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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 2309-20119.Approval of a Contract with Urban Field Studio (C24188179) for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $384,990 for the Car-free Streets Alternatives Study; Adopt an Interim Ordinance Continuing Parking Lot and Sidewalk Dining through March 2024 and On-Street Dining through December 2024; Adopt Resolutions Extending the City Manager’s Authority to Temporarily Close Portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street through December 2024; Provide Direction on the Street Configuration of California Ave. and Ramona St. during the Study Period; and Approval of a FY 2024 Budget Amendment in the General Fund. CEQA Status - Categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15304(e) (minor temporary use). Supplemental Memo added City Council Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: ACTION ITEMS Lead Department: Transportation Meeting Date: November 6, 2023 Report #:2309-2011 TITLE Approval of a Contract with Urban Field Studio (C24188179) for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $384,990 for the Car-free Streets Alternatives Study; Adopt an Interim Ordinance Continuing Parking Lot and Sidewalk Dining through March 2024 and On-Street Dining through December 2024; Adopt Resolutions Extending the City Manager’s Authority to Temporarily Close Portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street through December 2024; Provide Direction on the Street Configuration of California Ave. and Ramona St. during the Study Period; and Approval of a FY 2024 Budget Amendment in the General Fund. CEQA Status - Categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15304(e) (minor temporary use). RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Palo Alto City Council (Council): 1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute contract C24188179 with Urban Field for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $384,990 for the 12-month Car-free Streets Alternatives Study (Attachment A); 2. Amend the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Appropriation in the General Fund (requires 2/3 vote) by: a. Increasing the contract expense appropriation in the Office of Transportation by $134,990; and b. Decreasing the Budget Stabilization Reserve by $134,990; 3. Adopt the attached Interim Ordinance Continuing On-Street Outdoor Dining until December 31, 2024 and Some Parking Lot and Sidewalk Uses through March 2024 (Attachment B); 4. Adopt the attached Resolutions extending the City Manager’s authority to temporarily close portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street through December 31, 2024 while the Alternatives Study is conducted (Attachments C and D); and 5. Provide direction to staff on the closed street configuration of California Ave. and/or Ramona St. during the study period. Staff’s recommendation is to continue the existing street configurations for the 12-month Alternative Study period. Alternatively, Council may direct staff to implement alternative street configurations during the 12-month interim period while the study is conducted: A.Reversion Option: Revert California Avenue and/or Ramona Street to pre-pandemic traffic patterns starting on a date set by Council, which would open the street fully (two-way) to vehicular traffic, on an ongoing basis. B.Seasonal/Hybrid Option: Open the street to two-way vehicular traffic, but implement a seasonal/hybrid option where it would become a car-free street seasonally, on weekends, or for special events. C.One-way Option: Implement a one-way street for vehicles to use, in either direction. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This staff report first seeks approval of a contract with Urban Partners to conduct a 12-month Alternatives Study to inform decisions on the future of California Avenue and Ramona Street, including spaces for outdoor dining, community programming, activations for the street, entertainment spaces, appropriate wayfinding and signage, development of parking strategies, and a discussion on the long-term street configurations and circulation for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles, plus stewardship of the streets. During the 12-month study period, staff will continue to advance demonstration projects to enhance the experience on the streets and further encourage people to visit the area. This could include an extension of the mini golf activation, additional game play areas and community spaces to gather, continuation of partnerships like Third Thursday Music, and implementing new barriers to rid of the orange plastic barriers, and other aesthetic enhancements, such as more public art and wayfinding signage opportunities. The remainder of this report seeks Council’s approval and/or alternative direction on whether the existing closures of California Avenue and Ramona Street should remain during the 12-month study period. The current car-free streets are at California Avenue between El Camino Real and Birch Street; and Ramona Street half-block between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue. Staff recommend keeping the existing closures through December 2024 to coincide with the end of the Alternative Study and continue to allow on-street dining. BACKGROUND The Car-free Streets: Cal Ave. and Ramona St. project is a Council-supported effort enabling outdoor dining, retail, and personal services in business districts such as California Avenue and the downtown core. Currently, California Avenue is open to pedestrians and closed to through vehicle traffic from El Camino Real to Birch Street, and Ramona Street is open to pedestrians and closed to vehicle traffic for a half block between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue. The City Council originally authorized Car-free Streets in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic through a program called Summer Streets then incorporated the project into the City’s Uplift Local initiative, as an economic recovery effort and to provide community members with outdoor spaces to gather. At their February 28, 2022 meeting, the City Council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to obtain a consultant to conduct a study (“Alternatives Study”) to understand the impact of the proposed permanent closure(s) on portions of California Avenue and the section of Ramona Street1. In the City Manager Report (CMR 14066), staff noted that the study would include developing conceptual plans with possible alternatives, review existing conditions, traffic circulation, impacts to access for properties in the proposed segments, a traffic analysis to look at traffic circulation, access to properties, emergency access, parking impacts, loading-unloading, delivery, access for maintenance of utilities, impacts to signal operations, and environmental documentation review & preparation2. The Report also noted how the study would include outreach to stakeholders and the public and would review the impacts of long-term temporary closures such as seasonal closures or regular weekend closures3. At the February 28, 2022 meeting, the City Council voted to include into the RFP the items mentioned in the Report and also to include the following: •consideration of methods to value rents for use of public spaces and evaluate if revenues could be used as partial funding of the process; •suggest an approach to improve aesthetics and maintain open sidewalks so that pedestrian traffic is near the windows; •include proposed guidelines on hours of use of public spaces and noise control; •evaluate displaced traffic impacts particularly on residential streets; •bring the budget request as part of the 2023 Budget process; and, •to return for approval of the contract; •to provide the schedule; and, •to return with an item to extend the street closure through December 31, 20234. On May 16, 2022, the City Council authorized staff to extend the street closure through December 31, 2023 as well as approve the implementation of several interim improvements, 1 See Page 5, Item 13, Action Minutes for February 28, 2022 City Council Meeting: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3708&compileOutputType= 1 2 Ibid. 3 See Page 5, Item 13, Agenda Packet for February 28, 2022 City Council Meeting: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3709&compileOutputType= 1 4 See Page 5, Item 13, Action Minutes for February 28, 2022 City Council Meeting: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3708&compileOutputType= 1 most notably, a dedicated emergency access lane, the requirement for edge treatments around outdoor dining and retail spaces, and direction to staff to install appropriate enhancements or aesthetic elements that will also provide a visible distinction from the emergency access lane and dining areas5. After the May 2022 meeting, staff engaged the services of Bay Area consultant, Bruce Fukuji from Fukuji Architecture & Planning, to assist the City with engaging the broader community and businesses along California Avenue and Ramona Street on the future of the street closures. This pre-RFP outreach informed both additional interim changes and the RFP scope of work for the Alternatives Study. Mr. Fukuji is an architect and urban designer with experience working in Palo Alto, most notably eight years on the Palo Alto Urban Design Committee that prepared the Downtown Urban Design Plan, and representing the City in negotiations with Stanford University during their Health Center expansion. From October 2022 to April 2023, City staff, Bruce Fukuji, with support from Fehr & Peers, engaged key stakeholders and the community through meetings, interviews, focus groups, a community workshop, and an online survey to better understand priorities for California Avenue and Ramona Street, and to determine the topics and themes to study and include as part of the RFP. A high-level overview of the pre-RFP engagement efforts can be found in the Stakeholder Engagement section of this report. For more details, see Bruce Fukuji’s published summary of the engagement effort, titled Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report, and is Attachment E. A Summary of the Online Community Survey Results is also included as Attachment F of this report. Demonstration Projects & Temporary Activations In addition to informing the scope of work, the pre-RFP engagement also informed additional near-term interim changes and improvements. Starting in mid-2023, City staff focused on implementing four demonstration projects as a response to feedback received from the public and stakeholders. The four demonstration projects are: •Flexible Community Spaces: free public gathering places with public seating (tables and chairs) and game play areas (giant chess, giant Jenga, corn hole) •New barriers: looking at options for replacing the orange water-filled barriers •Public art: ground plane and building murals •Pedestrian and vehicular signage: directing people to nearby destinations and parking areas 5 See Page 4, Item 14, Action Minutes for May 16, 2022 City Council Meeting: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=12251&compileOutputType =1 More recently, the City partnered with local groups to bring music and mini-golf to Cal Ave., all in an effort to further activate the street and invite people to the area, and to respond to feedback received to provide spaces for people to gather, particularly in underutilized areas of the street: •3rd Thursday Music on Cal Ave. •Putter's Mini golf course-Palo Alto In early summer 2023, City staff prepared the RFP, and on July 3, 2023, staff formally published the RFP for the Alternatives Study on the City’s eProcurement platform with proposals due in early August 2023. The City received one responsive bid from Urban Field Studio, an urban design firm based out of San Francisco. ANALYSIS The Alternatives Study is an effort to pursue consensus on the future of California Avenue and Ramona Street. The City published the RFP for the Alternatives Study on the City’s Procurement Platform on July 3, 2023 with proposals due on August 1, 2023. The City received one responsive proposal from Urban Field, an urban design firm and studio, partnering with Kimley-Horn, a transportation consulting firm. Table 1 summarizes the RFP process. Table 1. Summary of RFP Process RFP Name Car-free Streets Alternatives Study & Implementation Plan RFP Number RFP No. 188179 RFP Issued July 3, 2023 Proposals Due August 1, 2023 # of Firms Notified through OpenGov 2,740 Number of Firms Notified via email 46 Project View Count 318 Downloaders of RFP document 41 Total Days to Respond to RFP 30 Number of Proposals Received 1 Public Link to Solicitation https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/palo- alto-ca/projects/52330?section=441151 Proposals Price Range $297,898 Staff reached out to potential responsive bidders to understand why they did not submit a proposal. The potential bidders noted that they believed they did not have the expertise required of the scope of work; they had limited staff capacity; and one noted their email server sent the eProcurement email alerting of the RFP to their junk folder and did not see the RFP in time to submit a proposal. Since the City received a single responsive bid, it moved forward with issuing a Letter of Intent to Award to Urban Field on August 16, 2023. Staff and Urban Field negotiated the scope and contract starting in late August. Staff recommends contracting with Urban Field because of their comprehensive approach to the scope of work, clear understanding of Palo Alto and its needs, and has an innovative approach to engage the community. Urban Field also has extensive experience working with Bay Area communities on developing plans for alternative traffic configurations, active spaces, and healthy commercial and community spaces, including Mountain View, Burlingame, Fremont, and Oakland, plus originally proposed a scope under budget, and is to provide exceptional project management experience. The updated scope of work the consultant proposes includes the following tasks, to be completed in a 12-month (one-year) process, beginning once the contract is executed, anticipated for January 2024: 1. Public Outreach and Engagement Strategy 2. Research & Analysis of Existing Conditions and Technical Studies 3.Urban Design Framework (described in greater detail below) 4. Implementation Plan 5. Environmental Clearance Review and Recommendations 6. Project Management and Oversight More specifically, the Urban Design Framework task above (task #3) is a key task that will include researching and developing the following topics: •Streetscape Design and Amenities •Access, Circulation, Traffic, Parking, and Curb Impacts and Strategies •Commercial Outdoor Dining Guidelines •Historic Resources •Signage •Legislative Options •Equity and Accessibility •Equitable Economic Development and Partnership Building Council Priorities & Basis for Staff Recommendation In January 2023, the City Council established two 2023 priorities related to Car-free Streets, both Economic Recovery and Business Transition objectives: •Select consultant to conduct a study that informs the development of a permanent car- free streets ordinance (ERBT h)—Q3 2023; and, •Extend temporary closure for car-free streets (ERBT j)—Q4-2023. In alignment with Council’s 2023 priorities, the first recommended action in this report approves of the contract with the consultant, Urban Field, for the 12-month Alternatives Study. The second recommended action approves of a budget amendment to cover anticipated project costs. The additional recommended actions extend existing conditions and the current street configurations until December 31, 2024 while the study is conducted through the adoption of an ordinance and resolutions. If Council approves the contract with Urban Field, Council will need to provide staff with direction on what to do with the street configurations during the 12-month study period. Staff evaluated the different street configuration options on several factors to develop the recommended action for this report, outlined below under the following categories: 1) Timeline/Schedule; 2) Resource Needs; and, 3) Potential Business Impacts. The options below have varying levels of complexity and implementation timelines that should be taken into consideration. The study will evaluate all available options. The recommended action is to extend the current street configurations until December 31, 2024 while the study is happening: •Timeline/Schedules o Provides continuity and avoids repeated changes to the street configurations in a short timeframe. o Allows for the Alternatives Study to identify and determine the next significant change to the existing street configurations. •Resource Needs o Continues utilizing existing staff resources with no changes required. o Staff would continue enhancing the area with additional activations and improvements through 2024. o No additional environmental review or traffic study required to continue the current street configurations. o Only administrative work to review and approve of permit renewal applications. •Potential Business Impacts o Businesses would need to renew their existing permits for outdoor dining for 2024. Mostly administrative work for the business owner. Alternative Street Configurations During the Study Period The City Council may direct staff to implement other street configurations during the 12-month study period. These were also evaluated using the same categories as the recommended action: A.Reversion Option: Revert car-free California Avenue and/or Ramona Street to pre- pandemic traffic patterns by a date set by Council, which would open the street fully (two- way) to vehicular traffic on an ongoing basis. •Timeline/Schedules •This would return street configurations to pre-pandemic conditions, pre- March 2020, provided businesses receive advanced notice and time to break down outdoor areas. •The street configurations may change again once Council identifies preferred street configurations as part of the Alternatives Study, and the businesses and