supplement agreement is required. If the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Improvement project is awarded, staff will return to City Council to request an amendment to the current Measure R supplemental agreement for CP8130 Goshen Trail Reconstruction project and request an appropriation of Measure R Trail funds as needed.
Prior Council Action:
May 2, 2022
Authorized a contract with 4 Creeks to prepare professional consulting services for the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project in the amount not to exceed $1,269,306 and authorized a total of $1,661,630 of Measure R Trails (132) funds. (Project Number 3010-72000/CP8130-999)
August 17, 2020
Authorized submission of funding applications for the ATP funding (Cycle 5) for the Goshen-Visalia Corridor Improvement project and City was not awarded funds from the ATP.
July 16, 2018
Authorized submission of funding applications for the ATP funding (Cycle 4) for the Safe Routes to School project, Mill Creek Trail project, and Goshen Trail project. City was not awarded funds from the ATP.
June 6, 2016
Authorized submission of funding applications for the ATP funding (Cycle 3) and the City was awarded $1,000,000 for construction of a Class 1 multi-use trail, the Visalia Greenway Belt Trail Connection.
July 20, 2015
Authorized submission of funding applications for the ATP funding (Cycle 2) and the City was awarded $79,000 for the Green Acres Middle School enhanced crosswalk.
June 16, 2014
Authorized submission of funding applications for the ATP funding (Cycle 1) and the City was awarded $141,000 for construction of a Class 1 trial along Mill Creek
Alternatives:
Not submit applications for the 2023 Cycle 6 Active Transportation Program.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize submission of funding applications for the two (2) project(s) outlined in this report to the Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 to Caltrans for statewide selection consideration and to TCAG for countywide selection consideration.
end
Environmental Assessment Status:
To be completed prior to construction.
CEQA Review:
To be completed prior to construction.
Attachments:
1. Houston Community Connectivity Project Location Map
2. Goshen-Visalia Corridor Location Map