Title
Authorization to Apply for and Accept Federal Funding for U.S. Department of Transportation 'Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development' Grant Opportunity 2019 (Ordinance S-45830)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and if awarded, enter into agreements for disbursement of federal transportation funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation's 'Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development' (BUILD) grant opportunity for an amount not to exceed $25 million. The City's local match would be a minimum of 20 percent, which would be $5 million of the total project construction cost if the maximum award is requested. However, to be competitive at a national level for the BUILD grant, it is not uncommon for local matches to be up to 30 percent, or up to $7.5 million, if the maximum award is requested. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, the funds, if awarded.
Report
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on April 16, 2019, for $900 million in surface transportation grants provided by the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Appropriations Act for National Infrastructure Investments. The BUILD grant, (formerly known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program) offers an opportunity to leverage City funds for transportation projects. Funds for the FY 2019 BUILD grant are to be awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. Street Transportation staff is collaborating on a grant submittal that will outline improvements along a given regional corridor with an emphasis on creating a smart street using innovative technologies that will not only improve signal timing and level of service for automobiles but will also focus on improving pedestrian safety and creating safe crossings for all modal users including cars, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users. Staff is utilizing the BUILD grant evaluation and rating criteria as part of the project identification and selection process to ensure the City's competitiveness in its application. Staff has selected the 35th Avenue and Indian School Road area for the BUILD grant submittal, primarily based on pedestrian collision data. BUILD grant submittals are due on July 15, 2019.
Financial Impact
If selected, the BUILD grant will fund up to 80 percent of the total construction cost. The Street Transportation Department intends to submit a grant application for up to $25 million that includes design, environmental and construction costs related to this project. Staff recommends the City provide a competitive 30 percent total project cost match, up to $7.5 million, which is currently available in the Street Transportation Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for approval at the Aviation and Transportation Subcommittee meeting on May 28, 2019, by a vote of 3-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.