DATE: JUNE 11, 2024
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
FROM: LISA BRINTON, DIRECTOR
BY: GRANT LEONARD, PLANNING MANAGER
TITLE: ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM CYCLE 7 GRANT APPLICATION RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution authorizing:
the submission of an application for the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Grant Program, and if awarded; the City Manager or designee to accept awarded program funds and to execute all required Agreements and related documents necessary to implement the identified projects; and the establishment of an ATP appropriation for the awarded amount plus any identified local match to complete project scope.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In May 2023, the City began developing a Citywide Active Transportation Plan, which includes development of improvement concepts for priority bicycle and pedestrian corridors. The Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Grant Program is an opportunity for the City to receive funding to construct new and improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure for the priority corridor projects identified in the Active Transportation Plan. Funds can also be used for non-infrastructure educational programs, such as safe routes to school programing. Applications for the Cycle 7 Grant program are due June 17, 2024. Final ATP project grant awards are scheduled to be announced June 2025.
BACKGROUND:
In March 2024, the California Transportation Commission released the Cycle 7 Active Transportation Grant Program guidelines and application, with applications due June 17, 2024. The Active Transportation Program was created by Senate Bill 99 to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as walking and biking. The goals of the ATP include, but are not limited to, increasing the proportion of trips accomplished by walking and biking, increasing the safety and mobility of non-motorized users, advancing efforts of regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals, enhancing public health, and providing a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of users including disadvantaged communities.
The City is currently in the process of completing its Citywide Active Transportation Plan, including refining improvement concepts for priority bicycle and pedestrian corridors. The City’s Active Transportation Plan work began in May of 2023, and an administrative draft and final corridor improvement concepts are currently being prepared, with a final Active Transportation Plan anticipated to be completed by late summer 2024. Applying for the Cycle 7 Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Grant Program will allow the City to begin implementing the new Citywide Active Transportation Plan by securing funding for both infrastructure improvements and educational programing.
Staff anticipates applying for funding to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure along John Street between Wood Street and Alisal Street, with a fucus on improving school access to Sherwood Elementary and Los Padres Elementary Schools and providing educational programing about safe routes to school. The project also connects to the Williams Road Safe Street Corridor Project, which was recently awarded $16 million in Safe Streets for All funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation and includes bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Williams Road between Alisal Street and Freedom Parkway.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action of application submittal is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines section 15378). Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from implementation of the funding will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Active Transportation Program funding will support the City of Salinas Strategic Plan 2022-2025 goal of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability by creating improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and implementing the City’s new Active Transportation Plan.
DEPARTMENT COORDINATION:
Application preparation for Active Transportation Program funding is a partnership between the Community Development Department the Public Works, with support from the Legal and Finance Departments.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Staff anticipates applying for between $3.5 and $10 million in Active Transportation Program funding. ATP Grant funds may be further leveraged with current Capital Improvement Project or other grant funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Resolution to Approve Applying for and Entering into Agreements for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Grant Program.
Attachment B – Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Grant Program guidelines.
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