DEPARTMENT: Transportation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tomika Monterville, MSP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Advanced Funding Agreement: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Clean Air Educational Outreach 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 $216,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $1,512.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds; and, authorizing the appropriation of $30,000.00 in Public Works General Fund and $24,000.00 in Transportation General Fund budget to fund the required local match and associated administrative oversight costs and amending the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with these funds and grant funds in the reimbursable amount of $216,000.00 for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Clean Air Education Outreach Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
The CMAQ Clean Air Educational Outreach Program was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to improve air quality by implementing local educational outreach programs related to the benefits of vehicle electrification and gas cap replacement. This agreement will allow the program costs to qualify for federal cost-sharing reimbursement up to the federally approved amount for a Local Government (LG) project. LG 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 Clean Air Education Outreach Program was launched in June 2019 by City San Antonio staff to improve air quality while promoting the City’s sustainability goals of ground-level ozone attainment and greenhouse gas reductions. The program will provide for the continued awareness of the Electric Vehicles San Antonio (EV-SA) Campaign and the Automotive Gas Cap Testing and Replacement project sustainability initiatives associated with these goals through engagement, education and outreach.
The program’s primary focus includes educating the San Antonio community on information affiliated with the EV-SA Campaign and the Automotive Gas Cap Testing and Replacement project. As part of the Clean Air Education Outreach Program, the EV-SA Campaign will continue to provide for the education and engagement of topics surrounding electric vehicles supporting San Antonio’s Ozone Attainment Master Plan and Climate Action Adaptation Plan which advances clean and efficient transportation technology. As part of the Automotive Gas Cap Testing and Replacement project, City will provide for the education of the importance and impacts of a functioning gas cap through testing and replacement. This project will also support outreach efforts to educate San Antonio residents with knowledge of adverse health conditions caused by ground-level ozone and ways to prevent ozone-forming emissions.
ISSUE:
This ordinance approves the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and TxDOT, accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $216,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $1,512.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the CMAQ Clean Air Education Outreach Program.
The CMAQ Clean Air Education Outreach Program will provide for the implementation of educational outreach and engagement regarding ground-level ozone attainment and greenhouse gas reductions in relation Electric Vehicles San Antonio (EV-SA) Campaign and the Gas Cap Replacement project sustainability initiatives.
The CMAQ Clean Air Education Outreach 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 $216,000.00. The remaining cost of $54,000.00 and the associated administrative oversight fees in the amount not to exceed $1,512.00 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 implementation of the Clean Air Education Outreach Program or requiring a change in the 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 $216,000.00 in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT as a federal pass- through grant associated with costs for the CMAQ Clean Air Educational Outreach Program and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $1,512.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds.
The 20% match for this project is $54,000.00 and the City will also pay $1,512.00 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 $1,512.00 to TxDOT. This ordinance also authorizes the appropriation of $30,000.00 in Public Works General Fund and $24,000.00 in Transportation General Fund budget to fund the required local match and associated administrative oversight costs and amends the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with these funds and grant funds in the reimbursable amount of $216,000.00 for the CMAQ Clean Air Education Outreach Program.
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 $216,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $1,512.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the CMAQ Clean Air Educational Outreach Program.