CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: June 18, 2024
Subject
Adopt a Resolution to request the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) allocate Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA 3) Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding in the amount of $330,000 for the development of a Citywide Active Transportation Plan.
Recommended Action
Adopt Resolution No. 24-XXXX (Attachment A), to request the Metropolitan Transportation Commission allocation of FY 2024-2025 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Project funding for the development of an Active Transportation Plan.
Reasons for Recommendation
The MTC programs TDA 3 funds in the nine Bay Area counties. Each year, MTC requests that the Congestion Management Agency (CMA) in each Bay Area county coordinate and submit annual TDA 3 program funding priorities for their respective counties. The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), as the CMA for Santa Clara County (County), works with member agencies to develop the countywide program. After the VTA Board adopts the program, the list is forwarded to MTC for approval, and project sponsors apply for reimbursement directly to MTC.
The County’s “Guaranteed” share of MTC’s TDA 3 Funds is distributed to jurisdictions based on 2022 California Department of Finance population figures. Funds may be banked for up to four years plus one year to program funds. In 2023, the City of Cupertino allocated $166,259 in TDA 3 funding for the De Anza Boulevard Buffered Bike Lanes Project. In FY 24-25, the City of Cupertino has a total guaranteed balance of $334,349, which includes banked funds from prior years. All currently banked funds are within the four-year window and would be carried forward to next year’s bank if they are not programmed this year.
Proposed TDA 3 projects must be ready to implement within one year of their submittal in the application cycle. The following project types are eligible for TDA Article 3 Funding:
Construction and/or engineering of a bicycle or pedestrian capital or quick build projects.
Maintenance of a Class I shared-use path and Class IV separated bikeways.
Bicycle safety education programs (no more than 5% of the County total).
Development of a comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian facility plan(s) (allocations to a claimant for this purpose may not be made more than once every five years).
Restriping of Class II bicycle lanes and buffered bicycle lanes.
The Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan, adopted in June 2016, envisions the creation of an exceptional bicycling environment that supports active living, safe bicycling, and easy access to jobs, schools, recreation, and transit. The goal of the plan is to implement a range of bicycle infrastructure projects that improve connectivity, reduce bicycle-related collisions, and develop a network that fosters biking for all residents and visitors. The 2018 Pedestrian Transportation Plan emphasizes the creation of a safe, inviting, and connected pedestrian network. This plan focuses on enhancing quality of life by supporting and promoting walking through improved infrastructure and community programs.
With significant progress made in implementing the recommendations in these plans, there is a need for a new Active Transportation Plan to build on these improvements and to address evolving community needs. Additionally, there is a growing necessity for a unified approach in the form of a citywide Active Transportation Plan, which will coordinate the goals and infrastructure projects of both bicycle and pedestrian initiatives. This integration will streamline the City’s approach to active transportation and ensure a more cohesive and efficient implementation of transportation infrastructure improvement projects. By developing a unified plan, Cupertino can address overlapping areas of concern more effectively, align policies and goals across different transportation modes, and enhance the overall connectivity and safety of all roadway users.
The development of an Active Transportation Plan was adopted in the FY 24-25 Adopted Budget as a City Work Program project. At the January 24, 2024, Bicycle Pedestrian Commission (Commission) meeting, the Commission passed a motion to recommend that the Active Transportation Plan be elevated to a “High Priority” City Work Program item. City staff is requesting to allocate $330,000 of FY 24-25 TDA 3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding for the development of an Active Transportation Plan.
Each jurisdiction is required to have a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) review and prioritize TDA 3 bike and pedestrian projects and plans. On May 15, 2024, Cupertino’s Commission moved to recommend to the City Council that Cupertino’s TDA 3 allocation be approved for the development of an Active Transportation Plan.
Sustainability Impact
The Cupertino Active Transportation Plan will have positive sustainability impacts by developing possible infrastructure improvement projects that increase safety and accessibility for all non-motorized roadway users. Additionally, the ATP will include mode shift strategies to promote walking and bicycling to reduce personal automobile dependency, which will reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Overall, the ATP will help create a healthier, more sustainable community.
Fiscal Impact
The approval of this Resolution satisfies the MTC/TDA requirement, resulting in the City receiving TDA 3 funds in the amount of $330,000. These funds will be used to fund the Active Transportation Plan Project 100-88-844. The project’s City-funded appropriation will be offset by the amount of the grant funds received.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
This project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.20(a), the preparation of a bicycle transportation plan. _____________________________________
Prepared by: Matthew Schroeder, Transportation Planner
Reviewed by: David Stillman, Transportation Manager
Approved by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Draft Resolution