Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 1 and Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $70,000, to the City of South San Francisco for the preparation of a feasibility study with Glydways Inc. to explore the development of a last-mile transportation system connecting Oyster Point with transit stations in South San Francisco, and authorizing the County Manager, or the County Manager’s designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
On February 12, 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held a study session on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2019-21. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study session to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FY 2019-21. The Board approved $3.75 million in one-time loans or grants each fiscal year for FY 2019-21, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 1 and District 4 have submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
Even split between District 1 and District 4 (Supervisors Dave Pine and Warren Slocum) - City of South San Francisco for the preparation of a feasibility study for a potential Glydways-based last mile transportation system |
$70,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to the City of South San Francisco, and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $70,000, to contribute toward South San Francisco’s feasibility study to assess the use of transportation startup Glydways’ autonomous mass transportation solution to address last-mile connectivity challenges in urban environments. The County Manager’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
The Board of Supervisors approved a district-discretionary Measure K grant from District 1 to the City of South San Francisco on July 24, 2018 in the amount of $75,600 for the Sign Hill Habitat Restoration Project. The term of this grant was extended by the Board of Supervisors on August 4, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
The Glydways system uses a fleet of energy-efficient small electric vehicles, which operate on a dedicated facility (typically five-foot-wide per lane) and does not typically mix with other roadway users (vehicles, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians) on city streets. Given that the system operates on its own dedicated facility, passenger capacity is easily scalable and ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 people per hour per direction. Several Bay Area cities are evaluating the Glydways system including San Jose, Concord, Oakley, and Mountain View.
South San Francisco, like many of the communities in San Mateo County, is challenged by severe traffic congestion resulting from growing commercial and residential populations. Despite availability of Caltrain, BART, and SamTrans, there is currently not the ability to provide ‘last mile’ service to the actual destinations of Peninsula commuters, resulting in continued dependence upon cars to get to and from work.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic traffic congestion throughout the day on the US 101 freeway and on neighborhood streets entails huge dedication of land and resources to road maintenance and parking facilities and heavy financial burdens on private companies to provide reliable, convenient transportation alternatives to cars for their employees. Successfully addressing the ‘last mile’ will make public transit (such as Caltrain and the ferry system) a much more attractive alternative. This proposed transportation pilot project in South San Francisco will provide a compelling new model for the Bay Area region and beyond, helping to reinvigorate the area’s economy and relieve traffic congestion.
This feasibility study will assess the parameters of a pilot project in South San Francisco with Glydways, exploring this emerging transportation technology with the intent to provide greater transportation connections for employers in South San Francisco. A central goal will be to leverage and boost utilization of the region’s existing transportation infrastructure while expanding the coverage and service for local residents. The Glydways system will also provide a form of mass transportation that is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and with other potential public health threats. As a first phase, Glydways would connect the Caltrain Station at East Grand Ave to the Ferry Terminal at Oyster Point to serve the current and projected workforce east of US 101.
The proposed Measure K grant will be used for the preparation of a feasibility study for a potential last mile transportation system.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $70,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Mike Futrell
City Manager
City of South San Francisco
400 Grand Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 877-8502
mike.futrell@ssf.net <mailto:mike.futrell@ssf.net>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Prepare comprehensive feasibility report on proposed project that covers financial, technological and engineering aspects. Utilize technical expertise regarding relevant innovative solutions to transportation issues. Prepare for system implementation. |
Completion of the feasibility study conducted by a consultant selected by the City of South San Francisco |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2020-21 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2020-21 Approved Recommended Budget.