HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-2016 Item 16 Highway Bridge Program Grant Applications Meeting Date: 10/18/2016
FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Public Works Director
Prepared By: David Athey, Supervising Civil Engineer, CIP Design
SUBJECT: HIGHWAY BRIDGE PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATIONS
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works, or his designee, to submit grant
applications to the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program administered by the
California State Department of Transportation for funding to upgrade the Madonna Road, Chorro
Street, and Nipomo/Peach Bridges.
DISCUSSION
The Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Program (Bridge Program) provides matching
and non-matching grant funding for bridge upgrades or replacement. City bridges must either be
functionally obsolete or structurally deficient in order to qualify for grant funding. An example
of a functionally obsolete bridge would be one that is narrow and does not include sidewalks or
bike lanes. An example of a structurally deficient bridge is one where the structure has degraded
to the point where it is necessary to replace the bridge in-lieu of repair. The Madonna Road,
Chorro Street and Nipomo/Peach Street Bridges are classified by the California State Department
of Transportation (Caltrans) as functionally obsolete due to width and other non-structural
components. Therefore, these bridges are currently eligible for Bridge Program funding.
However, the State recently announced that the grant eligibility criteria would change on October
1, 2016.
Caltrans notified City staff that they will no longer accept grant applications for upgrading or
replacement of functionally obsolete bridges as of October 1, 2016. Caltrans also indicated they
would continue to accept functionally obsolete bridge applications up to October 1, 2016.
Therefore, staff submitted placeholder applications (Attachments A, B, and C) in September in
order to maintain Bridge Program eligibility. This ensured that the three bridges can be
authorized for future funding as it becomes available in the Bridge Program. Council may
determine that funding bridge upgrades through the Bridge Program grant funds is not a
currently a City priority, in which case the applications may be withdrawn. Future Bridge
Program grant funding eligibility would likely be available when the bridges h ave structurally
decayed to the point the bridges are considered structurally deficient.
The City has 27 bridges that are reviewed and inspected by the State. In addition, the City has
seven pedestrian bridges and three vehicle bridges that do not qualify for State review and
inspection. The State does not review and inspect non-vehicular bridges off the road system, and
the three vehicular bridges are not inspected because of their size. The three bridges that are the
subject of this report are reviewed and inspected by the State.
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CONCURRENCES
Public Works Transportation concurs with this action and the recommendation to submit the
grant application paperwork.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act as it is
not a project as defined by that statute. However, the City will comply with both State and
Federal requirements for environmental review during the design and permitting phase and prior
to construction of a future project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no future General Fund impacts associated with the submission of the three Bridge
Program grant applications. If the grants are funded by the Bridge Program, the City’s share of
the bridge upgrade cost is estimated at approximate $625,000 over several fiscal years. Staff
will return to Council to appropriate funds during the 2017-19 Financial Plan process. This will
enable Council the ability to accept or reject the grant funding, if awarded, as the City is not
obligated to accept the grant funding.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could direct staff to withdraw up to all three bridge placeholder grant applications.
This would mean that the City would not be able to benefit from the Bridge Program funding.
Staff believes it will be some time before the opportunity to apply for these funds is available to
the City and does not recommend this action.
Attachments:
a - Resolution HBR Grant
b - Council Reading File - Madonna Road Bridge
c - Council Reading File - Chorro Street Bridge
d - Council Reading File - Nipomo-Peach Bridge
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. XXXX (2016 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THREE APPLICATIONS TO
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR
BRIDGE PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE MADONNA ROAD,
CHORRO, AND NIPOMO/PEACH BRIDGES
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo, a charter city and political subdivision of the
State of California, wishes to apply for and receive an allocation of funds through the Highway
Bridge Program (HBP); and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation (hereinafter referred to as
“Caltrans”) has notified the City of changes to its Local Highway Bridge Program (HBP)
Guidelines that will affect the eligibilities of certain bridge projects for federal funding under the
HBP program; and,
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo wishes to submit three bridge grant
applications to obtain from Caltrans an allocation of HBP funds; and
WHEREAS, the funding criteria for replacement of Functionally Obsolete bridges due to
bridge deck geometrics changed as of October 1, 2016; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo does hereby:
1. Approve the submittal the HBP applications for the Madonna Road, Chorro Street and
Nipomo/Peach Street bridges to Caltrans in order to maintain eligibility with the HBP program
requirements.
2. The City of San Luis Obispo authorizes the Public Works Director, or his designee, to
execute in the name of the City of San Luis Obispo, the application and all other documents
required by Caltrans for participation in the HBP program, and any amendments thereto. In
addition, the City of San Luis Obispo authorizes the Director of Public works or his designee to
submit payment requests, provide status updates and provide program/project closeout
documents to facilitate grant award.
Upon motion of , seconded by , and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2016.
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Packet Pg. 190 Attachment: a - Resolution HBR Grant (1472 : Highway Bridge Program Grant Applications)
Resolution No. XXXX (2016 Series) Page 2
____________________________________
Mayor Jan Marx
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Carrie Gallagher
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
____________________________________
Carrie Gallagher
City Clerk
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Packet Pg. 191 Attachment: a - Resolution HBR Grant (1472 : Highway Bridge Program Grant Applications)