REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 16 to Appropriate $460,000 in 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee Countywide Program Funds - Cycle 4, for Traffic Signal Improvements from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Any Related Grant Documents
Report
BACKGROUND
Staff created an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) master plan to identify hardware and infrastructure needed for the buildout of the traffic signal communication network utilizing fiber optic technology. The ultimate goal is to integrate all of Sunnyvale’s traffic signals and ITS components (e.g., traffic monitoring cameras, connected vehicle infrastructure, Bluetooth travel time sensors, and video detection camera systems) into the City’s Centralized Advanced Traffic Management System.
To date, portions of the City’s traffic signal communication system have been updated from copper signal interconnect wiring to fiber optic cables. Various other ITS components have also been implemented including real-time traffic monitoring cameras at 44 signalized intersections, live travel time monitoring system at 80 signalized intersections, dilemma zone detection sensors at 20 signalized intersections, and traffic data collectors and vehicle classification system at 23 signalized intersections. On September 26, 2023 (RTC No. 23-0787), Council appropriated $158,000 from 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registrations Fee Countywide Program funds to Project 831590 - Intelligent Transportation Systems to implement software upgrades for the City’s traffic signals and traffic management center to support multi-modal operations on the Tasman Drive and Java Drive corridors.
GRANT SUMMARY
In 2010, Santa Clara County voters authorized a ten dollar ($10) increase in the Vehicle Registration Fee for transportation-related projects. A portion of the $10 fee is used for a Countywide Intelligent Transportation Systems Technology competitive grant. In May 2023, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) issued a call for projects for the fourth (4th) cycle of the VRF Program for use on Intelligent Transportation Systems projects. Staff submitted a grant application for Sunnyvale ITS Communications and Infrastructure project.
On November 2, 2023, the VTA Board awarded program funds to the Sunnyvale ITS Communications and Infrastructure project. The project proposes to design, procure and implement traffic signal equipment and communications equipment on Maude Avenue between Mathilda Avenue and Wolfe Road and on Mathilda Avenue between Maude Avenue and Olive Avenue. This equipment will include fiber optic cables, traffic monitoring cameras and Americans with Disabilities Act approved touchless accessible pedestrian system buttons where they do not currently exist along these corridors.
VTA and the City intend to enter into a funding agreement as shown in Attachment 1 to this report.
EXISTING POLICY
Pursuant to Sunnyvale Charter Section 1305, at any meeting after the adoption of the budget, the City Council may amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by affirmative votes of at least four members to authorize the transfer of unused balances appropriated for one purpose to another, or to appropriate available revenue not included in the budget.
Council Policy 7.1.5 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.
This grant does not meet all the criteria to be administratively appropriated by the City Manager; therefore, a budget modification is required.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute 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 fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment. The project funded by the grant will qualify for a categorical exemption for existing facilities under CEQA Guidelines section 15301.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget Modification No. 16 has been prepared to appropriate VTA Vehicle Registration Fee-Countywide Program Fund-Cycle 4 in the amount of $460,000 to a new project Sunnyvale ITS Communications and Infrastructure. No matching funds or ongoing operating costs are required. All expenditures will be covered with the grant award appropriations.
Budget Modification No. 16
FY 2023/24
|
Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) Fund |
Current |
Increase/(Decrease) |
Revised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee Countywide Program Grant Funds |
$0 |
$460,000 |
$460,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
New Project - Sunnyvale ITS Communications and Infrastructure |
$0 |
$460,000 |
$460,000 |
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 NOVA Workforce Services 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. 16 to Appropriate $460,000 in 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee Countywide Program funds - Cycle 4, for Traffic Signal Improvements from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to a New CIP Project and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Any Related Grant Documents.
Staff
Prepared by: Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Tim Kirby, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Funding Agreement