Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.2(b)--Authorize submission of Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant application CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL Recommendation Authorize and approve the following: (1) Authorize the submission of a Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant program application in an amount not to exceed $750,000 for planning funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Neighborhood; (2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the grant application and all applicable documents to complete the application process and if awarded the grant, accept and appropriate the funds accordingly; (3) Find that acting in an administrative capacity is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act; and (4) Find that acting in an administrative capacity is an exempt activity under the National Environmental Policy Act. Fiscal Impact The Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) grant program may have a match obligation depending on its location. Should the project location meet the definition of a Disadvantaged Community, a zero-match would be allowed under the grant. Should the project location not meet the Disadvantaged Community requirements, a 20 percent match would be required by the grant. Match funds may include non-federal sources such as state funds, local funds originating from state or local revenue-funded programs, philanthropic funds, or private funds. In-kind contributions may also be used as match funds for such items as compensation for community members’ time, materials, pro bono work provided to the project by third parties and donations from private sponsors. Any match commitment will be brought before City Council (Council) for consideration. There is no impact to the General Fund. MEETING DATE: September 19, 2023 ITEM NO. 4.2(b) FROM: ***APPROVED BY*** sbade@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 4.2(b)--Authorize submission of a Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant application Steve Bade, Assistant City Manager Report to Redding City Council September 13, 2023 Re: 4.2(b)--Authorize submission of Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant application Page 2 Alternative Action The Council could decline to authorize submission of the RCN grant applications or provide alternate direction to staff. Background/Analysis The RCN is the result of two grant programs that have been combined by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) into one Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program was established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Under the combined RCN Program, the USDOT will offer three types of grants: Community Planning, Capital Construction, and Regional Partnerships Challenge. The USDOT combined these programs into a single NOFO to provide a more efficient application process as the programs share many common characteristics including improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food and recreation. Fostering equitable development and restoration, reconnecting communities by removing, retrofitting or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access or economic development. The City of Redding’s (City) application will focus on a planning grant in an amount not-to- exceed $750,000 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Neighborhood that will provide funding for studies to assess the feasibility of removing barriers that disconnect the neighborhood from other neighborhoods and city amenities. Possible barriers include Linden Avenue, an unimproved street and the Union Pacific railroad that disconnects the MLK neighborhood from services along Highway 273. Costs funded by the grant may include predevelopment activities such as planning, feasibility, conducting associated environmental reviews, engineering and design for infrastructure in the neighborhood that will reconnect MLK to other parts of the City. Possible infrastructure that may result from this planning effort includes a lengthy box culvert along Linden Avenue, reinstallation of Linden Avenue, utilities that support the development of income-eligible housing units on 26 City-owned lots that front the unimproved section of Linden Avenue and a possible pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific railroad. Environmental Review Applying for grant funding is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Any project that is developed will be reviewed for CEQA compliance once the details are known. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), administrative and management activities such as applying for grant funding are considered exempt activities and no further action is required. Any construction projects will be reviewed for NEPA requirements if awarded funding. Council Priority/City Manager Goals Government of the 21st Century - “Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today’s residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today.” Economic Development- “Facilitate and become a catalyst for economic development in Report to Redding City Council September 13, 2023 Re: 4.2(b)--Authorize submission of Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant application Page 3 Redding to create jobs, retain current businesses and attract new ones, and encourage investment in the community.”