HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-07 City Council (5)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:
SUBJECT:
OCTOBER 7, 2003 CMR:454:03.
FIRST CYCLE OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY LOCAL STREETS AND
COUNTY ROADS FUND PROGRAMmPLANNING PHASE
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council adopt the following project list for inclusion in the ten-
year Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Local Streets and County Roads
Fund Program and consideration for grant funds (in priority order):
1. Bike Boulevard Network.
Travel Smart, Travel Safe Residential Arterials: Deployment of Electronics for
Automated Traffic Signal System Operation, Driver Speed Advisory, and Pedestrian
Crossing.
It is further recommend that Council adopt a Resolution endorsing VTA’s Community
Design and Transportation Program Best Practices for Integrating Transportation and Land
Use (Attachment A).
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has issued a call for projects under
the Local Streets and County Roads (LS&CR) Fund Program. The new program provides
grant funds to local streets and county roads projects from federal Surface Transportation
Program (STP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) and State
Transportation Improvement (STIP) funds. The LS&CR project selection procedures and
criteria adopted by the VTA Board of Directors sets forth the following program goals:
Increase connectivity of local streets and county roads as a means to (a) shorten trips by
all modes, (b) improve pedestrian and bicycle access, (c) improve transit routing, and (d)
keep shorter trips off the regional freeway and expressway system.
CMR:454:03 Page 1 of 6
2.Provide funding for local transportation projects not directly connected to, or fully
funded by, new development.
A project must be evaluated and competed in a two-phase VTA process to receive grant
funding: 1) Planning and 2) Programming (implementation). Projects are only eligible to
compete in the programming phase if they are included in the 10-year list created in the
Planning phase and adopted by municipal and county governing bodies. The VTA Board
has established the following priority-rating scheme to evaluate proposed projects as follows
(each factor is equally weighted):
1. Street connectivity (closing gaps in the roadway network)
2. Congestion relief (improving travel time and/or adding person trip capacity without
adversely impacting other modes of travel)
3. Safety (reducing crashes or potential for crashes without adversely impacting pedestrians
and bicyclists)
4. Transportation/Land Connection Interface (proximity to transit terminals and transfer
stations, bicycle and pedestrian-friendliness)
The VTA Board of Directors has established a list of eligible project types and expenditures
(see Attachment B). The eligible project types include intelligent transportation systems
(applications of electronics in traffic management), new or major upgrades to bicycle and
pedestrian facilities, multi-modal reconstruction of streets, traffic calming, and other traffic
management and safety measures. VTA requires the following steps to complete project
eligibility:
1.Council approval of a project list for inclusion in the 10-Year Santa Clara County Local
Streets and Roads Local Streets Program.
2.Council endorsement of the VTA Community Design and Transportation Program "Best
Practices".
It is important to note that before any of the two recommended Palo Alto projects in the 10-
year Santa Clara County Local Streets and County Roads Fund Program list goes forward to
implementation, the City Council will be requested to review and approve detailed project
work scopes prior to project submittal in the programming phase of the LS&CR program.
Council also has authority to authorize execution of project contracts. It is anticipated that
the required 20 percent local match for the state and federal grant funds will be derived from
a prospective citywide transportation impact fee, as discussed at study sessions before the
Commission on June 11 and August 27, 2003. Staff estimates, conservatively, that the
citywide transportation impact fee will yield an annual average of $500,000. Using these
fees to match federal and state transportation grants allows the City to leverage $4 for each
$1 in local match funds, so that an annual revenue yield of $500,000 could translate into
CMR:454:03 Page 2 of 6
$2,000,000 each year in match federal and state transportation grants. Project
implementation will proceed within the context of the City’s capital improvements planning
process.
The VTA Board has adopted a Manual of Best Practices for Integrating Transportation and
Land Use. The Manual recommends creation of multi-modal streets to foster pedestrian,
bicycle, and transit alternatives to the single occupant automobile. Emphasis is placed on
creating pedestrian-oriented environments in both commercial and residential areas and
encouraging transit-oriented land uses in the vicinity of transit stations and terminals. The
VTA Board requires an endorsement of these principals--not of the detail provided in the
Manual of Best Practices--as part of the eligibility process for LS&CR grant funds.
DISCUSSION
The VTA LS&CR Program provides Santa Clara County communities with an opportunity
to obtain state and federal funds for planning and implementation of important local
transportation safety and traffic management initiatives. The program is highly competitive
countywide. Each project selected for grant funding of 80 percent of costs will still require
local contribution of the remaining 20 percent of project budget. It is important to propose a
10-Year project list that comprises only those projects most responsive to the priorities
established by the VTA Board (thus most likely to be funded) within the likely local fiscal
resources available to match VTA grant funding. These considerations suggest a short, high
priority project list.
