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RPVCCA_SR_2011_03_01_03_Trails_Master_Plan_Grant_ApplicationCITY OF MEMORANDUM R!\NCHO PALOS VERDES TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: REVIEWED: Project Manager: HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS JOEL ROJAS,AICP,COMM~EVELOPMENT DIRECTOR -0 --C/-- MARCH 1,2011 TRAILS MASTER PLAN GRANT APPLICATION CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGERa9- Kit Fox,Alep,Associate Planner @J RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No.2011-_,thereby approving the application for Community-Based Transportation Planning Funds available through the California Department of Transportation for the preparation of a citywide Trails Master Plan. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The California Department of Transportation (CaITrans)is offering Transportation Planning Grants through the Community-Based Transportation Planning (CBTP)Funds Program. The application deadline is March 30.2011,and the application must be accompanied by .an authoriZing resolution.Staff believes that this program provides an excellent opportunity to update and consolidate the City's Trails Network Plan,which consists of the City's 1993 Conceptual Trails Plan and 1996 Conceptual Bikeways Plan-as well as more recent trails planning efforts such as the 2005 Forrestal Nature Preserve Trails Network Plan.the 2008 Preserve Trails Plan for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and the 2008 Coast Vision Plan-into a single.comprehensive Trails Master Plan.Therefore,Staff requests that the City Council adopt the draft resolution attached to tonight's report. BACKGROUND On January 2011,CalTrans began accepting grant applications for the current cycle of Transportation Planning Grants through the Community-Based Transportation Planning Funds Program.Staff believes that the opportunity to update and consolidate the City's 1993 Conceptual Trails Plan,1996 Conceptual Bikeways Plan,2005 Forrestal Nature 3-1 MEMORANDUM: Trails Master Plan Grant Application March 1, 2011 Page 2 Preserve Trails Network Plan, 2008 Preserve Trails Plan for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and 2008 Coast Vision Plan into a single, comprehensive Trails Master Plan will make for a highly-competitive grant proposal, as discussed in greater detail below. Since the application deadline for these funds in March 30, 2011, and a complete application requires an authorizing resolution by the local governing body, Staff presents the attached resolution for the City Council’s consideration and adoption at tonight’s meeting.1 DISCUSSION Under the provisions of the CBTP Program (Program), cities are eligible to apply for Transportation Planning funds. The purpose of the Program is to fund coordinated transportation and land use planning that promotes public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system, which includes mobility, access, and safety. In past funding cycles, other jurisdictions have successfully obtained funding for similar bicycle and trail master planning efforts. Under the Program, $3 million is to be distributed in the current cycle. The maximum funding request is $300,000. Minimum 10-percent local matching funds are required, of which a minimum 7.5-percent cash match is required, with the rest of the match to be provided in-kind (if necessary). The Program is described in greater detail in the attached fact sheet. As mentioned above, the City’s current Trails Network Plan (TNP)—the Conceptual Trails Plan and the Conceptual Bikeway Plan—have not been updated since the early- to mid- 1990s. In recent years, the City Council has reviewed and approved trails plans for subareas of the City (i.e., the Forrestal Nature Preserve, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, the coastal zone and adjoining areas), but there has been no comprehensive, citywide update to the TNP. It has been Staff’s intent to undertake a comprehensive update of the TNP after the Preserve Trails plan was completed. To that end, Staff initiated an update to the TNP (Planning Case No. ZON2011-00004) in January 2011. Staff believes that the preparation of a Trails Master Plan (TMP) to update and consolidate all of the City’s existing trails plans will fulfill the purpose of the Program and make for a competitive grant application. At this time, Staff envisions the following tentative scope of work for the preparation of the TMP (subject to future change and refinement): March 2011 – Grant Application 1. Complete and submit the CBTP grant application, including City Council adoption of an authorizing resolution with a 10-percent matching fund. 1 In August 2010, the City applied (ultimately unsuccessfully) for grant funding for the Trails Master Plan from the Strategic Growth Council of the California Department of Conservation through the Sustainable Communities Planning Grants and Incentives Program. 3-2 MEMORANDUM: Trails Master Plan Grant Application March 1, 2011 Page 3 May 2011 – Preparation 1. Review Trails Network Plan (Conceptual Trails Plan and Conceptual Bikeways Plan) and Preserve Trails Plan, including amendments. 2. Review Master Parks Plan, Coastal Vision Plan, California Coastal Trail, Parks and Recreation Task Force Proposal, and trail easements. 3. Identify existing and proposed trail routes and uses on the City’s aerial maps. 4. Create a Trails Master Plan homepage on the City’s website with a list-serve function. 5. Coordinate and meet with representatives from the Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments. August 2011 – Development 1. Inventory trail conditions (walking each existing and proposed trail route) based on trail tread, line-of-sight, access, elevation, difficulty, etc. 2. Develop a draft Trails Map. October 2011 – Public Workshops 1. Conduct public workshops to receive public input on the draft Trails Map. 2. Make appropriate revisions to the draft Trails Map based on public input. 