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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 207-07City of Pal lto C ty Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT APRIL 16, 2007 CMR:207:07 APPROVAL OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE TO CREATE NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) FOR THE EL CAMINO REAL/STANFORD AVENUE STREETSCAPE AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A COMMUNITY DESIGN AND TRANSPORTATION GRANT (CDT) FROM THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,334,400 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council: Approve the attached Budget Amendment Ordinance (,BAO) in the amount of $155,000 that amends the 2006-07 budget to create a new Capital Improvement Program project PL-07002 for the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection Improvement Project. Accept the award of $1,334,400 in federal transportation grant funds for the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection Improvement Project PL-07002, to be paid on a reimbursement basis from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Community Design and Transportation (CDT) capital grant program. Local match funds totaling $333,600 will be provided by the City’s CIP projects PL-98013 (School Commute Safety Improvements), PL-04010 (Bicycle Boulevards Implementation Project), and from staff time in-kind services. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the assurance of the City of Palo Alto to complete the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection improvements under the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Community Design for Transportation (CDT) Program and committing the necessary local match for the project. BACKGROUND In 2002-2003, the City of Palo Alto and the Caltrans Sacramento Headquarters Office jointly participated in a master planning study of Route 82, E1 Camino Real, in the City of Palo Alto. The project was funded with a $270,000 planning grant from the Caltrans Office of Community Planning. The study laid out a detailed conceptual plan for including Context Sensitive Solutions and multi-modal transportation planning throughout E1 Camino Real, a state highway which also CMR::207:07 Page 1 of 5 functions as a community "main street" in Palo Alto. The defined goal of the E1 Camino Real Master Planning Study was to use context sensitive design principles to change the character of E1 Camino Real from a highway designed primarily for motor vehicle mobility to: ¯a fully multi-modal urban thoroughfare that maintains mobility and improves safety for transit, trucks, and autos, while improving safety and convenience for pedestrians and bicyclists ¯a center of community activity rather than a barrier between activities on either side of the street ¯an aesthetically attractive corridor that projects a positive image of Palo Alto ¯improve quality of life along E1 Camino Real while protecting its adjacent neighborhoods and districts, create economic benefits for both businesses and property owners along E1 Camino Real ¯make positive change soon with full development occurring along the length of E1 " Camino Real incrementally over time The Implementation and Phasing section of the study recommends construction and restriping of model intersection improvements as a Phase 1 project. A demonstration project was proposed for two locations, the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue intersection and the E1 Camino/Page Mill intersection, to implement the model improvements of the corridor plan. In 2004, Caltrans confirmed its support for the project by submitting a federal Transportation Equity Act (TEA) grant application for this demonstration project, but the grant was not approved because the proposed project did not qualify as an "inter-regional project." In May 2006, the VTA issued a call for projects for the CDT Capital Grant Program. Approximately $8.8 million was available for eligible projects. E1 Camino Real is one of the defined "corridors" in the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Community Design and Transportation (CDT) program. In July 2006, staff submitted two projects to the VTA for consideration under the CDT capital grant program: the Califomia Avenue Streetscape Improvements and the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection improvements. In October, the CDT scoring committee recommended funding for the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue project and four other projects. The California Avenue Streetscape project was not recommended for funding in this cycle of grants. On December 14, 2006, the VTA Board of Directors officially approved $1,334,400 in CDT grant funding for the E1 Camino/Stanford Avenue project. (See Attachment D). DISCUSSION This project includes the design and construction of model improvements to implement the demonstration phase of the E1 Camino Real Master Design Plan developed by Caltrans and the City of Palo Alto. The project area includes the intersection of E1 Camino Real and Stanford Avenue and extends approximately 100 feet beyond the intersection along all four approaches to the intersection. The existing intersection conditions are shown on Exhibits E and F. The proposed project, as shown on Exhibit G, includes installation of new comer bulbouts, realignment and enhanced/textured paving of pedestrian crosswalks, new pedestrian refuges with bollards and in-ground lighting, new storm drain outlets, widened landscape medians with plantings CMR::207:07 Page 2 of 5 and street trees; widened sidewalks with street trees, transit amenities and street furniture. The project also includes new ornamental street and sidewalk lights, relocation of traffic signal poles and restriping of E1 Camino Real to narrow the traffic lanes from 12 to 11 feet wide to provide space within the roadway for the installation of new bike lanes on E1 Camino Real. These amenities will transform the project area into a multi-modal main-street and provide visual cues to drivers that they are in an area of increased pedestrian, bicycle, and transit activity. Of particular importance at this intersection will be the enhanced crosswalks and median refuges, and reduced crossing distances for pedestrians and bicyclists. Stanford Avenue at E1 Camino is a primary route to school for three schools in the area: Jordan Middle School, Palo Alto High School and Escondido Elementary School. It is identified as a critical school crossing on the City’s adopted School Commute Corridors network map and Palo Alto Bicycle Transportation Plan bikeways network. The CDT grant and federal funding require the City to move expeditiously on this project. The grant funds must be obligated and construction documents approved by Caltrans Office of Local Assistance by May 31, 2009. In order to meet this accelerated timeline, staff has already assembled an interdepartmental and interagency working group to further this project expeditiously, including VTA and Caltrans Office of Transit and Community Planning staff. Consultant Services This project will include consultant services to provide complete design services to construct the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue streetscape project. Services will include urban design, civil and traffic engineering as required. The consultant will prepare construction drawings at the 30%, 60%, 90% and 100% stages and will finalize the construction documents and cost estimates for the project. The consultant team may also be required to participate in community meetings and!or meetings of the Architectural Review Board as needed. The budget for the engineering design phase of the project is $155,000. In addition to the engineering design consultant, the City will retain a consultant to prepare the environmental assessment for the project. Normally the scopes of work for consultant services greater than $85,000 are referred to the Finance Committee in May to review and provide input for the Council approval in June during the annual budget process. Due to the need to accelerate this project to meet the timeline for the CDT grant, staff plans to request that Council review and approve the consultant scope of services at a meeting in May in lieu of referring it to the Finance Committee. RESOURCE IMPACT Budget: Staff recommends that Council approve the attached budget amendment ordinance to create a new E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection Improvement Project and to appropriate $155,000 for the design and environmental phases of the project in FY 2006/07. The remaining budget of $1,513,000 for construction is tentatively programmed for FY 2009/10. The CDT grant requires a 20% local match of $333,600, of which $191,820 (11.5%) must be in cash and up to $141,780 (8.5%) can be in-kind staff hours. Staffhas identified the following sources for the cash local match: $111,149 from CIP project PL-98013 (School Commute Safety Improvements), and $ 80,671 PL-04010 (Bicycle Boulevards Implementation Project). Staff plans to CMR::207:07 Page 3 of 5 request that the City’s annual guaranteed amount of Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant funds in FY 2007/08 (approximately $40,000) be used to supplement the other existing local match funds for the project and reduce the potential in-kind contribution to $96,130, if the full 8.5% local in-kind is not allowed. Workload: The Planning Department developed this project to the feasibility study stage. Design and construction of the project will be managed by the Planning and Transportation Division, with support from the Public Works Engineering (PWE) Division. To meet the accelerated timeline for committing the grant funds, the City must commit the necessary staff resources, and reassign or reschedule existing projects as necessary. Consequently, staff may need to reprioritize work assignments and project schedules for existing transportation projects in the Planning and Transportation Division. This will result in the following adjustments to the existing approved transportation projects. The Planning and Transportation Division will continue implementation and evaluation of the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor, completion of the College Terrace Traffic Calming trial project and completion of the Maybell/Donald bicycle boulevard project. New Safe Routes to School projects will be initiated as staff resources are available, but the Park Boulevard bicycle boulevard project will be postponed for one year. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This project is consistent with existing policy, including Comprehensive Plan Transportation Policy T-25: When constructing or modifying roadways, plan for usage of the roadway space by all users, including motor vehicles, transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians; Policy T-28: Make effective use of the traffic-earrying ability of Palo Alto’s major street network without compromising the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists also using this network; and Land Use Program L-32: improve pedestrian connections across E1 Camino Real. In addition, the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue intersection is identified as a critical intersection on the city’s adopted School Commute Corridors network as well as in the Palo Alto Bicycle Transportation Plan. TIMELINE This project will need to be implemented on an accelerated timeline in order to safeguard the substantial amount of committed grant ftmding. The STP/CMAQ grant funds must be obligated in a construction contract no later than May 31, 2009. In order to meet this deadline, staff has identified the following milestone dates: Milestone Council approval of New CIP project Caltrans field review Environmental certification Right-of-Way certification Complete plans and specifications Final Caltrans certification of project plans Award of construction contract Timeline (Qtr/FY) 4th 2006/07 4th 2006/07 3rd 2007/08 2nd 2008/09 2na 2008/09 4th 2008/09 Ist 2009/10 CMR::207:07 Page 4 of 5 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The environmental review for the project will be conducted prior to obligating the grant funds for this project. ATTACHMENTS A. Budget Amendment Ordinance B. Resolution C. New CIP page for Project PL-07002 D. Grant Award Notification email E. Project Location map F. Existing Conditions Photo Simulation G. Project Improvements Photo Simulation H. E1 Camino Real Master Planning Study (Council members only; copy of document is available at www.cityofpaloalto.org/planning-community/El-index.html or at the Planning and Community Environment offices, 5 floor City Hall) PREPARED BY: Gayle Likens, Transportation Manager REVIEWED BY:Julie Caporgno, Chief Planning and Transportation Official Mike Sartor, Assistant Director, Public Works DEPARTMENT HEAD: . / STEVE EMSLIE Director of Planning and Community Environment EMILY HARRISON Assistant City Manager Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee City/School Traffic Safety Committee Jerry Matranga, PAUSD Gary Prein, Escondido School Greg Tanaka; College Terrace Residents Association David Schrom, Evergreen Park Neighborhood Association Charles Carter, Stanford UniversityPlanning Office CMR::207:07 Page 5 of 5 Attachment A ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-07 TO ESTABLISH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NUMBER PL-07002, EL CAMINO REAL/STANFORD AVENUE STREETSCAPE AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $155,000 The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: SECTION i. The City Council of the City of Palo Alto finds and determines as follows: A. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on June 12, 2006 did adopt a budget for fiscal year 2006-07; and B. In fiscal year 2002-03, the City of Palo Alto (City) and Caltrans Sacramento Headquarters Office (Caltrans) jointly participated in a planning study of Route 82, E1 Camino Real in the City. Among the goals of the study was to change the character of E1 Camino Real from a highway designed for motor vehicle mobility to a multi-urban thoroughfare that maintains mobility and improves safety for transit, trucks, autos, pedestrians and bicyclists; and C. A demonstration project to implement the first phase of the study was proposed at two locations, one of the locations includes E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue intersection (Project); and. D. Funding to implement the Project was not available since the completion of the study. In May 2006, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Community Design and Transportation (CDT), through a competitive selection process, awarded a grant of $1,334,400 for design and construction of Project. The grant requires 20% local match; and E. Funds are available from the following sources to pay for the cost of Project; and :Funding Source ....i Design~~ ....Phase Santa Clara Valley Transportation $124,000 Authority Community Design and Transportation (CDT) CIP PL-98013 - School Commute Safety $17,825 Improvements (20% local match) CIP PL-04010 Bicycle Boulevards 0 Implementation Project (20% local match) Construction Total ~ i~ Phase ii . $1,210,400 $93,974 $80,671 $1,334,400 $111,799 $80,671 TDA grant (20% local match)0 $45,000 $45,000 Staff time- in kind services (20% local $13,175 $82,955 $96,130match) -Salaries budget of the Planning Department Total $155,~000 $1,513,000 $1,668,000 F. CDT requires that grant funds must be obligated and approved by Caltrans by not later than May 2008. The City needs to move expeditiously on the project to meet the deadline. The design phase of t~is project is planned to be initiated upon approval by City Council in fiscal year 2006-07 and the construction phase is planned for fiscal year 2008-09; and G. City Council authorization is needed to amend the 2006-07 budget as hereinafter set forth. SECTION 2. Capital Improvement Program (CIP)Project Number PL-07002, E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection Improvement is hereby created. SECTION 3. The sumof One Hundred Fifty Five Thousand Dollars ($155,000) is hereby appropriated to CIP Project Number PL-07002. SECTION 4. Grant revenue from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Community Design and Transportation (CDT) Program of One-Million Three Hundred Thirty Four Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($1,334,400) is hereby received and, is appropriated for CIP Project Number PL-07002. SECTION 5. Revenue in CIP Project Number PL-07002 is hereby increased by a transfer of salaries budget from the Planning and Community Department in the amount of Thirteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy Five Dollars ($13,175). SECTION 6. The transactions above will have no impact on the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserve. SECTION 7. 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 8. The Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby finds that this is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, budget ordinance. SECTION 9. As provided in Section 2.04.330 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, this ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager City Attorney Director of Services Administrative Director of Planning and Community Environment ATTACHMENT B NOT YET APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. AUTHORIZING THE ASSURANCE OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO TO COMPLETE THE EL CAMINO REAL/STANFORD AVENUE STREETSCAPE AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT UNDER THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY’S COMMUNITY DESIGN FOR TRANSPORTATION (CDT) PROGRAM AND COMMITTING THE NECESSARY LOCAL MATCH FOR THE PROJECT WHEREAS, the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Public Law 109-59) continue the Transportation Enhancements Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program which provide funds for Community Design and Transportation (CDT) projects; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto wishes to receive federal transportation funds through a grant from VTA’S CDT Program for the following Project:E1 Camino. Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection Improvements Project; and WHEREAS, in accordance with SAFETEA-LU, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, applicant, in order to receive a federal transportation grant for the Project has submitted an application with VTA in its capacity as Congestion Management Agency (CMA) for Santa Clara County, for review and consideration in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); and WHEREAS, VTA requires assurance that: (1) (2) the City of Palo Alto will commit necessary local matching funds of at least 20%; and the City of Palo Alto understands that the federal funding through the CDT program is fixed at the programmed amount, and therefore any cost increase will not be funded through the CDT program; and (3)the City of Palo Alto will complete the Project as described in the application, and if approved, as programmed in the TIP; and (4) (5) (6) the City of Palo Alto will submit work scopes, including consultant tasks, to VTA for approval prior to funding commitments. the City of Palo Alto will involve VTA in the process at 30%, 60%, 90% and 100% by giving status updates; and the City of Palo Alto will obligate funds by May 31, 2009 for the Project, or VTA may remove the project from the program. 070409 syn 0130089 NOT YET APPROVED follows: NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as SECTION 1. (a) (b) The Council, by adopting this resolution, does hereby state: the City of Palo Alto will provide $333,600 in local matching funds; and the City of Palo Alto agrees that the CDT Program funding for the Project is fixed at $1,334,400, and that any cost increases must be funded by the City of Palo Alto from local matching funds, and that the City of Palo Alto does not expect any cost increases to be funded through the CDT program; and (c) (d) (e) the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Avenue Streetscape and Intersection Improvements Project will be built as described in this resolution and submitted application; and the City of Palo Alto wilt submit work scopes to VTA for approval; and the City of Palo Alto will provide status updates to VTA at 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100%; and the City of Palo Alto will obligate program funds by May 31, 2009. SECTION 2. The Council directs the City Manager to transmit a copy of this resolution to the VTA in conjunction with the filing of the application. H H H H H H H H H H H 070409 syn 0130089 2 NOT YET APPROVED SECTION 3. The City Council finds that this project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). An "Initial Study" and "Preliminary Environmental Study" will be completed during the design phase of the project. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mayor APPROVED: Sr. Assistant City Attorney City Manager Director of Planning and Community Environment Director of Administrative Services 070409 syn 0130089 CityWorks ATTACHMENT C NEW EL CA I[NO AL/STANWORD AvE STREETSCAP : AND [N ERSECT ON IMPROVEMENTS (PL-07002) Description: This project includes the design and construction of model improvements to implement the demonstration phase of the E1 Camino Real Master Schematic Design Plan developed by Caltrans and (he city of Palo Alto. The project area includes the intersection of E1 Camino Real and Stanford Avenue and extending approximately 100 feet beyond the intersection along all four approaches to the intersection. The proposed improvements include installation of new corner bulbouts, realignment and enhanced/ textured paving of pedestrian crosswalks, new pedestrian refuges with bollards, new storm drain outlets, widened landscape medians with plantings and street trees; widened sidewalks with street trees, transit amenities and street furniture. The project also includes new ornamental street and sidewalk lights, relocation of traffic signal poles and restriping of E1 Camino Real to narrow the traffic lanes from 12 to 11 feet wide to provide space within the roadway for the installation of new bike lanes on E1 Camino Real. Justification: In 2002-2003 the City of Palo Alto and the Caltrans Headquarters jointly participated in a planning study of Route 82, E1 Camino Real, in the city of Palo Alto. The project was funded through a study grant from the Caltrans Office of Community Planning. The study laid out a detailed conceptual plan for including Context Sensitive Solutions and multi-modal transportation planning throughout the corridor. Caltrans applied unsuccessfully for a grant to fund a trial implementation of the project at this intersection in 2004. To further this project, with the support of Caltrans, in 2006 the City applied for capital grant funds through the VTA Community Design and Transportation capital grant program to fund this demonstration project. CIP FACTS: ¯ New ¯ Project Status: Construction ¯ Timeline: 2007-2008 ¯ Overall Project Completion: 0% ¯ Percent Spent: 0% ¯ Managing Department: Planning Department ¯ Comprehensive Plan: This furthers Progams L-33 and L-34 ¯ Board/Co~nmission Review: PTC IMPACT ANALYSIS: ¯ Environmental: Categorically exempt from CEQA ¯ Design Elements: None ¯ Operating: None ¯ Telecommunications: None Supplemental Information: This project includes the design and construction of model improvements to implement the demonstration phase of the E1 Camino Real Master Schematic Design Plan developed by Caltrans and the city of Palo Alto. The defined goals of the study were to change the character of E1 Camino Real from a highway designed primarily for motor vehicle mobility to: ¯"A fully multi-modal urban thoroughfare that maintains mobility and improves safety for transit, trucks, and autos, while improving safety and convenience for pedestrians and bicyclists ¯"a center of community activity rather-than an barrier between activities on either side of the street ¯,’an aesthetically attractive corridor that projects a positive image of Palo Alto ¯"improve quality of life along E1 Camino Real while protecting its adjacent neighborhoods and districts, create economic benefits for both businesses and property owners along E1 Camino Real 1 Ci@’ of Palo Alto 2006-07Budget EL CAMI[NO REAL/STANFORD AVE STREETSCAPE AND INTERSECTION ~[MPROVE~v~NTS (PL-070(}2) IP This project is also consistent with the Joint Venture Silicon Valley Grand Boulevard project. Revenue sources are as follows:2006-07 2009-10 CDT Grant $124,000 $1,210,400 CIP PL-98013 $17,825 $93,974 CIP PL-04010 $0 $80,671 TDA Grant (Local match $0 $45,000 In-kind Service $ 13,175 $82,955 Total $155,000 $1,513,000 $0 Pre-Design Costs Design Costs $155,000 Construction Costs Other Revenues: $155,000 $1,513,000 $1,513,000 $1i668,000: Source of Funds:VTA CDT and TDA grants, School commute Safety Improvements PL-98013, Bicycle Boulevards CIP PL-04010, and in kind contributions. 2 Cir.’ of Palo Alto CDT Grant Resolution - Palo Alto ATTACHMENT D Page 1 of 1 Likens, Gayle From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Importance: Sighamony, John [John.Sighamony@vta.org] Monday, December 18, 2006 9:25 AM Likens, Gayle Augenstein, Chris CDT Grant Resolution - Palo Alto High Attachments: SAMPLE CDT Grant Resolution For Funded Projects Final.doc Good Morning Gayle, Let this email serve as notice that the VTA Board of Directors approved the CDT Capital Grants Project List with the E1 Camino Real/Stanford Ave. Streetscape and Intersection Improvements ($1,334,400). Attached is the Sample Resolution that we are requiring each agency do as part of the application process. Please have the Resolution in to me by March 1, 2007. Let me know if you have any questions. John Sighamony Transportation Planner Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 3331 North First Street, Building B San Jose, California 95134 Tel: 408.321.5693 Fax: 408.321.5723 <<SAMPLE CDT Grant Resolution For Funded Projects Final.doc>> 4/11/2007 ATTACHMENT E ATTACHMENT F ATTACHMENT G > o Route 82 E1 Camino Real Stanford Avenue Intersection Location A Photo Simulation of Improvements