REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL February 8, 2018 FROM: WILMA QUAN-SCHECTER, City Manager City Manager's Office BY: LAURA GLORIA, Deputy City Manager City Manager's Office SUBJECT ..Title RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of an Application for Grant Funds from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grants Program and Authorizing Execution of Application-Related Documents by the City Manager or Designee (Council District 3) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City to apply for San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Public Benefit Grants Program funds for South Stadium Phase 1 - The Park Apartments located in the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY It is recommended that the City submit a grant application for SJVAPCD Public Benefit Grants Program in the amount of $3 million for South Stadium Phase 1 - The Park Apartments (The Park). The Public Benefit Grants Program funds can be used for various projects that support reducing air pollution, improving conditions in disadvantaged communities, supporting or improving public health or other co-benefits, improving connectivity and accessibility to jobs, housing and services, increasing options for mobility, increasing transit ridership, preserving and developing affordable housing for lower income households, and protecting agricultural lands to support infill development. The application would be used to support The Park project which will deliver fifty-four new units, including eleven affordable units located in downtown Fresno on the corner of Fulton and Inyo Street. BACKGROUND On April 21, 2011, the SJVAPCD Board approved the Public Benefit Grants Program to assist local public agencies with funds for clean-air projects that provide broad benefits to valley residents. The proposed project aligns with the goals and priorities of the City and SJVAPCD by improving accessibility to affordable housing through the construction of fifty-four new units including eleven affordable units. Additionally, the project will install Class II Bike Lanes, provide pedestrian enhancements along Van Ness and Inyo Street, and install a green permeable alley creating accessible bike and pedestrian walkways to transit and the future High Speed Rail station. Staff recommends that the City submit a Public Benefit Grant application to support The Park project. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a "project"; therefore it is exempt from the CEQA requirements. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract. FISCAL IMPACT Adoption of the resolution authorizing submission of Public Benefit Grants Program applications will have no impact to the General Fund. If grant funds are awarded, staff will return to Council with the SJVAPCD grant agreement for up to $3,000,000 to support reinvestment and revitalization in Downtown Fresno. Attachment: Resolution