Kings County Association of Governments Member Agencies: Cities of Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford and Lemoore, County of Kings 339 W. D Street, Suite B Lemoore, CA 93245 Tel. (559) 852-2654 Fax (559) 924-5632 www.kingscog.org MINUTES KCAG TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, August 8, 2018 CALL MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the KCAG Technical Advisory Committee was called to order by Terri King, at 1:35 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in the Conference Room, 339 West D Street, Suite B, Lemoore, California. MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: VISITORS PRESENT: Lou Camara, City of Hanford Angie Dow, Kings County Area Public Transit Agency Troy Hommerding, Environmental Health Kevin McAlister, Kings County Public Works Michael Navarro, Caltrans District 6 Fernando Santillan, City of Avenal Joel Gandarilla, Terri King, Yunsheng Luo, Mary Madrid Boudah, Teresa Nickell, Christopher Xiong Kevin Lum A. UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES None. B. MINUTES It was moved and seconded (McAlister / Hommerding) to approve the Minutes of July 11, 2018. The motion carried with Camara abstaining. TRANSPORTATION: A. FY 2018-19 State of Good Repair Program Project List Teresa Nickell reported that the State of Good Repair (SGR) Program is one of several programs that are part of Senate Bill (SB) 1 for new transportation funding. The goal is to keep transit systems in a state of good repair and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. The formula distributions are established through the State Transit Assistance (STA) program, to be distributed with 50% allocation to local transit operators based on fare-box revenue and 50% to regional entities based on population. The Kings County Area Public Transit Agency (KCAPTA) proposes to use SGR funds for a new CNG bus. Corcoran is proposing to use SGR funds to purchase and install shelters, benches 1
and information at existing bus stops. The FY 2018-19 STA fund apportionments were revised, of which about 45% is attributable to SB 1. KCAPTA proposes to use that portion of their STA funds for facility improvements, for CNG bus rebuild, and new outdoor air cooler for the transit station. Corcoran proposes to use that portion of their STA funding to upgrade parking structure lighting and security at the transit depot. It was moved and seconded (Dow / Santillan) to recommend that the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee adopt Resolution No. 18-10 approving the distribution of the FY 2018-19 State of Good Repair Program allocations for the transit projects included in the regional FY 2018-19 State of Good Repair Program Project List. The motion carried unanimously. B. FAST Act Transportation Performance Management Christopher Xiong provided an update on the Transportation Performance Management requirements under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act and the Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that placed new and stronger emphasis on measuring and monitoring the performance of transportation systems. States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are now required to implement a performance-based approach to planning and programming. The Transportation Performance Management (TPM) uses three sets of performance measures which are PM1-Safety Performance, PM2-Infrastructure Performance, and PM3-System Performance. He summarized each of the performance measures and noted the actions taken by KCAG to meet the TPM requirements. Following approval by the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee, KCAG Staff submitted to Caltrans a reporting template specifying KCAG s intent to support Caltrans statewide 2018 PM1 targets; KCAG Staff worked with member agencies in reviewing current conditions and planned projects to assess the expected conditions of locally owned National Highway System routes, and in April, based on the pavement data provided by Caltrans and planned projects from member agencies, KCAG submitted no harm targets to Caltrans, which are to maintain 2016 or current conditions for PM2 targets; and KCAG staff submitted a data concurrence form to Caltrans establishing National Performance Management Research Data Set (NPMRDS) as the sole sourced data for the PM3 targets. As with PM1 targets, KCAG Staff will seek approval for the PM2 and PM3 target at a later meeting. Kevin McAlister asked for clarification on FARS and if PM1 applies to all county roads. The reply was that FARS is a fatality database from FHWA for fatalities and serious injuries. PM1 applies to all public roads. Addition clarification regarding PM2 and PM3 was that these apply to NHS and interstate roads. However, local roads are not incorporated in the PM2 and PM3, except for any roads classified under NHS. An application has to be submitted to de-classify these NHS local roads. De-classification has some pros and cons as they relate to available funding. Michael Navarro will report regarding the de-classification process. The affected roads are Grangeville from 12th Ave. to SR 43, 12th Ave. from Grangeville to SR 198, and 10th Ave. from SR 43 to Houston Ave. Additionally, Kevin McAlister asked if the KCAG targets were set using a State formula. The reply was yes and that these were set using Caltrans methodology. However, part of the methodology was to use projected trends and data was only available up to 2015. Caltrans analysis notes rural fatalities in their reports, but does not set two different targets for rural. As the data becomes available, the web based dashboard will reflect the data. 2
