REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Interim Director Department of Transportation THROUGH: CAROLINA ILIC, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Department of Transportation BY: DREW WILSON, Planning Manager Department of Transportation SUBJECT ..Title ***RESOLUTION- Authorizing the submission of grant applications to California Air Resource Board (CARB) Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) Grant Program for Environmental Justice and Transportation Equity in West Fresno Projects totaling up to $12 million in requests of grant application funding and authorizing the execution of grant application and accepting the grant and completing grant agreement documents by the Department of Transportation Director or Designee(s). (Subject to Mayor's Veto). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications to the California Air Resource Board (CARB) Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) Grant Program for Environmental Justice and Transportation Equity in West Fresno Projects, totaling up to $12 million in requests of grant application funding; and authorize the execution of all grant applications and grant agreement documents by the Department of Transportation Director or designee(s). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CARB STEP Grant Program aims to increase transportation equity in disadvantaged and low-income communities by funding clean transportation solutions. The STEP Grant application proposed the Department of Transportation / Fresno Area Express (FAX) will seek funding to advance transportation equity in West Fresno through the creation of a zero-emission microtransit service, and several Active Transportation Projects such as sidewalk rehabilitation, placement of bike racks, and installation of HAWK Pedestrian Crossings. BACKGROUND The STEP Grant's overarching goal is to increase transportation equity in disadvantaged and low-income communities by 1) addressing community residents' transportation needs, 2) increasing access to key destinations and services, and 3) reducing GHG emissions and vehicle miles traveled. Increasing transportation equity will create equitable access to social and economic opportunities for traditionally underserved communities. Attaining transportation equity requires considering all components of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, environmental justice principles, and nondiscriminatory practices. STEP grants provide funding for a combination of different types of clean transportation and supporting projects within a single community. The STEP grant intends to facilitate collaboration between community residents, local public agencies, and private partners by funding different types of clean transportation and supporting projects within a single community. The collaboration allows for the creation of a cleaner, more accessible, and integrated transportation system that benefits the community residents who need it most. STEP is particularly focused on supporting projects that have the potential to reduce passenger vehicle miles traveled and that prioritize long-term mode shift toward sustainable mobility and reductions in vehicle miles traveled. STEP focuses on projects that support sustainable communities, attempting to address some of the complex transportation and land use challenges identified in the Senate Bill 150 Progress Report. STEP incorporates key recommendations from CARB's Senate Bill 350 Guidance Document, providing the flexibility to fund many different types of clean transportation and supporting projects in a single community to help meet unique needs within that community's context. FAX's STEP Grant application will seek funding to advance transportation equity in West Fresno, particularly for low-income and minority communities, including those in the Three Palms Mobile Home Park and transitional housing locations generally bounded by SR-99, Grantland, Shaw, and Clinton. These areas currently face limited transit access and significant challenges in reaching essential services safely. Working closely with community partners, including Highway City Community Development, Centro La Familia, the Jakara Movement, and others, and drawing on data from existing plans, the grant proposes two key initiatives: 1. A three-year zero-emission pilot microtransit service, operating approximately five fully-electric vehicles six days a week for approximately 12 hours per day, and; 2. Active transportation projects such as sidewalk rehabilitation, placement of bike racks, and installation of HAWK Pedestrian Crossings. The grant applications are due on November 3, 2023. The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved the staff report and resolution as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund. The grant does not require matching funds. Attachments: Resolution