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Fiscal Year 2011-12

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION Check One Grant Program Environmental Justice Community-Based Transportation Planning Catalyst Project for Sustainable Strategies Program Partnership Planning Statewide or Urban Transit Planning Studies Rural or Small Urban Transit Planning Studies Transit Planning Student Internships PROJECT TITLE PROJECT LOCATION (city(ies) and county(ies))

SMART......FOUNDATION National City, San Diego County SUB-RECIPIENT(S)

APPLICANT Organization Executive Director and title Mr. Ms. Mrs. Contact Person and title Mr. Ms. Mrs. Mailing Address City Zip Code E-mail Address* Telephone Number

City of National City

Brad Raulston Executive Director Maryam Babaki, P.E. City Engineer Development Services Dept. 1243 National City Boulevard

National City 91950 mbabaki@nationalcityca.gov (619) 336-4383

Organization Executive Director and title Mr. Ms. Mrs. Contact Person and title Mr. Ms. Mrs. Mailing Address City Zip Code E-mail Address* Telephone Number

FUNDING INFORMATION Use Match Calculator to complete this section Click here to use the Match Calculator. Grant Funds Requested Local Match - Cash Local Match - In-Kind Total Project Cost Source of Local Match and Name of Provider(s)

$ $ $ $

300,000 75,000 0 375,000

City of National City General Fund & Tax Increment

* The e-mail address you provide will be used for notification of application status, so it must be accurate. Any change to the e-mail address must be reported to the appropriate grant program contact located on the website noted below. Use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat ReaderÂŽ to complete this application. The electronic version of this form must be submitted in the PDF format available at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/grants.html.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION LEGISLATORS IN PROJECT AREA* State Senator(s)

Name(s) Senator Juan Vargas

District 40

Name(s)

Assembly Member(s)

Assemblyman Ben Hueso

District 79

*For assistance with determining the legislators for the project area visit: http://www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html (search by zip code) http://192.234.213.69/lmapsearch/framepage.asp (search by address)

Grant applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed transportation planning project promotes federal and/or state transportation planning goals. 1. Select the goals that apply and address the selections when completing the application.

STATE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GOALS For all Grant Programs

Improve Mobility and Accessibility: Expand the system and enhance modal choices and connectivity to meet the State’s future transportation demands. Preserve th e Transpo rtation System : Maintain, m anage, and efficiently utilize California’s existing transportation system. Support the Economy: Maintain, manage, and enhance the movement of goods and people to spur the economic development and growth, job creation, and trade. Enhance Public Safety and Security: Ensure the safety and security of people, goods, services, and information in all modes of transportation. Reflect Community Values: Find transportation solutions that balance and integrate community values with transportation safety and performance, and encourage public involvement in transportation decisions. Enhance the Environment: Plan and provide transportation services while protecting our environment, wildlife, historical and cultural assets.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION REGIONAL BLUEPRINT AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES GOALS For all Grant Programs

Complements or advances the Region’s Blueprint Planning efforts. Click here for information. Advances a community’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and will assist transportation agencies in creating enduring communities.

FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GOALS For Partnership Planning and Transit Planning

Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users. Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transpo rtation system , across and between modes, for people and freight. Promote efficient system management and operation. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 2. Project Description (Do not exceed the space provided.) (20 points) A. Briefly summarize project. (10 points) B. Briefly describe the project area (e.g. urban/rural/suburban setting, geographic characteristics, location, etc.). (10 points) SMART FOUNDATION (Safe, Multi-modal, Accessible Routes To...transit, work, school, services, and recreation) is a program that will address a number of Federal, State and Regional initiatives (Smart Growth, Smart Mobility, Complete Streets, GHG /VMT Reductions and Transit Supportive Planning) for National City through planning for pedestrian, bike and accessibility improvements.

