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08.e. Use of Grant Funds from the Transportation Planning Grant ProgramMEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: TERESA MCCI-ISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BY: AILEEN NYGAARD, ASSISTANT PLANNER @ SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH 'THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM 'THE COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM DATE: MARCH 27,2012 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the Community Development Director to submit a grant application and to execute agreements with the California Department of Transportation for the use of grant funds from the Community- Based Transportation Planning Grant Program. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: A match of cash funds is required equaling ten percent (10%) of the funds granted. Qualifying cash funds are defined as staff time and cash contributions. In-kind contributions may be utilized to offset the required cash match as long as the value is less than 2.5% of the matching fund requirement. Staff is anticipating a contribution of approximately 10% of funds by providing staff time necessary to manage the project. The requested grant amount is approximately $147,000. Approximately 80% of the grant funds will be allocated to the Enhancement Plan Study and Update, and 20% to the Conceptual Streetscape Plans. BACKGROUND: The Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant Program is administered through the State's Department of Transportation with the goal to coordinate transportation and land-use planning projects that encourage community involvement and partnership. Qualifying projects support livable and sustainable community concepts with a transportation or mobility objective and promote community identity and quality of life. Caltrans' objective is to create a Smart Mobility future where State, local, and regional agencies, including Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission (CTC), the Agenda Item 8.e. Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT FUND AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARCH 27,2012 PAGE 2 State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR), California Air Resources Board (CARB), and other State agencies and departments work cooperatively to respond to legislative mandates contained in AB 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act, and SB 375. Local governments play an essential role in Smart Mobility because they hold authority for land use and development decisions that must lead the way in building a Smart Mobility future. The foundation for Caltrans' Smart Mobility Framework are concepts, tools, and resources that respond to current transportation challenges and address approaches to: Economic development achievement by minirnizing the distance between housing and job centers, revitalizing distressed urban and suburban communities, limiting public infrastructure expenditures to serve far-flung developments, and creating attractive communities that draw and retain talented workers as well as residents. Complete community design in which development pattern and the transportation system at the neighborhood and area scale combine to support convenience, non- motorized travel, and efficient vehicle trips. Distinctive communities and places that reflect their own histories, contexts, and economic foundations, and that use Smart Mobility principles in ways that are appropriate to their communities. Social equity that ensures that improved accessibility makes walking and bicycling trips competitive choices-thereby improving access for non-drivers and decreasing the impact of transportation costs on household budgets. In 2002, the City created the East Grand Avenue Enhancement Plan to provide a cohesive direction for development and improvements of the East Grand Avenue business corridor. The document was followed closely by the Design Guidelines for Mixed Use Districts to provide further design guidance for the development and redevelopment along E. Grand Avenue and also included a portion of El Camino Real. Suggestions have been made at recent meetings to formally adopt the Enhancement Plan. Staff recommends it be adopted and more clearly defined prior to formal adoption. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: The Enhancement Plan and Design Guidelines served to provide the basis for creating the mixed use zones from a strictly commercial corridor in the development code and provided the basis for initial streetscape improvements within the Gateway section of East Grand Avenue. Recent mandates from the state are requiring refinements to land Agenda Item 8.e. Page 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT FUND AGREEMENT WITH THE CAI-IFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARCH 27,2012 PAGE 3 use and transportation policies to provide efficient designs meeting compliance with SB375 and AB32. To address these requirements, the proposed grant would provide the opportunity to evaluate the current obstacles and success of the business corridors on the west side of the highway by evaluating existing conditions, surveying the public and business community for their input, and preparing the subtext analysis to update the Enhancement Plan to accommodate a form-based/multimodal design emphasis. The business districts on El Camino Real and Halcyon Road will be included in the study and subsequent comprehensive enhancement plan in order to provide efficiency in circulation and form. Additionally, results from the Economic Development Element Update Committee and data from the updated Housing Element and Bike and Pedestrian Plan will be used for this analysis. Based upon the Enhancement Plan update, a conceptual implementation plan will be prepared for the East Grand Avenue, El Camino Real and Halcyon Road corridor. Enhancements would include a parking study (including existing conditions, shared parking, drive alleys and parking lot analyses) and anlenities such as pedestrian crossings, bus turnouts, and landscape treatments (inclusive of low impact development practices) that will be conceptually depicted in plan form to assist with the complete and cohesive design of the corridor. The grant application would include funding for consultant services associated with preparation of the surveys, mapping and the East Grand Avenue, El Camino Real and Halcyon Corridor Enhancement Plan and Conceptual Streetscape Plans. Grant applications are due April 2, 2012. Grant requests for amounts up to $300,000 will be considered. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration: 1. Adopt the Resolution authorizing the Community Development Director to submit the grant application and execute a Fund Transfer Agreement; 2. Do not adopt the Resolution; or 3. Provide direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: Submittal of the grant application could result in the awarding of funds that would cover the cost of preparing an Existing Conditions survey, the Enhancement Plan study and update, and a Conceptual Streetscape Corridor Plan. DISADVANTAGES: If the grant is approved, staff will develop an RFP for the project and will have to contribute considerable staff time to work on and manage the update. However, if no Agenda Item 8.e. Page 3 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT FUND AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF 'TRANSPORTATION MARCH 27,2012 PAGE 4 application is made, or the grant is not awarded, the East Grand Avenue Corridor Plan conversion to the form based code implementation and the development of conceptual streetscape plans will be delayed until staff time becomes available to perform the work. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: None required for grant applications. PUBI-IC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, March 22,2012. The Agenda and report were posted on the City's website on Friday, March 23, 2012. No public comments were received. Agenda Item 8.e. Page 4 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE ClTY COUNCIL OF THE ClTY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT THE GRANT APPLICATION AND TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande is eligible to receive Federal andlor State funding for certain transportation planning related plans, through the California Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, a Fund Transfer Agreement is needed to be executed with the California Department of Transportation before such funds can be claimed through the Transportation Planning Grant Programs; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande wishes to delegate authorization to execute these agreements and any amendments thereto. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande hereby authorizes the Community Development Director to submit the grant application and to execute all Fund Transfer Agreements and any amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation. On motion by Council Member , seconded by Council Member , and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing Resolution was adopted this 27th day of March, 2012. Agenda Item 8.e. Page 5 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 2 TONY FERRARA, MAYOR ATTEST: KELLY WETMORE, ClTY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: STEVEN ADAMS, ClTY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: 'TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, ClTY ATTORNEY Agenda Item 8.e. Page 6