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Home My WebLink About2006/12/12 Item 7 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Item Meeting Date 1 12/12/06 ITEM TITLE: Resolution Authorizing the filing of a grant application to the Caltrans Statewide Transit Planning Studies Grant Program for funds to conduct a Transit Shuttle Feasibility Study; authorizing acceptance of the funds if granted; and certifying the commitment of matching funds in the form of in- kind services SUBMITTED BY: Director ofEngineering'~ r/. REVIEWED BY: Interim CitYManagerf~ (4/SthsVote:Yes_NoX) BACKGROUND: The joint project would study the feasibility of operating frequent shuttle bus service in both urban and suburban settings. Grant funding would support a series of studies to determine how best to connect residential and community areas with local and regional transit services and future bus rapid transit services. RECOMMENDATION: That Council adopt the Resolution: I. Authorizing the filing and, if awarded, acceptance of a grant application to the Caltrans Statewide Transit Planning Studies grant program and certifying the commitment of matching funds in the form of in-kind services thetefoT. BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: N/A DISCUSSION: While northwest Chula Vista's existing transportation infrastructure is adequate to meet today's demands overall, it was developed in an era that supported car-friendly development without major consideration of transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists. With existing and planned development, including the Urban Core and Bayfront projects, and the forecasted growth in population and employment, the City's General Plan Update and SANDAG's Mobility 2030 Regional Transportation Plan both call for an extensive transit network in the area to playa key role in meeting mobility needs over the next 30 years. The proposed project will be administered by SANDAG; jointly conducted by the City ofChula Vista and the City of San Diego. The study would consider the operation of a frequent "loop" shuttle bus service in both urban (northwest Chula Vista) and suburban (Rancho Bernardo) settings. The urban model will determine the feasibility of establishing a neighborhood and community shuttle route that provides a critical link between regional and corridor services into the community and large employment areas within northwest Chula Vista. The proposed project site is generally bounded by E and H Streets, Third Avenue, and the proposed Bayfront project to the west (see Attachment 1). 7-1 T Page 2, Item I Meeting Date 12/12/06 Major goals of the project are to analyze the feasibility of frequent shuttle service, determine the potential for private sector funding and public/private partnership ventures, ridership and market potential, and community involvement. Project Costs: The total estimated costs for the joint project are $338,936, of which Chula Vista's cost share (as a grant subrecipient) will be $200,000 to conduct a series of five studies, perform public outreach, and provide project management and reporting (see Attachment 2). Staff proposes applying for $177 ,000 in project funding from the Caltrans Statewide Transit Planning Studies grant program to help meet those expenses. The grant program requires the commitment of a minimum 11.47% City match of total project costs. Staff therefore recommends a commitment of matching funds in the form of in-kind services totaling $23,000. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project falls under the statutory exemption for feasibility and planning studies in accordance with to Section 15262 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary. DECISION MAKER CONFLICTS: Staff has reviewed the property holdings ofthe City Council and has found a conflict exists, in that Councihnember Castaneda and Councihnember Rindone have property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property/study area that is the subject of this action. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no impact to the General Fund from this action. If the resolution is approved, the City will apply for Caltrans grant funding in the amount of $177 ,000, and commit matching funds of $23,000 in the form of in-kind staff services to meet the City's total project cost share of $200,000. If the grant is awarded, staff will return to Council with a recommendation to appropriate the grant funds. Attachments: I. Map of Proposed Shuttle Route - Urban Study Area 2. Cost Estimate - Transit Shuttle Feasibility Study J:lEngineerIAGENDAICAS2006112-12-06ITransit Shuttle Grant 11-27-06 DEK.doc 7-2 T Attachment 1 - Proposed Shuttle Route (Urban Study Area) ""'~~""'-'-'- ",..,,,,,,,,._,,,,,--,,~-,--_.,-,.,,,,,-,,,,.,"".~,,~..,-,,,,,,,,,,,,,.",,,,,,,,.~.._~..."""-,-"",,,~,,,,-,"",,,,,,,-~,,~,--''''- I ,~ '.(r' "-+- "1')rc~, GO ! o ;("I'f\ ..."" II -e :) F,.~ A""", to lb .. tll ... 8 ~ <.!l e. ..._, o - ""J:X~ 001 - ~'-"-'-",----- - c g i:' m 7-3 T r::', l~, t 'w , - j I l- I ... .. ~ I ~ ,,~ /;~, ,~ I fl) \'::;./ =8 lID "'if :1-'..... ! <iii "" ~ I Ii a.I . i a ! i .. lr. ,r;")', f ,. i ~~J ~~ Attachment 2 - Estimated Project Costs and Funding Transit Shuttle Feasibility Study - Urban Area SANDAG (Lead) Grant Project $ 300,000 $ $ 338,936 Chula Vista Ridership Study $ 17,700 $ 2,300 $ 20,000 Public Outreach $ 17,700 $ 2,300 $ 20,000 Operational Analysis $ 61,970 $ 8,030 $ 70,000 Financial Analysis $ 44,230 $ 5,770 $ 50,000 Phasing Plan $ 8,850 $ 1,150 $ 10,000 Marketing Plan $ 8,850 $ 1,150 $ 10,000 Project Management, Contract Admin., $ 17,700 $ 2,300 $ 20,000 Grant Management Chula Vista (subrecipient) Totals $ 177,000 I $ 23,000 $ 200,000 7-4 T RESOLUTION 2006 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALTRANS STATEWIDE TRANSIT PLANNING STUDIES GRANT PROGRAM FOR FUNDS TO CONDUCT A TRANSIT SHUTTLE FEASIBILITY STUDY; AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF THE FUNDS IF GRANTED; AND CERTIFYING THE COMMITMENT OF MATCHING FUNDS IN THE FORM OF IN-KIND SERVICES WHEREAS, the City's General Plan Update calls for an extensive transit network to playa key role in meeting mobility needs over the next 30 years; and WHEREAS, effective transportation planning should include major consideration for public transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists; and WHEREAS, a proposed study will consider the operation of a frequent "loop" shuttle bus service in urbanized northwest Chula Vista, connecting residential and community areas with local and regional transit services and future bus rapid transit services; and WHEREAS, the estimated costs for the planning project can be met through a combination of Caltrans grant funds administered by the San Diego Association of Govemments (SANDAG), and local matching funds; and WHEREAS, City staff recommends that the City apply for a Caltrans Statewide Transit Planning Studies grant; and WHEREAS, grant requirements include Council certification that matching funds are available and committed for the project; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has detennined that the project falls under the statutory exception for feasibility and planning studies in accordance with Section 15262 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista as follows: 7-5 T 1. That it authorizes the filing of a grant application to the Caltrans Statewide Transit Planning Studies grant program for funds to conduct a transit shuttle feasibility study. 2. That it authorizes the acceptance of the funds if granted. 3. That is certifies the commitment of matching funds t'hrough in-kind services. Presented by Approved as to form by ,~ ti~~-h:-- Ann Moore City Attorney Scott Tulloch Director of Engineering H:\EN(-jINFER\RESOS\,ReSlls2l)()(J\11-12-(I()'Trunsit Shuttle (iro.nt Resu Revised.Joe 7-6