REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL June 25, 2015 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, P.E., Director Public Works Department BY: ROBERT ANDERSEN, P.E. Assistant Director Public Works Department/Capital Management Division SARA POMARE, MBA, Grant Writer Public Works Department SUBJECT ..Title RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of grant applications to the Fresno Council of Governments for 2013 Lifeline Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) and authorizing the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or designee. (Council Districts 1, 3 and 7) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) for the 2013 Lifeline Regional Surface Transportation Program and authorize the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or designee. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff is requesting the authorization to submit a resolution for grant applications to Fresno COG to install street lighting along Blackstone Avenue from Divisadero to Shields and along Abby from Divisadero to Hedges for a cost of $1,800,000. This project supports the Mayor's initiative to restore and revitalize the older neighborhoods of Fresno and will address the conversion of existing City overhead facilities, allowing a utility undergrounding project to move forward for the Blackstone corridor. BACKGROUND Fresno COG acting in its role as a Metropolitan Planning Organization has programmed federal transportation revenues coming to the Fresno Region. The RSTP provides for projects generally including asphalt concrete pavement overlays and reconstruction, capacity enhancing traffic signals and safety projects. RSTP Lifeline funding is distributed to each city and county on a formula basis for the agency to program on eligible projects. The City is submitting this grant application to install street lighting along Blackstone Avenue from Divisadero to Shields and along Abby from Divisadero to Hedges for a cost of $1,800,000. This project will replace the wooden poles and overhead wiring system with City standard street lights. The proposed undergrounding project will improve the aesthetic conditions along Blackstone, clearing it of the overhead PG&E lines and creating consistency throughout as this type of undergrounding was done in the late 1990's on Blackstone Avenue north of Shields Avenue up to Herndon Avenue. Blackstone is a key corridor in the Fresno General Plan and will also be home to the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); these improvements will greatly restore and help revitalize this corridor. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the applying for grant funds does not qualify as a "project" as defined CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because this Resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed $1.8 million project (located in Council Districts 1, 3 and 7) will utilize the toll credit program through Fresno COG, resulting in no local match required against the Federal RSTP funds. Any indirect costs not paid for by the grant will be addressed by Proposition 111 Special Gas Tax appropriations through the annual budget process. Attachments: Resolution Vicinity Map