Staff Report
PREPARED BY: Matt Morley
Parks and Public Works Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Finance Director and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/03/2019
ITEM NO: 10
DATE: November 26, 2019
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive Information on Transportation Grant Activity
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive information on transportation grant activity.
BACKGROUND:
Recognizing the need to increase the Town’s ability to compete for Measure B and other
funding opportunities to support its traffic and transportation priorities, the Town has
increased efforts in pursuing grant funds. In the FY 2016/2017 budget, the Transportation and
Mobility Manager position was added to facilitate pursuing grant opportunities.
In the last three years, the Town has been awarded more than $10 million in grant funding to
transportation projects with another $11 million in applications pending or upcoming
(Attachment 1). During this time, the Town Council has received updates on specific grant
application activities and taken actions to receive grant funds as each award occurred. This
report summarizes grant efforts to provide a clearer picture of the overall activity.
DISCUSSION:
The infusion of grant dollars has played a significant role in the Town’s Capital Improvement
Program. The funds have helped the Town complete the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
(BPMP) and start the implementation of projects. The first capital improvement project from
the BPMP, the Blossom Hill Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvements, was partially funded by
grant dollars and was completed in August 2019.
Town staff is actively working on six grant-funded projects, including the Los Gatos Creek Trail
to State Route 9 Connector, Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge over Highway 17, Winchester
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: Receive Information on the Grant Award Summary
DATE: November 26, 2019
DISCUSSION (continued):
Boulevard Complete Streets, School Bus Pilot, Los Gatos Smart Signals, and Guardrail Upgrades.
In 2020, work will start on an additional three projects that also already have grant funding:
Shannon Road Complete Streets, East Main St. Speed Table/Raised Crosswalk, and Winchester
Class IV Bikeway.
Securing funding is a critical step in delivering a project, but it is only the beginning. Each grant
program dictates its own project delivery schedule and requirements. At the same time, the
community has expectations to see the results of these projects and the public funds invested
in them. The ability for a jurisdiction to successfully deliver projects on schedule is becoming an
increasingly important factor in the grantors’ consideration of future applications, especially in
high-profile programs like Senate Bill 1 (SB-1). Parks and Public Works staff is taking all the
necessary steps to develop and deliver these projects on time and comply with the programs’
requirements.
The multifaceted demands associated with a successful grant program brings its own
challenges. Applying for grants is by itself an involved process, often taking many staff hours to
compile a sound application with supporting data. The administrative needs continue as grants
bring strict requirements in reporting and monitoring that increase project delivery costs. In
addition, the increased volume of projects as grants are awarded has stretched staff’s ability to
manage design and construction with the limited staffing available in the Town’s capital
program. Finally, grants often require matching funds. Staff attempts to be strategic, loo king
for other sources of funds, including other grants, to meet the match requirements, but some
inevitable general fund match will be needed.
Future Funding Opportunities
At the November 19, 2019 meeting, the Town Council authorized the Town Manager to submit
five grant applications for the Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Competitive Grant Program.
The voter-approved 2016 Santa Clara County Ballot Measure B included several program
categories. In addition to the competitive Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Category, there are
two categories which provide formula funds, including the Local Streets and Roads and
Education/Encouragement. The Town receives $580,633 and $24,586 annually in each
respective category. The formulaic funds can support the Town’s annual street maintenance
program and education/encouragement activities, including the programs provided by Los
Gatos-Monte Sereno Safe Routes to School.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: Receive Information on the Grant Award Summary
DATE: November 26, 2019
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS:
With the recent experience in applying for and receiving grants, Town staff has established a
track record of being competitive in securing grant funds. In anticipation of the Measure B
programs and potentially the SB-1 programs, staff is gearing up for another busy year of grant
submittals in 2020. Through the annual Capital Improvement Program budgeting process, staff
will seek Council’s direction on prioritizing the projects and allocating appropriate resources in
pursuing additional funding opportunities. Staff will continue to review and prioritize future
grant opportunities based on staff resources, matching fund capabilities, and the Town’s ability
to be competitive in the grant process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item. When grant applications are awarded in the
future, the Council will have the opportunities to review the individual funding agreements to
accept the grant funds and commit to local match funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Summary of Grant Awards