City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Applications File ID: 2022-02526
Location: District 1, Represented by Councilmember Kaplan; District 2, Represented by Councilmember Loloee; and District 6, Represented by Vice Mayor Guerra Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit the following projects to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 Sustainable Communities - Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program: Arden Way Transportation and Vision Zero Plan, Howe Avenue Transportation and Vision Zero Plan, and Norwood Avenue Mobility Transportation Plan for up to $380,000, $325,000, and $350,000 respectively; 2) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit a grant application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 - Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program for the Climate Adaptation Plan for Transportation Infrastructure for $350,000; 3) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit any related documents necessary to support the grant applications; and 4) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute the grant agreements and any related grant documents upon award.
Contact: Leslie Mancebo, Senior Transportation Planner, [email protected], (916) 808-5581; Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Transportation Planning Manager, [email protected], (916) 808-5913; David Edrosolan, City Traffic Engineer, [email protected], (916) 808-5974, Department of Public Works Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Objectives 3-Resolution
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Caltrans has issued a call for projects for the FY2023/24 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program. Applications are due in March 2023 (exact date TBA). Individual projects
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
have a maximum request of $700,000.
Caltrans has issued a call for projects for the FY2023/24 Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program. Applications are due in March 2023). Individual projects have a maximum request of $1,500,000.
City staff evaluated several projects and selected those that best meet the goals and purpose of these grant programs, City priorities, and prior experience. Staff recommend submittal of the following as the most competitive candidates for funding:
Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program
1) Arden Way Transportation and Vision Zero Plan, $380,000 2) Howe Avenue Transportation and Vision Zero Plan, $325,000 3) Norwood Avenue Mobility Transportation Plan. $350,000 Typically, Caltrans will fund a maximum of one to two projects per individual agency.
Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program
1) Climate Adaptation Plan for Transportation Infrastructure, $350,000 Policy Considerations: On December 10, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019- 0475 which established guidelines for considering transportation funding opportunities which were considered in connection with grant recommendations. In addition, the following Sacramento 2035 General Plan policies support the recommended project applications:
M 1.1.1 Right-of-Ways - The City shall preserve and manage rights-of-way consistent with: the circulation diagram, the City Street Design Standards, the goal to provide Complete Streets as described in Goal M 4.2, and the modal priorities for each street segment and intersection established in Policy M4.4.1: Roadway Network Development, Street Typology System.
M 1.2.1 Multimodal choices - The City shall develop an integrated, multimodal transportation system that improves the attractiveness of walking, bicycling, and riding transit over time to increase travel choices and aid in achieving a more balanced transportation system and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
M 1.2.4 Multimodal Access - The City shall facilitate the provision of multimodal access to activity centers such as commercial centers and corridors, employment centers, transit stops/stations, airports, schools, parks, recreation areas, medical centers, and tourist attractions.
M 1.3.2 Eliminate Gaps - The City shall eliminate “gaps” in roadways, bikeways, and pedestrian networks. To this end: a. The City shall construct new multi-modal crossings of the
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
Sacramento and American Rivers. b. The City shall plan and pursue funding to construct grade-separated crossings of freeways, rail lines, canals, creeks, and other barriers to improve connectivity. c. The City shall construct new bikeways and pedestrian paths in existing neighborhoods to improve connectivity.
M 1.3.4 Barrier Removal for Accessibility - The City shall remove barriers, where feasible, to allow people of all abilities to move freely and efficiently throughout the city.
M 1.4.1 Increase Vehicle Occupancy - The City shall work with a broad range of agencies (e.g., SACOG, SMAQMD, Sacramento RT, Caltrans) to encourage and support programs that increase regional average vehicle occupancy, including the provision of traveler information, shuttles, preferential parking for carpools/vanpools, transit pass subsidies, road and parking pricing, and other methods.
M 1.4.2 Automobile Commute Trip Reduction - The City shall encourage employers to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle commute trips to their sites by enforcing the existing trip reduction ordinance in the City Code.
M 2.1.1 Pedestrian Master Plan - The City shall maintain and implement a Pedestrian Master Plan that carries out the goals and policies of the General Plan. All new development shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of the Pedestrian Master Plan.
