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New COG executive director highlights $39.9M TCEP award, TDA reimbursements and RTP outreach mini‑grants
Summary
The COG executive director reported on recent funding outcomes, said the board's TDA Article 3 slate was approved, announced the region received a $39,900,000 TCEP award for the 99‑to‑58 connector, confirmed CMAQ/RSTP applications were submitted, and promoted a $2,500 community mini‑grant to support RTP outreach.
The Kern Council of Governments' new executive director used his first TPPC/COG report to highlight a recent $39,900,000 Transportation Community and Environmental Protection (TCEP) award for the southbound State Route 99 to westbound State Route 58 connector and to brief members on local grant and outreach activity.
"It was a huge moment," the executive director said of the TCEP award, noting staff and prior leaders were responsible for the application work. He added the region also pursued a USDOT BUILD grant but was not selected in that round; the project is still funded through TCEP and STIP allocations.
The director described the TDA Article 3 actions the TPPC had just approved: "That's a relatively small awarded projects. It's very flexible money for bike and pedestrian improvements," he said, and he encouraged agencies to compete for leftover TDA funds that will roll into the next call for projects.
Staff also reported that CMAQ and RSTP applications for the current cycle closed today at 5:00 p.m. and that the COG received a complete slate of applications from member agencies.
To boost public participation for the regional transportation plan (RTP), staff described a community‑based outreach mini‑grant program offering up to $2,500 per project to support local organizations that can host RTP discussions and gather feedback for plan development.
The executive director asked member agencies to consider invitations for short briefings to local councils and to identify local staff to liaise with COG staff on project and permitting issues. He said he would follow up with agency staff and requested board members pass congratulations to their staff for meeting application deadlines.
The director also provided the board a July progress report on projects of regional significance and a memorandum from an air‑quality consultant about conformity risks. He said federal and state differences on conformity rules create an unresolved technical issue that a handful of projects are tracking, but that exempt program funds such as RSTP and CMAQ were not immediately at risk.
