City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Kevin Werner, City Administrator
Date: 02/08/2022
Subject: San Joaquin One Voice Advocacy Trip 2022
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council to consider approving the Ripon Multi-Modal station as the City of Ripon “Regional Transportation Project” and the North Ripon / River Rd. Signalized Intersection Improvement Project as the City of Ripon “Local Priority Project” for the 2022 Once Voice trip.
Additionally, in the last few years, the City Council has sent the City Administrator and a Council Member to advocate not only for Ripon’s projects, but also important regional projects and regional transportation policies. If the City Council is interested in sending a representative or representatives to participate in the 2022 One Voice trip, please designate and approve the City’s representative(s) to attend.
BACKGROUND:
The efforts of the One Voice® program provides the platform to effectively advocate for policy and regulatory reform and for preservation of funding programs crucial to projects that bring economic prosperity to San Joaquin County while improving transportation choices and infrastructure.
Although Congress stopped earmarking funds in 2010, the federal government still distributes billions of dollars through formula and discretionary programs. The San Joaquin One Voice® delegates take this opportunity to receive counsel from legislators, legislative staff, and the administration about the various federal programs and how our region can successfully compete in the grant process.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) has requested project submittals for the 2022 San Joaquin One Voice trip. SJCOG is seeking projects that are regionally significant and that provide a community-wide benefit. Ripon is authorized to submit one (1) regional transportation project and one (1) local project (transportation or other). Non-profit organizations are also eligible to participate in the process by acquiring an endorsement from the local jurisdiction.
Submitted projects will be reviewed by SJCOG staff and the SJCOG Executive Committee and will be subject to the approval by the full SJCOG Board to be included as part of the 2022 One Voice trip. Funding as a result of the One Voice efforts have been limited. In the last three years, only the Regional Transit District and the Stockton Metropolitan Airport have been awarded funding.
Last year, Ripon submitted the “Ripon Multi-Modal Station” and the “North Ripon / River Signalized Intersection” projects for consideration, but the trip was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The schedule for this year’s trip does conflict with the May 10th Ripon City Council meeting. Any participants attending the One Voice trip can participate in the City Council meeting through zoom, or the council meeting can be rescheduled, whichever the City Council desires.
Below is a brief summary of the proposed One-Voice projects.
Regional Transportation Project: Ripon Multi-Modal Station The City of Ripon is proposing to construct a 10,000 square foot multi-modal station near downtown Ripon. The proposed project includes off-street parking, community meeting room, a bus loading and staging area, and a future rail platform for the ACE Train. This multi-modal station would provide a number of benefits, not only to the residents of Ripon, but the region, including:
Downtown Economic Vitality
Regional Ace Station Service
Air Quality Improvement
In August 2017, the City purchased the property for the future multi-modal station and has received $3,905,000 of Federal Transit Administration funding towards the design, environmental, and construction phases of the project. Without a preliminary design completed, staff is estimating the total capital cost of this project to be $11,141,000, which would leave a funding gap of $7,236,000. Staff is recommending this project be included as part of the City’s transportation request for the 2022 One Voice trip.
Local Priority Project: North Ripon / River Signalized Intersection The roundabout located at North Ripon Road and River Road was constructed in late 2006 as part of the Cornerstone residential development project. At that time, the developer was not able to obtain the necessary right of way to construct a full-size roundabout that was intended for the intersection; therefore, a smaller interim roundabout was constructed.
Because of planned growth in the area, the City of Ripon is currently planning a signalized controlled intersection at the North Ripon Road/River Road intersection, similar to what has been installed at the Fulton Avenue/River Road intersection. Staff is recommending the One Voice application request funding for right-way, design, permitting, and construction in the amount of $1.8 million.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The 2022 San Joaquin One Voice trip will be much different than past trips because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An in-person trip is scheduled for May 7-13, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
The projected cost for each One Voice participant is estimated to be $4,000.