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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Resource Management to execute funding proposals, grant applications, and cooperative agreements for transportation projects in the Board of Supervisors approved Public Works 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Resource Management to execute funding proposals, grant applications, and cooperative agreements for transportation projects in the Board of Supervisors approved Public Works 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Resource Management has begun looking into additional funding opportunities for transportation projects, particularly with the increase in federal grant opportunities over the last few years. These various funding opportunities require planning and development of transportation plans, agency collaboration, staff training, and capital project delivery. The Department has a significant list of existing unfunded transportation projects in the Public Works 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), as detailed in Attachment A.
In order for the Department to seek grant revenue opportunities for projects within short application timelines, the Department will need to prepare various reports, plans, and potentially execute collaborative grant application agreements quickly to meet deadlines for submission. The Department is recommending that the Board adopt a resolution (Attachment B) that authorizes the Director of Resource Management to execute funding proposals, applications, and cooperative agreements for transportation projects to broaden grant application opportunities and enhance grant award success.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Efforts to seek and receive transportation revenues through local, regional, State, federal, and other collaborative opportunities will remain ongoing. The Department plans to work with the Solano Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Federal Highway Administration, and other agencies as grant revenue opportunities arise. Any grant revenue awards will be submitted through the normal budget approval process to the Board of Supervisors.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Resource Management has been seeking various funding opportunities to cover unfunded costs for projects in the CIP. Formula based funding has been in decline for the last decade, while the number and amount of competitive grant opportunities has been growing during the same time period. These opportunities typically include competitive grants, which require significant effort, technical expertise, and project development. Some of the competitive grant opportunities include the following:
1) Federal grants:
a. Highway Safety Improvement Program
b. Highway Bridge Program
c. Bridge Investment Program
d. Active Transportation Program (Federal)
e. Sustainable Communities Program
f. One Bay Area Grant/Farm to Market
g. Defense Community Investment Program (for Travis AFB)
h. Safe Streets and Roads for All
2) State grants:
a. Clean California Local Grant Program
b. Active Transportation Program (State)
c. State Transit Assistance Fund
d. Sustainable Communities Program
3) Regional grants:
a. Transportation Development Act
b. Yolo-Solano & Bay Area Air Quality Management Districts
Many of these grants reward collaboration between agencies and communities to enhance funding reach and effectiveness. Since the funding increase of SB 1 State Gas Tax in 2017, the Board asked the Department to look for joint project opportunities and to leverage local funds to provide any required match for larger competitive grants. The Department has been working with the Solano Transportation Authority and local cities to review potential joint projects for scopes, benefits, costs, impacts, and for project feasibility, particularly focusing on Board priorities for Travis Air Force Base and the Solano 360 project. Generally, the best potential projects for grant award success include those with a focus on enhancing public transportation access, are “shovel ready” for construction, and have local support.
The typical Notice of Grant Opportunity provides 30 to 60 days from initial notice to application deadline, and the conditions vary from year to year. Given the variation in transportation funding opportunities and the tight timelines associated with grant applications, it would improve the Department’s ability to respond in a timely manner if the Director of Resource Management was delegated authority to apply for reasonable grant opportunities that have the potential to enhance public infrastructure. Approval of the resolution will likely result in more revenues to backfill the unfunded portions of the County’s CIP. Project authorizations for bidding, awarding, and contracting would go through the normal Board process.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not approve the resolution. This is not recommended as it will provide the Department greater ability to obtain new revenues for transportation projects in the Capital Improvement Plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Further discussion and interaction among the Department of Resource Management, the Solano Transportation Authority, local cities, and regional agencies will be required to apply for various grants that require joint collaboration.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION