Item No. 3
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – CONSENT AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROBERT OVADIA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 15, 2025
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A PRIMARY
GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN MATEO COUNTY
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR FUTURE MEASURES A
AND W FUNDING
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Primary Grant Agreement with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to be eligible to receive Measures A and W grants over the next 10 years; and certifies that any funds awarded by the TA will be used to supplement existing funds for program activities, and will not replace existing funds or resources; and authorizes the City Manager to take any other actions necessary to give effect to this resolution.
BACKGROUND
In 1988, San Mateo County voters approved Measure A, a 20-year half-cent sales tax to fund and leverage additional funding for transportation projects and programs in San Mateo County. The approval of Measure A created the TA to manage and administer the sales tax revenues generated in conformance with the Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP). The 1988 sales tax expired on December 31, 2008. In 2004, the San Mateo County voters reauthorized the Measure A half-cent sales tax and adopted a new TEP for an additional 25 years (from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2033). The TEP established funding categories for Transit; Highways Improvements; Local Streets/Transportation; Grade Separations; Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements; and Alternative Congestion Relief projects.
In 2018, the San Mateo County voters approved Measure W, a 30-year half cent sales tax, from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2048, to fund and leverage additional funding for transportation projects and programs in San Mateo County that are consistent with the Measure W Congestion Relief Plan. The San Mateo County Transit District (District) levies this tax and administers investments for the 50% of the proceeds assigned to the County Public Transportation Systems Certification of Continuing Emergency
JANUARY 15, 2025
category in the Congestion Relief Plan. The TA is responsible for administering the remaining 50% of funds assigned to: Countywide Highway Congestion Improvements; Local Safety, Pothole and Congestion Relief Improvements including Grade Separations; Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements; and Regional Transit Connections.
Historically, the TA has executed separate funding agreements and memoranda of understanding (and associated amendments) for each phase of each project funded by Measures A and W. To streamline the contracting process, the TA has developed a new primary grant agreement (PGA) through which the TA and project sponsors will document the structure of their relationships and related obligations. Concise individual project supplements will detail each funded project and any specifically-associated requirements during the 10-year term of the PGA.
In order to be eligible for TA Measures A and W funding over the next 10 years, the TA requires sponsors' governing boards to adopt resolutions authorizing the sponsor's chief executive/mayor/chair, or designee, to sign a PGA with the TA. Please note that because the TA will be administering this agreement across numerous agencies, changes to the standard terms cannot be considered/accommodated.
ANALYSIS
The Town regularly receives funds Measure A and Measure W from the TA to support roadway maintenance as well as for various capital improvement projects. Most recently, the Town was awarded $550,000 in Measure A and Measure W grant funds for the El Camino Real Complete Streets Gap Closure Study, through the TA‘s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.
To be eligible for future Measure A and W funds, the TA requires that eligible jurisdictions adopt a resolution authorizing execution of the Primary Grant Agreement, provide a copy of the adopted resolution and signed agreement no later than March 1, 2025.
The intent of the Primary Grant Agreement is to streamline the grant award process. General administrative requirements such as insurance, project reporting and invoicing requirements are included in the PGA. With an overall grant agreement in place, short supplemental agreements would be prepared for each grant awarded that would outline specific project scopes, funding, and other requirements associated with the project. The term of the PGA is 10 years. Though the Town is not required to identify its projects at this time, the authorizing resolution and agreement are required to be submitted by March 1, 2025, to retain eligibility for the funds.
The authorizing resolution outlines the authorized signatory for the primary grant agreement, certifies that any funds awarded by the TA will be used to supplement existing funds for program activities, and will not replace existing funds or resources, and authorizes the signatory, or designee, to take any other actions necessary to give effect to the resolution. Staff recommends that the City Manager be designated as the signatory for the PGA.
As noted above, the agreement language provided by TA is standard for all jurisdictions and may not be changed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Certification of Continuing Emergency
JANUARY 15, 2025
Adoption of the resolution and execution of the PGA are required to maintain eligibility for Measure A and Measure W grant funds.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area A – Maintain Fiscal Responsibility
• Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned
POLICY FOCUS
There are no significant policy issues related to the Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Primary Grant Agreement with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Primary Grant Agreement with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Future Measures A and W Funding
2. Standard Primary Grant Agreement with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Future Measures A and W Funding