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-over 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 $59,931 is available to be programmed into fiscal year 2022/23.
Staff recommends the carry-over Rural Planning Assistance funds be used to pay for staff activities in the following work elements:
- 6140 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning: examples of work expected under this work element includes promoting coordination among agencies in the county regarding state and local plans for bicycle and pedestrian travel; integrating plans for bicycle and pedestrian improvements with roadway and transit studies; assisting cities and the County with incorporating Complete Streets components into their plans and projects; and providing technical assistance to support development of vehicle miles traveled reducing projects and programs in support of regional and statewide policies.
- 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. The description of this work element is also being amended to incorporate staff work in coordinating with Caltrans and other stakeholders to plan and deliver regional priority improvement projects; and reviewing and commenting on Statewide plans and initiatives that effect the delivery of regional corridor projects and planning efforts.
In addition, the Agency received a state grant for the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School plan in fiscal year 2021/22. Less funds were utilized last year than was anticipated when the Overall Work Program was adopted in May 2022. Correspondingly, an additional $81,752 of state grant funds are being carried over to the current fiscal year in Work Element 6730.
New Overall Work Program pages reflecting the above recommendations are attached.