APPROVE Resolution 2016-12 providing authority for the Executive Director to execute amendment No. 1 to the fiscal year 2016/17 Overall Work Program and Budget.

The Transportation Agency’s Overall Work Program describes the activities that the Agency will undertake during the fiscal year. This amendment will allow state Rural Planning Assistance funding from the prior fiscal year to be utilized in the current fiscal year for bicycle and pedestrian planning activities, and the Monterey-Salinas Highway 68 Scenic Corridor Study.

The annual Transportation Agency Overall Work Program describes the activities to be accomplished during the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30.  Adopting an annual work program is mandatory to utilize Rural Planning Assistance funds and discretionary planning grants that the Transportation Agency receives from Caltrans. Carry-forward amounts need to be amended into the Overall Work Program and Budget before associated tasks can be initiated. 

The Transportation Agency receives an annual allocation of Rural Planning Assistance funds and has the flexibility to program these funds to eligible activities as it deems appropriate.  Carry-over funds from the prior fiscal year can likewise be allocated as needed and approved by Caltrans.  Rural Planning Assistance carry-over funds totaling $66,329.20 is available to be programmed into fiscal year 2016/17.

Staff recommends the carry-over Rural Planning Assistance funds be used to pay for staff activities in Work Element 6140, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning, Education, and Improvements; and Work Element 6725, the Monterey-Salinas State Route 68 Corridor Plan. 

The proposed revision are a zero-sum gain in the Agency's budget with the additional Rural Planning Assistance funds replacing like amounts of local funds already programmed in the respective work elements. Revised Work Program pages reflecting the above recommendations are included as a web attachment.