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. Carryover amounts and new funding 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 $33,910 is available to be programmed into fiscal year 2021/22.
Staff recommends the carry-over Rural Planning Assistance funds be used to pay for direct expenses in Work Element 6220, for graphic design support to develop the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan, and staff activities in Work Element 6710, Corridor Studies and Regional Multi-Modal Planning. Examples of work anticipated under this work element includes developing an electric vehicle charging network along US 101 in coordination with the other Central Coast counties, updating freight planning, and wrapping up the US 101 South of Salinas study.
The Agency received a state grant for the Salinas Safe Route to School program in fiscal year 2019/20. Less funds were utilzed last year then was anticipated when the Overall Work Program was adopted in June 2021. Correspondingly, an additional $250,365 of state grant funds are being added to Work Element 6729 for this work.
Since fiscal year 2018/19, the Transportation Agency has acted as a pass-through agency to help administer funding for statewide leadership training. Caltrans notified the Agency these services are no longer needed, so $25,000 programmed in Work Element 1000 for this purpose is being removed from this year's Overall Work Program.
The Transportation Agency recently received a $664,127 grant from Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant program. The funds will be used to develop the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan. The plan will provide the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City with a comprehensive approach and tools to reduce the barriers to walking, biking, taking the bus and carpooling to school. This plan will provide the basis for future investments in infrastructure by the local Measure X Safe Routes to Schools program, the SB 1 local road rehabilitation program, and the Active Transportation Program. This plan will involve active participation by parents, school administrators, neighbors, City staff and officials, health professionals, community advocacy groups and students from 22 K-12 schools in five school districts. The public will be asked to participate in walking/biking audits, assess public transportation, submit comments at public meetings or through an online portal, and participate in parent surveys. All communication will be provided in English and Spanish with an effort to reach parents of all reading levels.
Work Element 6730 is being added to the Overall Work Program incorporating this new work effort. Funding for the plan is spread over a three fiscal-year period starting in FY 2021/22 and concluding in FY 2022/23. New Overall Work Program pages reflecting the above recommendations are attached.