community have already expressed they want stability. •Resources Needs •Street reversion can be implemented quickly. The existing Car-free Streets program sunsets on December 31, 2023, and staff can notice the businesses to remove their outdoor dining areas by a date in early 2024. •Council could direct staff to implement parklets on Cal Ave. However, additional work would be needed to implement parklets on Cal Ave. considering outdoor dining exists in areas beyond just parking stalls, such as former bus stops, vehicle turn and travel lanes, and driveways. The City cannot just simply apply the recently adopted Permanent Parklet regulations to Cal Ave. without additional work required to make it context specific. •Potential Business Impacts •This option would eliminate all existing outdoor dining areas on Cal Ave. and Ramona St. that are part of the Car-free Streets effort. •Businesses would need time to remove their existing outdoor dining areas and return the street Right-of-Way to the City. •Businesses would no longer have their outdoor dining areas as they exist now. •The community would lose the gathering spaces available now and may be discouraged to visit altogether. B.Seasonal/Hybrid Option: Open the street to two-way vehicular traffic by a certain date set by Council but implement a seasonal/hybrid option where it would become a car-free street seasonally, on weekends, or for special events. •Timeline/Schedule •The street configurations would change now and could change again soon once Council identifies a preferred long-term alternative. •Could turn away the community and confuse would be visitors who are unsure of the street conditions and environment. •Council would need to provide direction on the time of year to implement a seasonal/hybrid option. •Resource Needs •Staff needs a reasonable timeframe to implement this option. Currently there are no resources dedicated to implementing this option. Resources would be necessary to modify the streets to allow for closure and re- opening, including placing/removing barriers and signage. •Council will need to adopt the attached Resolutions and Ordinance to extend the existing program into 2024 while City staff works to implement this option. •Potential Business Impacts •Businesses need time to make any required changes or upgrades to their existing outdoor dining footprint or design. •Businesses would need time to update permits to reflect new layouts. C.One-way Option: Implement a one-way vehicle traffic lane on the current car-free portions of the street, in either direction (east-bound or west-bound). •Timeline/Schedule •Requires both time and a high-level of evaluation and consultation that has more complexities. Evaluation includes an Environmental Assessment and a Traffic Study on the one-way street configuration, which also extends the timeline to implement. •The most involved option that will require the most resources to implement. •Resource Needs •No existing staff resources identified to implement this option. •Limited staff capacity. Implementing this option would take staff resources away from projects in the pipeline or extend the timeline of existing projects. •Staff would need a reasonable timeframe to implement this option. •Council needs to adopt the attached Resolutions and Ordinance to extend the existing program into 2024 while City staff work to implement this option. •Potential Business Impacts •Street configurations may change again after Council identifies a preferred alternative, and the businesses and community may get confused and discouraged with continuous and frequent changes. •Businesses need time to make any required changes or upgrades to their existing outdoor dining footprint or design. •Businesses would need time to update permits to reflect new layouts. Other Factors/Factors that Apply to All Street Configuration Options •Council would need to provide direction on whether the option selected applies to California Avenue and/or Ramona Street. •The weekly California Avenue Sunday Farmers Market would be exempt since they have an existing permit to close portions of California Avenue to vehicles and operate the market on the street. Extension of the Interim Ordinance Allowing Outdoor Dining Separately, staff is also recommending that the interim ordinance allowing various types of outdoor dining be extended. The existing interim ordinance was originally adopted in 2020 and last extended by Council on May 8, 2023. The interim ordinance currently allows outdoor dining on closed streets, in parklets in on-street parking spaces, public and private parking lots, sidewalks, and other outdoor areas on the premises of a restaurant (e.g. a lawn). The existing ordinance allows on-street, parking lot and sidewalk uses through December 2023. Interim parklets are authorized through March 2024, at which point the newly adopted parklet ordinance and standards will begin. The proposed ordinance will extend on-street, non-parklet dining and retail through December 2024 to match the proposed street closures. The proposed ordinance will also extend parking lot and sidewalk uses through March 2024 to allow time for staff to gauge how these uses may continue or be phased out in lieu of other uses, such as parklets. The existing sunset date of March 31, 2024 for interim parklets will remain the same. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT The Office of Transportation FY 2024 Adopted Operating Budget had $250,000 appropriated for this initiative, as a place-holder value, and Urban Field’s responsive bid proposed a $297,898 project. During scope and contract negotiations, staff noted deficiencies in the number of public meetings originally planned and saw an opportunity to analyze more recent available parking data. Staff requested additional items under the public outreach & community engagement task and parking assessment task to ensure a robust engagement approach and a more comprehensive parking analysis. This expanded the number of visits to City Commissions, Board & Committees, and the City Council. Additionally, the City asked for several additional separate in-person and remote meetings with both California Avenue and Ramona Street business owners, the community at-large, and ensured online engagement tools, such as a public survey and street-level tabling were included in the scope as well. And because of the City’s more recent efforts around parking data-collection, the scope expanded to include a more involved parking data analysis than originally prescribed in the RFP, and the consultant project management fee increased since the overall scope expansion lengthened the project timeline from nine months as originally proposed, to 12 months: January 2024 through December 2024. The updated cost proposal for the updated scope of work is: $384,990 ($349,991 base, with a $34,999 contingency of 10 percent). The requested Budget Amendment of $134,990 reflects the additional funding required to complete the project with the additional scope and outreach, and would be supported by the Budget Stabilization Reserve (BSR). Together with other recommended budget amendments in the current year, this action would bring the FY 2024 Adopted BSR estimate of $54.3 million down to $53.3 million. In addition, Office of Transportation, City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Planning, and Public Works staff, plus Planning Code Enforcement Officers, Fire Department Inspectors, and Building Inspection staff, all have both ongoing and additional work supporting and related to the Car-free Streets project. Current and anticipated resources can support the workload for the recommended action. If Council directs staff to implement new or different interim street configurations, additional resources may be needed and staff would need to bring forward proposals for Council’s consideration as part of the annual budget process to recommend aligning resources and workload. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Pre-RFP engagement: From Fall 2022 to Spring 2023, City staff and consultants, Bruce Fukuji and Fehr & Peers undertook a pre-RFP engagement effort to solicit local stakeholder and community perspectives regarding current issues, opportunities for change, and potential near-term projects to advance the Car-free Street initiative. The project team also solicited feedback on a potential scope of work for an RFP to study different potential activations and street configurations. The project team undertook the following outreach elements: •Nearly a dozen structured interviews with business and property owners, non-profit and for-profit developers, Chamber of Commerce leadership, local architects, property managers, the Palo Alto Art Center Director, and Councilmember Pat Burt. •Two rounds of focus group meetings with: o Local business owners on California Avenue o Local business owners on Ramona Street o City Commission Chairpersons •Two community meetings: o An in-person Community Workshop on California Avenue, attended by over 60 people, with facilitated small group engagement followed by informal discussion with elected officials, local business owners, and community members. o A subsequent online community meeting, attended by 30 people with facilitated individual feedback. •Online survey on the City’s website, viewed by 617 people with 356 responses, predominantly Palo Alto residents, with only 1 percent Palo Alto business owners, and 15 percent of respondents living outside of Palo Alto. The outreach process was organized into two phases: 1) Assessment and 2) Validation. Assessment comprised of background research, context mapping, framing key questions for stakeholders and community members; conducting initial outreach; collecting data and conducting analysis; and formulating preliminary findings (Fall 2022 through Winter 2023). Validation comprised of conducting a second round of outreach for stakeholders and community members to validate what was learned by City staff and consultants from the initial outreach, and solicit feedback on near-term demonstration projects and the Alternatives Study (Winter 2023 through Spring 2023). The Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report (Attachment E) highlights how stakeholders have different perspectives on how to shape the future physical environment of California Avenue, as shown in Figure 1: Stakeholder Perspectives. On one hand, the discussion is divided between local retail business owners and residents on the allocation of street space for vehicle access. Some local businesses have a strong preference for an alternative that is not car-free, while many residents favor the closure of the street for safety, outdoor dining, and public spaces without vehicles. However, some residents feel that public gathering spaces and outdoor dining do not need use of all the street space to the complete exclusion of cars. There was agreement between local retail business owners, restauranteurs, and residents in that California Avenue is a highly valued, frequently visited environment integral to community and the economic vitality of the Palo Alto, and that the Cal Ave. District needs to be revived as a destination with a new identity, and that economic development, urban design, and community partnerships need to work together to realize the potential of California Avenue. Specific to Ramona Street, stakeholders all agree that Ramona Street, as a historic district, is an ideal setting downtown to shape a vibrant public space as an outdoor dining destination, and expressed great interest in maintaining the street permanently closed to vehicle traffic. A summary of the engagement effort, titled Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report, is Attachment E of this report. Alternatives Study engagement: Urban Field’s updated scope of work includes a structured and robust community engagement plan for the Alternatives Study, dividing the community engagement approach into four phases: 1) Initial Outreach; 2) Socialize Preliminary Concepts; 3) Socialize Preferred Concepts; 4) Present Final Plan. The engagement activities are tailored toward the unique character of the community, and these phases will help effectively and meaningfully engage the residents, business owners, and members of City Commissions, Boards & Committees, and the City Council. At the onset of the Alternatives Study, the consultant will develop a formal Community Engagement Strategy Memo that will explain how the project team will share information and gather input regarding the needs and issues of the public, stakeholders, and interested parties. More specifically, the Alternatives Study includes events and meetings with members of the following: •Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC) •Architectural Review Board (ARB) •Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) •Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) •City Council meetings •Focus Group Meetings, including separate meetings with both Cal Ave. and Ramona St. business owners •Street-level engagement •In-person and online community engagement Demonstration Projects QR-code Survey Soon after implementing the Demonstration Project: Flexible Community Spaces, staff created a QR-code survey and sticker and installed the QR-codes throughout the tables, chairs, and game play areas to receive immediate feedback on the installations. The survey asked people what they like about the Flexible Community Spaces and what else they would like to see. Some responses are below: •“It’s amazing! Brings so much joy to our family. Great spot for building community and hanging out.” •“Fun place for families to hang out together” •“The street games! It’s so safe and fun.” •“Love the chairs and that it’s pedestrian only” •“Keep doing more of these” •“Corn hole” [many times] •“Less paving and more parklike” •“Yasssssssssssss #love” •“I like that they give me a place to sit and enjoy the day outside of my apartment and being able to walk around more has helped me discover so many more local food places and shops.” •“The games are terrific! But overall it is just so incredible to have a safe space to go to and walk around with the whole family.” •“The games are a worse mess than the tables and chairs. They get scattered all over the street and sidewalk.” ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The ordinance and resolutions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15304(e) (minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment). For the Alternatives Study, as part of Task 5: Environmental Clearance Review and Recommendations, the consultant will review the final conceptual alternatives and implementation plan, develop an environmental clearance strategy, and file any required exemption documentation under CEQA on behalf of the City, following direction to do so from the City. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Contract C24188179 with Urban Field Studio Attachment B: Interim Ordinance Temporarily Continuing Outdoor Dining, Retail, and Other Uses in Closed Streets until December 31, 2024 and Other Uses until March 31, 2024 Attachment C: Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Temporarily Close a Portion of California Avenue Until December 31, 2024 Attachment D: Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Temporarily Close a Portion of Ramona Street Until December 31, 2024 Attachment E: Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report from Bruce Fukuji Attachment F: Summary of Community Survey Results Attachment G: Presentation from the in-person December 7, 2022 Community Meeting Attachment H: Presentation from the virtual April 27, 2023 Community Meeting Attachment I: California Avenue Exhibit (El Camino Real to Birch Street) Attachment J: Ramona Street Exhibit (half block between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue) APPROVED BY: Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 1 of 38 CITY OF PALO ALTO CONTRACT NO. C24188179 AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AND JOHN BELA URBANISM + DESIGN, LLC dba: URBAN FIELD STUDIO FAIRFAX This Agreement for Professional Services (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 19th day of October, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), by and between the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a California chartered municipal corporation (“CITY”), and JOHN BELA URBANISM + DESIGN, LLC dba: URBAN FIELD STUDIO FAIRFAX a California Limited Liability Corporation, located at 24 Woodland Road, Fairfax, CA 94903 (“CONSULTANT”). The following recitals are a substantive portion of this Agreement and are fully incorporated herein by this reference: RECITALS A.CITY intends to retain the services of a qualified consulting firm ( (the “Project”) and desires to engage a consultant to produce a CAR-FREE STREETS Alternatives Study and Implementation Plan for the City of Palo Alto in connection with the Project (the “Services”, as detailed more fully in Exhibit A). B.CONSULTANT represents that it, its employees and subconsultants, if any, possess the necessary professional expertise, qualifications, and capability, and all required licenses and/or certifications to provide the Services. C.CITY, in reliance on these representations, desires to engage CONSULTANT to provide the Services as more fully described in Exhibit A, entitled “SCOPE OF SERVICES”. