Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jim Eggemeyer, Director, Office of Sustainability
Subject: Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a California Department of Transportation Sustainable Communities Grant for the Unincorporated San Mateo County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt resolutions authorizing:
A) The County of San Mateo to accept a $228,820 grant from the California Department of Transportation and to enter a grant agreement to fund the project “Unincorporated San Mateo County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan”; and
B) An Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $228,820 in grant funds from the California Department of Transportation to fund the “Unincorporated San Mateo County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan” project.
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BACKGROUND:
Caltrans’ Sustainable Communities grants are funded by the State Highway Account and the Road Maintenance and Repair Account (Senate Bill 1, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017). The objective of the Sustainable Communities Competitive Grants is to encourage local and regional multimodal transportation and land use planning that furthers the region’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)/Sustainable Communities Strategy, contributes to the State’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, addresses the needs of disadvantaged communities, and also assists in achieving the Caltrans Mission and Grant Program Overarching Objectives.
As the County seeks to reduce congestion on local roadways and greenhouse gas emissions, walking and bicycling will become increasingly popular forms of transportation for people accessing public transit, getting to work, or running errands. In order to promote walking and bicycling as safe and effective means of transportation, the County must plan for infrastructure, support facilities, and educational programs.
This Caltrans grant award will enable the County to plan for closing gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian network countywide and to develop programs that encourage increased use of active transportation to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
DISCUSSION:
The Unincorporated San Mateo County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) will be a first for the County, focusing on proactively planning bicycle and pedestrian improvements in unincorporated areas. Many neighboring jurisdictions have been planning for and investing in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and this Plan will help complete gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian network throughout the County.
The County has taken a leadership role in encouraging active transportation through the Sustainable Transportation Encouragement Program (STEP) in North Fair Oaks, involvement in the countywide Safe Routes to School program, and planning efforts such as Connect the Coastside. The data, analysis, and recommendations developed through this bicycle and pedestrian master planning effort will assist the County in meeting the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets established by the California Air Resources Board through Assembly Bill (AB) 32, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s targets set forth in its Sustainable Communities Strategy, developed in response to Senate Bill (SB) 375.
Key products and milestones of the BPMP will include the following:
• Data collection and mapping of existing active transportation infrastructure
• Recommended network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Design guidelines for bicycle and pedestrian facilities countywide
• Grant-ready project sheets to seek construction funding
• Coordinated Technical Advisory Committee, including County staff and staff from jurisdictions bordering unincorporated San Mateo County
The current planning efforts of cities within the County and Caltrans provide a strong framework for developing recommendations for this plan. The BPMP will be developed through extensive public outreach to determine the needs of the community and find solutions to fill gaps in the transportation network and safety programs.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Adoption of this resolution and acceptance of this grant from the California Department of Transportation contributes to the County's Shared Vision 2025 of being an Environmentally Conscious Community by lowering countywide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles on roadways and improving access to public transit.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of the Appropriation Transfer Request will appropriate funds in the amount of $228,820 from the California Department of Transportation to the Office of Sustainability. The Sustainable Communities grant funds require a 12 percent match, which will be met through staff time in support of the project.