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sr-032409-1gCity Council Meeting: March 24, 2009 Agenda Item: ~ "f G-1 To: Mayor and City Council From: Eileen Fogarty, Planning and Community Development Director Subject: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for funding under the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Transportation. Planning Grant Program, Community-Based Transportation Planning; to execute an agreement for such funding and any amendments thereto; and to submit or execute-any related documents necessary to participate in the 2009-2010 Transportation Planning Grant Program to study the feasibility of capping the I-10 Freeway between 17t" and 14t" Streets in the Memorial Park area. Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution and authorize the City Manager to: 1) submit an application to the California Department of Transportation for funding under the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Transportation Planning Grant Program, Community-Based Transportation Planning; 2) execute an agreement for such funding and any amendments thereto; 3) submit or execute any related documents necessary to participate in the 2009-2010 Transportation Planning Grant Program to study capping of the I-10 freeway between 17t" and 14t" Streets in the Memorial Park area; and 4) approve the budget actions as set forth in the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section. Executive Summary This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to submit an application for funding under the Caltrans Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Transportation Planning Grant Program, Community-Based Transportation Planning, in the amount of $250,000 to support the preparation of a feasibility study for capping the I-10 freeway between 17t" and 14t" Avenue in the City of Santa Monica, in support of the LUCE Framework vision for the Memorial Park area. This feasibility study is one component of planning for this area which will include the Memorial Park Master Plan, EXPO Light Rail Station area planning, and a future specific or master plan for the district as proposed in the LUCE. This report also recommends that the City Manager be authorized to submit any and all related supplementary documents and execute a grant agreement and any associated amendments to that agreement. Background Each year the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) issues an invitation for grant applications for transportation planning projects. The grant program promotes a balanced, comprehensive, multi-modal transportation system. The planning grants should ultimately lead to the adoption, initiation, and programming of transportation improvements. This year, there are four types of grants available. This application is being submitted under the Community-Based Transportation Planning (CBTP) grant type, which is funded by the State Highway Account. The goals for this grant type are set forth by the State, and are to: 1. Improve mobility and accessibility, 2. Preserve the transportation system, 3. Support the economy, 4. Enhance public safety and security, 5. Reflect community values, and 6. Enhance the environment. The CBTP grant funds coordinated transportation and land use planning that encourages community involvement and partnership. Projects must support livable/sustainable community concepts, with a transportation or mobility objective and promote community identity and quality of life. The final product is expected to be a documented study, plan or concept that can be used to further smart growth and community sustainability. Grant applications are capped at $300,000, and require a 20 percent local match. Half of the local match can be in-kind services. Applications to Caltrans for Fiscal Year 2009-10 funding are due on April 1, 2009. Funds awarded must 2 be encumbered within the first fiscal year and spent by the end of Fiscal Year 2011-12. Approximately $3 million in grant funds are available ih this year's funding cycle. Discussion As authorized in the attached Resolution, staff is preparing a grant application for submittal to Caltrans on or before the April 1, 2009 deadline. The application will request $250,000 in grant funds to support a feasibility study for capping the I-10 freeway from 17th to 14tt' Avenue. The LUCE Strategic Framework recommends exploration of freeway capping in the Memorial Park district, in support of a coordinated planning effort that includes the Memorial Park Master Plan, integration with EXPO Light Rail, and a future specific or master plan for the district. LUCE envisions the freeway deck as an opportunity to expand open space, explore joint development, and repair connections with neighborhoods that were broken by construction of the freeway. The deck area would introduce a stronger connection between the park and areas south of the freeway. Capping the freeway would create up to 7 acres of additional land area. City staff met with Caltrans representatives in January and February 2009 to discuss a range of capping options for the I-10 freeway. Staff has developed a sequence of project steps based on discussion and research, beginning with a conceptual feasibility study. Caltrans staff recommended the grant program as a funding source for feasibility studies. Similar feasibility studies have been prepared for segments of the 101 freeway near Hollywood (the Hollywood Freeway Central Park) and in the City of Ventura. The grant application contains a commitment to a 20 percent match of grant funds, should the grant be awarded. Half of the matching funding may be in-kind services. Budget/Financial Impact The recommendations in this staff report have no budget actions at this time. However, should the grant be awarded both the grant receipts and appropriations will be increased in the Miscellaneous Grants fund (20267) of the Community and Strategic Planning Division. A 20% local match consisting of in-kind services and an amount 3 of $25,000 would be required for this project. Funds for the match are available in account 01267.555060. Prepared by: Francie Stefan, Community and Strategic Planning Manager Approved: Forwarded to Council: - _. _._r... _.._ Attachment A: Resolution 4 Reference Resolution No. 10387 (CCS) and Contract No. 9046 (CCS).