REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SCOTT MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: JILL M. GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division FABIOLA LOPEZ, Projects Administrator Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve Four Cooperative Project Agreements with the Fresno County Transportation Authority for Short-Term Regional Transportation Program Urban Project H-2 for California Avenue from Fruit to Ventura in the amount of $3,027,000, Urban Project I-2C for Peach Avenue from Florence to Church in the amount of $250,000, Urban Project I-2D for Peach Avenue from Church to Jensen in the amount of $293,400, and Urban Project I-4 for Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to McKinley Avenue in the amount of $587,600. (Districts 3, 5, and 7) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Council approve four Cooperative Project Agreements with the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) for Short-Term Regional Transportation Program Urban Project H-2 for California Avenue from Fruit to Ventura in the amount of $3,027,000, Urban Project I-2C for Peach Avenue from Florence to Church in the amount of $250,000, Urban Project I-2D for Peach Avenue from Church to Jensen in the amount of $293,400, and Urban Project I-4 for Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to McKinley Avenue in the amount of $587,600; and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to execute the agreements on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Measure "C" Regional Transportation Program has four City of Fresno projects remaining that have not yet moved forward through a cooperative agreement with the FCTA. On January 25, 2024, the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) Policy Board approved the updated regional transportation program through 2027 when the current measure is set to expire. Urban Project H-2, for the California Avenue Fruit to Ventura, Urban Project I-2C, for the Peach Avenue Florence to Church, and Urban Project I-2D, for the Peach Avenue Church to Jensen were originally approved by the COG and FCTA in the Short-Term Regional Transportation Program in 2016, and sufficient revenues are now available to move forward with the projects. Urban Project I-2D, for the Peach Avenue State Route 180 to McKinley was amended into the Short-Term Regional Transportation Program spending plan in January 2024. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the four Cooperative Project Agreements, which will allow the projects to commence the engineering design and right-of-way phase(s) of work. Staff will return to Council in future fiscal years with amendments to these cooperative agreements once construction funds become available. BACKGROUND The City of Fresno seeks to construct street and complete streets improvements along California Avenue between Fruit and Ventura Avenue including intersection modifications at MLK/Pottle, Fresno Street, Plumas, and Tulare Avenue, curb and gutter, streetlighting, sidewalk, bicycle facilities, trail construction, installation of a HAWK near Kern Street, and traffic signal facilities. The proposed scope of improvements will complement the recently awarded grant for California Avenue Complete Streets through the Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program, allowing for the completion of all planned improvements between Fruit Avenue and Ventura Avenue. The Peach Avenue improvements between Florence to Church Avenues include the modification of a traffic signal at the intersection of Peach and Church, installation of accessible curb ramps, sidewalks, signing and striping. The Peach Avenue improvements between Church and Jensen Avenues include the addition of a second southbound lane, traffic signal modification at the intersection of Peach and Jensen Avenues, installation of accessible curb ramps, sidewalks, signing and striping. The Peach Avenue improvements between State Route 180 and McKinley includes repaving, restriping for Class IV bike lanes, ADA upgrades, high-visibility crosswalks and a new traffic signal at Peach and Lamona. In November 2006, the voters approved a 20-year extension of Measure C, the half-cent sales tax for transportation. On January 27, 2009, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2009-19 in support of the proposed Measure C Short-Term Regional Transportation Program. The program and associated handbook were approved by the Council of Fresno County Governments (FCOG) on January 29, 2009, and in turn by the Fresno County Transportation Authority (Authority) on February 18, 2009. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the Cooperative Project Agreements as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 the contract amendment approval does not qualify as a project as defined by the CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable to these agreements. FISCAL IMPACT This request will have no impact to the General Fund. The projects are located in Council Districts 3,5, and 7. All project costs for the preliminary engineering and right of way acquisition costs will be paid using Measure C Tier 1 regional funds. The projects each require a 20% match, which will be incorporated into the following fiscal year budgets at time of construction. Attachment(s): Project Agreement and exhibits A, B, and C for H-2 California Avenue Fruit to Ventura Project Agreement and exhibits A, B, and C for I-2C Peach Avenue Florence to Church Project Agreement and exhibits A, B, and C for I-2D Peach Avenue Church to Jensen Project Agreement and exhibits A, B, and C for I-4 Peach Avenue State Route 180 to McKinley