REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL December 4, 2014 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Capital Management Division STEVEN C. SON, PE, Capital Projects Manager Public Works Department, Capital Management Division BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Project Manager Public Works Department, Capital Management Division SUBJECT ..Title Consideration of approval of Measure "C" Cooperative Agreement for the Herndon Avenue westbound widening from Brawley Avenue to Blythe Avenue (Council District 2) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council approve the Measure "C" Cooperative Agreement for Herndon Avenue Westbound Widening from Brawley Avenue to Blythe Avenue (Urban Project K5C) and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno (City) seeks to widen westbound Herndon Avenue from Brawley Avenue to Blythe Avenue. The City and Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) need to execute the Measure "C" Cooperative Agreement in order that the regional Measure "C" funds may be utilized on the project. BACKGROUND The City seeks to widen westbound Herndon Avenue from Brawley Avenue to Blythe Avenue. Eastbound Herndon Avenue was previously widened as a separate project due to limited funding available by the State. Westbound widening would bring this segment of Herndon Avenue into conformance with 6-lane expressway designation thereby relieving congestion and reducing delays. The City and FCTA need to execute the Measure "C" Cooperative Agreement in order that the regional Measure "C" funds may be utilized on this project. The cooperative agreement, along with Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) dollars will allow the project to become fully funded. Staff recommends Council approve the Measure "C" Cooperative Agreement for Herndon Avenue Westbound Widening from Brawley Avenue to Blythe Avenue (Urban Project K5C). Approval of the attached cooperative agreement is only for the purpose of project funding. Staff will return to Council for adoption of the associated CEQA document, approval of right-of-way acquisition agreements, requests for budget appropriations and for award of construction contracts as required for the project. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed agreement. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided by the California Environmental Quality Act Guideline (CEQA) section 15378, this item does not qualify as a "project" for the purpose of the CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented because a cooperative agreement does not include a competitive bid. FISCAL IMPACT Implementation of the staff recommendation will have no impact upon the City's General Fund. The project is being funded by regional Measure "C" Tier 1 and Federal STP funding. Attachment: Cooperative Project Agreement