Staff proposes two Palo Alto projects for future grant funding under the ten-year Santa Clara
County Local Streets and County Roads Fund Program: Bicycle Boulevard Network and
Travel Smart, Travel Safe Residential Arterials.
Bicycle Boulevard Network
On May 19, 2003, the City Council adopted the Palo Alto Bicycle Transportation Plan
(CMR:281.03), which was recommended by the Planning and Transportation Commission
on August 14 2002. The Bicycle Plan designates creation of six new bicycle boulevards and
extension of the existing Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard as high priority, "strategic"
improvements. Council adoption of the Bicycle Transportation Plan has made creation of
the new bicycle boulevards a high priority for the Transportation Division.
The Bicycle Boulevard Network project scope includes the following segments:
Castilleja/Park Boulevard!Wilkie Way
Matadero Avenue/Margarita Avenue
E1 Camino Way/Maybell Avenue/Donald Drive
Everett Avenue/Palo Alto Avenue
Hohaer Avenue
Chaucer/Boyce/Melville
Extension of Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard
CMR:454:03 Page 3 of 6
Design details would be developed individually for each bicycle boulevard appropriate to
community needs and concerns. Estimated cost is $750,000, $600,000 of which would be
funded through federal and state grants and $150,000 in local match would be obtained from
proceeds of the prospective citywide transportation impact fee.
Travel Smart, Travel Safe Residential Arterials
On June 2, 2003, the City Council approved a major upgrade of Palo Alto’s entire traffic
signal system, including the following new items: a central computer server, two
workstations, traffic signal system software, signal cabinets and controllers, and hardware
and software warranties (CMR:273:03). These improvements constitute the first phase of a
longer-term project to create an automated "smart" traffic signal system responsive to real-
time changes in traffic conditions. The next round of improvements will allow integration
and exchange of traffic data with nearby local and regional transportation agencies,
dissemination of real-time traffic information to the public via the Web, and incorporation
of traffic-adaptive technology to adjust signal timing in response to real-time traffic
conditions.
The 1998-2010 Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan calls for safer, smoother traffic flow on the
five streets designated in the 1998-2010 Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan (Program T-41).
The Travel Smart, Travel Safe Corridors Project addresses these concerns on the five
residential arterials--Charleston Road, Arastradero Road, Embarcadero Road, Middlefield
Road, and University Avenue--through application of advanced electronics. These
applications include traffic-adaptive signal operation in response to real time traffic demand,
automated traffic data collection, electronic speed and travel advisory signs, and automated,
lighted (in pavement) crosswalks.
The Travel Smart, Travel Safe Residential Arterials Project includes the following elements:
Communication System Upgrade
Advanced traffic detection
Traffic-adaptive system
Transit priority system
V-Calm electronic speed signs
Dynamic (electronic) traveler advisory message signs
Signal timing
The estimated cost of the project is $6,200,000--$5,000,000 of which would be funded
through federal and state grants and $1,200,000 in local match would be obtained from
proceeds of the prospective Citywide Transportation Impact Fee. It is important to note that
for FY04 through FY06, total project expenditure (for project specifications and estimates
engineering) would be $812,000, including $650,000 from federal and state grants and
CMR:454:03 Page 4 of 6
$162,000 in local match obtained from proceed of the prospective Citywide Transportation
Impact Fee. The balance of project costs will be incurred from FY07 through FY10.
Staff will incorporate these projects into the City’s five-year Capital Improvements Program
prior to execution of any grant agreements. It is important to note that only projects selected
for funding under the Programming (implementation) Phase of VTA’s Local Streets and
County Roads Program will proceed to execution of a grant agreement.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The October 1, 2003 Planning and Transportation Commission review and
recommendations are not available as of this writing, but will be provided to Council in a
forthcoming transmittal.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Additional resources required as local match for LS&CR Program grants will be provided
by proceeds of the prospective citywide transportation impact fee. Staff conservatively
estimates annual proceeds of $500,000 per year from the prospective traffic impact fee. It
should be noted that the Council appropriated $50,000 in FY 2003-04 for the purpose of
implementing one bicycle boulevard in Palo Alto. These funds could also be used as a
contribution to local share of the grant funds awarded for the purpose of implementing all
seven bicycle boulevards called for in the Palo Alto Bicycle Transportation Plan.