D. Final 2018 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Terri King stated that the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was released June 15, 2018 for public review and comment, starting the 45-day public review period, which will end on August 8, 2018. The CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program are attached to the agenda packet. The SEIR identified a few significant and unavoidable impacts related to aesthetics (alteration of visual character), air quality (re-entrained dust), biological resources (wildlife movement), cultural resources (historic resources), and land use (conversion of agricultural lands). Comments from the Department of Fish and Wildlife were received and responded to in the Final SEIR. It was moved and seconded (McAlister / Camara) to recommend that the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee Certify the Final SEIR for the 2018 RTP/SCS with the adoption of Resolution No. 18-11. The motion carried unanimously. E. Final 2018 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy Terri King reported that comments from Caltrans on the draft 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) were recently received and will be responded to in the final documents. KCAG has been working with the Air Resource Board (ARB) regarding the technical methodology to calculate how the SCS will the reduce emissions, which has been approved. Yunsheng Luo said that KCAG is required to adopt a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) every four years, California Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) requires MPO s to include a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) as part of the RTP to explain how the region will meet Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. The GHG emission reduction targets are 5% for 2020 and 10% for 2035. KCAG staff initiated the 2018 RTP/SCS development process in early 2017. A Stakeholder Advisory Group was established in the early stages to inform the entire SCS development process. As a long range transportation planning document, the RTP discusses major transportation issues in the Kings County region. KCAG staff collected necessary information and updated the plan to reflect the most current policy status and project information. For the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), there were four proposed scenarios developed in consultation with the Stakeholder Advisory Group. A 55-day public review and comment period was conducted, and public hearings were held on July 11, 2018 and on July 25, 2018. KCAG received three comment letters. On July 25, 2018, the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee selected Scenario D Balance Solution as the preferred scenario of the SCS for inclusion in the RTP. It was moved and seconded (Camara / Dow) to recommend that the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee approve the Final 2018 RTP/SCS with the adoption of Resolution No. 18-12. The motion carried unanimously. F. Final 2019 Federal Transportation Improvement Program and Final Air Quality Conformity Analysis Yunsheng Luo reported that KCAG is required to adopt a Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) every two years as part of the formal process in applying for federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit 3
Administration (FTA). The 2019 FTIP includes the ongoing projects from the last federallyapproved FTIP, as amended, and new projects for the FY 2018-2019 through 2021-22 received since the last 2017 FTIP amendment. She also noted that Kings County is part of the San Joaquin Valley, which is a non-attainment area for several pollutants and that prior to adopting the FTIP, KCAG must make a finding that the RTP and FTIP projects cumulatively do not result in an increase in vehicle emissions of non-attainment pollutants or their precursors. Therefore, an Air Quality Conformity Analysis has been prepared with the 2018 RTP/SCS and 2019 FTIP. KCAG staff released the draft 2019 KCAG FTIP and Air Quality conformity analysis for the 55-day public review and comment period from June 15, 2018 to August 8, 2018. A public hearing was held before the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee on July 25, 2018 to hear and consider comments. KCAG received comments on the draft 2019 FTIP from Caltrans and the City of Lemoore. All comments received have been responded to and necessary changes have been incorporated into the Final 2019 FTIP. It was moved and seconded (Santillan / McAlister) to recommend that the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee approve the Final 2019 FTIP and the corresponding Air Quality Conformity Analysis with the adoption of Resolution No. 18-12. The motion carried unanimously. G. Senate Bill 1 Funding Programs Summary Terri King stated that last month the KCAG Transportation Policy Committee requested an update on the funds that we expect to receive from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) and will consider taking a position on Proposition 6 that would repeal SB 1. Included in the agenda packet is a summary of the revenues that have been received by our local agencies and projects implemented through the various SB 1 funding