Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter of endorsement supporting the El Dorado County Transportation Commission’s grant application for Caltrans Rural Planning Assistance Program, for the development of a Community Transportation Plan for the El Dorado Hills Business Park; and
2) To authorize the allocation of up to 155 hours of County staff time, over the course of a year, in support of such efforts, pursuant to Policy A-5 Section II(A)(1) grant endorsements for non-county agencies that include a commitment of County staff time require Board approval.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board of Supervisors approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign a letter of endorsement supporting the El Dorado County Transportation Commission’s (EDCTC) grant application for Caltrans Rural Planning Assistance Program funds, for the development of a Community Transportation Plan for the El Dorado Hills Business Park, and to authorize the allocation of up to 155 hours of County staff time, over the course of a year, in support of such efforts. Pursuant to Policy A-5 Section II(A)(1) grant endorsements for non-county agencies that include a commitment of County staff time require Board approval.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
EDCTC approached County staff with the opportunity to partner on a grant application to obtain funds for the development of a Community Transportation Plan for the El Dorado Hills Business Park.
The El Dorado Hills Business Park Community Transportation Plan would build upon the recent Business Park Owners Association interest in active mobility improvements in the business park area, while providing an opportunity for community input and public engagement to envision how the business park could be improved to better connect with Town Center and Central El Dorado Hills.
The grant funds are carryover funds made available by the Caltrans Office of Regional Planning to rural counties under the Rural Planning Assistance Program. Grant applications are due May 30, 2018.
EDCTC would take the lead on the grant application, consultant contract and administration, with the County partnering and providing staff time for the development of the plan, including attending internal coordination meetings and public meetings, document review, and technical support in the areas of economic development, land use, and transportation planning.
The estimated cost of the study is $80,000. The grant application will request funding for the cost of the study with EDCTC providing an 11.47% match and the County contributing an in-kind match of 155 hours of existing staff time. Staff hours would be divided among existing staff in the Chief Administrative Office, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Planning and Building.
Having County support in the form of a letter of recommendation, along with the commitment of staff time, will strengthen the grant application. If the funds are awarded, County staff’s participation in the development of the plan will help to ensure that the plan is consistent with existing County policy and plans, as well as proposed development projects currently in process with the County.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not sign the letter of recommendation or allocate staff resources; or the Board could choose to sign the letter of recommendation and not allocate staff resources. However, without a commitment of staff resources, the grant application would not be as competitive.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Department of Transportation, Planning and Building Department, EDCTC, and the El Dorado Hills Business Park Owners Association.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No additional funding is required. The funding associated with the 155 hours of staff time is already included in the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain Chair’s signature and return a signed copy of the letter to the Chief Administrative Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Economic Development, Healthy Communities, and Infrastructure.
Specifically: Economic Development Objective 3 - Invest in infrastructure needs to improve and maintain competitiveness; Healthy Communities Objective 4 - Promote community practices for a safe environment that supports positive physical and behavioral health and wellness among residents and visitors; and Infrastructure Objective 1 - Shape a built environment that allows communities to support quality of life and economic vitality for current and future generations, Objective 3 - Provide a safe, well-planned and maintained transportation network for citizens and visitors, including roads, airports, bike paths and trails, and Objective 5 - Provide, maintain and manage parks, trails, and natural resources that promote recreation, health, and community vitality.
CONTACT
Don Ashton
Chief Administrative Officer