CITY OF COMMERCE AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council Item No. ____
FROM: Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Clean California Local Grant Program Agreement for Garfield Avenue Median Beautification and Citywide Cleanup Project MEETING DATE: February 13, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the Clean California Local Grant Program Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for Garfield Avenue Median Beautification and Citywide Cleanup Project.
BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) developed the Clean California Local Grant Program (CCLGP) as part of a two-year program through which approximately $400 million in funds have gone to local communities to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers to clean and enhance public spaces.
The Clean California Local Grant Program intends to achieve the following goals:
Reduce the amount of waste and debris within public rights-of-way, pathways, parks, transit centers, and other public spaces.
Enhance, rehabilitate, restore, or install measures to beautify and improve public spaces and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Enhance public health, cultural connection, and community placemaking by improving public spaces for walking and recreation.
Advance equity for underserved communities.
From Cycle 1, Caltrans awarded approximately $300 million in funds to 105 projects of which City of Commerce was awarded a grant for $4,955,257 for the Pathways for Hope Project currently underway. On May 31, 2023, the City applied for Cycle 2 grant funding on behalf of the City of Commerce for the Garfield Avenue Median Beautification and Citywide Cleanup Project which is an approved CIP project with a completed design. Caltrans awarded approximately $100 million in Cycle 2 funds to 42 projects across the State.
On October 9, 2023, City staff was notified that the City had been awarded $2,358,000 to fund the Garfield Avenue Median Beautification and Citywide Cleanup Project. The project will upgrade the median islands along a major north-south corridor in the City. The proposed improvements include planting drought tolerant plants and shade trees, installing high efficiency irrigation systems, installing natural inorganic materials, and installing infiltration pits to capture stormwater. The project will include community cleanup activities at various sites citywide where illegal dumping occurs and litter collects. These improvements will reduce waste and debris, improve stormwater capture, reduce the urban heat island effect, reduce water usage, and beautify the corridor to enhance the overall experience for the underserved community.
As a recipient of the grant, the City will be required to execute a Restricted Grant Agreement (RGA) with Caltrans before claiming grant funds and/or starting any project work. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute agreements related to the Program, including the RGA and any amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation for Garfield Avenue Median Beautification and Citywide Cleanup Project.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
The awarded Caltrans Grant in the amount of $2,358,000 is based on reimbursements following approved reportable project costs. Staff will include a Measure AA request for full funding as part of FY 2024/2025 Capital Improvement Program which will be considered for funding by the City Council at later time which is 100% reimbursable through the grant.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan, Infrastructure and Facilities Guiding Principle 2:
Develop and implement a sustainable Capital Improvement Program to ensure the quality of the existing infrastructure and to support future plans for the city.
Guiding Principle 4:
Develop and invest in infrastructure and beautification that supports economic growth.
Recommended by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Agreement