Title
Increase Grant Funding for Roadway Safety Projects in Fiscal Year 2021 (Ordinance S-46901)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to accept and enter into agreements with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) for additional transportation grant funds, to contribute an additional City match, and to shift the authorization to Fiscal Year 2021. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. The City's total estimated participation cost will not exceed $250,000.
Report
Summary
In 2019, MAG solicited applications for the Roadway Safety Program (RSP) to implement low cost safety solutions in the near term that supplement the existing state and local programs in addressing transportation safety needs. The funding supported improving the safety conditions of our roadways in an expedited manner. MAG developed this program to supplement the Arizona Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvement Program to address critical safety concerns in the near term as opposed to traditional program opportunities that are typically several years out.
On Sept. 24, 2019, MAG announced a Call for Projects for MAG RSP funding and the City was eligible to compete for up to $2 million in RSP funds. The Street Transportation Department (Streets) submitted an application for six road safety projects, and MAG formalized application submittals on Nov. 7, 2019. The total cost of all projects submitted was $2,143,218.28. The City did not anticipate receiving funding for all six projects.
On Jan. 29, 2020, the MAG Regional Council approved additional funding for the Fiscal Year 2021 Road Safety Program, which enabled the City's project applications to be fully funded. As a result, Phoenix was awarded its total requested amount of $2,143,218.28, which is greater than the $2 million program limit previously approved by Council (Ordinance S-46147).
Streets is requesting additional funding in the amount of $143,219 to revise the total amount of the grant award to $2,143,219. Additionally, with this increase, the City's estimated participation cost will increase by up to $50,000 with a revised total participation cost not to exceed $250,000 for total project or design costs.
Financial Impact
The MAG Roadway Safety Program requires a minimum 10 percent local match contribution for project costs or design costs, whichever is greater, by the lead agency. With the increase in grant funding for this agreement, Streets' participation costs will increase by up to $50,000, revising the total estimated participation cost to not exceed $250,000. Funding is available in the Streets' Capital Improvement Program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Nov. 6, 2019, City Council approved Ordinance S-46147 to apply for, accept, and enter into agreements with MAG for up to $2 million in Roadway Safety Program grant funds for transportation safety projects in Fiscal Year 2020, and the City's local funding participation to not exceed $200,000.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.