M 2.1.4 Cohesive and Continuous Network - The City shall develop a pedestrian network of public sidewalks, street crossings, and other pedestrian paths that makes walking a convenient and safe way to travel citywide. The network should include a dense pattern of routes in pedestrian oriented areas such as the Central City and include wayfinding where appropriate.
M 4.1.2 Balancing Community, Social, Environmental, and Economic Goals - The City shall evaluate and strive to address community, environmental, and citywide economic development goals when adding or modifying streets, roads, bridges, and other public rights-of -way
M 4.1.3 Community Outreach - The City shall conduct public outreach to community organizations and members of the general public in corridor planning early in the project development process to identify feasible opportunities to provide community benefits and to lessen any potential impacts of modifications to local streets and roadways.
M 4.2.1 Accommodate All Users - The City shall ensure that all new roadway projects and any reconstruction projects designate sufficient travel space for all users including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and motorists except where pedestrians and bicyclists are
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
prohibited by law from using a given facility.
M 4.2.5 Multi-Modal Corridors - Consistent with the Roadway Network and Street Typologies established in this General Plan, the City shall designate multi- modal corridors in the Central City, within and between urban centers, along major transit lines, and/or along commercial corridors appropriate for comprehensive multimodal corridor planning and targeted investment in transit, bikeway, and pedestrian path improvements if discretionary funds become available.
M 4.2.6 Identify and Fill Gaps in Complete Streets - The City shall identify streets that can be made “complete” either through a reduction in the number or width of travel lanes or through two-way conversions, with consideration for emergency vehicle operations. The City shall consider including new bikeways, sidewalks, on-street parking, and exclusive transit lanes on these streets by re- arranging and/or re-allocating how the available space within the public right of way issued. All new street configurations shall provide for adequate emergency vehicle operation.
M 5.1.1 Bicycle Master Plan - The City shall maintain and implement a Bicycle Master Plan that carries out the goals and policies of the General Plan All new development shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of the Bicycle Master Plan.
M 5.1.3 Continuous Bikeway Network - The City shall provide a continuous bikeway network consisting of bike friendly facilities connecting residential neighborhoods with key destinations and activity centers (e.g., transit facilities, shopping areas, education institutions, employment centers).
M 5.1.5 Motorists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrian Conflicts - The City shall develop safe and convenient bikeways, streets, roadways, and intersections that reduce conflicts between bicyclists and motor vehicles on streets, between bicyclists and pedestrians on multi-use trails and sidewalks, and between all users at intersections.
The action is also consistent with the adopted Vision Zero goal to work collaboratively in a data- driven effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2027 and the Climate Action Plan to provide for more resilient infrastructure to withstand impacts from climate change Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, continuing administrative activities such as grant applications do not constitute a project and are therefore exempt from review. Any projects that are awarded grant
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
funding and proceed will undergo necessary environmental review.
Sustainability: Attaining funding to plan for multimodal improvements furthers the City’s commitment to sustainability by laying the groundwork to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels, to encourage less driving and engage in clean air practices, to reduce dependence on the private automobile by working with community partners to provide efficient and accessible public transit and transit supportive land uses, and to foster behavioral change throughout the City.
Commission/Committee Action: On January 19, 2023, the Active Transportation Commission heard staff recommendations the grant applications. The Commission recommended that the City Council approve staff recommended applications for these projects.
Rationale for Recommendation: As part of the Vision Zero program, City Council adopted an ambitious, yet important goal of zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2027. Additionally, City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan within the 2035 General Plan and more recently the Mayor’s Commission on Climate Change both identified active transportation as important components to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create healthier communities.
Grant applications for multi-modal transportation safety plans for Arden Way, Howe Avenue, and Norwood Avenue will build on the City’s momentum of focusing on mobility, safety, and climate by expanding and enhancing accessibility to low stress, connected infrastructure to enable more walking, biking, and transit trips.
Financial Considerations: A total of $17 million in grant funding for or the Sustainable Transportation Planning grant program is available statewide with a maximum of $700,000 per application. A total of $50 million in grant funding for the Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program is available with a statewide maximum of $1,500,000 per application. These grant’s funding requirements typically require approximately 31% in local funding to cover grant match and grant ineligible costs.
The local transportation funding has been identified for local contribution requirements. Staff will return to City Council for any necessary budget adjustments and other actions if grants are awarded.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background:
Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant
Staff reviewed the Caltrans guidelines for the Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant Program and found that these projects both meet the grant criteria and serve as an opportunity
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
to help the City to increase mobility, access and meet climate goals.
