TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: John Aitken
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO DATE: January 23, 2023
SEEK U.S. DOT GRANT FUNDING
Approved Date
2/1/23
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to apply for, execute, and accept upon receipt, grants from the United States Department of Transportation’s National Infrastructure Investments (i.e., Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant Program) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, (also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), in a total amount not to exceed $25 million, for the Terminal A Ground Transportation Island Project at the San José Mineta International Airport.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
Approval of this recommendation allows the City to apply for, accept, and execute upon receipt, federal grant funds to partially reduce the City’s out of pocket costs for the Terminal A Ground Transportation Island Project (Project) at the San José Mineta International Airport (Airport).
The proposed Project will streamline the surface transportation system and will provide a safer and environmentally sustainable surface transportation infrastructure that enhances mobility and community connectivity at the Airport.
BACKGROUND
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion to be awarded by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for federal fiscal year 2023 for Local and Regional Project Assistance Program Grants under National Infrastructure Investments. An additional $800 million was appropriated under the Appropriations Act for the federal fiscal year 2023 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program.
On January 3, 2023, DOT released a Notice of Funding Opportunity to solicit applications for the RAISE grants. In total, DOT has at least $2.275 billion (but no more than $2.299 billion) available for the federal fiscal year 2023 RAISE Grant Program.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 2/14/23
FILE: 23-190
ITEM: 5.2
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
January 23, 2023
Subject: Authorization to Seek U.S. DOT Grant Funding
The grant program will support projects that improve safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, and climate and sustainability consistent with DOT’s strategic goals.
The program will provide reimbursement of no more than 80% of eligible costs to urban projects.
ANALYSIS
The Project addresses current configuration issues, safety deficiencies, and operational limitations impacting the Airport's Terminal A ground transportation hub and adjacent area. The scope of the Project includes safety and public transportation accessibility improvements, increases efficiency and functionality for future passenger and traffic volumes, and landside and curbside operational changes and improvements. The Project will replace and/or relocate bus stops/shelters, refine ride share routes, simplify taxi operations, and improve overall accessibility to public transportation options. The Project intends to improve the surface transportation infrastructure at the Terminal A Ground Transportation Island with significant design and traffic pattern refinement. The Project will also include enhancements to support public transportation electric vehicles with overhead fast chargers in the bus stop canopies. Once complete, the Project will enhance driver and passenger experience, mobility functionality, and efficiency.
The Project fits within the criteria for this potential grant funding.
Policy Alternatives
Alternative #1: Do not approve the request to apply for the RAISE grants for the Project.
Pros: None
Cons: If the recommendation is not approved, the City will miss the opportunity to obtain potential grant funds for the Project.
Reason for not recommending: It is to the City’s benefit to apply for and potentially receive federal funds for this Project.
Racial Equity Impact Analysis
The Airport is in a lower- to moderate-income tract. This Project has the potential to improve accessibility to public transportation systems, which would support individuals who take public transportation to and from the Airport. This includes lower-income individuals and individuals who work at the Airport, including those that work for the airlines, concessionaires, and other businesses located at the Airport.
Climate Smart San José Analysis
The recommendation in this memorandum enables the City to accept grant funds towards the construction of the Project that could potentially increase support of public transportation electric
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
January 23, 2023
Subject: Authorization to Seek U.S. DOT Grant Funding
vehicles, as the Project includes overhead fast chargers for public transportation buses in the overhead canopies. The Project will also improve public transportation accessibility, providing mobility choices other than single-occupancy vehicles.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
The Director of Aviation shall be responsible for coordination of this grant Project and shall render overall supervision of its progress and performance. City Council approval will be sought as construction and purchasing contracts are awarded in accordance with the project schedule.
FISCAL/POLICY ALIGNMENT
The San José Municipal Code requires that capital projects at the Airport be consistent with the adopted Airport Master Plan. The proposed improvement project would be a minor alteration of existing Airport facilities and is therefore consistent with the adopted Airport Master Plan pursuant to San José Municipal Code Section 25.04.210(B)(4).
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
Funding for the Project is not currently appropriated in the Airport Capital Improvement Program. Grant funding, if awarded, will be used to offset all or a portion of the costs of the projects. Budget actions to appropriate the grant and local Airport funds will be brought forward separately for City Council consideration.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the February 14, 2023 City Council meeting.
Additional public outreach efforts will take place when contracts for this Project are available for bid, including outreach to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise community.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
January 23, 2023
Subject: Authorization to Seek U.S. DOT Grant Funding
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-006, Grant Application with no commitment or obligation to enter into an agreement at the time of application.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in California Government Code section 53083 or 53083.1 or in the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
JOHN AITKEN, A.A.E.
Director of Aviation
For questions, please contact Matthew Kazmierczak, Division Manager, [email protected], or (408) 392-3640.