City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 22, 2017
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the FY 2024 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Project Funding Request.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of the FY 2024 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) project funding request.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Approve the FY 2024 transportation project request as listed in Attachment 1; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to apply for these grants, and enter into any necessary agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia to accept any of these grants.
BACKGROUND: Since 1993, the Commonwealth has allocated CMAQ and RSTP grant funding to the Northern Virginia region. CMAQ funded projects must meet these three eligibility requirements: 1) have a transportation focus, 2) reduce air emissions, and 3) be located in or benefit a nonattainment or maintenance area. RSTP funds are flexible funds that may be used for a variety of regional transportation activities, including but not limited to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, transit capital projects, and transportation / transit studies.
City Council annually approves the out-year addition (in this case FY 2024) to its six year CMAQ/RSTP program.
DISCUSSION: The City’s funding request for FY 2024 is $4.5 million and includes the following projects, listed in priority order:
FY24 CMAQ / RSTP Proposed Program
1. West End Transitway Operations $1,000,000
2. Transportation Demand Management $500,000
3. Commuter Outreach $600,000
4. Bike Sharing $250,000
5. ITS Integration $600,000
6. DASH Technology $250,000
7. Backlick Run $300,000
8. Pedestrian and Safety Mobility $1,000,000
Enhancements on Primary Corridors
TOTAL $4,500,000
The City of Alexandria must submit the FY 2024 CMAQ / RSTP funding request to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) by December 15, 2017. A combined table showing CMAQ / RSTP funding for FY 2019 to FY 2023 as well as the FY 2024 proposed funding can be found in Attachment 2.
The Transportation Commission reviewed these recommendations at its meeting of October 16, 2017. Following discussion, the Transportation Commission approved the recommendation for the FY 2024 funding request, as indicated in Attachment 3.
FISCAL IMPACT: Since the Commonwealth of Virginia provides the local match required for CMAQ / RSTP funds, the City is not required to provide any local funds to receive the grants. As projects mature in the annual CIP, staff provides updated estimates of operating impacts from each of these projects.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: FY 2024 Transportation Project Request and Descriptions
Attachment 2: Prior Year CMAQ / RSTP Funding
Attachment 3: Transportation Commission Recommendation Letter
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Matt Melkerson, Acting Deputy Director, T&ES
Allan Fye, Division Chief, Transit Services Division
Jim Maslanka, Grants Manager, Transit Services Division