HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-08 City CouncilTO:
FROM:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
APRIL 8, 2002 CMR:169:02
APPROVAL OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE IN THE
AMOUNT OF $40,000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
PREFABRICATED BRIDGE AT THE ARASTRADERO PRESERVE-
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 10001, OPEN SPACE TRAILS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the
amount of $40,000 from the Infrastructure Reserve to provide an additional appropriation for
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project 10001, Open Space Trails. Funding is advanced
from the proposed 2002-03 CIP.
BACKGROUND
Council approved the creation of CIP project 10001, Open Space Trails and funded it for
restoration of park trails, trail heads, picnic areas, fences, and park amenities. $211,000 was
appropriated in FY 2001-2002 for trail improvements, of which $155,000 is restricted for
grant-funded projects. Of the remaining $56,000, $40,000 has been spent on a trail
maintenance study for the Foothills Park trails; $4,400 on replacement barbecues and picnic
¯ tables; and $11,600 on the structural repair of the wooden boardwalk trail at the Baylands
Nature Center. Staff has begun the implementation of the Trail Master Plan for the
Arastradero Preserve, which was adopted by Council in March 2001. The construction of a
pedestrian, bike, and horse bridge at the Los Altos Hills entrance to the Preserve near
Arastradero Road has been identified as a high-priority project for habitat protection and trail
user safety. ..
DISCUSSION ~
Staff has received written bids for the construction of cement footings for a prefabricated
bridge and would prefer to proceed with the project in spring, rather than late summer, so that
the project can be completed before peak user periods. The project involves design and
construction of cement moorings for a seventy-foot prefabricated metal bridge that would
span Arastradero Creek at the Los Altos Hill entrance to Arastradero Preserve. The project
also includes the installation of the bridge and the preparation of trails leading to the bridge
CMR:169:02 Page 1 of 3
on both sides of the creek. This .bridge is intended to move hikers, bikers and equestrians
away from the edge of Arastradero Road, across a creek, and through a grassland meadow
to an existing trail that heads to Arastradero Lake. Construction of this bridge will allow the
existing Perimeter Trail along Arastradero Creek and Arastradero Road to be closed and
restored to native habitat. This existing trail route has been determined to cause significant
harm to the environment through significant soil erosion into the adjoining creek. The new
trail alignment will not only reduce erosion problems, but will also greatly improve, access
for preserve visitors to enter the preserve and pass each other on the trail.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The $40,000 appropriated for this project would be deducted from the $153,000 in open
space trail improvement funds requested in Fiscal Year 2002-2003. The attached BAO
requests an increase in expenditures of $40,000 from the Infrastructure’ Reserve for CIP
Project 10001. This is a one-time expense and no future year resource needs are anticipated
as a result of this BAO. Attachment B summarizes the BAO’s approved to date in 2001-2002
that impact reserves. This request will reduce the FY 2002-2003 funding for Park Trails
(CIP 10001) by an equivalent $40,000.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This is consistent with existing City policies especially regarding infrastructure maintenance
and renovation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Findings for a mitigated negative declaration for the Arastradero Preserve Trail Master plan,
which included this specific project, were approved by Council on May 14, 2001. Staff has
completed all necessary CEQA (Environmental Quality Act)documentation. This project
is intended to correct erosion damage to Arastradero Creek caused by inappropriately sited
trails.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Budget Amendment Ordinance
Attachment B:Budget Amendment Ordinances Impacting
Approved to Date in 2001-2002
the Infrastructure Reserve
CMR: 169:02 Page 2 of 3
PREPARED BY:
-~..~R~GORY BETTS
Superintendent, Open Space & sciences
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
PAUL THILTGEN
Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 169:02 Page 3 of 3
ORDINANCE NO.
Attachment
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2001-02 TO
PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF $40,000 FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A PREFABRICATED BRIDGE AT THE ARASTRADERO
PRESERVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT i0001, PARK TRAILS
WHEREAS, pursuant tb the provisions of Section 12 of Article
III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on June ii,
2001 did adopt a budget for fiscal year 2001-02; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved a budget of $211,000 for
Capital Improvement Program Project i0001, Park Trails funded for
the restoration of park trails, trail heads, picnic, areas, fences,.
and park amenities; and
WHEREAS, staff has begun implementation of the Trail Master
Plan for the Arastradero Preserve, which was adopted by Council in
March 2001; and
WHEREAS, the construction of a pedestrian, bike; and horse
bridge at the Los Altos Hills entrance to the Preserve near
Arastradero Road has been identified as a highLpriority project for
habitat protection and trail user safety; and
WHEREAS, an additional appropriation of $40,000 is needed for
capital improvement program project I0001 to complete the bridge
work prior to peak season; and
WHEREAS, the additional appropriation of funds from the
Infrastructure Reserve is a one-time cost and no future ongoing
costs are anticipated; and
WHEREAS, City Council authorization is needed to amend the
2001-02 budget as hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of-Palo Alto does
ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION .i. The sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) is
hereby appropriated to Capital Improvement Project No. i0001, and
the Infrastructure Reserve is correspondingly reduced.
SECTION 2. This transaction will reduce the Infrastructure
Reserve from $22,196,556 to $22,156,556.
SECTION 3. As specified in Section 2.28.0~0(a) of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, a two-thirds vote of the City Council is required
to adopt this ordinance.
SECTION 4. The Council approved a m±tigated Negative
Declaration for the Arastradero Preserve Trail Master Plan, which
includes this project, on May 14, 2001. Staff has included all
required mitigations in the project.
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 Director of.
Services
Administrative
Director of Community Services
Attachment B