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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-16 City Council (21)of PMo Rep r TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AGENDA DATE: January 16, 1996 CMR:112:96 SUBJECT:Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to File an Application for 1996-97 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Funds for Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Projects REQUEST Annually, in January, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) accepts grant applications for Transportation Development Act Article 3 fmlds, for bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects for the upcoming fiscal year. It is recommended that Council authorize staffto submit TDA grant application docmnents for the 1996-97 fiscal year. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution (Attaclmaent 3) authorizing the City Manager to submit grant applications for the following four projects, in the listed priority order: Project (1) Alma Street Bicycle Bridge (2) Bicycle Plan and Bike Route Map (3) Wilkie Way Bike Bridge Renovation (4) Arastradero Road Bike Lane Project (Design) (Construction) (Design) (Construction) Amount Year $11,000 1996/97 $40,000 1996/97 $30,000 1996/97 $110,000 1997/98 $35,000 1997/98 $150,000 1998/99 A map showing the location of the Alma Street, Wilkie Way and Arastradero Road projects is included as Attaclmaent 1. CMR: 112:96 Page 1 of 6 POLICY IMPLICATIONS The recommended actions in this report are consistent with existing Comprehensive Plan Transportation Policy 12: Promote bicycle use. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Each year, the Santa Clara County Transportation Agency (TA) notifies all cities in the County of the availability of State TDA Article 3 funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects (see Attachment 2), for the following fiscal year. Applications are submitted concurrently to the Transportation Agency and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). At the County level, the project proposals will be reviewed by Transportation Agency staff and the County Bicycle Advisory Committee. A three year priority list of countywide projects is developed and then submitted to the Transportation Agency Board of Directors for approval and referral to the MTC. While the County list is for three years, the MTC allocates funding only for the upcoming year, and projects listed in the second and tied year must be resubmitted in subsequent years. MTC staff estimates that Santa Clara County will be entitled to approximately $1,795,800 in TDA funds in 1996-97 (a 32 percent increase over 1995-96 funding level). However, this figure is subject to revision over the next few weeks. According to the established County TDA priority setting process, 70 percent of the available funds are distributed to local jurisdictions on a population based ratio, and 30 percent are allocated based on merit that meet the MTC and County Bicycle Advisory Coimnittee evaluation criteria (e.g., projects that enhance safety, provide a missing lfi~k, are multi-purpose, are fimovative, etc.) and must be balanced over five years among the five supervisorial districts. Based on past experience, Palo Alto’s minimum pro rata share of the population-based funds is approximately $36,000, but the City can, and historically has, received additional funds from the 30 percent fund. During the past three years, Palo Alto has received TDA grants totaling $62,000, $50,000, and $95,510, respectively. Each year, staff and the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Co~mnittee review the status of bicycle improvement projects and develops a new priority list for TDA grant application purposes. Tlfis year, staff is recommending that the City apply for additional TDA funding for (a) the Alma Street Bridge project (CIP 19411), a project jointly funded and sponsored by the City of Palo Alto and the City of Menlo Park; (b) development of a new Bicycle Plan and Bicycle Route Map for the City; (c) the Wilkie Way Bike Bridge Renovation Project; and (d) Arastradero Road Bike Lane hnprovements. CMR: 112:96 Page 2 of 6 Alma Street Bridge Project (CIP 19411) In December, Council received a complete report on the status of this project (CMR:504:95) and approved the Preliminary Design, approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration finding for the Environmental Assessment, and adopted the related Park Improvement Ordinance for the project. As detailed in the earlier report, the scope for the project has evolved and expanded during the past year, as a result of commtmity input, reviews by the boards and commissions of Palo Alto and Menlo Park, and requirements of the Caltrain Joint Powers Board. Consequently, the cost estimate for construction has increased from $241,000 (adopted budget) to $313,000. The projected $72,000 funding shortfall will be made up from the following sources: Joint Powers Board City of Menlo Park City of Palo Alto In-Kind funding and direct payment San Mateo