TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Application for Caltrans Climate Adaptation Planning
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager or his designee to file and execute grant applications and funding agreements with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Climate Adaptation Planning Grant Program.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
This application will allow the District to develop a plan that will prepare District facilities for future climate change vulnerabilities.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The District is applying for up to $500,000 to complete a district-wide Climate Resilience Plan for all District facilities. The total project cost is estimated to be about $560,000. If awarded, the District will need to provide a 11.47% match that can be in-kind match or monetary.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Caltrans released a call for applications for the FY2023 cycle of Sustainable Planning Grant program, for which there is $50 million statewide available for Climate Adaptation Transportation Planning projects. Climate Adaptation Transportation Planning projects are projects that support identification of transportation-related climate vulnerabilities through the development of climate adaptation plans as well as project level adaptation planning to identify adaptation projects and strategies for transportation infrastructure.
Staff proposes to apply for funding for a Climate Resilience Plan for the District’s facilities. This Plan will include a climate vulnerability assessment of AC Transit assets and operations and will also identify climate adaptation strategies. Further, this Plan will provide guidance and support for current initiatives such as the Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan by evaluating how to best integrate zero-emission charging and fueling infrastructure, which is imperative as we transition to a fully zero-emission transit fleet.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Staff cannot identify any disadvantages to applying for the funds. There are few funding opportunities for planning studies with a focus on climate adaptation. Not applying would result in the District looking for other sources of funding or use of District funds at a future date. It would also hinder further climate adaptation efforts.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff considered several different focuses of the climate resiliency plan such as an evaluation of future rising sea rise and weather changes on the District’s facilities. It was decided that the project proposal would include an evaluation of zero-emission charging and fueling infrastructure placement as we are in the process of constructing and upgrading charging and fueling infrastructure throughout all our facilities.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Board Policy 324 - Revenue and Grants
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Michelle Ruan, Senior Capital Planning Specialist
In Collaboration with:
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning and Grants Manager
Bettina Kaes, Senior Project Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Robert del Rosario, Director of Services Development and Planning
David Wilkins, Director of Bus Rapid Transit
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer