Consent Item 4k
STAFF REPORT
City Council Consent Item
DATE: June 20, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Brendan Byrd, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Merritt Perry, City Manager
SUBJECT: Authorization to Submit a Letter of Support for an HCAOG Grant Application and Provide a Commitment for In-Kind Grant Match
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize and sign a letter of support for a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Application through the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) and commit to partnering on the project by providing an $8,000 in-kind match contribution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) plans to submit a grant application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program to complete a Humboldt County Regional Vision Zero Action Plan (Plan). Similar to the City’s 2021 Local Road Safety Plan, this proposed Plan will consolidate and update baseline transportation safety data across all jurisdictions, engage the public in prioritizing traffic safety solutions, and propose policies and projects needed to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries for all users. Of specific benefit to the City, the project will also include the purchase of a Miovision Traffic camera, which could be loaned out to local jurisdictions to perform traffic counts along roadways and at intersections. Additionally, the grant will fund safety demonstration projects at selected locations in each jurisdiction. HCAOG would work with local agencies after the grant award to determine specific locations and types of demonstration projects. Lastly, having a County-wide vision zero safety plan that includes project in Fortuna would serve as an additional resource or justification for future grant funding opportunities.
As part of the overall Plan, HCAOG is asking that each partnering agency provide a letter of support and commitment of match funds. HCAOG staff have provided a template letter of support which has been included in Attachment A. Overall, the grant requires a 20% match, which for the size of the project is estimated to be $120,000. The match can be a combination of cash match or in-kind contributions (i.e. staff time), and City staff have recommended that the City commit to providing an $8,000 of in-kind match support during the life of the project (anticipated to be 2-3 years). Staff anticipate the City’s portion of the in-kind match to include staff time participating in the project, staff time implementing a safety pilot project in Fortuna, and the use of a City facility for a public meeting. For the remaining project match, HCAOG has committed to providing $60,000, and the Consent Item 4k
remainder (approximately $52,000) would be contributed by other partnering agencies (Arcata, Eureka, County, etc.) seeking to contribute either cash or in-kind match.
Staff have been a part of the guiding committee for the grant application, and feel that this project would provide benefit to the entire county, in addition to the City of Fortuna. Staff feel confident that the in-kind match commitment of $8,000 will be easily attainable over a 2-3 years period. Staff recommend that the Council Authorize and sign the letter of support to be included in the application.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Authorizing the letter of support results in no direct financial impact. Should HCAOG be successful in obtaining the grant funds, the City will be an active participant in the project and will contribute by providing in-kind match in then minimum amount of $8,000 over 2-3 years. As noted above, in kind match is anticipated to come from staff time contributing to the project and through providing no-cost facility rentals for public meetings.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Authorize and sign a letter of support for a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Application through the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) and commit to partnering on the project by providing an $8,000 in-kind match contribution. Consent agenda vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Draft Letter of Support