Arden Way-Del Paso Boulevard to Ethan Way - This is a critical east-west corridor in North Sacramento containing a vibrant mix of commercial, residential, and industrial uses and a diverse population. Much of this corridor is included in the Vision Zero Top 10 corridors, representing the locations with the most severe and fatal crashes throughout the city. The plan will present the opportunity to enhance mobility and access to transit, including light rail, jobs, retail, and community services for all residents, including those living in low-income housing.
Howe Avenue - Folsom Boulevard to Fair Oaks Boulevard, this corridor is in the Vision Zero Top 10 corridors and represents an important connection to Sacramento State University. Additionally, there is significant multi-family housing and commercial development on the corridor. Currently there are gaps in the active transportation infrastructure and opportunities to connect the community to the American River Parkway to access recreation as well as providing a low-stress option to commute outside the neighborhood.
Norwood Avenue - Main Avenue to Arcade Creek, This is a north-south corridor connecting the Robla area south of I-80, though much of this corridor does not include bike lanes or sidewalks. A previous plan for a portion of this corridor is ranked high in the Transportation Priorities Plan and this is an opportunity to update and expand to meet current needs and standards. Extending the plan to Arcade Creek will provide access to the planned multi-use trail along Arcade Creek included in the Bicycle Master Plan.
These efforts will support the following:
§ The City’s commitment to transportation safety established in the Vision Zero Action Plan. § The City’s Climate Action Plan and Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change goals around active transportation.
§ The City’s commitment to equitable processes by engaging communities in neighborhoods, about their needs. We will plan with them rather than for them. § Economic vitality of our retail and restaurants within and next to our neighborhoods by connecting residents to them.
§ Access to City parks and recreation.
§ Access to schools.
§ Healthy living by encouraging walking and bicycling.
The outcome will be muti-modal transportation improvement plans that include implementable infrastructure improvements that enhance safety and support access to destinations.
Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program
Staff reviewed the Caltrans guidelines for the Transportation Climate Adaptation Planning Grant
File ID: 2022-02526 2/7/2023 Consent Item 13.
Program and found that this project meets the grant criteria and serve as an opportunity to help the City to plan for needed adaptation to climate change.
Climate Adaptation Plan for Transportation Infrastructure. This planning effort will conduct an analysis of Sacramento’s climate change related vulnerabilities to transportation infrastructure and prepare a project level adaptation plan that identifies projects and strategies for Sacramento’s transportation infrastructure.
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Date
Applications for Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Funds
BACKGROUND
A. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Caltrans has issued a call for projects for the FY2023/24 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program.
Applications are due in March 2023 (exact date TBA). Individual projects have a maximum request of $700,000.
B. Caltrans has issued a call for projects for the FY2023/24 Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program. Applications are due in March 2023 (exact date TBA). Individual projects have a maximum request of $1,500,000.
C. On December 10, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-0475 which established guidelines for considering transportation funding opportunities which were considered in connection with grant recommendations.
D. On March 3, 2015, City Council adopted Climate Action Plan strategies within the 2035 General Plan, which include transportation mode shifts to more sustainable modes such as walking, bicycling, and transit.
E. On March 15, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-0079 transportation prioritization criteria, metrics and points for transportation investments and funding opportunities.
F. Staff reviewed the guidelines for the grant program, considered necessary steps to achieve the transportation mode shift to more sustainable modes such was walking, bicycling, and transit; to achieve the City’s Climate Action Goals; and to achieve transportation safety. Based on this analysis, three projects that would be most competitive for the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program and one for the Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program were identified.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Arden Way Transportation and Vision Zero Plan, Howe Avenue Transportation and Vision Zero Plan, and Norwood Avenue Mobility Transportation Plan are approved for submission to the Caltrans FY2023/24 Sustainable Communities Grant within the Sustainable Transportation Planning Program for up to $380,000, $325,000, and $350,000 respectively.
Section 2. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to submit a grant application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 - Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program for the Climate Adaptation Plan for Transportation Infrastructure for $350,000
Section 3. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to submit any related documents necessary to support the grant applications.
Section 3. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to execute the grant agreements, amendments, and any related grant documents upon award of the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Fund within the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program and the Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program.