HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - Transportation Enhancement Activities Pr - 6/1/2010CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JUNE 1, 2010
ITEM NUMBER:
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES PROGRAM PROJECT
APPLICATIONS
DATE: MAY 20, 2010
FROM: PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT/TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
PRESENTATION PETER NAGHAVI, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES
BY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RAJA SETHURAMAN, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
MANAGER, 714-754-5032
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving submittal of four (4) projects for funding under the Orange County
Transportation Authority's (OCTA) Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities Program
(Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND:
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) issued a "Call for Projects" for the
Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities program. The TE program is a federal grant program,
first authorized under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and
subsequently reauthorized under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21St Century (TEA -21) in
1998, and the Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU). The TE program provides grants to local and state agencies within Orange County
to be used for transportation -related projects that enhance quality -of -life, in or around transportation
facilities. OCTA is responsible for selecting regionally significant projects for Orange County and
working with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in administering
selected projects.
ANALYSIS
Projects that qualify for the TE program include landscape and scenic beautification projects such
as median landscaping, gateway plantings to communities, architectural treatments, artwork at
gateway entrances, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities such as walkways and multi -use
recreational trails. The TE program requires a minimum match of 25 percent of the total project
cost. The maximum grant funding provided to any project is $500,000.
This "call for projects" using the expected TE allocation from SAFETEA-LU program, is seeking
projects that can be programmed for construction by June 30, 2013. OCTA requires City
Council approval of the attached resolution prior to any further consideration of the application.
Staff has identified four projects for funding over the next three fiscal years under the TE
program. These are briefly discussed below:
• Fairview Channel Bicycle Trail: The Fairview Channel Bicycle Trail includes construction
of the bicycle trail south of Fairview Channel connecting the Santa Ana River Regional
Bicycle Trail and Placentia Avenue within Fairview Park.
• Newport Boulevard Frontage Road Landscape Enhancements: This project includes
enhanced landscape improvements to Newport Boulevard Frontage Roads between Fair
Drive and 19th Street and includes new planting, irrigation, and streetscape improvements.
• East 17th Street Streetscape Improvements: This project continues the improvements on
East 17th Street between Orange and Santa Ana Avenues to Irvine Avenue. The project
includes decorative crosswalks, medians, enhanced landscaping, and an entry monument
sign.
• Harbor Boulevard Corridor Streetscape Improvements: This project includes enhanced
landscaping in the Harbor Boulevard Corridor between MacArthur Boulevard and Adams
Avenue in accordance with the previously -developed landscape plan and entry monument
sign.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Alternatives considered include the option of not adopting the resolution. This would result in
making the City ineligible to compete for available grant funding.
FISCAL REVIEW:
If project applications are approved for funding, staff will recommend a funding source for any
required match in the appropriate fiscal year budget. Sources for matching funds potentially
include park development funds, Fairview Park allocations, Air Quality Management District
(AQMD) funds, Renewed Measure M, and Traffic Impact Fees.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
CONCLUSION:
The current "Call for Projects" is an opportunity for the City to compete for grant funding for
implementation of streetscape and landscape improvement projects and bicycle and pedestrian
facilities under the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities program. Staff selected four
projects for consideration of TE grant funding. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the
attached resolution for submittal of the project grant applications to OCTA.
RAJA SETHURAMAN
Transportation Services Manager
ATTACHMENT: 1 - Resolution
DISTRIBUTION: City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Clerk
City Attorney
Development Services Director
Staff
6-1-10 TE Grant Applications Report 5/17/10
PETER NAGHAVI
Director, Department of Public Services
11:30 a.m.