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals, covenants, terms, and conditions, in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows: SECTION 1. SCOPE OF SERVICES. CONSULTANT shall perform the Services described in Exhibit A in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. The performance of all Services shall be to the reasonable satisfaction of CITY. Optional On-Call Provision (This provision only applies if checked and only applies to on-call agreements.) CITY may elect to, but is not required to, authorize on-call Services up to the maximum compensation amount set forth in Section 4 (Not to Exceed Compensation). CONSULTANT shall provide on-call Services only by advanced, written authorization DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 2 of 37 CITY, as needed, with a Task Order assigned and approved by CITY’s Project Manager, as identified in Section 13 (Project Management). Each Task Order shall be in substantially the same form as Exhibit A-1 entitled “PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER”. Each Task Order shall contain a specific scope of services, schedule of performance and maximum compensation amount, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Compensation for on-call Services shall be specified by CITY in the Task Order, based on whichever is lowest: the compensation structure set forth in Exhibit C, the hourly rates set forth in Exhibit C-1, or a negotiated lump sum. To accept a Task Order, CONSULTANT shall sign the Task Order and return it to CITY’s Project Manager within the time specified by the Project Manager, and upon authorization by CITY (defined as counter-signature by the CITY Project Manager), the fully executed Task Order shall become part of this Agreement. The cumulative total compensation due to CONSULTANT for all Task Orders issued under this Agreement shall not exceed the amount of compensation set forth in Section 4. CONSULTANT shall only be compensated for on-call Services performed under an authorized Task Order and only up to the maximum compensation amount set forth in Section 4. Performance of and payment for any on-call Services are subject to all requirements and restrictions in this Agreement. SECTION 2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be from the date of its full execution through December 31, 2024 unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 19 (Termination) of this Agreement. . SECTION 3. SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE. Time is of the essence in the performance of Services under this Agreement. CONSULTANT shall complete the Services within the term of this Agreement and in accordance with the schedule set forth in Exhibit B, entitled “SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE”. Any Services for which times for performance are not specified in this Agreement shall be commenced and completed by CONSULTANT in a reasonably prompt and timely manner based upon the circumstances and direction communicated to the CONSULTANT. CITY’s agreement to the extent caused by CONSULTANT’S failure to meet its professional standard of care. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, CONSULTANT shall not be deemed in default of this Agreement to the extent that any delay or failure in the performance of its obligations results from any cause beyond its reasonable control and without its negligence. . SECTION 4. NOT TO EXCEED COMPENSATION. The compensation to be paid to CONSULTANT for performance of the Services shall be based on the compensation structure detailed in Exhibit C, entitled “COMPENSATION,” including any reimbursable expenses specified therein, and the maximum total compensation shall not exceed Three Hundred Forty- Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety-One Dollars ($349,991.00). The hourly schedule of rates, if applicable, is set out in Exhibit C-1, entitled “SCHEDULE OF RATES.” Any work performed or expenses incurred for which payment would result in a total exceeding the maximum compensation set forth in this Section 4 shall be at no cost to the CITY. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 3 of 37 Optional Additional Services Provision (This provision applies only if checked and a not-to-exceed compensation amount for Additional Services is allocated below under this Section 4.) In addition to the not-to-exceed compensation specified above, CITY has set aside the not- to-exceed compensation amount of Thirty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars ($34,999.00) for the performance of Additional Services (as defined below). The total compensation for performance of the Services, Additional Services and any reimbursable expenses specified in Exhibit C, shall not exceed Three Hundred Eighty- Four Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety Dollars ($384,990.00), as detailed in Exhibit C. “Additional Services” means any work that is determined by CITY to be necessary for the proper completion of the Project, but which is not included within the Scope of Services described at Exhibit A. CITY may elect to, but is not required to, authorize Additional Services up to the maximum amount of compensation set forth for Additional Services in this Section 4. CONSULTANT shall provide Additional Services only by advanced, written authorization from CITY as detailed in this Section. Additional Services, if any, shall be authorized by CITY with a Task Order assigned and authorized by CITY’s Project Manager, as identified in Section 13 (Project Management). Each Task Order shall be in substantially the same form as Exhibit A-1, entitled “PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER”. Each Task Order shall contain a specific scope of services, schedule of performance and maximum compensation amount, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Compensation for Additional Services shall be specified by CITY in the Task Order, based on whichever is lowest: the compensation structure set forth in Exhibit C, the hourly rates set forth in Exhibit C-1, or a negotiated lump sum. To accept a Task Order, CONSULTANT shall sign the Task Order and return it to CITY’s Project Manager within the time specified by the Project Manager, and upon authorization by CITY (defined as counter-signature by the CITY Project Manager), the fully executed Task Order shall become part of this Agreement. The cumulative total compensation to CONSULTANT for all Task Orders authorized under this Agreement shall not exceed the amount of compensation set forth for Additional Services in this Section 4. CONSULTANT shall only be compensated for Additional Services performed under an authorized Task Order and only up to the maximum amount of compensation set forth for Additional Services in this Section 4. Performance of and payment for any Additional Services are subject to all requirements and restrictions in this Agreement. SECTION 5. INVOICES. In order to request payment, CONSULTANT shall submit monthly invoices to the CITY describing the Services performed and the applicable charges (including, if applicable, an identification of personnel who performed the Services, hours worked, hourly rates, and reimbursable expenses), based upon Exhibit C or, as applicable, CONSULTANT’s schedule of rates set forth in Exhibit C-1. If applicable, the invoice shall also describe the percentage of completion of each task. The information in CONSULTANT’s invoices shall be subject to verification by CITY. CONSULTANT shall send all invoices to CITY’s Project Manager at the address specified in Section 13 (Project Management) below. CITY will generally process and pay invoices within thirty (30) days of receipt of an acceptable invoice. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 4 of 37 SECTION 6. QUALIFICATIONS/STANDARD OF CARE. All Services shall be performed by CONSULTANT or under CONSULTANT’s supervision. CONSULTANT represents that it, its employees and subcontractors, if any, possess the professional and technical personnel necessary to perform the Services required by this Agreement and that the personnel have sufficient skill and experience to perform the Services assigned to them. CONSULTANT represents that it, its employees and subcontractors, if any, have and shall maintain during the term of this Agreement all licenses, permits, qualifications, insurance and approvals of whatever nature that are legally required to perform the Services. All Services to be furnished by CONSULTANT under this Agreement shall be performed with the professional standard of care that prevail among professionals in the same discipline and of similar knowledge and skill engaged in related work throughout California under the same or similar circumstances and locality. Such professional standard of care is not a warranty or guarantee and CONSULTANT shall have no such obligation. SECTION 7. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. CONSULTANT’S shall exercise due and reasonable professional care in observing those non-conflicting keep itself informed of and in compliance with all federal, state and local codes, laws, ordinances, regulations, and orders applicable at the time CONSULTANT renders its Services that prevail among professionals in the same discipline and of similar knowledge and skill engaged in related work throughout California under the same or similar circumstances and locality that may affect in any manner the Project or the performance of the Services or those engaged to perform Services under this Agreement, or CONSULTANT’S Services, as amended from time to time. CONSULTANT shall procure all permits and licenses, pay all charges and fees, and give all notices required by law in the performance of the Services. SECTION 8. ERRORS/OMISSIONS. CONSULTANT is solely responsible for costs, including, but not limited to, increases in the cost of Services, arising from or caused by CONSULTANT’s errors and omissions, including, but not limited to, the costs of corrections such errors and omissions, any change order markup costs, or costs arising from delay caused by the errors and omissions or unreasonable delay in correcting the errors and omissions, to the extent caused by CONSULTANT’S failure to meet its professional standard of care. SECTION 9. COST ESTIMATES. If this Agreement pertains to the design of a public works project, CONSULTANT shall submit estimates of probable construction costs at each phase of design submittal, CONSULTANT’S opinions or estimates of probable construction cost are prepared on the basis of CONSULTANT’S experience and qualifications and represent CONSULTANT’S judgment as a professional, generally familiar with the industry. However, since CONSULTANT’ has no control over the cost of labor, materials, equipment or services furnished by others, over contractor’s methods of determining prices, or over competitive bidding or market conditions, CONSULTANT cannot and does not guarantee that proposals, bids, or actual construction cost will not vary from CONSULTANT’S opinions or estimates of probable construction cost. If the total estimated construction cost at any submittal exceeds the CITY’s stated construction budget by ten percent (10%) or more, CONSULTANT shall make recommendations to CITY for aligning the Project design with the budget, incorporate CITY DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 5 of 37 approved recommendations, and revise the design to meet the Project budget, at no additional cost to CITY. SECTION 10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. CONSULTANT acknowledges and agrees that CONSULTANT and any agent or employee of CONSULTANT will act as and shall be deemed at all times to be an independent contractor and shall be wholly responsible for the manner in which CONSULTANT performs the Services requested by CITY under this Agreement. CONSULTANT and any agent or employee of CONSULTANT will not have employee status with CITY, nor be entitled to participate in any plans, arrangements, or distributions by CITY pertaining to or in connection with any retirement, health or other benefits that CITY may offer its employees. CONSULTANT will be responsible for all obligations and payments, whether imposed by federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, FICA, income tax withholdings, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, insurance, and other similar responsibilities related to CONSULTANT’s performance of the Services, or any agent or employee of CONSULTANT providing same. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating an employment or agency relationship between CITY and CONSULTANT or any agent or employee of CONSULTANT. Any terms in this Agreement referring to direction from CITY shall be construed as providing for direction as to policy and the result of CONSULTANT’s provision of the Services only, and not as to the means by which such a result is obtained. SECTION 11. ASSIGNMENT. The parties agree that the expertise and experience of CONSULTANT are material considerations for this Agreement. CONSULTANT shall not assign or transfer any interest in this Agreement nor the performance of any of CONSULTANT’s obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the City Manager. Any purported assignment made without the prior written approval of the City Manager will be void and without effect. Subject to the foregoing, the covenants, terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement will apply to, and will bind, the heirs, successors, executors, administrators and assignees of the parties. SECTION 12. SUBCONTRACTING. Option A: No Subcontractor: CONSULTANT shall not subcontract any portion of the Services to be performed under this Agreement without the prior written authorization of the City Manager or designee. In the event CONSULTANT does subcontract any portion of the work to be performed under this Agreement, CONSULTANT shall be fully responsible for all acts and omissions of subcontractors. Option B: Subcontracts Authorized: Notwithstanding Section 11 (Assignment) above, CITY agrees that subcontractors may be used to complete the Services. The subcontractors authorized by CITY to perform work on this Project are: Kimley-Horn CONSULTANT shall be responsible for directing the work of any subcontractors and for any compensation due to subcontractors. CITY assumes no responsibility whatsoever concerning compensation of subcontractors. CONSULTANT shall be fully responsible to CITY for all acts DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 6 of 37 and omissions of subcontractors. CONSULTANT shall change or add subcontractors only with the prior written approval of the City Manager or designee. SECTION 13. PROJECT MANAGEMENT. CONSULTANT will assign John Bela, john@urbanfieldstudio.com, (415) 350-8257 as the CONSULTANT’s Project Manager to have supervisory responsibility for the performance, progress, and execution of the Services and represent CONSULTANT during the day-to-day performance of the Services. If circumstances cause the substitution of the CONSULTANT’s Project Manager or any other of CONSULTANT’s key personnel for any reason, the appointment of a substitute Project Manager and the assignment of any key new or replacement personnel will be subject to the prior written approval of the CITY’s Project Manager. CONSULTANT, at CITY’s request, shall promptly remove CONSULTANT personnel who CITY finds do not perform the Services in an acceptable manner, are uncooperative, or present a threat to the adequate or timely completion of the Services or a threat to the safety of persons or property. CITY’s Project Manager is Ozzy Arce, ozzy.arce@cityofpaloalto.org, Department, Office of Transportation, 250 Hamilton Avenue Alto, CA, 94301, Telephone:(650) 329-2156. CITY’s Project Manager will be CONSULTANT’s point of contact with respect to performance, progress and execution of the Services. CITY may designate an alternate Project Manager from time to time. SECTION 14. OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS. All work product, including without limitation, all writings, drawings, studies, sketches, photographs, plans, reports, specifications, computations, models, recordings, data, documents, and other materials and copyright interests developed under this Agreement, in any form or media, shall be and remain the exclusive property of CITY without restriction or limitation upon their use. CONSULTANT agrees that all copyrights which arise from creation of the work product pursuant to this Agreement are vested in CITY, and CONSULTANT hereby waives and relinquishes all claims to copyright or other intellectual property rights in favor of CITY. Neither CONSULTANT nor its subcontractors, if any, shall make any of such work product available to any individual or organization without the prior written approval of the City Manager or designee. CONSULTANT makes no representation of the suitability of the work product for use in or application to circumstances not contemplated by the Scope of Services. CITY acknowledges that CONSULTANT’S work product may be stored and delivered to CITY and others in electronic files (“Data”), and that anomalies and errors can be introduced into the Data when it is transferred or used in conjunction with incompatible computer equipment or software. CONSULTANT’S Data is being furnished "as is" and CONSULTANT shall have no duty to modify or update the Data. CONSULTANT reserves the right to retain an archival paper or electronic copy of the Data delivered to CITY or the general contractor which shall be referred to and shall be conclusive proof and govern in all disputes over the form or content of the Data furnished by CONSULTANT. CITY acknowledges that ownership of, and any copyrights to, CONSULTANT’S and its consultants pre-existing standard details and specifications shall remain with their respective owners and CITY shall not acquire any rights in any such pre-existing standard details. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 7 of 37 SECTION 15. AUDITS. CONSULTANT agrees to permit CITY and its authorized representatives to audit, at any reasonable time during the term of this Agreement and for four (4) years from the date of final payment, CONSULTANT’s records pertaining to matters covered by this Agreement, including without limitation records demonstrating compliance with the requirements of Section 10 (Independent Contractor). CONSULTANT further agrees to maintain and retain accurate books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for at least four (4) years after the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement or the completion of any audit hereunder, whichever is later. SECTION 16. INDEMNITY. Option A applies to the following design professionals pursuant to Civil Code Section 2782.8: architects; landscape architects; registered professional engineers and licensed professional land surveyors.] 