City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2024-00429 2/27/2024 Consent Item 14.
2024 SACOG Carbon Reduction Program Grant Applications
File ID: 2024-00429
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to: 1) submit the following applications to the SACOG Carbon Reduction Program: a) Niños Parkway Gap Closure Project, and b) the Walking and Bicycling Wayfinding Project; 2) submit any related documents necessary to support the grant applications; and 3) execute the grant agreements and any related grant documents upon award.
Contact: Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Transportation Planning Manager, (916) 808-5913, [email protected]; Jesse Gothan, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-6897, [email protected]; David Edrosolan, Transportation Division Manager (916) 808-5974, [email protected], Department of Public Works Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) signed into law in November 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation established the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP). This program provides funding to states and MPOs for projects designed to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions from on-road highway sources.
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) established the regional Carbon Reduction Strategy for the first two years of CRP funding, which totals $7,441,629 for the six-county region, on planning grants to strategically maximize the impact and the region’s readiness for implementation and construction-focused grants. SACOG issued a call for projects for the CRP. Applications are due on February 29, 2024. Individual projects have a minimum request of $250,000 and a maximum
File ID: 2024-00429 2/27/2024 Consent Item 14.
request of $1,500,000.
City staff reviewed the 2035 General Plan, Draft 2040 General Plan, Transportation Priorities Plan priority projects, the Vision Zero Top 10 corridors, and selected those projects that best meet the goals and purpose of these grant programs, City priorities, and are most likely to be successful based grant program guidance.
The grant program seeks to support:
· Regional Trail Network Implementation by funding pre-construction phases of planned (Class 1) trails identified in the six-county Sacramento Regional Trail Network adopted by SACOG in 2022;
· Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment by funding program development to increase readiness for state and federal funding programs related to the deployment of zero emission vehicles and charging/fueling infrastructure; and · Strategic Carbon Reduction Programs by funding program implementation to offer sustainable mobility options and alternatives to driving alone.
Staff recommends submittal of the following projects listed below, in priority order, as the most competitive candidates for funding. Staff seek approval to submit for up to $2,000,000 in grant funding for these projects.
1) Niños Parkway Gap Closure (Northfield Drive to the American River Parkway The City is currently working to implement the Niños Parkway Phase II north of San Juan Road. This project will expand on the alternatives analysis conducted during the Northgate Boulevard Transportation Plan for extending the Niños Parkway south from its terminus at Northfield Drive near Mutual Housing at River Garden to the American River Parkway.
This project is a high priority in the Transportation Priorities Plan and is part of the SACOG Regional Trail Network, making it a priority for the City and for SACOG.
This parkway serves a diverse neighborhood with many children, and will provide a low stress, comfortable active transportation facility as an alternative to the existing facilities on Northgate Boulevard, a Vision Zero Top 10 corridor. The neighborhood serves a mix of single-family homes and apartments. Within the River Gardens neighborhood is Mutual Housing at River Garden, an affordable home community. This project will close a gap in this important low stress active transportation corridor.
File ID: 2024-00429 2/27/2024 Consent Item 14.
Staff understand the value and significance of the International Garden of Many Colors and will plan the Niños Parkway so that it does not have a negative impact to the garden.
The Plan will present the opportunity to enhance safety, mobility, and access to open space and recreation nearby communities, including those living in low-income housing. 2) Walking and Bicycling Wayfinding Project
The Walking and Bicycling Wayfinding Project will promote walking and bicycling in Sacramento to neighborhood destinations, transit, retail districts and other key community destinations. The Draft Climate Action and Adaption Plan has a goal to achieve 6% active transportation mode share by 2030 and 12% by 2045. To do that, educational and encouragement tools must be used. Wayfinding can encourage people to walk and bicycle by not only directing people to route with infrastructure but can direct people on routes that are lower stress.
Policy Considerations: The submission of the projects is consistent with the City General Plan goals of promoting safety and enhancing livability, sustainability, and economic vitality. The recommendations in this report are in accordance with the following specific policies from the Sacramento 2035 General Plan:
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.
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 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.
File ID: 2024-00429 2/27/2024 Consent Item 14.
M 4.2.2 Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Streets - In areas with high levels of pedestrian activity (e.g., employment centers, residential areas, mixed-use areas, schools), the City shall ensure that all street projects support pedestrian and bicycle travel. Improvements may include narrow lanes, target speeds less than 35 miles per hour, sidewalk widths consistent with the Pedestrian Master Plan, street trees, high-visibility pedestrian crossings, and bikeways (e.g., Class II and Class III bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, separated bicycle lanes and/or parallel multi- use pathways).
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.
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 (Resolution No. 2015-0060).
On January 19, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-0032 with the following Vision Zero goal: The City of Sacramento will work collaboratively in a data driven effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2027.
On March 15, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-0079 transportation prioritization criteria, metrics and points for transportation investments and funding opportunities.
On November 15, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-0361 adopting the Transportation Plan Prioritization for Transportation Investments and Funding Opportunities.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The pursuit of grant funds is not subject to
File ID: 2024-00429 2/27/2024 Consent Item 14.
the provisions of the CEQA. Under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Applying for funding is an administrative action which will have no effect on the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA review. Appropriate CEQA review for individual projects will take place as part of project development. As the grant is funded with federal funds, actions will need to also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Sustainability: The projects are consistent with sustainability goals of promoting walking by developing a universally accessible, safe, convenient, integrated, and well-connected transportation system. Transportation is also responsible for 57% of Sacramento’s local greenhouse gas emissions, the single largest sector. Providing safe, walkable, and bikeable transportation alternatives helps to reduce single-occupant vehicle use and contribute towards Sacramento’s climate change goals.
Commission/Committee Action: The City’s Active Transportation Commission will review staff recommendations for these grant programs at its February 15, 2024, meeting.
Rationale for Recommendation: With limited available sources of local funding to meet the City’s goals to advance mobility and carbon reduction measures, grant funding is essential to deliver projects. The granting agency requires that the City Council authorize the list of projects and that the City Manager or designee sign the applications. After City staff review, the proposed projects best meet the grant program criteria, City policy and programming documents, and project delivery readiness.
Financial Considerations: Federal and State funding are the primary sources of funding for transportation and sustainability projects in the City of Sacramento. Limited local funding is required to provide the required match to leverage state and federally funded projects and cover costs not eligible with grant funding. Local transportation funding has been identified for local contribution requirements. Staff will return to City Council to establish the capital improvement projects and for any budget adjustments as necessary if grants are awarded.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Date
Application for SACOG Carbon Reduction Program Grant
BACKGROUND
A. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) has issued a call for projects for the 2024 Carbon Reduction Program. Applications are due on February 29, 2024. Individual projects have a minimum request of $250,000 and a maximum request of $1,500,000.
B. 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.
C. On January 19, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-0032 with the following Vision Zero goal: The City of Sacramento will work collaboratively in a data driven effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2027.
D. On March 15, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-0079 transportation prioritization criteria, metrics and points for transportation investments and funding opportunities.
E. On November 22, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-0361 adopting the Transportation Plan Prioritization for Transportation Investments and Funding Opportunities.
F. Staff reviewed the guidelines for the grant program, reviewed the Transportation Priorities Plan; 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, the four recommended projects would be most competitive for the Carbon Reduction Program were identified.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Niños Parkway Gap Closure and the Walking and Bicycling Wayfinding Project are approved for submission to the SACOG 2024 Carbon Reduction Program within the Sustainable Communities Grant up to $2,000,000.
Section 2. 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 SACOG 2024 Carbon Reduction Program.