County TDA Parks Irrigation CIP Project Santa Clara County TDA $27,000 $19,000 $15,000 $11,000 $72,OO0 It is recommended that the City apply for the $11,000 in TDA funds for the Alma Street Bicycle Bridge project as our highest priority TDA project in 1996-97. Bicycle Plan and New Bicycle Route MaR This project was submitted to MTC and the County for TDA funding each of the last two years, but was not included by MTC in the list of final funded projects.. The Metropolitan Transportation Colr~nission requires that cities applying for TDA funds have a detailed bicycle circulation element or plan in their general plan, or an adopted comprehensive bicycle plan, in conformance with the requirements of the Streets and Highways Code. The City’s bicycle route master plan map mad bicycle policies, which are currently incorporated into the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, service this purpose. Staff proposes that the City prepare a complete bicycle plan, including an update of the bikeway master plan, and produce a new larger, more detailed, multicolor bicycle routes map, which would be more useful to bicyclists mad would more appropriately reflect the community’s commitment to bicycle transportation. Such a plan (including map) is typically a separate document consistent with the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, which describes in greater detail the existing bicycling enviromnent and conditions, city programs, services and policies to promote bicycling, mad a complete set ofrecolmnended action elements to ensure that bicycling can continue to be a viable CMR:112:96 Page 3 of 6 continue to be a viable and safe transportation mode. Recently, several other local jurisdictions, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara County, have developed and adopted bicycle plans and produced new high quality bicycle routes maps. Staff recommends that an application for $40,000 be submitted for this project. Wilkie Way Bicycle Bridge Renovation The bicycle bridge across Adobe Creek at the end of Wilkie Way was constructed in 1974 and has deteriorated over the past twenty years. The deck has warped and weathered unevenly, and the riding surface has deteriorated, as have the railings. In order to improve the safety of the bicyclists and pedestrians who use the bridge, and preserve its long-term viability, substantial renovation is required. The bridge has been evaluated by a consulting structural engineer, who determined the estimated cost for several alternative improvement options. The recommended project will include repair of the existing wood plank deck and overlay of a plywood non-skid surface, installation of a new ADA- standard railing, and other related improvements. The proposed renovation project would cost approximately $140,000, including design and construction. Staffproposes that the City take the opportunity to submit a TDA grant application for the project now for the 1996/97 year. It is proposed that the project be phased over two years, with funding of $30,000 in 1996/97 for design and engineering, and $110,000 ha 1997/98 for construction. While the application is being reviewed by MTC and the Transportation Agency, staff will be pursuing alternative revenue sources for this project, as part of the comPrehensive evaluation of the City’s infrastructure needs mad funding alternatives. Arastradero Road Bike Lanes The section of Arastradero Road from just east of Gram High School to Foothill Expressway has long been identified as a missing link in the on-street bike lane network along Arastradero Road and a disincentive to bicycle co~mnuting. This project involves the installation of on-street bike lanes to facilitate safer bicycle access to Gunn High School and the Stanford Research Park. The project was identified in the Gunn High Access Study, as a school commute safety improvement. The project will also improve the safety of bicycle access to the Staifford Research Park and, thereby, remove the existing disincentive to bicycle cormnuting along this main access corridor. The project involves the replacement of the existing sidewalk bike paths with on-street bike lanes in front of Gunn High School, in both directions. The project will require widening of the roadway approximately 300 feet in advance of Miranda Avenue, to CMR: 112:96 Page 4 of 6 accommodate the installation of the westbound bike lane and relocation of a right-turn lane, landscaped strip, and sidewalk. The total project cost is estimated to be $185,000. This project has been proposed as a two year project, with funding for design ($35,000) in 1997/98 followed by construction ($150,000) in 1998/99. It is recommended that the City submit an application for this project this year, in order to place it on the County’s three year TDA project priority list. The City will need to submit it again next year. This project will also be included in the upcoming study of the infrastructure needs and funding alternatives. Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory. Committee Review As required by the MTC grant application policies, the TDA project proposals were reviewed by the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Cormnittee (PABAC) earlier this month. The Committee voted unanimous approval of the project priorities recolr~nended in this report. A memorandum from PABAC is included in the packet, with the same agenda number as this report. ALTERNATIVES Instead of pursuing the actions recolmnended by staff, Council could consider the following alternatives: (1) do not submit an application for TDA funding and utilize funding for these projects from the General Fund or other sources; (2) do not submit TDA funding applications and direct staff not to pursue these projects further; or (3) submit TDA funding applications for other bicycle/pedestrian projects identified by Council. FISCAL IMPACT Since TDA funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, if these grants are applied for and secured, City funds would need to be appropriated for the project expenditures and then reimbursed by TDA funds. For 1996/97, staff is reasonably confident that the City will receive all or close to the total amount of requested funds ($81,000) for the three proposed projects, based on past experience. Iffi~ funding is not received in 1996/97 or in subsequent years, the proposed projects would be rescheduled to coincide with the availability of sufficient TDA funds. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This request for funds is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act; therefore, no enviromnental assessment is needed at this time. However, an environmental assessment has been completed for the Ahna Street Bicycle Bridge project, with a mitigated negative declaration finding that the proposed project will not result ha CMR:112:96 Page 5 of 6 any significant environmental impacts, and other projects would also be assessed for their specific environmental impacts at the time they would be considered for project approval. ATTACHMENTS~XHIBITS 1. Project Location Map 2. Transportation Agency letter dated November 1, 1995 3. Council Resolution Prepared By: DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: Gayle Likens, Senior Plam~er KENNETH R. SCHREIBER Director of Plauning and Community Environment CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: JUNE FLEMING ,City Mm~ager Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Coirunittee Don Dey, City of Menlo Park Tom Davids, CalTrain JPB CMR: 112:96 Page 6 of 6 o~ ATTACHMENT 1 Transportatio, gency Santa CJara County Bus, Light Rail, Congestion Management ATTACHMENT 2 3331 North First Street San Jose, CA 95134-1906 November 1, 1995 Mr. Glen Roberts Public Works City of Palo Alto 250 Hamilton Ave. Palo Alto,, CA 94301 Subject: Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funds Dear Mr. Roberts: Enclosed is a copy of the application for Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds for FY 1996-97. These funds may be used for bicycle and pedestrian projects. MTC annually al!ocates TDA Article 3 Funds to eligible claimants after review of project applications and receipt of the approved countywide priority list of projects. For the FY 1996-97 program, MTC is requesting that the original and one copy of each completed project application be submitted to MTC by January 19, 1996. Applicants should also forward copies directly to me as required for the countywide priority-setting process. Please forward copies of your application to me at 3331 N. First, Bldg. B, San Jose, CA 951341 When preparing project applications, please remember: New TDA funding guidelines require that cities and counties establish bicycle advisory committees (BAC) and adopt comprehensive bicycle plans to be eligible for funds for bicycle projects. This requirement does not apply to pedestrian only projects. There are several jurisdictions that are in various stages of preparing bicycle plans. MTC may waive the plan requirement if a jurisdiction can demonstrate progress toward completion of a plan for this year’s cycle. If you have recently completed a plan or wish to demonstrate progress and have the requirement waived, please let me know b’, January 19, 1996. In addition, please mail a copy of your current bike plan to me. Project submittals should include any rescind/reallocation requests for projects allocated in FY 1992-93 and expiring on June 30, 1996, or projects that have a -change in workscope. It is the responsibility of applicants to monitor project expiration deadlines and to apply for rescind/reallocation of funds in a timely manner. Rescind/reallocation requests not received in a timely manner may result in loss of funds to the applicant. To assure your rescind/reallocation request is . processed, please send them to MTC and a copy to me by January 19, 1996. Claimants who have received disbursements or obligated Article 3 funds during FY t 994-95, must submit a certified fiscal audit to MTC and the State Controller Mr. Glen Roberts November 1, 1995 Page 2 by December 30, 1995. Claimants who did not receive or obligate Article 3 funds during FY 1994-95 are required to submit a letter to MTC stating that no expenses were incurred. These documents must be received by MTC prior to the allocation of FY 1996-97 TDA funds. Additional information on the TDA Article 3 procedures and criteria can be found in the MTC Fund Application Manual or in Attachment A of MTC Resolution No. 875 (TDA Article 3, Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects: Procedures and project Evaluation Criteria). After receiving your TDA Article 3 applications listed in priority order, we wil! proceed with a countywide priority-setting process. According to the local process for allocating TDA Article 3 funds, 70% of the funds will be distributed to the cities and County according to population. These funds would be allocated to the top priority projects submitted by each city/County. The remaining 30% will be distributed to projects that meet MTC requirements and the Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee’s criteria (e.g., projects that enhance safety, are multi-purpose, provide a missing link, implement the Countywide Bicycle System, mitigate traffic problems, and/or assure an equitable distribution of funds among thefive supervisorial districti). You will be notified when information is released from MTC on the amount of TDA Article 3 funds available for FY 1996-97. The Transportation Agency Board of Directors, acting as the Congestion Management Agency (CMA), will submit the countywide priority list of projects to MTC. The Countywide BAC will prepare the recommended priority list for submission to the Board. Applicants will have the opportunity to participate in the process. Additional information on the countywide priority-setting process and meeting schedule will be forwarded at a later date. Should you have any questions on this year’s program, please call me at (408) 321- 5744. Sincerely, Sylv Planning&Programmir Planner III CO:Marc Roddin, MTC J. Pierson, Director of Planning & Capital Development J. Lightbody, Manager of Planning & Programming D. Cameron, St. Transportation Planner ATTACHMENT 3 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THECITY OF PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A CLAIM WITH THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR ALLOCATION OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 WHEREAS, the Transportation Development Act ("TDA"), as amended (Public Utilities Code section 99200 et seq.), provides for the disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund of the County of Santa Clara for use by eligible claimants for the purpose of providing pedestrian and bicycle facilities; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the TDA, as amended, and pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations thereunder (21 Cal. Admin. Code section 6600 et seq.), a prospective claimant wishing to receive an allocation from the Local Transportation Fund shall file its claim with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto is an eligible claimant for TDA funds pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 99234, as expressed in the City of Palo Alto’s opinion of counsel, dated January 3, 1996; and WHEREAS, TDA funds from the Local Transportation Fund of Santa Clara County will be required in fiscal year 1996-97 for the purpose of improving pedestrian and bicycle facilities in Palo Alto; and WHEREAS, this claim is in accordance with the policy in the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan to promote bicycle use; NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. The Council hereby approves and authorizes the City Manager to execute and file an appropriate claim, together with all necessary supporting documents, with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for an allocation of Eighty-one Thousand Dollars ($81,000), in TDA funds in fiscal year 1996-97, and additional funding in 1997-98 and 1998-99, for the purpose of providing the following pedestrian and bicycle projects in Palo Alto: Project Amount i) Alma Street Bicycle Bridge 2 Bicycle Plan and Bike Route Map 3 Wilkie Way Bike Bridge Renovation 4 Arastradero Road Bike Lane Project Funding Year $ ii,000 1996/97 $ 40,000 1996/97 $ 30,000 1996/97 $ii0,000 1997/98 $ 35,000 1997/98 $150,000 1998/99 1960105 lae 0031255 SECTION 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in conjunction with the filing of the claim, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission is requested to concur in these findings and grant the allocations of funds as specified herein. SECTION 3. This request for funds is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore, no environmental assessment is needed. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES : NOES : ABSENT : ABSTENTIONS : ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Senior Asst. City Attorney City Manager Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services Director of Planning and Community Environment Chief Transportation Official 2 960105 lac 0031255