REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL March 17, 2016 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Grants Administrator Public Works Department SUBJECT ..Title RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of an application for grant funds from the California Department of Transportation 2016 Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program "Call for Applications" and authorizing the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or designees (Citywide) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of an application for grant funds from the California Department of Transportation 2016 Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program Call for Applications and authorize the execution of all application related documents by the Public Works Director or designees. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This is the first cycle of the Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program (SSARP). The intent of the SSARP is to "assist local agencies in performing collision analysis, identifying safety issues on their roadway network and developing a list of systemic, low-cost countermeasures that can be used to prepare future Highway Safety Improvement Program grants and other safety program applications." The Call for Applications was released on February 16, 2016. The application is due on March 25, 2016. Staff has evaluated the City's transportation priorities and SSARP program eligibility requirements. Based upon the review and the expected utility of the Systemic Safety Analysis Report for applying for future funding for needed infrastructure citywide, staff recommends Council adopt the resolution in support of the grant application submission. BACKGROUND This program has no prior history, as this is the first cycle of funding. Funding for this program comes from a set aside of Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funds, and is administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The estimated available funding statewide is $10 million. Applicants may apply for up to $250,000, with a match requirement of 10% of funds requested. The funding would result in a proactive safety analysis to identify low-cost safety infrastructure improvements. This analysis will identify potential HSIP grant projects and strengthen benefit-cost ratios on project applications, increasing the overall project competitiveness and potential likelihood of future funding. Projects are awarded in April 2016. The SSARP is a reimbursement program, with eligible costs invoiced to Caltrans following Local Assistance procedures. The SSARP requires the City to complete a study and produce a Systemic Safety Analysis Report within 36 months of the allocation of funding. If awarded, staff will request the Council to appropriate the received grant funding in fiscal year 2017. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This resolution is a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT A local match will be required if selected for funding by Caltrans. The SSARP requires a local match of 10% of the project's costs. Local match funds would come from Measure C Flexible funds. Attachment: Resolution