title
APPROVE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUBMITTAL OF PROJECTS TO THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR “ONE VOICE” PROJECT PRIORITIES FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2017-18
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to:
1. Submit three projects to the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) for proposed federal funding as part of the annual “One Voice” trip to Washington, D.C.
2. Execute associated agreements and undertake actions to accept and receive the funding in the event that the funding requests are successful.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
body
Summary
The SJCOG coordinates an annual process known as “One Voice” to develop and present unified regional funding requests and legislative priorities to the federal government. The SJCOG asked the City to submit three projects for the federal fiscal year 2017-18 “One Voice” effort. In priority order, staff recommends that the following projects and requested funding amounts be submitted:
1. North Stockton I-5 Interchanges and Widening - $2,550,000;
2. Lower Sacramento Road Corridor - $35,000,000; and
3. Miner Avenue Complete Streets Improvements - $11,311,500.
This recommendation is derived from a staff review of significant projects in the Council adopted Five Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). “One Voice” project recommendations typically comprise larger scale transportation projects involving major arterials, portions of freeway systems through Stockton, or a project of significant benefit to the City or citizenry. Past submittals involved: Arch/Sperry Road connection, Miracle Mile (Pacific Avenue), French Camp and I-5 Interchange, Airport Way and Weber Avenue Beautification, California Street Rehabilitation, and the Hammer Lane and Thornton Road Widenings. The Lower Sacramento Road Corridor has been a “One Voice” project since 2014, and would complete the connections north and south of the recently completed underpass south of Eight Mile Road, and would connect to the San Joaquin County Widening project north of Eight Mile Road. Miner Avenue has been a “One Voice” priority project since Council adoption of the Miner Avenue Streetscape Plan in 2012. The North Stockton I-5 Widening project has been a “One Voice” priority project since 2008 because this facility has regional significance and is an important major arterial through Stockton.
The SJCOG requires Council approval to submit funding requests for the “One Voice” effort. Staff will return to Council to accept any funding received as a result of the “One Voice” effort.
DISCUSSION
Background
Since 2000, the SJCOG has coordinated an annual process known as “One Voice” to develop and present unified regional funding requests and legislative priorities to the federal government. A delegation of policymakers, government officials, and business leaders from San Joaquin County presented a targeted list of regional priorities to Congressional representatives and high-level agency staff in Washington, D.C., demonstrating cooperation among local agencies to secure federal funding. The City has participated in this process since its inception. The SJCOG is planning another “One Voice” trip between April 30, 2017, through May 4, 2017. The SJCOG has asked the City to submit three projects, as follows:
• Two regional transportation projects; and
• One local project, transportation or otherwise.
Present Situation
The SJCOG requires Council approval to submit funding requests for the “One Voice” effort.
In response to the invitation to participate in the “One Voice” process for federal fiscal year 2017-18, staff recommends submitting the following projects and requested funding amounts:
1. North Stockton I-5 Interchanges and Widening - $2,550,000;
2. Lower Sacramento Road Corridor - $35,000,000; and
3. Miner Avenue Complete Streets Improvements - $11,311,500.
In choosing projects to submit for “One Voice,” staff reviews significant projects in the Council adopted Five Year CIP. “One Voice” project recommendations typically comprise larger scale transportation projects involving major arterials, portions of freeway systems through Stockton, or a project of significant benefit to the City or citizenry. Past submittals involved: Arch/Sperry Road connection, Miracle Mile (Pacific Avenue), French Camp and I-5 Interchange, Airport Way and Weber Avenue Beautification, California Street Rehabilitation, and the Hammer Lane and Thornton Road Widenings.
All three projects proposed for support are active, with at least partial funding already committed for design activities. The Miner Avenue project has also received three separate grants from the Regional Alternative Transportation Program (ATP) as follows: $860,000 for the preparation of the Precise Road Plan and environmental documents, $2,939,000 for design and construction of Phase 1 from Center Street to Sutter Street, and $670,000 for design of Phase 2 from Sutter Street to the Cabral Rail Station. All three projects are also outlined in the 2016 Federal Legislative Program as priority projects for pursuing federal funding.
A brief description of each project follows below:
1. North Stockton I-5 Interchanges and Widening, Phase 2 - The North Stockton I-5 Widening project has been a “One Voice” priority project since 2008 because this facility has regional significance and is an important major arterial through Stockton. This is a multi-phased project that will construct a new I-5 interchange connection at Otto Drive, modify two existing interchanges at Hammer Lane and Eight Mile Road, and widen mainline I-5 to eight lanes from Country Club Boulevard to Eight Mile Road. Phase 1 of the project started construction in fall 2011 to widen I-5 to eight lanes from Country Club Boulevard to Hammer Lane. Phase 1 was completed in 2016. Phase 2 of the project (widen I-5 to eight lanes from Hammer Lane to Eight Mile Road) is 65 percent designed, while the design for the future I-5/Otto Drive interchange is 35 percent complete. The City is requesting $2,550,000 to complete the Phase 2 widening design, I-5/Otto Drive interchange final design, and the design of the auxiliary lanes from Hammer Lane to Otto Drive interchange.
2. Lower Sacramento Road Corridor - The Lower Sacramento Road Corridor has been a “One Voice” project since 2014, and would complete the widening of this important regional arterial. The project will widen the Lower Sacramento Road Corridor from Royal Oaks Drive to Pixley Slough. Other improvements along this corridor include the replacement of the bridge over Bear Creek and Pixley Slough, as well as intersection improvements at Eight Mile Road. These improvements will tie into the new Lower Sacramento Grade Separation Underpass project and the San Joaquin County's Lower Sacramento Road Widening project (currently in construction). The City is requesting $35,000,000, which represents the estimated total project cost.
3. Miner Avenue Complete Streets Improvements - Miner Avenue has been a “One Voice” priority project since Council adoption of the Miner Avenue Streetscape Plan in 2012. This plan was developed in partnership with the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. The project will upgrade and transform a ten-block section of Miner Avenue into a “Complete Street” between Center Street and the Cabral Rail Station (approximately $4,469,000 has been funded through ATP grant funds). Travel lanes will be reduced to one in each direction. Turn lanes at major intersections, bicycle lanes, and improved pedestrian facilities will be added. Parking will be changed from diagonal to parallel. In general, the improvements will revitalize a blighted corridor in the City’s core and serve as an economic catalyst project, enhance safety and property values, and return Miner Avenue to its historic status as a major downtown destination. This project is also an important component of the Transportation Oriented Development plans near the Cabral Rail Station and will support the downtown waterfront. The City is requesting $11,311,500, which represents the remaining estimated project cost after considering funds already received from other sources. Phasing is possible if lesser funding is available.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are no immediate financial impacts associated with submitting these “One Voice” requests. Should any federal funding be granted as a result of the “One Voice” effort, staff will return to Council with further information and recommendations specific to these projects. In the long run, the financial impacts will be favorable if the requests are successful since the City is already committed to implementing the projects.