Staff Report
PREPARED BY: YING SMITH
Transportation and Mobility Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Parks and
Public Works Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/18/2018
ITEM NO: 4
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: PROJECT 813-0227 TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT
A. ACCEPT A VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE (VRF) GRANT FROM THE
VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA) TO UPGRADE TRAFFIC
SIGNALS TOWNWIDE.
B. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL FUTURE GRANT
DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS WITH VTA.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council:
1. Accept a Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) grant from the Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA) to upgrade traffic signals Townwide.
2. Authorize the Town Manager to execute all future grant documents and agreements with
VTA.
BACKGROUND:
The Town’s existing traffic signals operate in an aged system without a central control. In 2016,
the Town completed a Traffic Signal System Evaluation which included a detailed inventory of
the existing traffic signal infrastructure network. Following the evaluation, the Town applied for
and was awarded a Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) grant of $500,000 from the Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA) to support a project to modernize the Town’s signal controllers.
In early 2018, the Town was also awarded an Innovative Deployments to Enhance Arterials
(IDEA) grant in the amount of $700,000 for the Los Gatos Smart Signals Project. The funds will
come from a federal program administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
(MTC).
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SUBJECT: PROJECT 813-0227 TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2018\09-18-18\Traffic Signal Modernization\Staff Report Final.docx 9/13/2018 1:54 PM
DISCUSSION:
On May 3, 2018, the VTA Board approved additional VRF grant funds in the amount of $376,400
to meet the matching fund requirement for the Los Gatos Smart Signals Project. The total VRF
amount is now $876,400 for this project. The VRF program dedicates 15% of the VRF revenue
to the countywide program, which includes provision for using VRF funds to match federal,
state, or regional transportation grants applied to any roadway transportation project included
in the adopted Valley Transportation Plan. In support of the Town’s request for VRF matching
funds, VTA staff noted that the project was one of six successful applications in a competitive
program in the Bay Area.
CONCLUSION:
The traffic signal modernization project has been a Town Council priority and this grant funding
will assist in advancing this project while minimizing the use of Town funds.
COORDINATION:
This project has been coordinated with Finance Department and VTA staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Town will receive grant revenue of $376,400 which will be used as the local match in the
federal project administered by MTC.
The Town was awarded three grants that equal $1,576,400 of the overall project budget of
$2,675,489. The project is fully funded, with the balance previously identified through the
Town’s Traffic Mitigation Fund. The funding breakdown is provided in detail as following:
Source 2018/19 Budget
Traffic Mitigation Fund $1,099,089
VRF – VTA (Original Award) $500,000
IDEA (federal funds) – MTC $700,000
Additional VRF Grant Award $376,400
Total Project Budget $2,675,489
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The Traffic Signal Modernization (Smart Signal) project is a project as defined under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), categorically exempt pursuant to the adopted
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SUBJECT: PROJECT 813-0227 TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2018\09-18-18\Traffic Signal Modernization\Staff Report Final.docx 9/13/2018 1:54 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (cont’d):
Guidelines for the Implementation of CEQA, Section 15301: Existing Facilities. A Notice of
Exemption will be filed.
Attachment:
1. Funding Agreement