sources, including updated estimates for FY 2018-19, and future years. Proposition 6, California Voter Approval for Gas and Vehicle Taxes Initiative, would repeal SB 1 and require any new taxes and fees to go before the voters. If repealed, collection of the taxes and fees will cease immediately, however, funds already collected will be used as intended. Kevin McAlister commented on the excessive bid amounts for new projects. This may be due to the heavy construction demand. It was suggested that with the potential repeal of SB 1, some contractors are reluctant to bid with certainty and that other bids will follow, since large projects require large investments in equipment. Some jurisdictions are rejecting bids due to the high cost. None. REGIONAL PLANNING: MISCELLANEOUS Terri King mentioned an upcoming Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Roundtable workshop in Visalia. This is an in-depth workshop regarding lessons learned and strategies on preparing applications. This grant program may assist with funding the new KART transit site, however it needs to be associated with some type of housing component. 4
Christopher Xiong stated that staff is working on releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Pavement Management System update. Staff is reworking the scope of work to better fit the needs of each local agency. In the next few weeks the RFP for the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan will be released. Yunsheng Luo stated that Staff is developing an RFP for the Regional Corridor Needs Study. She also reported that the Regional Active Transportation Plan is almost complete and the draft document will be released for review soon. Teresa Nickell reported that an RFP for the triennial performance audits for FY 2015-16 through FY 2017-18 was released. Staff will also be working with KCAPTA on a Transit Asset Management Plan, and with the City of Corcoran for a fixed route transit study. It was asked if Corcoran is also doing a Transit Asset Management Plan. The reply was affirmative and that the two transit operators could be included in the same project. Fernando Santillan reported that Avenal submitted an Active Transportation Program application for improvements on Skyline Blvd. and SR 269 for pedestrian improvements, and for bike and pedestrian improvement on local streets. They are waiting to hear back from Urban Greening regarding a bike trial leading to the sports complex. Lou Camara reported that Hanford is working on their fiber seal project, which starts in a few weeks; their bicycle and pedestrian project starts in August; the airport taxi lane project is now complete, the 11th Ave. and Houston signal project is currently under construction; the 13th Ave. and Grangeville project is in right-of-way acquisition; and they submitted an ATP application for a pedestrian project in the downtown area. Terri King stated how disadvantaged communities play a big role in the criteria for ATP grants that require applicants to be in a disadvantaged community to move forward in the application process. It was commented how applications have been evaluated based on the geographic size of the individual city rather than the county population as a whole, but the same size city in an urban area is granted funds. It was suggested to comment on this issue as we go forward. Kevin McAlister reported that two ATP applications were submitted for pedestrian walkways, and curb gutter and sidewalk improvements on Becky Pease Street in Kettleman City. The HSIP project bid was over by $1.1 million than was estimated. This project was re-bid and came in $200,000 cheaper, but still over budget. However, Caltrans approved additional funds of $900,000 to meet the shortfall. The County is working on the Highway Safety Plan to be ready for the next round of HSIP funding. The 16th Ave. and Tulare Lake canal project is moving forward after the right-of-way issues were resolved. Angie Dow stated that the Flex Route will begin in January 2019. The pilot project will focus on the Hanford routes. Fixed routes will drop out at around 6:30 p.m. Flex routes are on demand and trips can be requested by phone app, calling dispatch, or via computer. Depending on the success of the pilot program, the flex route system could be expanded to service other areas. Funding for Non-emergency transportation from rural areas is being considered. There are efforts to replace at least eight buses that are in a state of disrepair. Michael Navarro said that the draft planning guide for the FY 2019-20 grant cycle is out and the final official grant guide will be released in September. Caltrans Headquarter has requested districts to host a grant workshop in their districts. The workshop will consist of a 30 minute presentation followed by a 60 minute question and answer session. Submittal due date for planning grants is November 2, 2018. Terri King stated that we are still ineligible for these grant 5
funds due to the PL fund carryover balance, but asked if a transit type project application is still eligible. Michael Navarro will obtain an opinion from Caltrans Headquarters. Troy Hommerding commented on current illegal dumpsite cleanups. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the KCAG Technical Advisory Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:38 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for September 12, 2018. Respectfully submitted, Terri King, Executive Director 6