City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 10, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward F King, Director, Department of Transportation, Finance & Administrative Services
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Execute Related Grant Agreements, and Receive and File Short Range Transit Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-25 Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to: (a) apply for and execute grant agreements and execute related certifications and assurances with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Metro, and other Federal, State, Regional or Local agencies; and (b) enter into agreements for transit funds for the pass-through of funds and agreements for planning, programming, and implementing transit services and capital projects during FY 2022-23 through FY 2024-25.
3. Staff recommends the Council adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Summary
Santa Monica’s Department of Transportation, Big Blue Bus (BBB) staff requests City Council authorization to file the FY 2023-25 Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro as the Regional Planning Authority. Filing the report ensures BBB remains eligible to receive Federal and State transit funds. The SRTP is a planning document that summarizes recent accomplishments and provides a three-year action plan for service and capital improvements, and the corresponding estimated values for planning purposes. Priorities 2 of 4
for this period include funding and implementing fleet electrification, bus lanes, and increasing ridership by improving service quality and the customer experience. Staff also requests Council adopt the attached resolution providing the necessary authorization to file grant applications, execute grant agreements, and enter into agreements associated with funding, planning, programming, and implementing transit services and capital projects.
Discussion
Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP)
BBB is required by the Transportation Development Act (TDA) of 1971 to file an SRTP to remain eligible for Federal, State, and Regional transit funding. The proposed SRTP financial forecast is based on a combination of the share of Metro’s county-wide formula-based allocation of transit funds and BBB’s projected operational needs. For FY 2022-23, the estimated formula allocation of operating funds (TDA, State Transit Assistance (STA), SB1, Prop. A 40%, Measure R 20%, Measure M 20%, Prop CSecurity, Foothill Mitigation, and BSIP) is $73.5 million, and non-formula allocation (Proposition A Local Return) is $567,000. Local operating revenues (passenger fares, advertising, interest, lease, and special transit services revenues) are estimated at $11.4 million.
Environmental Analysis
The proposed SRTP is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The proposed SRTP is covered by the common sense exemption which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment”. The SRTP will provide planning guidance for the next three years for transit operations, and any future capital improvements identified in the plan would be subject to environmental review (as applicable) when they are proposed.
Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed SRTP would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is categorically exempt from CEQA.
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Authorization
Staff requests that Council authorize the City Manager to file grant applications as transit-related funding opportunities become available. If funds are approved, the City Manager would have the authority to execute grant agreements to Federal, State, regional and local transit, or transit-related funds, as approved or programmed.
Authority would also be given to the City Manager to execute and file certifications and assurances as they related to grant programs, compliance, and project implementation.
The authorization would designate the Department Director of the Department of Transportation as an authorized agent to file, execute, and certify grant agreements as necessary. These authorities would allow the City to expedite its annual grant applications and participate in unanticipated one-time grant opportunities. Potential funding agencies include, but are not limited to, FTA and other federal agencies, Metro, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the Department of Homeland Security, California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), and other state and regional agencies.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
1/28/2020 (attachment A) Adoption of Big Blue Bus Resolution of Transit Funds Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
Prepared By: Enny Chung, Sr. Admin Analyst - Grants
Approved Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. Adoption of Big Blue Bus Resolution of Transit Funds B. BBB Grant Resolution_FY23
C. Short Range Transit Plan FY2023-FY2025