City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYO R AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 25, 2022
FROM: OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & PUBLIC WORKS WARDS: ALL WARDS
SUBJECT: CLEAN CALIFORNIA LOCAL GRANT APPLICATION
ISSUE:
Authorization to submit an application to the Clean California Local Grant Program administered by the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the Office of the Mayor to su bmit a Clean California Local Grant Program application to the California Department of Transportation in the amount not to exceed $5 million in partnership with the Salvation Army as a sub-applicant for the purposes of funding beautification projects to be fu lfilled by the Salvation Army’s First Impressions Program; and
2. Authorize the Public Works Department to submit a Clean California Local Grant Program application to the Californi a Department of Transportati on, as a sub-applicant, in partnership with the Riversi de County Transportation Agency (RCTC) and the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA).
BACKGROUND:
The Clean California Local Gr ant Program was launched by Go vernor Gavin Newsom in December 2021 as part of his Calif ornia Comeback Plan. The intent of the local grant program was for state and local governments to use funds to clean up trash and debris statewide, beautify community gateways and public areas along highways, streets, and roads, and to provide good jobs to thousands of Californians. Through th is $296 million investment, Caltrans anticipates supporting more than 200 local projects to invigorate and brighten communities across the state.
All projects must be completed, and all fund s must be expended by June 30, 2024. Each grant award shall not exceed $5 million dollars.
DISCUSSION:
The Office of the Mayor is seeking approval to submit a local grant program application that does not exceed $5 million dollars. As a part of the local grant program guidelines, there is a required local match which is defined as the minimum perc entage of the project’s funding the applicant commits to provide as a condition of accepting a program grant. The r equired local match will Very Brief Title of Report ● Page 2
range from 0% (i.e., no local match required) to 50%. The percentage is determined based on the “severity of disadvantage” (SOD) of the community surrounding the project or projects. The Office of the Mayor’s local grant program application will include project locations for which there may be a 50% local match requirement. However, t he Salvation Army has agreed to cover the full amount of the determined local match. Therefore, the City will not be required to cover any local match associated with the grant. There will need to be an account created by the City so that funds may be received from Caltrans and make necessary payments to the sub-applicant and other vendors, if necessary.
The RCTC-led grant project pr oposes improvements along Commer ce Street adjacent to the Downtown Metrolink station, along with improvements at the Hunter Business Park Station. The RTA is a grant subrecipient and will be using grant funds towa rds station enhancements. The City’s proposed role as a subrecipient is to install pedestrian and bicycling improvements leading to the Downtown Metrolink Station as envisioned in the 2018 Go Human transportation planning event “Illuminate Riverside.”
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Both applications contribute to Strategic Priority 1 – Arts, Culture and Recreation, which aims to provide diverse community experiences and personal enrichment opportunities for people of all ages.
The Mayor’s application supports Goal 1.3, to improve parks, recreational amenities, open space, and trail development, and fulfill critical lifecycle and facility maintenance needs.
The Mayor’s application aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
1. Community Trust – Both applications serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations and result in a greater public good. The RCTC collaboration project is directly responsive to community feedback from the “Illuminate Riverside” event.
2. Equity – Both applications will consist of projects within communities determined as being in areas that are at a “severity of disadvantage” (SOD).
3. Fiscal Responsibility – Both applications do not have a local match associated with them.
4. Innovation – Both applications involve collaborative partnerships.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency – Both applications consist of lo cal projects that invigorate their local communities with dr ought tolerant plants and prom ote a reduction in vehicle miles traveled by improving the walking environment
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this report. The Salvation Army will be a subrecipient for the Office of the Mayor’s grant application and has c onfirmed that they will cover all required local match funds.
The Public Works Department would be a subrecipient for the RCTC grant application. RCTC has confirmed that the project is eligible for full funding through t he program and the City would not be responsible for matching funds.
Very Brief Title of Report ● Page 3
Prepared by: Jake Orta, A ssistant to the Mayor
Gil Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez , Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Concurs with:
__________________________
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson