DEPARTMENT: Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Advanced Funding Agreement: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) - Clean Air Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program
SUMMARY:
An ordinance approving the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $600,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $4,200.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program located Citywide. Funds are available from the FY 2021 Parking Operating and Maintenance and Advanced Transportation District funds to fund the required local match and associated administrative oversight costs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to improve air quality by implementing educational outreach and policy development regarding alternative commuting methods. This agreement will allow the program costs to qualify for federal cost-sharing reimbursement up to the federally approved amount for a Local Agency Managed (LAM) project. LAM projects are managed by the City but receive federal funds administered through TxDOT. The funds paid to TxDOT by the City are for costs associated with oversight for the administration of the federal funds.
The Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program was launched in February 2019 by the City of San Antonio staff to expand commute programs, incentives, and benefits for municipal City employees. The TDM Program, with a proven strategy for raising awareness about air quality, will continue to serve City employees by encouraging alternative commute modes through education, outreach, and programming.
The program’s primary focuses include program implementation, education, outreach and policy development. As an organization with over 12,000 employees and one of the largest regional employers, the City of San Antonio stands to significantly impact air quality by addressing commute patterns and opportunities. This grant funding will enable a sustained funding source to support program efforts to deploy various commute solutions. Additionally, the TDM Program will engage City employees to encourage alternative commute modes to reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) commutes across the region by expanding the Vanpool Pilot Program, program development, implementation, education and outreach. Future efforts will provide these programs and knowledge to the general public.
ISSUE:
This ordinance approves the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $600,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $4,200.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program.
The Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program will provide for the implementation of educational outreach and policy development regarding alternative commuting methods to improve air quality by expanding commute programs, incentives, and benefits for City employees.
The TDM Program was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Improvement Program. As a requirement of the TIP, the local agency is responsible for 20% of the construction cost with the remaining 80% being provided federally through TxDOT. This Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT will allow related project costs to qualify for federal cost-sharing up to the federally approved amount not to exceed $600,000.00. The remaining cost of $150,000.00 and the associated administrative oversight fees in the amount not to exceed $4,200.00 will be the City of San Antonio's responsibility.
Approval of this ordinance will continue the City’s commitment to maintaining and improving existing programs in collaboration with other governmental agencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could choose not to approve this agreement; however, the City will lose the opportunity to receive reimbursement from TxDOT, delaying the project or requiring a change in the TDM program’s scope to remain within budget. The most cost-effective option would be to approve the Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds from TxDOT for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT as a federal pass through grant associated with costs for the TDM program and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $4,200.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds.
The 20% match for this project is $150,000.00 and the City also will pay $4,200.00 for administrative oversight of federal funds associated with the program. This ordinance authorizes a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount not to exceed $4,200.00 to TxDOT; and, amends the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with grant funds in the reimbursable amount not to exceed $600,000.00 for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program.
Funds in the amount of $4,200.00 are available from the FY 2021 Advanced Transportation District Fund and $50,000.00 of the required local match is available from the FY 2021 Parking Operating and Maintenance Fund. The remaining $100,000.00 of the required local match is subject to City Council approval of FY 2022 and FY 2023 annual budgets.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and TxDOT, accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $600,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $4,200.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Transportation Demand Management Program.