16.1. To the extent permitted by law, CONSULTANT shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless CITY, its Council members, officers, employees and any other entity or person for which CONSULTANT is legally liable (each an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, settlements, expenses and costs, that Indemnified Party incurs from third party demands, claims, actions suits or matters connected therewith, including reasonable and necessary costs and expenses attorney’s fees, costs and expenses recoverable under applicable law (“Claims”) to the extent that such Claims arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct, including death or injury to any person, or damage to tangible property of CONSULTANT, its officers, employees, any other entity or person for which CONSULTANT is legally liable under this Agreement, Notwithstanding the foregoing, if CONSULTANT’S obligation to indemnify arises out of CONSULTANT’S performance of services for the Project as a “design professional,” as that term is defined in California Civil Code Section 2782.8, CONSULTANT’S indemnity obligation shall be limited in accordance with the provisions of Section 2782.8 as it was in effect as of the date of this Agreement. CONSULTANT agrees to obtain executed indemnity agreements with provisions identical to those set forth in this indemnity provision from each and every subconsultant it retains. In no event shall the indemnification obligation extend beyond the date when the institution of legal or equitable proceedings for professional negligence would be barred by any applicable statute of repose or statute of limitations. CONSULTANT is not obligated to indemnify and hold harmless Indemnified Party for its active or sole negligence, or willful misconduct. [Option B applies to any consultant who does not qualify as a design professional as defined in Civil Code Section 2782.8.] 16.1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, CONSULTANT shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless CITY, its Council members, officers, employees and agents (each an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all demands, claims, or liability of any nature, including death or injury to any person, property damage or any other loss, including all costs and expenses of whatever nature including attorney’s fees, experts fees, court costs and disbursements (“Claims”) resulting from, arising out of or in any manner related to performance or nonperformance by CONSULTANT, its officers, employees, agents or DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 8 of 37 contractors under this Agreement, regardless of whether or not it is caused in part by an Indemnified Party. 16.2. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in this Section 16 shall be construed to require CONSULTANT to indemnify an Indemnified Party from a Claim arising from the active negligence or willful misconduct of an Indemnified Party that is not contributed to by any act of, or by any omission to perform a duty imposed by law or agreement by, CONSULTANT, its officers, employees, agents or contractors under this Agreement. 16.3. The acceptance of CONSULTANT’s Services and duties by CITY shall not operate as a waiver of the right of indemnification. The provisions of this Section 16 shall survive the expiration or early termination of this Agreement. SECTION 17. WAIVERS. No waiver of a condition or nonperformance of an obligation under this Agreement is effective unless it is in writing in accordance with Section 29.4 of this Agreement. No delay or failure to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of that provision as to that or any other instance. Any waiver granted shall apply solely to the specific instance expressly stated. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy will preclude any other or further exercise of any right or remedy. SECTION 18. INSURANCE. 18.1. CONSULTANT, at its sole cost and expense, shall obtain and maintain, in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement, the insurance coverage described in Exhibit D, entitled “INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS”. CONSULTANT and its contractors, if any, shall obtain a policy endorsement naming CITY as an additional insured under any general liability or automobile policy or policies. 18.2. All insurance coverage required hereunder shall be provided through carriers with AM Best’s Key Rating Guide ratings of A-:VII or higher which are licensed or authorized to transact insurance business in the State of California. Any and all contractors of CONSULTANT retained to perform Services under this Agreement will obtain and maintain, in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement, identical insurance coverage, naming CITY as an additional insured under such policies as required above. 18.3. Certificates evidencing such insurance shall be filed with CITY concurrently with the execution of this Agreement. The certificates will be subject to the approval of CITY’s Risk Manager and will contain reference and attach an endorsements stating that the insurance (1) is primary coverage, with the exception of professional liability, workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance policies, and (2) will not be canceled, or materially reduced in coverage or limits, by the insurer except after filing with the Purchasing Manager thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of the cancellation or modification. If the insurer cancels or modifies the insurance and provides less than thirty (30) days’ notice to CONSULTANT, CONSULTANT shall provide the Purchasing Manager written notice of the cancellation or modification within two (2) business days of the CONSULTANT’s receipt of such notice. CONSULTANT shall be responsible for ensuring that current certificates evidencing the insurance are provided to CITY’s Chief Procurement Officer during the entire term of this Agreement. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 9 of 37 18.4. The procuring of such required policy or policies of insurance will not be construed to limit CONSULTANT’s liability hereunder nor to fulfill the indemnification provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the policy or policies of insurance, CONSULTANT will be obligated for the full and total amount of any damage, injury, or loss caused by or directly arising as a result of the Services performed under this Agreement, including such damage, injury, or loss arising after the Agreement is terminated or the term has expired. SECTION 19. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF AGREEMENT OR SERVICES. 19.1. The City Manager may suspend the performance of the Services, in whole or in part, or terminate this Agreement, with or without cause, by giving ten (10) days prior written notice thereof to CONSULTANT. If CONSULTANT fails to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement, in addition to all other remedies provided under this Agreement or at law, the City Manager may terminate this Agreement sooner upon written notice of termination. Upon receipt of any notice of suspension or termination, CONSULTANT will discontinue its performance of the Services on the effective date in the notice of suspension or termination. 19.2. In event of suspension or termination, CONSULTANT will deliver to the City Manager on or before the effective date in the notice of suspension or termination, any and all work product, as detailed in Section 14 (Ownership of Materials), whether or not completed, prepared by CONSULTANT or its contractors, if any, in the performance of this Agreement. Such work product is the property of CITY, as detailed in Section 14 (Ownership of Materials). 19.3. In event of suspension or termination, CONSULTANT will be paid for the Services rendered and work products delivered to CITY in accordance with the Scope of Services up to the effective date in the notice of suspension or termination; provided, however, if this Agreement is suspended or terminated on account of a default by CONSULTANT, CITY will be obligated to compensate CONSULTANT only for that portion of CONSULTANT’s Services provided in material conformity with this Agreement as such determination is made by the City Manager acting in the reasonable exercise of his/her discretion. The following Sections will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement: 14, 15, 16, 17, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 20, 25, 27, 28, 29 and 30. 19.4. No payment, partial payment, acceptance, or partial acceptance by CITY will operate as a waiver on the part of CITY of any of its rights under this Agreement, unless made in accordance with Section 17 (Waivers). DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 10 of 37 SECTION 20. NOTICES. All notices hereunder will be given in writing and mailed, postage prepaid, by certified mail, addressed as follows: To CITY: Office of the City Clerk City of Palo Alto Post Office Box 10250 Palo Alto, CA 94303 With a copy to the Purchasing Manager To CONSULTANT: Attention of the Project Manager at the address of CONSULTANT recited on the first page of this Agreement. CONSULTANT shall provide written notice to CITY of any change of address. SECTION 21. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. 21.1. In executing this Agreement, CONSULTANT covenants that it presently has no interest, and will not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, financial or otherwise, which would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of the Services. 21.2. CONSULTANT further covenants that, in the performance of this Agreement, it will not employ subcontractors or other persons or parties having such an interest. CONSULTANT certifies that no person who has or will have any financial interest under this Agreement is an officer or employee of CITY; this provision will be interpreted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Palo Alto Municipal Code and the Government Code of the State of California, as amended from time to time. CONSULTANT agrees to notify CITY if any conflict arises. 21.3. If the CONSULTANT meets the definition of a “Consultant” as defined by the Regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission, CONSULTANT will file the appropriate financial disclosure documents required by the Palo Alto Municipal Code and the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. SECTION 22. NONDISCRIMINATION; COMPLIANCE WITH ADA. 22.1. As set forth in Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.30.510, as amended from time to time, CONSULTANT certifies that in the performance of this Agreement, it shall not discriminate in the employment of any person due to that person’s race, skin color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information or condition, housing status, marital status, familial status, weight or height of such person. CONSULTANT acknowledges that it has read and understands the provisions of Section 2.30.510 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code relating to Nondiscrimination Requirements and the penalties for violation thereof, and agrees to meet all requirements of Section 2.30.510 pertaining to nondiscrimination in employment. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 11 of 37 22.2. CONSULTANT understands and agrees that pursuant to the Americans Disabilities Act (“ADA”), programs, services and other activities provided by a public entity to the public, whether directly or through a contractor or subcontractor, are required to be accessible to the disabled public. CONSULTANT will provide the Services specified in this Agreement in a manner that complies with the ADA and any other applicable federal, state and local disability rights laws and regulations, as amended from time to time. CONSULTANT will not discriminate against persons with disabilities in the provision of services, benefits or activities provided under this Agreement. SECTION 23. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED PURCHASING AND ZERO WASTE REQUIREMENTS. CONSULTANT shall comply with the CITY’s Environmentally Preferred Purchasing policies which are available at CITY’s Purchasing Department, hereby incorporated by reference and as amended from time to time. CONSULTANT shall comply with waste reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal requirements of CITY’s Zero Waste Program. Zero Waste best practices include, first, minimizing and reducing waste; second, reusing waste; and, third, recycling or composting waste. In particular, CONSULTANT shall comply with the following Zero Waste requirements: (a)All printed materials provided by CONSULTANT to CITY generated from a personal computer and printer including but not limited to, proposals, quotes, invoices, reports, and public education materials, shall be double-sided and printed on a minimum of 30% or greater post-consumer content paper, unless otherwise approved by CITY’s Project Manager. Any submitted materials printed by a professional printing company shall be a minimum of 30% or greater post-consumer material and printed with vegetable-based inks. (b)Goods purchased by CONSULTANT on behalf of CITY shall be purchased in accordance with CITY’s Environmental Purchasing Policy including but not limited to Extended Producer Responsibility requirements for products and packaging. A copy of this policy is on file at the Purchasing Department’s office. (c)Reusable/returnable pallets shall be taken back by CONSULTANT, at no additional cost to CITY, for reuse or recycling. CONSULTANT shall provide documentation from the facility accepting the pallets to verify that pallets are not being disposed. SECTION 24. COMPLIANCE WITH PALO ALTO MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE. CONSULTANT shall comply with all requirements of the Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 4.62 (Citywide Minimum Wage), as amended from time to time. In particular, for any employee otherwise entitled to the State minimum wage, who performs at least two (2) hours of work in a calendar week within the geographic boundaries of the City, CONSULTANT shall pay such employees no less than the minimum wage set forth in Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 4.62.030 for each hour worked within the geographic boundaries of the City of Palo Alto. In addition, CONSULTANT shall post notices regarding the Palo Alto Minimum Wage Ordinance in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 4.62.060. SECTION 25. NON-APPROPRIATION. This Agreement is subject to the fiscal provisions of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Municipal Code, as amended from time to time. This Agreement will terminate without any penalty (a) at the end of any fiscal year in the event that funds are not appropriated for the following fiscal year, or (b) at any time within a fiscal year in the event that funds are only appropriated for a portion of the fiscal year and funds for this Agreement are no longer available. This Section shall take precedence in the event of a conflict with any other covenant, term, condition, or provision of this Agreement. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 12 of 37 SECTION 26. PREVAILING WAGES AND DIR REGISTRATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS. 26.1. This Project is not subject to prevailing wages and related requirements. CONSULTANT is not required to pay prevailing wages and meet related requirements under the California Labor Code and California Code of Regulations in the performance and implementation of the Project if the contract: (1)is not a public works contract; (2)is for a public works construction project of $25,000 or less, per California Labor Code Sections 1782(d)(1), 1725.5(f) and 1773.3(j); or (3)is for a public works alteration, demolition, repair, or maintenance project of $15,000 or less, per California Labor Code Sections 1782(d)(1), 1725.5(f) and 1773.3(j). 26.1. This Project is subject to prevailing wages and related requirements as a “public works” under California Labor Code Sections 1720 et seq. and related regulations. CONSULTANT is required to pay general prevailing wages as defined in California Labor Code Section 1773.1 and Subchapter 3, Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations Section 16000 et seq., as amended from time to time. Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1773, the CITY has obtained the general prevailing rate of per diem wages and the general rate for holiday and overtime work in this locality for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to execute the contract for this Project from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”). Copies of these rates may be obtained at the CITY’s Purchasing Department office. The general prevailing wage rates are also available at the DIR, Division of Labor Statistics and Research, web site (see e.g. http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR/PWD/index.htm) as amended from time to time. CONSULTANT shall post a copy of the general prevailing wage rates at all Project job sites and shall pay the adopted prevailing wage rates as a minimum. CONSULTANT shall comply with all applicable provisions of Division 2, Part 7, Chapter 1 of the California Labor Code (Labor Code Section 1720 et seq.), including but not limited to Sections 1725.5, 1771, 1771.1, 1771.4, 1773.2, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777.5, 1782, 1810, 1813 and 1815, and all applicable implementing regulations, including but not limited to Subchapter 3, Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations Section 16000 et seq. (8 CCR Section 16000 et seq.), as amended from time to time. CONSULTANT shall comply with the requirements of Exhibit E, entitled “DIR REGISTRATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS”, for any contract for public works construction, alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance, including but not limited to the obligations to register with, and furnish certified payroll records directly to, DIR. SECTION 27. CLAIMS PROCEDURE FOR “9204 PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS”. For purposes of this Section 27, a “9204 Public Works Project” means the erection, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of any public structure, building, road, or other public improvement of any kind. (Cal. Pub. Cont. Code § 9204.) Per California Public Contract Code Section 9204, for Public Works Projects, certain claims procedures shall apply, as set forth in Exhibit F, entitled “Claims for Public Contract Code Section 9204 Public Works Projects”. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 13 of 37 This Project is a 9204 Public Works Project and is required to comply with the claim’s procedures set forth in Exhibit F, entitled “Claims for Public Contract Code Section 9204 Public Works Projects”. OR This Project is not a 9204 Public Works Project. SECTION 28. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. 28.1. In the performance of this Agreement, CONSULTANT may have access to CITY’s Confidential Information (defined below). CONSULTANT will hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, not disclose it to any third party, and will use it only for the performance of its obligations to CITY under this Agreement and for no other purpose. CONSULTANT will maintain reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to ensure the security, confidentiality and integrity of the Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CONSULTANT may disclose Confidential Information to its employees, agents and subcontractors, if any, to the extent they have a need to know in order to perform CONSULTANT’s obligations to CITY under this Agreement and for no other purpose, provided that the CONSULTANT informs them of, and requires them to follow, the confidentiality and security obligations of this Agreement. 28.2. “Confidential Information” means all data, information (including without limitation “Personal Information” about a California resident as defined in Civil Code Section 1798 et seq., as amended from time to time) and materials, in any form or media, tangible or intangible, provided or otherwise made available to CONSULTANT by CITY, directly or indirectly, pursuant to this Agreement. Confidential Information excludes information that CONSULTANT can show by appropriate documentation: (i) was publicly known at the time it was provided or has subsequently become publicly known other than by a breach of this Agreement; (ii) was rightfully in CONSULTANT’s possession free of any obligation of confidence prior to receipt of Confidential Information; (iii) is rightfully obtained by CONSULTANT from a third party without breach of any confidentiality obligation; (iv) is independently developed by employees of CONSULTANT without any use of or access to the Confidential Information; or (v) CONSULTANT has written consent to disclose signed by an authorized representative of CITY. 28.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CONSULTANT may disclose Confidential Information to the extent required by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or governmental body, provided that CONSULTANT will notify CITY in writing of such order immediately upon receipt and prior to any such disclosure (unless CONSULTANT is prohibited by law from doing so), to give CITY an opportunity to oppose or otherwise respond to such order. 28.4. CONSULTANT will notify City promptly upon learning of any breach in the security of its systems or unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, Confidential Information in its possession or control, and if such Confidential Information consists of Personal Information, CONSULTANT will provide information to CITY sufficient to meet the notice requirements of Civil Code Section 1798 et seq., as applicable, as amended from time to time. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 14 of 37 28.5. Prior to or upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, CONSULTANT will honor any request from the CITY to return or securely destroy all copies of Confidential Information. All Confidential Information is and will remain the property of the CITY and nothing contained in this Agreement grants or confers any rights to such Confidential Information on CONSULTANT. 28.6. If selected in Section 30 (Exhibits), this Agreement is also subject to the terms and conditions of the Information Privacy Policy and Cybersecurity Terms and Conditions. SECTION 29. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 29.1. This Agreement will be governed by California law, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. 29.2. In the event that an action is brought, the parties agree that trial of such action will be vested exclusively in the state courts of California in the County of Santa Clara, State of California. 29.3. The prevailing party in any action brought to enforce the provisions of this Agreement may recover its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees expended in connection with that action. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover an amount equal to the fair market value of legal services provided by attorneys employed by it as well as any attorneys’ fees paid to third parties. 29.4. This Agreement, including all exhibits, constitutes the entire and integrated agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements, negotiations, representations, statements and undertakings, either oral or written. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument, which is signed by the authorized representatives of the parties and approved as required under Palo Alto Municipal Code, as amended from time to time. 29.5. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds or rules that any provision of this Agreement is void or unenforceable, the unaffected provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. 29.6. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the exhibits hereto (per Section 30) or CONSULTANT’s proposal (if any), the Agreement shall control. In the event of a conflict between the exhibits hereto and CONSULTANT’s proposal (if any), the exhibits shall control. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 15 of 37 29.7. The provisions of all checked boxes in this Agreement shall apply to this Agreement; the provisions of any unchecked boxes shall not apply to this Agreement. 29.8. All section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and are not intended to define or limit the scope of any provision of this Agreement. 29.9. This Agreement may be signed in multiple counterparts, which, when executed by the authorized representatives of the parties, shall together constitute a single binding agreement. SECTION 30. EXHIBITS. Each of the following exhibits, if the check box for such exhibit is selected below, is hereby attached and incorporated into this Agreement by reference as though fully set forth herein: EXHIBIT A: SCOPE OF SERVICES EXHIBIT B: SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE EXHIBIT C: COMPENSATION EXHIBIT D: INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT COMPLETE UNLESS ALL SELECTED EXHIBITS ARE ATTACHED. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 16 of 38 CONTRACT No. C24188179 SIGNATURE PAGE IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have by their duly authorized representatives executed this Agreement as of the date first above written. CITY OF PALO ALTO ____________________________ City Manager APPROVED AS TO FORM: __________________________ City Attorney or designee JOHN BELA URBANISM + DESIGN, LLC dba: URBAN FIELD STUDIO FAIRFAX Officer 1 By: Name: Title: DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 John Bela Principal Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 17 of 37 EXHIBIT A SCOPE OF SERVICES CONSULTANT will provide the Services detailed in this Exhibit A, entitled “SCOPE OF SERVICES”. CONSULTANT will produce an Alternatives Study and Implementation Plan for the City of Palo Alto. Task 1 – Public Outreach and Engagement Strategy •CONSULTANT will customize the engagement approach for each of the target audiences, and return to them to solicit ideas and input into the planning and design process. •CONSULTANT will work closely with City staff for all community engagement activities and will build on previous community feedback from Palo Alto’s Uplift Local program and other City-led engagement efforts. Task 1.1 – Kick-off Meeting, Community Engagement Strategy Memo •CONSULTANT will meet with City staff to discuss key stakeholder groups and target audiences and how to engage with them. •CONSULTANT will prepare a Community Engagement Strategy Memo that outlines target audiences, engagement approaches, and a schedule for meeting with stakeholder groups. Timing •1 meeting, 2-hours, preference for in-person (part of the kick-off meeting). •1 week to develop Memo. Deliverables •Community Engagement Strategy Memo. Task 1.2 – Phase One Community Engagement: Initial Outreach •CONSULTANT will conduct a preliminary phase of outreach with all stakeholder groups identified in the Engagement mem. These will be small group, informal meetings; meetings that occur during canvassing efforts with local businesses. The purpose of these preliminary meetings is to gather insights and concepts and to identify important considerations in advance of developing preliminary concepts. Audience •Cal Ave. Business Association or Merchants Association, or similar group. •Individual California Avenue Business District business owners. •Ramona Street Business Association or Merchants Association, or similar group. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 18 of 37 •Individual Ramona Street business owners. Activities •In person or virtual meetings with business association representatives. •Canvassing during business hours - a short survey will be developed to collect opinions door to door on California Avenue and Ramona Street. •Office hours will be held via zoom or other virtual format with the business owners on California Avenue and Ramona Street. Multiple business owners can be interviewed together during office hours. Timing •(2) 1-hour meetings with business association representatives, 3 office hours, 1-hour each, 8 hours of canvassing. Deliverables •Fliers; short online survey. Audience: Advisory Groups and Committees •Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC). •Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, or a similar group. •Historic Resources Board (HRB). •Architecture Review Board (ARB). •Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC). Activities •(5) In person or virtual meetings with selected representatives of each of the Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Timing •5 meetings, 1 hour each. Deliverables •Slide deck Presentation. Audience; Local Resident and Employees/Workers Activities •Mailers will be sent out (distribution by the City) to residents and nearby offices to share the options for feedback on the project. Mailers will include two ways of getting in touch: by email and through office hours (held online). Additionally, stakeholders will be invited to the project webpage (hosted on the City website) and the Community-at-large Outreach event. Timing •3 office hours, 1-hour each. Deliverables •Mailer design only. Task 1.3 – Phase Two Community Engagement: Socialize Preliminary Concepts •CONSULTANT will socialize preliminary concepts and gather feedback from target audiences and stakeholder groups. This phase will include presentations at regularly scheduled commission, committee, board meetings, a City Council Study Session and Community at-large public events. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 19 of 37 Audience: Local Businesses •Cal Ave Business Association or Merchants Association, or similar group. •Ramona Street Business Association or Merchants Association, or similar group. Activities •Presentation of preliminary concepts at Business / Merchant association meetings. Timing •(2) 1-hour meetings with biz association representatives. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Audience: Advisory Groups and Committees •Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC). •Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, or a similar group. •Historic Resources Board (HRB). •Architecture Review Board (ARB). •Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC). Activities •(5) In person or virtual presentations at regularly scheduled meetings. Timing •5 meetings, 1-2 hours each. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Audience: Local Residents and Employees / Workers Activities •Community-at-large Outreach Events o Two events will be held, one on Ramona Street and the other on California Avenue to engage the Community-at-large. Ideally timed with recurring weekly events, like farmer’s markets, outdoor music, or holiday events, the team can table to garner feedback and extend the invitation to be part of an online survey about the streets. This would capture the opinion of visitors. o The events will include tabling and an interactive diagram of the street to capture ideas. The display will be colorful, and comments will be added to boards. Timing •Two 4-hour events (one for each street). Deliverables •Boards and Interactive Feature, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Audience: City Council Activities •Presentation at City Council Study Session. o CONSULTANT will present preliminary concepts and a draft of the What we heard report from previous engagement efforts. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 20 of 37 Timing •One 1.5-hour presentation and discussion with City Council. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Task 1.4 – Phase Three Community Engagement: Socialize Preferred Concepts •CONSULTANT will socialize preferred concepts to gather feedback from target audiences and stakeholder groups. This phase will include presentations at regularly scheduled commission, committee, board meetings, and a second City Council Study Session. Audience: Local Businesses •Cal Ave Business Association or Merchants Association, or similar group. •Ramona Street Business Association or Merchants Association, or similar group. Activities •Presentation at Business / Merchant association meetings. Timing •(2) 1-hour meetings. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Audience: Advisory Groups and Committees •Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC). •Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, or a similar group. •Historic Resources Board (HRB). •Architecture Review Board (ARB). •Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC). Activities •In person or virtual presentations at regularly scheduled meetings. Timing •(5) 1-1.5 hour meetings. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Audience: Residents and Employees / Workers Activities •Invitation to provide feedback on project webpage. Timing •Open invitation to add comments and feedback on project webpage. Deliverables •Preferred Concept Content on project webpage. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 21 of 37 Audience: City Council Activities •Presentation at second City Council Study Session. Timing •One 1.5-hour presentation and discussion with City Council. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation, summary of insights and feedback added to the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Task 1.5 – Phase Four Community Engagement: Present Final Plan •CONSULTANT will present the final preferred plan and implementation strategy at a City Council hearing. Timing •One 1.5-hour presentation and discussion with City Council. Deliverables •Content for memos or reports, presentation of final Urban Design Plan and Implementation Plan. Task 1.6 – Community Outreach Summary •CONSULTANT will prepare a ‘What We Heard’ memo that summarizes the entire engagement process for the project and identifies key insights, concerns, and considerations. This will form the basis of the design brief prior to developing preliminary concepts and guide the process to select preferred alternatives. This document will serve as a record and summary of the project engagement efforts. Timing •Draft in Q1 2024, Final in Q3 2024. Deliverables •‘What We Heard’ memo for public presentation, content for project webpage summarizing the engagement effort, such as a public executive summary of the ‘What We Heard’ memo. Task 2 – Research & Analysis of Existing Conditions and Technical Studies Task 2.1 – Background Research •CONSULTANT will conduct a review of relevant policy and planning documents, codes, and previous community engagement efforts. o Review existing sources of City provided data, i.e., GIS files, parking and loading data. The Consultant may need to supplement existing City provided data sources, and budget has not yet been allocated to collect and utilize supplemental data. o Review existing economic impact reports from Uplift Local phase, including the Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report and the Street sense Economic report. o Review previous engagement efforts. Timing DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 22 of 37 •Q4 2023, Q1 2024. Deliverables •Key insights integrated into ‘What We Heard’ memo and Draft Design Brief. Task 2.2 – Parking and Loading Assessment •CONSULTANT will do an evaluation of parking contexts and options within roughly a block of the Project’s Area of Interest. Parking data provided by the City includes information about capacity and usage at different times of days for both on- and off- street facilities. •Prior to conducting evaluations, the CONSULTANT will incorporate 2023 parking data provided by the City in an Excel file into GIS files provided by the City that includes parking facility location information. •CONSULTANT will evaluate the updated GIS-based data and work with the City to determine if additional parking data should be collected before commencing further analyses. •CONSULTANT will develop up to 6 maps (2 locations, three different times of day) that include information about on- and off-street parking facilities and their capacities and occupancies. These maps will be color coded to represent percent occupancies at the facility at the time of day represented in the map. Timing •Q4 2023, Q1 2024. Deliverables •Conduct a parking / loading assessment using existing city parking capacity and utilization data and integrate key insights into ‘What We Heard’ memo and Design Brief. Task 2.3 – Location Analytics Data Analysis •CONSULTANT will access Replica and Replica data through a City provided access account (through the Consultant Access Program) to obtain relevant data to support the project’s transportation and circulation analysis. Timing •Q4 2023, Q1 2024. Deliverables •Key insights integrated into ‘What We Heard’ memo and Design Brief. Task 2.4 – Meeting to review existing conditions analysis with City Team •CONSULTANT will review key findings from background research and existing conditions analysis with the City team, and update the design brief based on conversations with City staff. Timing •Q1-Q2 2024. Deliverables •Summary of site analysis, including parking analysis; Draft ‘What We Heard’ memo and Design Brief. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 23 of 37 Task 3 – Urban Design Framework •Building on the site analysis, community engagement, and discussions with City Staff to inform the project Design Brief, the CONSULTANT will craft a comprehensive urban design framework for the project focus areas and areas of interest (see map). •CONSULTANT will establish the conditions for an environment that encourages curiosity and exploration, place-making, and economic vibrancy, while also considering overall project cost and operational capacity. •CONSULTANT will seek to balance the uses and users of the street such as pedestrians and cyclists, retailers and restaurants, parking and emergency vehicle access. •The Urban Design framework will evolve over the course of the project in response to key findings and insights from site analysis and community engagement. •CONSULTANT will work with the City and stakeholders to identify up to two future scenarios for both the California Avenue and Ramona Street areas (four scenarios total) to be advanced into more detailed evaluation. The scenarios will be identified, developed, and selected using high-level screening criteria built from the design brief, including guiding principles for the effort. Map of Project Areas: •For California Avenue, the Project Focus Area is California Avenue between El Camino Real and Birch Street; and the Project Area of Interest is California Avenue from El Camino Real to the Caltrain Station, Ash Street to Sherman Avenue, neighboring alleyways and streets: Cambridge Avenue, New Mayfield Lane, Jacaranda Lane, and Sherman Avenue. •For Ramona Street, the Project Focus Area is Ramona Street between University Avenue and Hamilton Avenue; and the Project Area of Interest is Ramona Street adjacent pedestrian alleyways and drive aisles. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 24 of 37 The Urban Design framework will incorporate the following elements and considerations: Task 3.1 – Streetscape Design and Amenities •CONSULTANT will develop concepts for a public realm and streetscape design that includes, but is not limited to the following: o Delineation of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular access zones. o Delineation of public and private commercial use areas. o Pedestrian Priority Street Design including surface treatments, movement and lingering areas, hierarchy and delineation of public and private spaces. o Opportunities for daily, weekly, and seasonal events and gatherings. o Furnishings: paving treatments, planting, lighting, various types and arrangements of seating. o Utilities: power, lighting, heating, water POCs, drainage, street cleaning. o Safety and security, ADA accessibility, vehicle barricades. o Amenities: Restrooms, Bike parking. o Locations and Opportunities for Public art and Street Activation. Timing •Q1 2024. Deliverables •Preliminary illustrative plans, circulation, and access diagrams for up to four concepts. •Final illustrative plans, circulation and access diagrams, and up to 4 eye-level experience renderings for preferred alternative concepts. Task 3.2 – Access, Circulation, Traffic, Parking, and Curb Impacts and Strategies •As a major component of the Urban Design framework, the CONSULTANT will work with the City and stakeholders to develop strategies and scenarios that strongly contribute to strengthened public life and economic outcomes while also appropriately maintaining or creating access, circulation, off-street parking/loading, and managed curb conditions. •The guiding principles for this task are as follows: o Identify preferred uses for public streets and alleys, with focus on strengthening public life and improving economic, environmental, and quality-of-life outcomes. o Provide appropriate access for service and emergency vehicles – the team will conduct an analysis of what other cities are doing for emergency access of local car-free streets to help inform guiding principles related to this topic. o Make sure there are adequate places to park and plan for proper utilization of other facilities before developing curb usage and management strategies for the California Avenue and Ramona Street scenarios. o Plan for high-quality bicycle and pedestrian networks that are connected, safe, clean, and comfortable. o Integrate transit access particularly to/from VTA bus stops and Caltrain train stations. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 25 of 37 Task 3.2.1 – Scenario Evaluation •CONSULTANT will evaluate traffic and parking impacts for up to two configurations for pedestrianization (vehicular road closure or diet scenarios) in both the California Avenue and Ramona Street areas (four scenarios total). Access to properties and access for pedestrians, bicycles, emergency vehicles, and shuttle and transit riders will be evaluated based on the presence and quality of access routes and locations. Potential vehicular traffic impacts (e.g., traffic expected to be diverted onto residential streets or into congested intersections) will be evaluated using Synchro. Solutions to address potential vehicular traffic impacts (e.g., traffic diversion to contribute to calm residential streets and potentially bike boulevards, improved intersection or corridor design and/or signal coordination/timing, etc…) will also be explored. •This task includes eight study intersections in the California Avenue area, which are: o El Camino Real / College Avenue o El Camino Real / Cambridge Avenue o El Camino Real / California Avenue o El Camino Real / Grant Avenue o Birch Street / Grant Avenue o Birch Street / College Avenue o Park Boulevard / Grant Avenue o Park Boulevard / Oxford Avenue •CONSULTANT will collect Multimodal turning movement count data for each of the intersections listed above, as well as for people riding vs walking their bikes through the California Avenue undercrossing, during weekday AM & PM 2-hour peak times. •CONSULTANT will focus the traffic analysis related to Ramona Street on evaluating the ability of nearby parallel streets to accommodate traffic volumes without Ramona Street being a part of the vehicular circulation network. •CONSULTANT will obtain pre-pandemic traffic volumes of Ramona Street, as well as pre-pandemic and current traffic volumes for nearby parallel streets from Replica through the consultant access program. Timing •Q2 2024. Deliverables •Summary of Scenario Evaluation: Traffic and Parking Impacts for preferred alternatives (2 alternatives for Cal Ave, 2 alternatives for Ramona Street). Task 3.2.2 – Parking and Curb Management Strategies for Preferred Alternatives •CONSULTANT will work with the City and stakeholders to develop parking and curb management strategies for the preferred scenarios. •CONSULTANT will incorporate potential access impacts (within project boundaries) as well as potential traffic impacts (outside of project boundaries) associated with the preferred scenarios, and strategies to address them, into the updated design brief and final concept alternative presentation. Timing •Q3 2024. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 26 of 37 Deliverables •Parking and loading strategies for preferred alternatives Integrated into Draft and Final Urban Design Framework. Task 3.3 – Commercial Outdoor Dining Design Standards and Guidelines •CONSULTANT will evaluate existing use of public right-of-way for open streets, parklets, and private outdoor dining on Cal Ave and Ramona Streets, and develop commercial outdoor dining design standards and guidelines that build on the City’s recently adopted Permanent Parklet Guidelines and Regulations. •CONSULTANT will highlight relevant findings from best practices research that apply to Palo Alto. •CONSULTANT will develop written and graphic design standards and guidelines for commercial outdoor dining /patios, as informed by the City’s recently adopted Permanent Parklet Guidelines and Regulations. •Develop recommendations for a fee/pricing strategy for public and commercial use of the public right-of-way, as informed by the City’s recently adopted Permanent Parklet Regulations. •Present draft design standards and guidelines to commission, committee, and boards for recommendation, and the City Council for adoption and incorporation as part of the preferred alternative. Timing •Q2 2024. Deliverables •Design standards and guidelines for commercial outdoor dining on Cal Ave and Ramona Streets; content for presenting draft guidelines to commission, committee, boards, and the City Council. Task 3.4 – Historic Resources •CONSULTANT will review background information on Cal Ave Business District and Ramona Street Historic District and incorporate historic resources design consideration into the Design Brief and Urban Design Framework Plan. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Incorporate historic resources design considerations into the Design Brief and Urban Design Framework Plan. Task 3.5 – Signage •CONSULTANT will develop a conceptual plan for Pedestrian directional/wayfinding signage and vehicle signage. •CONSULTANT will provide recommendations for wayfinding signage and/or Car-free Streets identification. Timing •Q3 2024. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 27 of 37 Deliverables •Incorporate signage considerations into the Design Brief and Urban Design Framework Plan. Task 3.6 – Legislative Options •CONSULTANT will evaluate and determine the various legislative methods for enacting a permanent street closure, a one-way directional partial street closure, and a seasonal closure, including, but not limited to reviewing and reporting on the Pedestrian Mall Law of 1960. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Incorporate legislative considerations into the Design Brief and Urban Design Framework Plan. Task 3.7 – Equity and Accessibility •As part of the community engagement process, the CONSULTANT will identify key considerations for universal access, including identifying the potential obstacles or barriers for different communities and user groups to participate in and shape these new public spaces. Equity and Accessibility considerations will be integrated into the project design brief and will be used as fundamental drivers of alternatives evaluation. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Incorporate equity and accessibility considerations into the Design Brief and Urban Design Framework Plan. Task 3.8 – Equitable Economic Development and Partnership Building •Using best practice research, the CONSULANT will build a case for the project in the design to demonstrate the role that Cal Ave and Ramona Street streets can have on the local economy. •Using case studies from local and national precedents the CONSULTANT team will craft recommendations to establish a strong base of ongoing support and stewardship. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Incorporate recommendations for equitable economic development and partnership building into the Design Brief and Urban Design Framework Plan. Task 4 – Urban Design Framework Task 4.1 – Open Streets Road Map •The Urban Field team will create a roadmap outlining steps to implement the Urban DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 28 of 37 Design Framework including recommendations for strategic investment priorities, phasing, organizational structure, and partnerships for maintenance, programming and stewardship. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Project Implementation Roadmap. Task 4.2 – Funding Strategies and Legislative Approach •CONSULTANT will identify opportunities for public and private funding and recommend a legislative method to implement the preferred option and Plan. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Funding Strategies and Legislative Approach recommendations integrated into Implementation Plan. Task 4.3 – Ongoing Maintenance and Safety •Based on the site analysis and community engagement, the CONSULTANT will generate recommendations for Cal Ave. and Ramona Street maintenance and public safety, including but not limited to: street cleaning, graffiti abatement, and vehicular and pedestrian lighting recommendations. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Ongoing Maintenance and Safety recommendations integrated into Implementation Plan. Task 4.4 – Ongoing Operations and Stewardship •CONSULTANT will Identify short and long-term operational needs and management of public realm areas and provide suggestions and recommendations for daily, weekly, and seasonal programming concepts (e.g. parades, festivals, regular-occurring events, permitting events and other opportunities for utilization of the street space). •CONSULTANT will identify potential partner organizations for programming, operations, and stewardship. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Ongoing Operations & Stewardship recommendations integrated into Implementation Plan. Task 5 – Environmental Clearance Review and Recommendations •CONSULTANT will review the final concept alternatives and implementation plan and develop an environmental clearance strategy and roadmap. The environmental clearance DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 29 of 37 strategy may include options to clear exempt portions of the project, adopt the conceptual plan at a program-level by tiering-off of existing environmental clearances, and next steps for project-level clearance. •For project components expected to qualify for exemptions, the CONSULTANT will develop a Notice of Exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and file it on behalf of the City, following direction to do so from City staff. Timing •Q3 2024. Deliverables •Environmental Clearance Strategy document. Task 6 – Project Management and Oversight •At the outset of the project, such as at the kick-off meeting, the CONSULTANT will discuss and establish the final project schedule and rhythm for project updates and check- ins with City Staff. •CONSULTANT will identify the primary point of contact from the consultant and from City Staff. •CONSULTANT may use a variety of tools to track and communicate progress including the Community Engagement memo and a slide deck to share biweekly (every two weeks), project updates, as well as a project budget tracker, to ensure alignment on fee utilization. Task 6.1 – Project Kick-off •At project kick-off, City staff and the CONSULTANT will review and agree on the project scope, goals, and objective; the community engagement plan; project timeline, data needs; and team roles and responsibilities. Timing •Q4 2023. Deliverables •Final Scope document and workplan, meeting schedule with target audiences. Task 6.2 – Biweekly Check-ins with City Staff •CONSULTANT will meet with City staff every two weeks, as needed. These meetings may be virtual. Timing •Every two weeks as needed. Deliverables •Meeting agendas, updated project schedule, updated budget spreadsheet, and recorded meeting notes. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 30 of 37 EXHIBIT A-1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER CONSULTANT shall perform the Services detailed below in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Agreement referenced in Item 1A below. All exhibits referenced in Item 8 are incorporated into this Task Order by this reference. CONSULTANT shall furnish the necessary facilities, professional, technical and supporting personnel required by this Task Order as described below. CONTRACT NO. OR PURCHASE ORDER REQUISITION NO. (AS APPLICABLE) 1A. MASTER AGREEMENT NO. (MAY BE SAME AS CONTRACT / P.O. NO. ABOVE): 1B. TASK ORDER NO.: 2.CONSULTANT NAME: 3.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: START: COMPLETION: 4 TOTAL TASK ORDER PRICE: $__________________ BALANCE REMAINING IN MASTER AGREEMENT/CONTRACT $_______________ 5.BUDGET CODE_______________ COST CENTER________________ COST ELEMENT______________ WBS/CIP__________ PHASE__________ 6.CITY PROJECT MANAGER’S NAME & DEPARTMENT:_____________________________________ 7.DESCRIPTION OF SCOPE OF SERVICES (Attachment A) MUST INCLUDE: SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES TO BE PROVIDED SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION AMOUNT AND RATE SCHEDULE (as applicable) REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES, if any (with “not to exceed” amount) 8.ATTACHMENTS: A: Task Order Scope of Services B (if any): _____________________________ I hereby authorize the performance of the work described in this Task Order. APPROVED: CITY OF PALO ALTO BY:____________________________________ Name __________________________________ Title___________________________________ Date ___________________________________ I hereby acknowledge receipt and acceptance of this Task Order and warrant that I have authority to sign on behalf of Consultant. APPROVED: COMPANY NAME: ______________________ BY:____________________________________ Name __________________________________ Title___________________________________ Date ___________________________________ EXHIBIT B SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT shall perform the Services so as to complete each milestone within the number of weeks specified below. The time to complete each milestone may be increased or decreased by mutual written agreement of the Project Managers for CONSULTANT and CITY so long as all DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 31 of 37 work is completed within the term of the Agreement. CONSULTANT shall provide a detailed schedule of work consistent with the schedule below within 2 weeks of receipt of the notice to proceed (“NTP”) from the CITY. Milestones Completion Number of Weeks (as specified below) from NTP 1.Public Outreach and Engagement 52 weeks 2.Research and Analysis 12 weeks 3.Urban Design Framework 36 weeks 4.Implementation Plan 4 weeks 5.Environmental Clearance 4 weeks 6.Project Management 52 weeks 7. 