Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Federal Apportionment Exchange and State Match Program Agreement X20-5925(179) with the California Department of Transportation, allowing direct exchange with the State of $359,164 in Fiscal Year 2019-20 Regional Surface Transportation Program and Regional Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Exchange Funds and allowing for the disbursement of $100,000 in State Match Funds (total funding to be received is $459,164).
FUNDING: Regional Surface Transportation Program and Regional Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Exchange Funds. (100% - State)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Section 182.6 of the Streets and Highways Code, as modified, authorizes the County to exchange the assigned federal apportionments made available to the County under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) for nonfederal State Highway Account funds.
In accordance with the Agreement between the County and Caltrans, $359,164 in federal funding (Section 182.6 of the Streets and Highways Code) is being exchanged for a like amount of State funds. An additional $100,000 of State Matching Funds (Section 182.9 of the Streets and Highways Code) is also being made available. By exchanging the federal monies with State monies, funds become less restrictive in use. The funding Transportation is seeking to exchange is federal in nature and will require the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental documentation to be completed in addition to California Environmental Quality Act environmental documentation. This can substantially increase the cost of transportation projects. By exchanging these funds, Transportation can complete projects at a lower cost since NEPA environmental documentation will not be required.
ALTERNATIVES
If the exchange is not approved, funding will still be available but NEPA do...
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