It is important to acknowledge that these important transportation improvements require
maintenance and that sufficient funds be identified in future year operating budgets to
protect and prolong these investments in travel safety, convenience, and efficiency.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The First Cycle of Santa Clara County Local Streets and County Roads Fund Program--
Planning Phase, City of Palo Alto ten-year project list directly addresses three goals of the
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan:
¯T-1: "Less Reliance on Single Occupant Vehicles".
¯T-3: "Facilities, Services, and Programs that Encourage and Promote Walking and
Bicycling".
¯T-4: "An Efficient Roadway Network for All Users".
In addition, the ten-year project list implements the following Palo Alto Comprehensive
Plan provisions:
Policy T-14: "Improve pedestrian and bicycle access to and between local destinations,
including public facilities, schools, parks, open space, employment districts, shopping
centers, and multi-modal train stations."
CMR:454:03 Page 5 of 6
Program T-22: "Implement a network of bicycle boulevards, including extension of the
southern end of the Bryant Street bicycle boulevard to Mountain View."
Policy T-28: "Make effective use of the traffic-carrying capacity of Palo Alto’s major
street network without compromising the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists also using
this network."
Program T-3 8: "Implement computerized traffic management systems to improve traffic
flow when feasible."
¯Policy T-30: "Reduce the impacts of through traffic on residential areas by designating
certain streets as residential arterials"
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Environmental Assessment will be prepared and presented to the Planning
Transportation Commission and City Council prior to implementation of each project in the
ten-year project list.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution
B: VTA list of eligible project types and expenditures
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
~~,
u JOSEPH KOTT
_~ie~ Transportation Official
// / Director of Planning and
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
FRANK BENEST
City Manager
Signal System Feasibility Study Working Group
Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee
Planning and Transportation Commission
CMR:454:03 Page 6 of 6
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO ENDORSING SANTA CLARA VALLEYTRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY’S COMMUNITY DESIGN AND TRANSPORTATION
PROGRAM AND ITS MANUAL OF BEST PRACTICES FOR
INTEGRATING TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA), in partnership with the cities, towns and County of Santa
Clara, has developed a Community Design and Transportation (CDT)
Program and a guiding Manual of Best Practices for Integrating
Transportation and Land Use;
WHEREAS, on November 7, 2002, the Valley Transportation
Authority (VTA) adopted the CDT Program (Resolution No.
02.11.35) as its primary program for integrating transportation
and land use, and the CDT Manual of Best practices for
Integrating Transportation and Land Use as the programs guiding
document;
WHEREAS, the City participated in the development of the
CDT Program and the Manual of Best Practices for Integrating
Transportation and Land Use;
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that, to effectively meet
the current and future needs of its changing communities,
transit, pedestrian, and multimodal roadway facilities must play
increasingly important roles in the City’s total transportation
system;
WHEREAS, to better meet the current and future needs of
its communities, the City desires a strengthened ~transportation
consciousness" between VTA and the City that is reflected within
the City’s individual departments and actions by the Council;
WHEREAS, to optimize the City’s investments in, and
utility of, transportation and urban services infrastructure,
mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented developments should be located in
urban cores, major transportation corridors, and transit station
areas;
WHEREAS, the purpose of this endorsement is to convey on
behalf of the City and Council a strong spirit of support for
the concepts, principles, practices and actions conveyed in
030925 syn 0091370
1
VTA’s CDT Program’s Manual of Best Practices for Integrating
Transportation and Land Use;
NOW, THEREFORE, the council of the City of Palo Alto
does hereby RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. It shall be the policy of the Council to
consider the concepts, principles, practices and actions
conveyed in the CDT Manual of Best Practices for Integrating
Transportation and Land Use in its planning, public works, and
redevelopment projects, and in its project development, review,
and approval processes;
SECTION 2. The Council will consider the identification
and evaluation of opportunities to provide an integrated and
interconnected system of transit services, pedestrian
facilities, bicycle routes,and multimodal roadways in the
preparation of the General Plan, Specific Plans,Community
Plans, District Plans and similar planning documents;
SECTION 3. The Council will identify and consider
opportunities for creating multimodal streets and implementing
alternative street design standards and strategies, as defined
in VTA’s Community Design and Transportation Program, and as
identified and developed by City staff, in the preparation of
the Comprehensive Plan, Specific Plans, District Plans,
Community Plans, and similar planning documents;
SECTION 4. The Council will identify and consider
existing and proposed train stations, bus stops, and transit
centers as ~opportunity areas" for pedestrian, bicycle, and
transit infrastructure improvements;
SECTION 5. The Council recognizes the cores, station
areas, and appropriate segments of major transportation
corridors, as identified by the City and in the CDT Manual of
Best Practices for Integrating Transportation and Land Use as
key areas to target future growth and implement the CDT
concepts, principles, practices and actions;
SECTION 6. The Council recognizes the- public value in
identifying and preserving right-of-way for transportation
facilities such as streets, transit stops and stations, transit
preferential facilities, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities
in its planning and programming process, as applicable,
practicable and as opportunities permit;
030925 syn 0091370
SECTION 8. The Council recognizes the need for, and
benefits of, multi-jurisdictional coordination, cooperation, and
participation in projects and processes that address
transportation issues having cross-border or regional
significance;
SECTION 9. The Council will seek opportunities for
partnerships with VTA and neighboring jurisdictions to identify
and pursue mutually beneficial studies, projects, and funding
agreements.