8. 9. 10. Optional Schedule of Performance Provision for On-Call or Additional Services Agreements. (This provision only applies if checked and only applies to on-call agreements per Section 1 or agreements with Additional Services per Section 4.) The schedule of performance shall be as provided in the approved Task Order, as detailed in Section 1 (Scope of Services) in the case of on-call Services, or as detailed in Section 4 in the case of Additional Services, provided in all cases that the schedule of performance shall fall within the term as provided in Section 2 (Term) of this Agreement. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 32 of 37 EXHIBIT C COMPENSATION CITY agrees to compensate CONSULTANT for Services performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and as set forth in the budget schedule below. Compensation shall be calculated based on the rate schedule attached as Exhibit C-1 up to the not to exceed budget amount for each task set forth below. CITY’s Project Manager may approve in writing the transfer of budget amounts between any of the tasks or categories listed below, provided that the total compensation for the Services, including any specified reimbursable expenses, and the total compensation for Additional Services (if any, per Section 4 of the Agreement) do not exceed the amounts set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement. CONSULTANT agrees to complete all Services, any specified reimbursable expenses, and Additional Services (if any, per Section 4), within this/these amount(s). Any work performed or expenses incurred for which payment would result in a total exceeding the maximum amount of compensation set forth in this Agreement shall be at no cost to the CITY. BUDGET SCHEDULE TASK NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT Task 1 (Public Outreach and Engagement Strategy) $94,057 Task 2 (Research & Analysis) $38,564 Task 3 Urban Design Framework $128,304 Task 4 Implementation Plan $40,832 Task 5 Environmental Clearance $8,594 Task 6 (Project Management) $39,640 Sub-total for Services $349,991 Reimbursable Expenses (if any) 0 Total for Services and Reimbursable Expenses $34,999 Additional Services (if any, per Section 4) $ 34,999 Maximum Total Compensation $384,990 REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES CONSULTANT’S ordinary business expenses, such as administrative, overhead, administrative support time/overtime, information systems, software and hardware, photocopying, telecommunications (telephone, internet), in-house printing, insurance and other ordinary business expenses, are included within the scope of payment for Services and are not reimbursable expenses hereunder. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 33 of 37 Reimbursable expenses, if any are specified as reimbursable under this section, will be reimbursed at actual cost. The expenses (by type, e.g. travel) for which CONSULTANT will be reimbursed are: NONE up to the not-to-exceed amount of: $0.00. A. Travel outside the San Francisco Bay Area, including transportation and meals, if specified as reimbursable, will be reimbursed at actual cost subject to the City of Palo Alto’s policy for reimbursement of travel and meal expenses. B. Long distance telephone service charges, cellular phone service charges, facsimile transmission and postage charges, if specified as reimbursable, will be reimbursed at actual cost. All requests for reimbursement of expenses, if any are specified as reimbursable under this section, shall be accompanied by appropriate backup documentation and information. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 35 of 37 EXHIBIT C-1 SCHEDULE OF RATES CONSULTANT’s schedule of rates is as follows: DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 RATE SCHEDULE (Rates effective through 12/31/2024) Charges for Services: Charges for basic and additional services shall be based on the following rates and are subject to revision annually: Principal-In-Charge: $250.00 per hour Consulting Principal: $205.00 per hour Urban Designer: $185.00 per hour Senior Designer: $150.00 per hour Consultant’s Time: 1.15 times consultant’s charges Automobile Travel: Prevailing IRS allowance Reimbursable Expenses/ Reproduction Costs: 1.15 times charge All other costs: Direct reimbursement Reimbursable Expenses: Reimbursable Expenses are in addition to the compensation for basic and additional services and include actual expenditures made by Urban Field Studio or its professional consultants in the interest of the Project for the expenses listed in the following subparagraphs: 1. Expense of transportation, including rental car insurance (loss damage waiver/ collision damage waiver and liability coverage), and living when traveling in connection with the Project; conference call services, and fees paid for securing approval of authorities having jurisdiction over the project. 2. Expense of reproductions including computer plotting, postage, overnight priority mail and handling of Drawings and Speciﬁcations. 3. If authorized in advance by the Owner, expense of overtime work requiring higher than regular rates and expense of renderings or models for the Owner's use. URBAN FIELD STUDIO 415.350.8257 john@urbanﬁeldstudio.com www.urbanﬁeldstudio.com DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 36 of 37 EXHIBIT D INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS CONSULTANTS TO THE CITY OF PALO ALTO (CITY), AT THEIR SOLE EXPENSE, SHALL FOR THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE IN THE AMOUNTS FOR THE COVERAGE SPECIFIED BELOW, AFFORDED BY COMPANIES WITH AM BEST’S KEY RATING OF A-:VII, OR HIGHER, LICENSED OR AUTHORIZED TO TRANSACT INSURANCE BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. AWARD IS CONTINGENT ON COMPLIANCE WITH CITY’S INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED HEREIN. REQUIRED TYPE OF COVERAGE REQUIREMENT MINIMUM LIMITS EACH OCCURRENCE AGGREGATE YES YES WORKER’S COMPENSATION EMPLOYER’S LIABILITY STATUTORY STATUTORY STATUTORY STATUTORY YES GENERAL LIABILITY, INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY, BROAD FORM PROPERTY DAMAGE BLANKET CONTRACTUAL, AND FIRE LEGAL LIABILITY BODILY INJURY PROPERTY DAMAGE BODILY INJURY & PROPERTY DAMAGE COMBINED. $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 YES AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY, INCLUDING ALL OWNED, HIRED, NON-OWNED BODILY INJURY -EACH PERSON -EACH OCCURRENCE PROPERTY DAMAGE BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, COMBINED $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 YES PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY, INCLUDING, ERRORS AND OMISSIONS, MALPRACTICE (WHEN APPLICABLE), AND NEGLIGENT PERFORMANCE ALL DAMAGES $1,000,000 YES THE CITY OF PALO ALTO IS TO BE NAMED AS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED: CONSULTANT, AT ITS SOLE COST AND EXPENSE, SHALL OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN, IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF ANY RESULTANT AGREEMENT, THE INSURANCE COVERAGE HEREIN DESCRIBED, INSURING NOT ONLY CONSULTANT AND ITS SUBCONSULTANTS, IF ANY, BUT ALSO, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION, EMPLOYER’S LIABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE, NAMING AS ADDITIONAL INSUREDS CITY, ITS COUNCIL MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES. I.INSURANCE COVERAGE MUST INCLUDE: A.A CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY ENDORSEMENT PROVIDING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CONSULTANT’S AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY CITY. II.THE CONSULTANT MUST SUBMIT CERTIFICATES(S) OF INSURANCE EVIDENCING REQUIRED COVERAGE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: HTTP://WWW.OPENGOV.COM III.ENDORSEMENT PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INSURANCE AFFORDED TO ADDITIONAL INSUREDS: A.PRIMARY COVERAGE WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE NAMED INSURED, INSURANCE AS AFFORDED BY THIS POLICY IS PRIMARY AND IS NOT ADDITIONAL TO OR CONTRIBUTING WITH ANY OTHER INSURANCE CARRIED BY OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ADDITIONAL INSUREDS. DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 Professional Services Rev. Dec.15, 2020 Page 37 of 37 B.CROSS LIABILITY THE NAMING OF MORE THAN ONE PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION AS INSUREDS UNDER THE POLICY SHALL NOT, FOR THAT REASON ALONE, EXTINGUISH ANY RIGHTS OF THE INSURED AGAINST ANOTHER, BUT THIS ENDORSEMENT, AND THE NAMING OF MULTIPLE INSUREDS, SHALL NOT INCREASE THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY UNDER THIS POLICY. C.NOTICE OF CANCELLATION 1.IF THE POLICY IS CANCELED BEFORE ITS EXPIRATION DATE FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN THE NON-PAYMENT OF PREMIUM, THE CONSULTANT SHALL PROVIDE CITY AT LEAST A THIRTY (30) DAY WRITTEN NOTICE BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF CANCELLATION. 2.IF THE POLICY IS CANCELED BEFORE ITS EXPIRATION DATE FOR THE NON-PAYMENT OF PREMIUM, THE CONSULTANT SHALL PROVIDE CITY AT LEAST A TEN (10) DAY WRITTEN NOTICE BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF CANCELLATION. IV.EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE AND OTHER RELATED NOTICES ARE REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AT THE FOLLOWING URL: HTTP://WWW.OPENGOV.COM DocuSign Envelope ID: 354AE088-777C-406F-B1B7-543AF69111C5 *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 1 Ordinance No. _____ Interim Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Temporarily Continuing the Expansion of Outdoor Dining, Retail and Other Activities on Public and Private Property and Relaxing Regulations Regarding Onsite Parking, On-Sale of Alcohol, Design/Architectural Review, Permit Fees, and Alcohol Consumption in Public Places, All to Facilitate Such Outdoor Use The Council of the City of Palo Alto ORDAINS as follows: SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows: A. On June 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5500, an emergency ordinance, in response to COVID-19 and its effects on local businesses. At that time and since then, county and state regulations related to COVID-19 have limited or curtailed many indoor activities, including dining, bars, retail, performances, and other recreational uses. B. In June 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5526, which amended and restated Ordinance 5500 on a non-emergency basis (among other changes). C. On November 8, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5533, which amended and restated Ordinance 5526 with a sunset date of June 30, 2022. D. In May 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5551, which amended and restated Ordinance 5533 to extend its provisions through December 31, 2022. E. In October and November 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5572, which amended and restated Ordinance 5551 to extend its parklet provisions through June 30, 2023 and the remainder of its provisions through December 31, 2023. F. In May 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5584 to extend the parklet provisions of this ordinance until March 31, 2024. The remainder of the ordinance will sunset on December 31, 2023 as previously adopted. G. The City Council now desires to amend and restate Ordinance 5584 to extend the on- street dining provisions of this ordinance until December 31, 2024. The remainder of the ordinance will sunset on the dates as previously adopted. SECTION 2. City Manager Authorization The City Manager or his or her designee(s) may promulgate guidelines and implementing regulations for the uses and programs described in this Ordinance as long as such regulations do not conflict with this Ordinance. *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 2 SECTION 3. Fee Waivers for Encroachment Permits and Parking Space Closures A. The permit fees set forth in the Municipal Fee Schedule are temporarily waived for applications for encroachment permits under Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 12.12.010 and Section 12.12.020, as modified by this Ordinance, to place structures and equipment in the public right-of-way (including closed streets and sidewalks) for purposes of outdoor dining and outdoor retail sales and display of wares. B. The parking space closure fee in the Municipal Fee Schedule collected by the Department of Planning and Development Services is temporarily waived for the use of a parking space(s) on-street or in a parking lot for purposes of outdoor dining and outdoor retail sales and display of wares as authorized through an encroachment permit, license, or agreement with the City. SECTION 4. Modified Review Process for Commercial Sidewalk Encroachment Permits Notwithstanding contrary provisions of PAMC Section 12.12.020, permits may be granted for commercial sidewalk encroachments for outdoor retail sales and display areas and outdoor eating areas. Permits for these purposes shall not be required to undergo and complete design review by the Planning Department described in subsection (d) of Section 12.12.020. Except as expressly modified herein, the provisions of Section 12.12.020 shall apply to commercial sidewalk encroachments. SECTION 5. Eating and Drinking Establishments Eating establishments, and drinking establishments may temporarily relocate some or all of their existing indoor seating capacity to outdoor seating capacity, as follows: A. Location. Outdoor eating areas may be placed in one or more of the following areas: 1. Public streets temporarily closed by the City of Palo Alto, through issuance of an encroachment permit under PAMC Section 12.12.010; 2. Sidewalks through issuance of an encroachment permit under PAMC Section 12.12.020, as modified by Section 4 of this Ordinance; 3. In on-street parking spaces approved for use as temporary parklets, in accordance with the Pilot Parklet Demonstration Project as first approved by Council Resolution No. 9909 and continued by subsequent resolutions; 4. Surface parking lots that currently provide required onsite parking for the eating/drinking establishment, through issuance of an approval by the Director of Planning, or his or her designee, as described in subsections C and D of this Section, below; *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 3 5. Other outdoor areas on the eating/drinking establishment site not originally permitted for outdoor seating in the establishment’s approved site plan or planning entitlement (such as landscaped areas), through issuance of an approval by the Director of Planning, or his or her designee, in accordance with subsections C and D of this Section, below; and 6. In other areas that the Council identifies by resolution or ordinance. B. Use of Private Parking Lots – Temporary Reduction of Parking Requirements. 1. Notwithstanding the parking requirements applicable to eating/drinking establishments in Title 18 (Zoning) of the PAMC or in individual planning entitlements or approvals for eating/drinking establishments, an eating/drinking establishment may place outdoor eating areas in its parking lot, so long as at least half of the parking spaces on the subject site remain available for use by vehicles. If the establishment’s parking lot has ten or fewer parking spaces, up to 100 percent of the parking lot may be used for outdoor eating, subject to review and approval of the Planning Director or his or her designee. 2. Notwithstanding the parking requirements applicable to shopping centers and their tenant businesses in Title 18 (Zoning) of the PAMC or in individual planning entitlements or approvals for shopping centers or their tenant businesses, a shopping center with an eating/drinking establishment tenant(s) may place outdoor eating areas for such tenant business(es) in the shopping center parking lot, so long as at least half of the parking spaces on the subject site remain available for use by vehicles. C. Application. An application in a form approved by the Director of Planning shall be submitted to the Planning and Development Services Department to relocate some or all of an eating/drinking establishment’s permitted indoor restaurant seating to outdoor seating in privately-owned areas on the eating/drinking establishment site not originally permitted for outdoor eating. The Director of Planning is authorized to establish submittal requirements and procedures. Temporary Use Permits (TUP) under PAMC Section 18.42.050 may be utilized for this purpose. A TUP issued for this purpose may be valid for a specified period longer than 45 days, notwithstanding subsection (d) of Section 18.42.050. The Planning Director may extend a TUP issued prior to the effective date of this Ordinance to be valid beyond 45 days. D. Seating Layout Review. A Seating Layout Review is required to relocate some or all of an eating/drinking establishment’s permitted indoor seating to outdoor seating in privately- owned areas on the eating/drinking establishment site not originally permitted for outdoor eating. The Seating Layout Review shall be conducted by a transportation planner, planner, and/or fire inspector who will review and either approve or require modifications to the proposed outdoor seating layout based on the following criteria: *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 4 1. Seating layout does not create a safety risk and adequate pedestrian and vehicular separation is maintained, including with movable barriers as appropriate where outdoor seating is to be placed in parking lots or on-street parking spaces. 