Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MARCH 16, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: WAYFINDING SIGNAGE GRANT PILOT PROGRAM
ACTION: APPROVE FUNDING RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. AWARDING $243,731 in Wayfinding Signage Grants to the five jurisdictions shown in Attachment A; and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or designee to execute Grant Agreements for the funds.
Issue
ISSUE
At the November 2014 meeting, with the adoption of the First/Last Mile Strategic Plan, the Board directed the CEO to create a two year pilot Wayfinding Signage Grant Program (Attachment B). In June 2015, the Board adopted the program guidelines that were developed in consultation with Metro’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and its Subcommittees. On August 26, 2015, the Wayfinding Signage Grant Application was released to all eligible applicants and posted on the Metro website with applications due on November 13, 2015. Staff received seven applications totaling $339,731. All applications have been evaluated and staff recommends funding six projects totaling $243,731. Staff requests Board approval of the funding recommendation and authorization for the CEO to execute Grant Agreements with successful grantees.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Pilot program provides $500,000 over Fiscal Years (FY) 2016 and 2017 to assist eligible agencies in designing and implementing static wayfinding signage on non-Metro properties to improve usability of the Metro system. Funding for both years is being awarded through this application cycle. The adopted Program Guidelines required that proposed projects be located within one mile to and from Metro fixed guideway transit line/stations that would be opened by the end of FY 2017.
A Grant workshop was held at Metro Headquarters on September 9, 2015. Additional subregional workshops were held at the request of the subregions which included the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG), San Gabriel Valley COG and the Gateway Cities COG on September 16th, 21st and 23rd, respectively.
Metro received seven applications from six jurisdictions by the November 13th due date. All applications were evaluated based on the Board adopted program guidelines’ evaluation criteria: 1) Demonstration of Need; 2) Integration with Other First/Last Mile Strategies; 3) Project Readiness and Cost Effectiveness; and 4) Local Match. The City of Baldwin Park, applied for wayfinding signage to its Metrolink station. Based on the Board adopted guidelines, eligible projects need to be located within one mile to and from Metro fixed guideway transit line/stations. As this application is for a Metrolink station and not a Metro fixed guideway station, it does not meet the eligibility criteria adopted by the Board. The Staff recommendation was presented to Metro’s TAC at their March 2, 2016 meeting.
Determination_of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The Wayfinding Signage Pilot Grant Program will not have any adverse safety impacts on Metro’s employees and patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY 2015-16 budget includes $150,000 in the Subsidies to Others Budget in Cost Center 0441, Project 420008 (Wayfinding Signage Grants). Since this is a multi-year program, the Cost Center Manager and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds for this recommendation is Proposition C Discretionary 40% which is eligible for bus and rail operating and capital expenditures.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve $243,731 in funding awards, award a smaller amount than that recommended or defer the funding recommendations. These Alternatives are not recommended as the creation of the pilot program was previously directed by the Board and the recommended grant awards further Metro’s objectives with regard to First/Last Mile Implementation Plan strategies.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
With Board approval, staff will execute Grant Agreements with the awardees. As projects move towards completion, staff will evaluate the program and work with TAC and the subregions to determine whether a new grant cycle should be considered with the remaining funds in FY 2018.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Wayfinding Signage Grant Pilot Program Funding Recommendations
Attachment B - November 2014 Board Directive
Prepared_By
Prepared by: Terri Slimmer, Transportation Planning Manager, (213) 922-6929
Fanny Pan, Director, (213) 922-3070
Renee Berlin, Managing Executive Officer, (213) 922-3035
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Calvin E. Hollis, Interim Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7319