The project area will be within the city limits of National City. This City has a population of 57,800 of which 30% is under the age of 18 and another 10% is over 65. National City has a 63% Hispanic population and a median household income of approximately $39,000 with 20% living below the poverty level. The City's land area is approximately 7.3 square miles in size, averaging about 7,900 persons per square mile (see Figure 1). National City is located 5 miles south of downtown San Diego in southern San Diego County and 10 miles north of Baja California, Mexico. The City is centrally located, within 20 minutes travel time of over 1.4 million people. National City is nearly entirely developed with a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial and commercial uses. Port facilities and adjacent industrial development located at the City's Bayfront are important to the region's economy. As is the case with many cities in California, the community was developed at a scale where walking was an integral part of transportation (see Figure 2). Even when driving, the distance between land uses such as jobs, shopping and schools are all within short commutes. However, site design, street layout, land use mixture and scales all contribute to higher levels of dependence on the automobile. Changes in street priorities and physical changes in walking facilities can make a big difference. National City can be retrofitted to increase the transit, bike and walking share of transportation. An initial mapping effort describing the current walking environment has been developed using available GIS data. Information on population densities, public destinations, transit locations, schools, places of employment, senior housing and affordable housing are merged into one database. The street network was used to determine a 5, 10 and 15 minute walking distance from each of the points or centroids of the polygons. A composite of all of these factors was then developed to emphasize where walking is a priority and where future efforts may need to be concentrated (see Figure 3). In addition, a quick review of collision data was prepared to show if and where there were concentrations of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians (see Figure 4). This information will be used in the preparation of the study being proposed and will form the basis of needed improvements if it is found that a physical change to the walking environment could help address safety concerns. There is existing momentum for this project through work on recent related plans and an award for the Westside Infill Transit Oriented Development as part of the Paradise Creek Revitalization Plan as a California HCD Silver Catalyst designee. This project effort will include the coordination and synthesis of projects and plan goals of all recent planning efforts to move forward with a comprehensive blueprint to guide National City's pedestrian, bike and accessibility improvements.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 3. Project Justification (Do not exceed the space provided.) (20 points) A. List and describe the problems and/or deficiencies the project is attempting to address. (10 points) B. Describe how the project will address the identified problems and/or deficiencies. (10 points) The City of National City has completed a Draft General Plan Update with a Circulation Element, Conservation Element and Climate Action Plan that all point to changes in mobility. Local efforts are underway on a Bike Master Plan (adopted), ADA Plan (working level), various Specific Plans, and Capital Improvement Projects that all include walking as a foundation. Regional transit initiatives of Smart Growth and investments demonstrate increases in pedestrian and cycling use. Health statistics, especially for children and seniors, indicate the need for more active transportation. State mandates such as AB 32 Global Solutions Act, SB 97 CEQA Directives for GHG, SB 375 Redesigning Communities for GHG Reductions, and AB 1358 Complete Streets, all point to difficult but essential actions to decrease dependence on drive-alone vehicular transportation. National and international movements and initiatives all suggest the importance of changing our energy use policies, land use patterns and non-healthy lifestyles. All of these directives and initiatives depend on grassroots changes at the local level. But how does a community start this process to make a difference? A strong foundation is needed to support real changes in land use and transportation. The foundation is based upon improvements to the walkability and bikeability of the community. With limitations on funding for making real changes, it is critical that this limited funding be used in areas where it can make the most difference for the health, safety and welfare of the community. Improvements that can make a real difference are related, in the short term, to improving the physical environment with new walking facilities, and in the long term, for integrating land use and transportation planning. Both of these actions require a blueprint with enough detail to identify capital improvement projects that can be prioritized and implemented. A blueprint will guide a portion of the billions of dollars available for bike and pedestrian mobility improvements in the SANDAG region under the TransNet program projected in the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Other grant sources, development projects and redevelopment opportunities all point to the availability for improvements in the walking and biking realm. Many more billions are likely to be spent under TransNet to increase transit options for areas such as National City. These investments in transit need accompanying investments and attention spent on providing the first and last mode choice of all transit users, walking or biking to and from the transit stop. This relatively small investment in access provides an insurance policy of increasing transit ridership by making safe, comfortable, accessible and convenient links to transit from the users origins as well as choices for getting around at their destinations, in an effort to enhance health and quality of life for residents and guests. The proposed project will identify the process and work products needed to build the foundation for Smart Growth and Smart Mobility. It will analyze the demographics, land use patterns, circulation structure and future direction the City is already planning for, and show where and when improvements should occur to provide this strong foundation for future growth, investment and circulation changes. Though the direct beneficiaries of the research and analysis will be the residents of National City, the intended process will be applicable to all cities in California. The project intends to use a GIS analysis process that is easily repeatable in other areas. Though the GIS analysis is a key component, it does not overshadow the community involvement portion of the study. Local understanding, context and priorities are critical in this success. The choice to walk, bike or take transit is a highly personal one. Understanding the motivation of the community is essential to change modal choices and driving behavior. However, this can only occur if the public is integrally involved.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 4. Public Participation (Do not exceed the space provided.) (20 points) A. Identify the project stakeholders (e.g. low-income and minority communities, Native American Tribal governments, other underrepresented groups, community-based organizations, and businesses affected by the project). (10 points) B. Describe the outreach methods that will be used to reach the public and the project stakeholders with an emphasis on engaging traditionally underrepresented communities. (10 points) Project stakeholders include all residents of the City of National City as well as those who visit or work in the City. Public outreach will be specific to the general public as community awareness and involvement are critical components of the planning process. The process will be interactive to insure stakeholder groups and the general public understands the process is one in which their input is valued and not a traditional scenario where they are told what is happening. A series of citywide workshops will be conducted with notifications sent to all residents and local business owners. These will supplement meetings that will be scheduled with target groups based on their location or other demographics. Focused public outreach efforts will be targeted at four stakeholder groups - seniors and retirees, Hispanics, parents of children who walk and/or bike to school and young professionals. These four specific stakeholder groups are traditionally under-represented and underserved, yet they represent the highest percentage of the population who heavily rely on accessible walkways, bicycle paths and other transit options. For example, those that are likely to select non-vehicular modal choices typically are of lower income or ethnic backgrounds with lower car ownerships or cultures more likely to rely on walking. In other cases, those that are likely to