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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Urban Greening Grant____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: 4/16/2018 Disposition: Resolution 14494 Agenda Item No: 4.g Meeting Date: April 16, 2018 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Public Works Prepared by: Bill Guerin, Public Works Director City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: FRANCISCO BLVD. WEST MULTI-USE PATHWAY URBAN GREENING PROGRAM SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS URBAN GREENING PROGRAM FOR THE FRANCISCO BOULEVARD WEST MULTI-USE PATHWAY RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the resolution. BACKGROUND: The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is moving forward with its Larkspur Extension project, which will extend the rail service from downtown San Rafael to Larkspur Landing. To date, SMART completed its design work, hired the design-build firm of Stacey-Witbeck-Hertzog, and started construction. The construction phase of the Larkspur Extension is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2018 with commercial operations estimated to begin in 2019. The City is working to incorporate a Multi-Use Path adjacent to the new rail line and on November 6, 2017 the San Rafael City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with BKF Engineers to finalize the design of the Francisco Boulevard West Multi-Use Pathway (MUP). The final design is currently scheduled to be completed in May 2018. City staff identified a grant that could supplement or offset a significant portion of the needed funding for the MUP. The California Natural Resources Agency is soliciting applications for the second round of the Urban Greening Program. Approximately $24.7 million is available for urban greening projects with no matching funds required. The grant aims to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by planting trees to sequester carbon as well as projects that reduce commuter vehicles miles through the construction of bicycle paths or pedestrian facilities that provide safe routes for travel. In an effort to secure funding through this grant program, the City Council is required to adopt a resolution approving the grant application. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 ANALYSIS: The City previously applied for the first round of Urban Greening Program funding but the project was not selected. Since the first round of funding was awarded, the City has made progress in creating a more competitive grant application. The City has secured roughly $4 million in additional funding, completed the environmental review process, and gone from 35% design to nearly full design. The MUP will achieve the goals of this grant as the new pathway will provide residents, commuters, and students safe and accessible access to Downtown San Rafael SMART Station and the Bettini Transit Center. This will encourage increased cycling and walking trips in the area and reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled in the City. Staff has reviewed the requirements to apply for this grant and found the project is eligible for submittal of an application. As required by the grant, the Resolution includes all assurances as indicated by the program guidelines. Staff recommends moving forward with adopting the attached resolution to apply for additional funding for this project. FISCAL IMPACT: The City is seeking grant funding in an amount of $1.86 million. The program does not require the City to provide matching funds. OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options: 1. Adopt the resolution; 2. Do not adopt the resolution, resulting in the City declining to submit a grant application. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the resolution. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 14494 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS URBAN GREENING PROGRAM FOR THE FRANCISCO BOULEVARD WEST MULTI-USE PATHWAY WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of the State of California have provided grant funds for the “California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program”; and WHEREAS, the California Natural Resources Agency has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California Natural Resources Agency require a resolution certifying the approval of application by the Applicant’s governing board before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS, the applicant, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carry out the Project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San Rafael: 1. Approves the filing by the City of San Rafael (applicant) of an application for grant funds for the Francisco Boulevard West Multi-Use Pathway Project; 2. Certifies that applicant understands the assurances and certification in the application; 3. Certifies that applicant or title holder will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project consistent with the land tenure requirements; or will secure the resources to do so, and 4. Certifies that it will comply with the provisions of Section 1771.5 of the State Labor Code; 5. If applicable, certifies that the project will comply with any laws and regulations including, but not limited to, legal requirements for building codes, health and safety codes, disabled access laws, environmental laws and, that prior to commencement of construction, all applicable permits will have been obtained; 6. Certifies that applicant will work towards the Governor’s State Planning Priorities intended to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and promote public health and safety as included in Government Code Section 65041.1, and 7. 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). I, Lindsay Lara, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City of San Rafael Council on Monday, the sixteenth day of April, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None _____________________________ Lindsay Lara, City Clerk