SECTION i0. The aforementioned principles and precepts
are consistent with the 1998-2010 Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan,
SECTION ii. The Council finds that the adoption of this
Resolution is not a project under the CEQA Guidelines and,
therefore, no environmental review is required.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
030925 syn 0091370
3
ATTACHMENT B
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY AN]3 SCORING CRITERIA
Eligible Projects
New street connections and
extensions, local road
crossings of freeways and
expressways
Multi-modal reconstruction
of streets
Roadway operational
improvements including new
lanes, intersection turn
lanes, modern roundabouts
New or major upgrades of
sidewalk and Class II &III
bicycle facilities
Traffic calming measures
New grade separations at
railroads and roadways
ITS projects and project
elements
Ineligible Projects
Stand-alone transit
improvements
Preventive Maintenance and
Pavement Management
Freeway and/or expressway
projects
Class I (off-road bicycle &
pedestrian paths/trails
Eligible Expenditures
¯Environmental Studies and
Documents, (EhIV)
¯Plans, Specifications &
Estimates (PSE).
¯Right of Way Acquisition
(ROW)
¯Construction & Construction
Support (CONST)
Ineligible Expenditures.
All grant preparation costs
expended prior to grant
approval
Initial feasibility studies
(Pre-PSR/PSR equivalents)
Operating expenses
Additional Eligibility Criteria
¯Project must be sponsored by a Member Agency.
¯Project limits must be within Santa Clara County
¯Project must meet State, Federal and Regional (MTC)
funding eligibility criteria.
CALL FOR PROJECTS
VTP 2020 LS & CR: Planning
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY AND SCORING CRITERIA
Project submittal must be approved via publicly noticed
City Counci! or Board of Supervisors action that commits
future local funding.
Project must be developed through an outreach process
that includes all stakeholders impacted by project.
Sponsor has endorsed the VTP 2020 Community Design and
Transportation Program via council or Board of
Supervisors resolution.
Planning Phase
Project Selection Criteria
Total Available Points -i00
Street Connectivity: - Up to 25 Points
Provide more route options through increased connectivity
of street system
¯New connection of an existing roadway - 25 points
or
¯Gap closure or removal of bottleneck by completing
missing lanes - Up to 15 points
Congestion Relief: Up to 25 Points
Improve efficiency through improvements in system
dependability and travel time
Project increases person-trip capacity without adversely
impacting other travel modes within surrounding area -
Up to i0 points.
and/or
Project significantly improves travel time by any mode -
Up to I0 points
and/or
Project benefits a regional facility by providing local
streets and/or county road connections that directly
improve a non-freeway CMP facility or improve a CMP
reliever route - Up to i0 points.
Safety: Up to 25 Points
Improve safety of existing roadway, pedestrian and bicycle
facilities
Project includes elements, which improve safety of an
existing condition, which could reduce risk of injury
CALL FOR PROJECTS
VTP 2020 LS & CR: Planning
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY AND SCORING CRITERIA
accidents for all modes of travel. Projects that
adversely affect bicycle or pedestrian movements and /or
degrade the safety conditions for pedestrian and bicycles
will not receive points in-this category.
Transportation / Land Use Connection Interface: Up to 25
Points
Encourage consideration of land uses and multimodal
transportation planning
Multi-modal projects near or providing improved access to
serving concentrated commercial and /or higher density
housing - Up to I0 points
Multi-modal projects at/near rail stations and bus
transit centers (as defined in the VTA Short Range
Transportation Plan) - Up to I0 points
Traffic calming, multi-modal street livability projects -
Up to i0 points
CALL FOR PROJECTS
VTP 2020 LS & CR: Planning