REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 17 to Appropriate $880,000 in Federal Funding for the Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Improvements in SNAIL and Braly Corners Neighborhoods Project and Authorize the City Manager to Execute any Related Grant Documents
Report
BACKGROUND
In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed into law. With the passage of IIJA, the Community Project Funding / Congressionally Directed Spending (CPF/CDS) program was created to support specific community projects as part of the annual federal appropriations process. For every year of funding, the CPF/CDS projects are solicited and selected by the members of the U.S. Congress. Once selected, the individual scope and funding amount for each of the selected CPF/CDS projects is then written into law via the Annual Appropriations bill.
In 2022, the City applied for funding to improve pedestrian safety and safe routes to school at three intersections in the Sunnyvale Neighbors of Arbor Including La Linda (SNAIL) and Braly Corners neighborhoods. The intersections are near two public schools: Columbia Middle School, where approximately 34% of students walk to school, and Braly Elementary School, where approximately 24% of students walk to school, per the latest walk audits conducted in 2024 and 2019, respectively. The proposed improvements were identified in the City’s Active Transportation Plan, adopted by City Council in 2020, which include:
1) Borregas Ave./Hemlock Ave. (near Columbia Middle School)
• Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon
• High Visibility Crosswalk
2) Borregas Ave./Duane Ave. (near Columbia Middle School)
• Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon
• High Visibility Crosswalk
• Curb Extensions
3) Gail Ave./Gladiola Dr. (near Braly Elementary School)
• High Visibility Crosswalks
• Curb Extensions
• Advanced Yield Markings
The project also includes improvements to roadway signage/markings, streetlight improvements at all three locations, and potential implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure at Gail Ave./Gladiola Dr. The project improvements would enhance the crossing experience and safety for students walking to and from the two Sunnyvale neighborhood schools. The environmental and design phases are being completed under Project 833010 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements using local funds. Final design completion is expected by Spring 2025.
In 2022, the City was awarded the CPF/CDS grant, for the construction phase of the project in the amount of $880,000. See Attachment 1 for the federal allocation table for CPF/CDS 2022 Cycle 1. The grant requires a 11.47% local match in the amount of $120,000, resulting in a total construction budget of $1,000,000.
Project deadlines for projects appropriated in 2022 include obligation of the funds by September 30, 2025, and the funds must be expended by September 30, 2030.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation Element:
Policy LT-3.18. Facilitate safe and orderly traffic flow and promote school pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Council Policy 7.1.5 Grants, Donations, Contributions and Sponsorships:
The City Manager may apply for grants of any dollar amount, but shall notify the Council when grants are being pursued pursuant to Council Policy 7.1.5 (Grants, Donations, Contributions and Sponsorships). The City Manager may accept and appropriate grant funds up to $100,000 that do not require a local match or obligate the City to any ongoing expenses, through an administrative budget modification. Any grants of $100,000 or more, or that require a local match or obligate the City to ongoing expenses, shall require Council approval of a budget modification before funds can be expended by staff. The budget modification shall include the use to which the grant will be placed; the objectives or goals of the City that will be achieved through use of the grant; the local match required, if any, plus the source of the local match; any increased cost to be locally funded upon termination of the grant; and the ability of the City to administer the grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The budget modification is not a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a government fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. The appropriate CEQA analysis will be performed during the project design process and brought to Council for approval with the award of construction contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget Modification No. 17 has been prepared to appropriate Federal Funding from the Department of Transportation Highway Infrastructure Programs in the amount of $880,000 to a new project - Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Improvements in SNAIL and Braly Corners Neighborhoods.
The grant award requires a local match of 11.47% in the amount of $120,000. Budget is appropriated and available in Project 836340 - Transportation and General Fund Grant Matching for the local match portion.
Budget Modification No. 17
FY 2024/25
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Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
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Capital Projects Fund - General Assets Sub-Fund |
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|
Revenues |
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|
|
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Federal Grant Funding - Department of Transportation Highways Infrastructure Programs |
$0 |
$880,000 |
$880,000 |
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Expenditures |
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New Project - Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Improvements in SNAIL and Braly Corners Neighborhoods |
$0 |
$880,000 |
$880,000 |
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Budget Modification No. 17 to appropriate $880,000 in Federal Funding for the Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Improvements in SNAIL and Braly Corners Neighborhoods Project and authorize the City Manager to execute any related grant documents.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contracts under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contracts between public entities
_x_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Angela Wong, Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Department of Public Works
Reviewed by: Matt Paulin, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Federal Allocation Table CPFCDS 2022 Cycle 1