use active transportation, tend to be younger and more focused on sustainable lifestyles. This same group uses transit more frequently for the same sustainable goals. Senior citizens, with lower vehicle ownerships, available time and desire for low-impact physical activity, tend to walk more and therefore should be considered as another target public group. Finally, depending on their work locations, many working-class residents utilize transit, especially if they work in areas where parking is difficult or expensive. With a high percentage of National City being Hispanic, special outreach methods are essential. Hispanic and primarily Spanish-speaking outreach will be conducted through churches, companies employing high numbers of Hispanic employees and Spanish-language media. A consultant will be hired to assist in translations and outreach methods. A bilingual presenter will be available for translation at all public events. Flyers and posters in English and Spanish will be placed in prominent locations such as Community Parks, public libraries, large commercial centers (e.g. Walmart, Food 4 Less) and other places that attract large numbers of people. Meetings will need to be low-key and informal and should not require input through public speaking or other intimidating methods. Simple small group open discussions are most appropriate, with both a project planner and a translator that can bridge not only the language barrier, but cultural barriers as well. Workshops will be conducted at neighborhood facilities located in areas of predominate Hispanic home ownership and/or with significant Hispanic renter populations. Work with non-profits such as Maximizing Access to Advance our Communities (MAAC) and South Bay Community Services will increase opportunities to reach Hispanics.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION If necessary, use this page to continue response for Question #4 (Public Participation). With a large retired population located in the center of the city, special efforts will be needed to reach these individuals and engage their concerns and priorities. Seniors and retirees will be reached through existing or new health fairs held in partnership with Paradise Valley Hospital, San Ysidro Health Center and/or La Maestra Family Center. On site presentations seeking input will be held at the Kimball & Morgan Towers Senior Center and Paradise Village Senior Community. With an emphasis on safe routes to school and recreation, parents of younger children will also need to be engaged. This will be handled through the City's Safe Routes to School Program, which provides coordination with the school districts, local principals and Parent Teacher Associations (PTA). Parents of children who walk and/or bike to school will be consulted through surveys and educational pamphlets, after-school Safety Fairs, and presentations at PTA / school-site meetings and the local Boys & Girls Club. Younger professionals that are likely to be interested in active transportation and sustainable transit lifestyles are likely newer residents in areas that are more urban. They can be reached through digital means and would be good candidates for on-line questionnaires and website communication. Facebook, Twitter and a phone application are options to reach young professionals and the general public as well. The phone application would be interactive with maps of the various walking / biking routes and key destinations along the routes such as restrooms, drinking fountains, restaurants, and land marks. Google maps, for example, could be used to keep real time locations with links to Twitter and Facebook feeds. Flyers and questionnaires will be used to gain input from transit users. Development of a project website will supplement the other methods listed above. Additional outreach to the general public will be presented through National City's Neighborhood Councils, the National City Collaborative Family Resource Center, an interactive web link, editorials, articles, media events and local community events such as the Taste of National City, Relay for Life and Public Safety Fair. Business association presentations will be made to the National City Chamber of Commerce and through partnerships with local service organizations such as the National City Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. The best way to reach all of these under-represented individuals will be to identify and attend meetings that are already scheduled with the types of groups and activities that the target groups are likely to attend. These may be social events, school events, club activities or non-profit organizational meetings. An overview of the project goals will be provided, followed by a brief Q & A session. For select meetings and events a questionnaire (in Spanish and English) will be distributed along with meeting announcements.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 5. Project Implementation (Do not exceed the space provided.) (20 points) A. List the project’s anticipated accomplishments and final deliverables. (10 points) B. Explain how the completed project and its deliverables will be applied, or carried forward, to the next stage/phase. (10 points) A. The anticipated accomplishments are in six main areas: 1) Planners and department heads within National City will utilize the general recommendations, guidelines and specific project improvements in future planning and engineering efforts. 2) The physical environment of National City will be changed through the implementation of this Smart Foundations plan and by aggressively seeking grants and other funding opportunities from local, regional, state and federal sources. 3) The public will feel more empowered by their involvement and more informed about the benefits of active transportation and transit and will be educated about safety, economic savings and health benefits associated with increased walking, biking and the use of transit. 4) The City will be have the tools to implement these programs that will result in meeting State mandates on greenhouse gas reductions, lowered vehicle miles traveled, and the implementation of complete streets policies. 5) National City will possess better direction on the types of improvements that will offer multi-modal options that can support transit investments, smart growth and smart mobility initiatives. 6) Through their involvement in the planning process, the residents of National City will become more physically and socially active and save money by being introduced to alternative modes of transportation such as transit and bicycling. The project deliverables include seven primary products: 1) A documented GIS process of identifying the most important locations for walkway and bikeway improvements based on scalable walking and riding distances around public destinations and population centers; 2) A pedestrian master plan that provides guidance on how to generally improve walkability, accessibility and safety in the priority areas; 3) Maps and specific recommended improvements for safety, accessibility, connectivity and walkability in the priority areas; 5) Identified methods and processes to help National City (and other local agencies) in meeting statewide mandates; 6) A series of pamphlets in Spanish and English that highlight the benefits of SMART modes to transit, walking and biking, as well as reducing vehicle miles traveled; and 7) A series of metrics that can be used to determine increased walking, biking and transit uses. B. The seven deliverables noted above will be applied to other local and regional efforts through the following actions: 1) Establish circulation improvement priorities along with a designated phasing plan; 2) Provide Capital Improvement Plan priorities with associated cost estimates; 3) Integrate with local land use planning efforts for Smart Growth and affordable housing programs; 4) Establish new development amenity improvement requirements and Specific Plan / Master Plan discretionary actions; 5) Submit to SANDAG and MTS for transit area improvements to support access to transit; 6) Submit to SANDAG to be used as a basis for obtaining funding for pedestrian and bike improvements under TransNet and other grant programs; and 7) Present to other member agencies of SANDAG and to Caltrans as a method by which to help local agencies meet Regional and State mandates for GHG / VMT reductions, Climate Action Plans, sustainable land use planning and complete streets implementation.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 6. Project Management (20 points) A. Scope of Work (10 points) (Refer to the Transportation Planning Grant Guide for a sample Scope of Work.) The Scope of Work must be in Microsoft Word format and include: – What work is to be done: Provide an outline or general picture of services. List project tasks and identify any specific project deliverables. Also, list milestones for major tasks that mark the completion of a work package or phase. – Who is responsible for what tasks: Discuss the roles and responsibilities of agency staff and consultant contractors. – When the work is to be done: Provide schedule information for the services that will be required. B.

