City Council
MEETING DATE: 8/23/2017
TITLE:
Title
Task Order with Albert A. Webb Associates for a SCAG Active Transportation Grant Application
End
FROM:
John A. Corella, P.E. - City Engineer
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Task Order under the Professional Services Agreement with Albert A. Webb Associates to provide annual on-call Traffic Engineering Services in the amount of $10,130 to prepare an application seeking funds from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) under their 2017 Active Transportation Grant Program for preparing an update to the City-wide Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Southern California Association of Governments is accepting applications for new planning and non-infrastructure proposals as part of the Regional Active Transportation Program. The program received an influx of funding as a result of the adoption of Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which has nearly doubled the available resources. This provides an opportunity for agencies that were not awarded funds in preceding cycles to develop capacity and be competitive for future funding by developing active transportation plans.
The 2017 Active Transportation Call for Proposals will be administered through SCAG’s Sustainability Planning Grants Program, allocating approximately $2 million in grant awards of up to $200,000 each. The funding is intended to support planning and non‐infrastructure projects that promote safety and encourage people to walk and bicycle, and to seed active transportation concepts that provide a preliminary step for future applicants.
DISCUSSION:
California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, or Senate Bill (SB) 375 <http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/sb375.htm>, requires SCAG to develop a Sustainable Communities Strategy <http://rtpscs.scag.ca.gov/Documents/2012/scag2012RTPSCS2011.pdf> (SCS) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars and light trucks through integrated transportation, land use, housing and environmental planning. The SCS is a plan for meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the California Air Resources Board <http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm> (ARB). Approval of this Task Order will result in an application for funds that will be used to comply with the SCS. If selected for funding, the Active Transportation Planning Grant will be used to prepare an alternative transportation plan that includes pedestrian, bike and NEV paths and allows residents to enjoy a better quality of life, including a healthy and prosperous lifestyle, enjoy clean air and water, and ample opportunities for recreation. It will have direct and substantial benefits to public health by reducing pollutant emissions and expanding the opportunities for active transportation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff recommends that the $10,130 required for the preparation of this Grant Application be from Fund 233, Traffic Safety.
ATTACHMENTS:
Albert A. Webb Associates proposal to provide Grant Application Services