3. Conduct public workshops to receive public input on the revised Trails Map. February 2012 – Trails Master Plan 1. Prepare a draft Trails Master Plan. 2. Prepare the CEQA document for the draft Trails Master Plan. May 2012 – Public Hearings 1. Conduct City Council hearings to consider the draft Trails Master Plan, culminating in the adoption of a final Trails Master Plan and the related CEQA document. July 2012 – Graphics 1. Develop a fold-out Trails Master Plan map for public distribution. 2. Post the Trails Master Plan map on the City’s website. CONCLUSION In conclusion, and based upon the foregoing discussion, Staff requests that the City Council adopt the attached draft Resolution, thereby approving the City’s application for Community- 3-3 MEMORANDUM: Trails Master Plan Grant Application March 1, 2011 Page 4 Based Transportation Planning Funds available through the California Department of Transportation for the preparation of a citywide Trails Master Plan. FISCAL IMPACT For development of the grant application, Staff intends to use primarily “in-house” resources; the City’s grant consultant will only be asked to review the final application package prior to its submittal to CalTrans. Since these grant funds cannot be used for the environmental analysis of the TMP pursuant to the CEQA, Staff also expects to prepare the necessary CEQA analysis for the project “in house.” This is what was done with the Forrestal Nature Preserve and Palos Verdes Nature Preserve trails plans. ALTERNATIVE In addition to Staff’s recommendation, the following alternative is available for the City Council’s consideration: 1. Do not adopt Resolution No. 2011-__. Attachments: • Resolution No. 2011-__ • Fact Sheet – Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant Program M:\Projects\ZON2011-00004 (Trails Master Plan)\20110301_StaffRpt_CC.doc 3-4 RESOLUTION NO. 2011-__ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR TRANS- PORTATION PLANNING FUNDS FOR THE CITY’S TRAILS MASTER PLAN FROM THE COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSPORTATION PLAN- NING GRANT PROGRAM OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of the State of California have provided funds for the program shown above; and, WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and, WHEREAS, said procedures established by the Department of Transportation require a resolution certifying the approval of application(s) by the Applicant’s governing board before submission of said application(s) to the State; and, WHEREAS, the Applicant, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carry out the development of the proposal. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES: Section 1: Approves the filing of an application for the Trails Master Plan in order to coordinate transportation and land use planning in a manner that promotes public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system, including mobility, access, and safety; Section 2: Certifies that Applicant understands the assurances and certification in the application; Section 3: Certifies that Applicant or title holder will have sufficient funds to develop the Proposal or will secure the resources to do so, including the provision of a minimum of 10% local matching funds; Section 4: Certifies that the Proposal will comply with any applicable laws and regulations; and, Section 5: Appoints the City Manager, or designee, as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project(s). 3-5 Resolution No. 2011-__ Page 2 of 2 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this __st day of March 2011. _____________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) ) ss CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ) I, Carla Morreale, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2011-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting held on _________, 2011. _____________________________ City Clerk M:\Projects\ZON2011-00004 (Trails Master Plan)\20110301_Reso_CC.doc 3-6 16 Via Boyero, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 www.blaisassoc.com Page 1 FACT SHEET Community-‐Based Transportation Planning Funding Information and Application Requirements Application Deadline March 30, 2011 5:00 p.m. Workshop January 11, 2011, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon Southern California Association Of Governments Building 12th Floor -‐ Board Room 818 Seventh Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90017 Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. Workshop and presentation will be broadcast to SCAG/COG Regional Satellite Offices in Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial and Orange Counties. January 25, 2011, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Department of Transportation 703 B Street Marysville, CA Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba Counties. Contact Beatriz Gonzalez (Phone: 530) 741-‐5173 or Email: Beatriz_Gonzalez@dot.ca.gov. Eligible Applicants • Cities, Counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Regional Transportation Planning Agencies, Transit Agencies, Native American Tribal governments. • As a sub-‐recipient: Universities and Community Colleges, Community-‐Based Organizations, Non-‐Profit Organizations and Public Entities. Purpose of Program To funds coordinated transportation and land use planning that promotes public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system which includes mobility access, and safety. Type of Funding Competitive Grant Examples of Funded Projects City of Laguna Niguel -‐ Transit-‐Oriented Development Studies in the