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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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