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SR 04-10-2018 3J City Council Report City Council Meeting: April 10, 2018 Agenda Item: 3.J 1 of 3 To: Mayor and City Council From: David Martin, Director, City Planning Susan Cline, Director, Public Works Department Subject: Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Funds from the State of California Natural Resources Agency Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Adopt the resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the application for grant funds in the amount of $1,477,809 from the California Natural Resources Agency to fund implementation of the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan Streetscape Improvements; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to apply for the grant, accept the grant, if awarded, and accept all grant renewals, if awarded. Executive Summary This report seeks authorization to submit an application to the California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening program for an amount not to exceed $1,477,809 to fund implementation of the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan Streetscape (LiNC), which was approved by Council on April 25, 2017 (Attachment B). The grant funds may be used for a variety of landscaping, pedestrian safety and mobility-related capital enhancement projects that are included in the LiNC design. Adoption of the attached resolution is a requirement of the grant program for eligibility to receive Urban Greening funds allocation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20. Discussion The Urban Greening Program funds projects that reduce greenhouse gases, decrease energy consumption and reduce vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. The Urban Greening Program is funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which allocated $26 million to the Natural 2 of 3 Resources Agency in 2016 to fund the planning and implementation of green infrastructure projects. The recently approved LiNC Streetscape was awarded CIP funding of $2.9M for FY17/18 to implement a discrete phase of work targeting connections across the boulevard, which includes preparing the necessary construction documentation. Additional funding is required to realize the other elements of the concept design, including the provision for additional landscaped medians and landscaping, ADA compliant curb ramps, and green infrastructure low-impact development facilities. If awarded, the grant would fund a portion of additional funds needed with remaining funds requested through CIP, or other grant opportunities as presented. The LiNC is an eligible project under the guidelines of the Urban Greening Grant program. It is expected that grant awards will be announce d by June 2018 and, pursuant to the grant guidelines, funds must be expended within three years of the award. Based upon a preliminary analysis of the eligible project elements such as additional landscaped medians, ADA ramps, and bioswales and rain gardens, staff estimates that the Urban Greening funds would expedite the build-out of most of the LiNC streetscape by several years, excluding the most costly components such as new pedestrian street -lighting, which staff anticipates funding through future grant opportunities. Without the grant funds, completion of the project would otherwise be subject to future budget requests. Financial Impacts and Budget Actions The total amount of grant funds requested from the California Natural Resources Agency is $1,477,809. If awarded, expenditure and revenue budgets will be established. The grant requires no local match; however, the City’s application will leverage committed resources, including the implementation of the peak-hour dedicated bus lane, and the FY17/18 CIP award of $2.9 million for Phase 1 implementation, as well as in-kind staff time. 3 of 3 Prepared By: Peter James, Principal Planner Approved Forwarded to Council Attachments: A. Resolution Approving Application B. April 25, 2017 Staff Report (Web Link) REFERENCE: Resolution No. 11109 (CCS)