Laguna Niguel Gateway. Awarded: $185,280. City of Buellton –Bikeway and Trails Master Plan. Awarded: $100,000. City of Grover Beach –Bicycle Master Plan. Awarded: $11,520. Priority Applications received from local governments participating in the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s The Catalyst Projects for Sustainable Strategies Pilot Program, will receive ten bonus points if the application scores in the top 33 percent. B1ais&Associates professional grant managemtlll Blais&Associates professional grant management 3-7 16 Via Boyero, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 www.blaisassoc.com Page 2 Agency California Department of Transportation Web Site http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/grants.html Contact Name/Phone Number Caltrans District Office, listed in Appendix B of the guidelines. Total Funds Available $3 million Maximum Funding Request $300,000, any awarded grant in excess of $250,000 will require a pre-‐award audit. Local Match 10% minimum. At least 7.5% must be cash match and the rest may be in-‐kind. High, Low, Average Grant Last Year High: $300,000; Average: $139,504; Low: $11,520 Success Rate Last Year Data not available. Authorizing Resolution Required Required with application. Applications submitted missing resolutions are at a competitive disadvantage. Project Readiness All projects are subject to a work completion deadline of February 28, two years after the funds have been encumbered. Eligible Project Types Direct costs must be used only for planning-‐related activities, such as community surveys, community meetings, charrettes, focus groups, data gathering and analysis, planning consultants, bilingual services to facilitate meetings, reproduction costs, office supplies, concept drawings of the project, computer/furniture rental, transit passes, light snacks and non-‐alcoholic refreshments to facilitate the project. EXAMPLES OF PROJECT TYPES • Long-‐term Sustainable Community/Economic Development Growth studies or plans • Blueprint Planning follow-‐up or refinement • Proactive Rural Blueprint Planning • Rural Smart Growth • Safe, innovative, and complete pedestrian/bicycle/transit linkage studies or plans • Community-‐to-‐School linkage studies or plans • Jobs and Affordable Housing Proximity studies or plans • Transit-‐Oriented/Adjacent Development or “transit village” studies or plans • Infill studies or plans • Community Transit Facility/Infrastructure studies or plans • Transit Innovation studies or plans • Comprehensive Mobility studies or plans • Mixed Land-‐use Development studies or plans • Form-‐based or Smart Code development • Green Transportation Infrastructure planning • Open space Conservation planning • Community Design Guideline planning • Context-‐sensitive Streetscapes or Town Center studies or plans • Complete Street studies or plans • Suburban Community or Urban Commercial Corridor Retrofit B1ais&Associates professional grant managemtlll Blais&Associates professional grant management 3-8 16 Via Boyero, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 www.blaisassoc.com Page 3 studies or plans • Grid Street System studies or plans • Access Management studies or plans that promote traffic calming, walking, biking, and livability • Community Revitalization studies or plans • Context-‐sensitive Community Development planning • Community-‐Friendly Goods Movement Transportation Corridors, Ports, and Airports studies Ineligible Activities • Environmental studies, plans, or documents normally required for project development under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or any Project Initiation Document (PID). • Construction and procurement of equipment or materials, such as building a facility, even if such purchases are funded with other funds or provided as a match. • Construction permits, construction projects, construction materials, maintenance, decoration, traffic studies, detailed design, or acquisition (purchase or rental) of any vehicles for bus or shuttle programs, and operating subsidies of vans or shuttles. • Personal expenses (such as meals), use of personal vehicles, organizational membership fees, or other items unrelated to the project. • Purchase of computers, software, or office furniture. Evaluation Criteria and Process • Planning Goals • Project Description • Project Justification • Public Participation • Project Implementation • Project Management The guidelines do not outline specific point criteria for scoring the application. Application Requirements • Should be coordinated with the transportation planning efforts taking place under the region’s Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). • Additionally, all applications should be in accord with that region’s Blueprint Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SB 375). • Include the following Documents: 1. Application 2. Applications Signature Page 3. Scope of Work 4. Project Schedule 5. Local Resolution 6. Map of Project Area 7. Digital Photographs of Project Area, if applicable 8. Letters of Support (if applicable) B1ais&Associates professional grant managemtlll Blais&Associates professional grant management 3-9 16 Via Boyero, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 www.blaisassoc.com Page 4 Submission Requirements Application submission will only be accepted via email to: OfficeofCommunityPlanning@dot.ca.gov The following required documents are to be submitted as separate attachments in the same email: • Application • Application signature page • Scope of work • Project schedule • Resolution • Project map • Any other supporting documentation A carbon copy of the email should be sent to the appropriate District contact. B1ais&Associates professional grant managemtlll Blais&Associates professional grant management 3-10