Project Schedule (10 points) (Refer to the Transportation Planning Grant Guide for a sample Project Schedule.) The Project Schedule must be in a Microsoft Excel format and include: – Timing, responsibilities, cost, cost distribution, and deliverables of all tasks in the Scope of Work. For CBTP and EJ applications, all project schedules need to reflect a start date of February 2012.

The Scope of Work and Project Schedule must be submitted via e-mail along with the application as separate attachments.


Fiscal Year 2011-12 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION Application Signature Page If selected for funding, the information contained in this application will become the foundation of the contract with Caltrans. To the best of my knowledge, all information contained in this application is true and correct. If awarded a grant with Caltrans, I agree that I will adhere to the requirements and guidelines specified in this grant application.

Signature of Executive Director (Applicant)

Print Name

Title

Date

Signature of Authorized Official (Sub-recipient)

Print Name

Title

Date

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED: Submit via e-mail as separate attachments. Refer to the Transportation Planning Grant Guide for additional information and/or samples.

Application* (Complete the PDF version of this form provided at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/grants.html.) Only one application submittal per e-mail is permitted. Application Signature Page (Print, sign, and scan this page in PDF format) Scope of Work (Microsoft Word format) Project Schedule (Microsoft Excel format) Map of Project Area Local Resolution (Applicable to CBTP and EJ only – PDF format) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE OPTIONAL: Digital Photographs of Project Area (when applicable) Letter(s) of Support Failure to include any of the required documents will result in a reduced application score. *Scanned applications will not be accepted.


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