HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-06 City Council (38)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:APRIL 6, 1998 CMR:153:98
SUBJECT:BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE FOR RAILROAD CROSSING
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE PAMF/SOFA AREA
RECOMMENDATION
Staffrecommends that the City Council approve a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) to
provide $33,000 for the preparation of a feasibility study for the construction of a
pedestrian/bicycle railroad crossing connecting the Palo Alto Medical Foundation/South of
Forest Area (PAMF/SOFA) Coordinated Area Plan area with the new Medical Foundation
Campus currently under construction.
BACKGROUND
The preparation of the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan was approved by Council on
September 22, 1997. When the preparation of the Coordinated Area Plan was approved,
Council discussed the pedestrian/bicycle feasibility study and directed staff to bring a
separate BAO to the Council to fund this portion of the planning process. The preparation
of the Coordinated Area Plan is under way, with the assistance of the Council-appointed
Citizens Working Group and several consultants.
DISCUSSION
The inclusion of a pedestrian/bicycle railroad crossing is potentially an important component
of the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan circulation system. The completion of the
feasibility study is essential for further development of this portion of the plan. In order to
expedite the plan preparation process; staff recruited the consultant to perform this part of
the study at the same time the environmental consultants for the project were recruited.
Requests for Proposals were sent to seven consulting firms. Two proposals were received,
and the firm of Steven Grover and Associates was selected by a panel of three staffmembers,
including the Director of Planning and Community Environment, to complete this portion.
of the work. If the BAO is approved, the City Manager will execute the contract under Palo
Alto Municipal Code Section 2.30.070.
CMR:153:98 Page 1 of 2
RESOURCE, IMPACT
Staff.had’ estimated that the feasibility study would cost from $35,000 to $50,000. The
proposed contract budget is $30,000. ~Staff is requesting an additional $3,000 to allow for
a 10 percent contingency. The $33,000 will come from the General Fund Budget
Stabilization Reserve.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The feasibility study is specifically required in the policy framework adopted by the
City Council for the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan.
TIMELINE
The feasibility study would be completed during April and May of 1998 to be available for
consideration in the Council’s deliberations on the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Feasibility studies are statutorily exempt ~om California Environmental Quality Act. Should
the crossing be included in the final Coordinated Area Plan, the environmental impacts of
the crossing will be evaluated in that the Environmental Impact Report for the Coordinated
Area Plan.
.ATTACHMENT
Budget Amendment Ordinance
PREPARED BY: Brian Dolan, Senior Planner
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
ANNE CRONIN MOORE
Interim Director of Planning and Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Manager
CMR: 153:98 Page 2 of 2
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1997-98 TO
PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF $33,000 FOR THE
PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF A PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE RAILROAD CROSSING
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article
III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on June
23, 1997 did adopt a budget for fiscal year 1997-98; and
WHEREAS, the preparation of the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan
was approved by Council on September 22, 1997; and
WHEREAS, at that time, staff was directed to return with a
request for funding of a pedestrian/bicycle crossing feasibility
study; and
WHEREAS, staff selected Steven Grover and Associates, at a cost
of $33,000 including a ten percent contingency to perform the study;
and
WHEREAS, City Council authorization is needed to amend the
1997-98 budget to provide the funding for this study, as hereinafter
set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does
ORDAIN as follows:
,SECTION i. The sum of Thirty Three Thousand Dollars
($33,000) is hereby appropriated to non-salary expenses in the
Advance Planning Functional Area in the Planning & Community
Environment Department, and the Budget Stabilization Reserve is
correspondingly reduced.
SECTION 2.. This transaction will reduce the
Stabilization Reserve from $17,~321,351 to $17,288,351.
Budget
SECTION 3. As specified in Section 2.28.080(a) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code, a two-thirds vote of the City Council is
required to adopt this ordinance.
.SECTION 4. This project has been determined to be
categorically exempt under Section 15306 (Information Collection )
of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
SECTION 5. As provided in Section 2.04.350 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, this ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney Acting Administrative Services
Department Director
Interim Director of Planning &
C ommun i t y Env i ronment
Department
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