2. Seating layout accommodates appropriate vehicle and pedestrian circulation and maintains adequate paths of travel and complies with accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 3. Any tents must comply with fire codes and Palo Alto Fire Department issued standards for tents, and safety standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association for fire-resistant tents and must include an affixed manufacturer’s label stating the tent meets NFPA requirements. A State Fire Marshal seal on the tent or a certificate is needed to prove treatment. 4. Any heaters must comply with fire codes. 5. An adequate and visible barrier is placed that clearly separates the retail area from the parking area and provides sufficient protection for patrons. Adequacy shall be defined in standards and guidelines issued by the Director of Planning. 6. Other requirements established in the standards and guidelines issued by the Director of Planning. E. Fee. No fee will be charged for submittal and review of the Application and for conducting a Seating Layout Review. F. Occupancy. Total seating occupancy (including all indoor and outdoor seating) shall not exceed the overall occupancy for which the restaurant is permitted. G. Alcohol Service. Establishments that are allowed by the City to serve alcohol for onsite consumption by issuance of a conditional use permit (“CUP”) as required by PAMC Section 18.42.090 or as a legal nonconforming use, and that both have an on-sale license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) and are duly authorized by ABC to serve alcohol in outdoor areas, shall be allowed to serve alcohol for onsite consumption in such outdoor areas, notwithstanding any prohibition on outdoor alcohol service or consumption in the PAMC or planning entitlement issued under Title 18 (Zoning) of the PAMC. During the effective period of this Ordinance, establishments that meet the preceding requirements may expand their footprint to outdoor areas without an amendment of the CUP, notwithstanding PAMC Section 18.42.090(c). Outdoor alcohol service shall be in full compliance with ABC regulations, as amended. *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 5 H. No Architectural Review. Notwithstanding PAMC Sections 18.77.077 and 18.76.020, architectural review shall not be required for proposed outdoor eating areas or signage related to such areas during the effective period of this Ordinance. SECTION 6. Retail Establishments Retail establishments may temporarily relocate some or all of their existing customer-accessible square footage to outdoor spaces as follows: A. Location. Outdoor retail sales and display areas and outdoor eating areas may be placed in one or more of the following areas: 1. Public streets temporarily closed by the City of Palo Alto, through issuance of an encroachment permit under PAMC Section 12.12.010; 2. Sidewalks through issuance of an encroachment permit under PAMC Section 12.12.020, as modified by Section 4 of this Ordinance; 3. Surface parking lots that currently provide required onsite parking for the retail establishment, through issuance of an approval by the Director of Planning, or his or her designee, as described in subsections C and D of this Section, below; 4. Other outdoor areas on the retail establishment site not originally permitted for retail sales and display or dining in the retail establishment’s approved site plan or planning entitlement (such as landscaped areas), through issuance of an approval by the Director of Planning or his or her designee in accordance with subsections C and D of this Section, below; and 5. In other areas that the Council identifies by resolution or ordinance. B. Use of Private Parking Lots – Temporary Reduction of Parking Requirements. 1. Notwithstanding the parking requirements applicable to retail establishments in Title 18 (Zoning) of the PAMC or in individual planning entitlements or approvals for retail establishments, a retail establishment may conduct outdoor retail sales and display and may place outdoor eating areas in its parking lot, so long as at least half of the parking spaces on the subject site remain available for use by vehicles. If the establishment’s parking lot has ten or fewer parking spaces, up to 100 percent of the parking lot may be used for outdoor dining/retail, subject to review and approval of the Planning Director or his or her designee. 2. Notwithstanding the parking requirements applicable to shopping centers and their tenant businesses in Title 18 (Zoning) of the PAMC or in individual planning entitlements or approvals for shopping centers or their tenant businesses, a shopping *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 6 center with a retail establishment tenant(s) may place outdoor retail sales and display areas and outdoor eating areas for such tenant business(es) in the shopping center parking lot, so long as at least half of the parking spaces on the subject site remain available for use by vehicles. C. Application. An application in a form approved by the Director of Planning shall be submitted to the Planning and Development Services Department to relocate some or all of a retail establishment’s customer-accessible square footage to outdoor retail sales and display in privately-owned areas on the retail establishment site not originally permitted for outdoor retail sales and display. The Director of Planning is authorized to establish submittal requirements and procedures. Temporary Use Permits (TUP) under PAMC Section 18.42.050 may be utilized for this purpose. A TUP issued for this purpose may be valid for a specified period longer than 45 days, notwithstanding subsection (d) of Section 18.42.050. The Planning Director may extend a TUP issued prior to the effective date of this Ordinance to be valid beyond 45 days. D. Merchandise or Seating Layout Review. A Layout Review is required to relocate some or all of an retail establishment’s permitted indoor customer-accessible square footage to privately-owned areas on the retail establishment site not originally permitted for retail. The Layout Review shall be conducted by a transportation planner, planner, and/or fire inspector who will review and either approve or require modifications to the proposed retail layout based on the following criteria: 1. The placement of the merchandise, displays, or other items does not create a safety risk and adequate pedestrian and vehicular separation is maintained, including with movable barriers as appropriate where outdoor seating is to be placed in parking lots or on-street parking spaces. 2. The layout accommodates appropriate vehicle and pedestrian circulation and maintains adequate paths of travel and complies with accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 3. Any tents must comply with fire codes and Palo Alto Fire Department issued standards for tents, and safety standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association for fire-resistant tents and must include an affixed manufacturer’s label stating the tent meets NFPA requirements. A State Fire Marshal seal on the tent or a certificate is needed to prove treatment. 4. Any heaters must comply with fire codes. 5. An adequate and visible barrier is placed that clearly separates the retail area from the parking area and provides sufficient protection for patrons. Adequacy shall be defined in standards and guidelines issued by the Director of Planning. *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 7 6. Other requirements established in the standards and guidelines issued by the Director of Planning. E. Fee. No fee will be charged for submittal and review of the Application and for conducting a Layout Review. F. No Architectural Review. Notwithstanding PAMC Sections 18.77.077 and 18.76.020, architectural review shall not be required for proposed outdoor retail areas or signage related to such areas during the effective period of this Ordinance. SECTION 7. Compliance with Other Regulations, Orders and Approvals The uses of public and private property allowed in this Ordinance shall be conducted in compliance with any applicable state or county mandate (including executive orders and health orders), this Ordinance, Resolution No. 9909 and its successors, and all other local and state regulations, orders, and approvals, as applicable (collectively, “Applicable Law”). Any approval, allowance or permit to conduct such temporary outdoor use(s) shall be subject to revocation by the issuing City official if the use is conducted in violation of Applicable Law, or poses a threat to public health, safety or welfare. SECTION 8. No Vested Rights The outdoor uses of public and private property allowed in this Ordinance are temporary and shall be terminated upon the earlier of the date stated in the applicable permit/approval or the expiration of this interim Ordinance, unless earlier revoked by the City Manager or other authorized official (or their designee) or terminated by action of the City Council. The City may discontinue one or more, or all, of the allowed outdoor uses at any time if the City Manager or designee determines that the public health, safety or welfare warrant such action. Nothing in this Ordinance shall establish a vested right. SECTION 9. Suspension of Prohibition on Alcohol Consumption in Lytton Plaza and Cogswell Plaza Notwithstanding PAMC Sections 22.04.330 and 22.04.331, the City Manager is authorized to suspend the prohibition on consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lots adjacent to Lytton Plaza and Cogswell Plaza. SECTION 10. Use of City Parking Lots for Reopening Activities A. The City Manager, or his or her designee (“City Manager”), is authorized to permit outdoor dining, retail and other activities necessary to facilitate the reopening of businesses, in public parking lots owned by the City, subject to the City Manager’s adoption of rules, regulations, guidelines, and standards for such use (“Regulations”), and publication of such Regulations on the City’s website. Use of parking lots, or portions *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 8 thereof, by a business shall require a license or other agreement, including an agreement to indemnify and hold harmless the City, and provision of insurance. B. The City Manager is authorized to waive any fee in the Municipal Fee Schedule associated with the temporary use of parking areas for the purposes identified in Section A above. C. Notwithstanding PAMC Section 9.04.020, the City Manager is authorized to suspend the prohibition on consumption of alcoholic beverages in any City owned parking lot. SECTION 11. Personal Services, Indoor Recreation and Other Uses The authorized outdoor uses of public and private spaces authorized in this Ordinance may be applied to personal services, indoor recreation and other uses. Prior to authorizing these additional activities to occur, the City Manager, or his or her designee (“City Manager”), shall adopt rules, regulations, guidelines, and standards for these uses, and publish them on the City’s website. SECTION 12. Severability If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 13. Environmental Review The Council finds that the Ordinance is categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15304(e) (minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment). SECTION 14. Effective Date This Ordinance shall be effective 31 days after adoption. Subject to future Council action, the provisions of this ordinance allowing eating and drinking establishments, retail establishments, and other uses on temporarily closed streets in Sections 5, 6, and 11 of this Ordinance shall remain in effect until December 31, 2024. The remainder of the provisions in sections 5, 6, 10, and 11, including those provisions allowing parklets, shall remain in effect until March 31, 2024. SECTION 15. Uncodified This Ordinance shall not be codified. *NOT YET APPROVED* 20231024_ts24 9 SECTION 16. Supercedes Ordinance 5584. As of the effective date of this Ordinance, this Ordinance shall supercede Ordinance 5584, and any conflict shall be resolved in favor of this Ordinance. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: NOT PARTICIPATING: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Public Works ____________________________ Director of Planning & Development Services *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 1 Resolution No. _____ Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Extending the City Manager’s Authority to Temporary Close a Portion of California Avenue Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101 to Facilitate Outdoor Dining, Retail, and Other Uses R E C I T A L S A. On June 23, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution No. 9909 approving the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue, University Avenue and certain other Downtown streets through Labor Day 2020 to allow for outdoor dining and retail on those streets, consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order in effect. The street closures were part of a Summer Streets Program initiated by the City to accommodate outdoor uses at a time when indoor dining remained prohibited in the County and the growing scientific evidence showed a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission outdoors compared to indoors. At that time, the City anticipated that indoor dining would be allowed to resume in the County, as had been allowed in neighboring counties, and sought to address the immediate needs of the community including residents, workers and businesses that had been severely impacted by loss of business activity and revenue. B. Through Resolution No. 9909 the Council also approved a temporary pilot parklet program to allow parklets to be installed in on-street parking spaces on an expedited and temporary basis to provide more space for outdoor dining. C. On July 2, 2020, the County Public Health Officer issued a revised Shelter in Place Order, to become effective on July 13, 2020, that allowed certain additional activities to resume if specified strict across-the-board risk reduction measures were followed. The objective was to allow activities that were already allowed in surrounding jurisdictions, which had reopened more quickly than Santa Clara County, so long as the prescribed risk reduction measures were followed. D. On July 7, 2020, the State approved Santa Clara County’s requested variance that allowed the revised Shelter in Place Order to go into effect on July 13, 2020. E. However, with the number of COVID-19 cases dramatically increasing again in the State, on July 13, 2020, the Governor announced a sweeping roll back of the reopening that the State had allowed. The State mandated that all counties close certain indoor operations, including in-restaurant dining. For counties on the State’s monitoring list for 3 consecutive days (and thus placed on the State “watchlist”), the State required the closure of additional industries or activities unless they could be modified to operate outside or by pick-up; these included gyms and fitness centers, places of worship and cultural ceremonies, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops, and shopping malls. *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 2 F. Through the summer, the United States including “hot spots” like California continued to hit new highs in confirmed cases and deaths, as the loosening of shelter-in-place restrictions had precipitated a resurgence of the virus in many states, including California. As of July 27, 2020, the State was averaging nearly 10,000 new COVID-19 cases per day, and hospitals and their intensive care units were filling up. Thirty-seven counties representing 93% of the State’s population were on the State’s watchlist, and California had 460,550 confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 8,445 deaths. G. On August 10, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution No. 9911, which amended Resolution 9909, to extend until December 31, 2020 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders. Resolution No. 9911 also extended the temporary parklet program to September 7, 2021. H. Since August 2020, the County Public Health Officer issued a Risk Reduction Order on October 5, 2020, which coincided with the County moving into the orange tier under the State’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” tiered restriction system. I. However, on November 16, 2020, the State moved Santa Clara County two steps from the orange/moderate tier to the purple/widespread tier (the highest risk tier) due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases statewide. On that date, the County reported 388 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total to 28,686. As of November 17, 2020, California reported 1,029,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 18,263 deaths, and 94.1% of the State’s population was now in the purple tier (according to the Governor’s Office). The State’s rules for the purple/widespread tier mandate that restaurants and gyms cannot have indoor service and retail stores may only have 25% capacity indoors. J. On December 14, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution 9933, which amended Resolution 9099, to extend until May 31, 2021 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders. K. On March 3, 2021, the State moved Santa Clara County one step down from the purple/widespread tier to the red/substantial tier. As of March 16, 2021, the County reported a cumulative total of 112,909 COVID cases and 1,867 deaths. L. On May 10, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 9954, which further amended Resolution 9099 to extend until October 31, 2021 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders. *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 3 M. On June 7, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 9962. Resolution 9962 amended and restated Section 4 of Resolution 9909 regarding the pilot parklet program on a non- emergency basis. N. On June 15, 2021, the State of California eliminated the Blueprint for a Safer Economy system of COVID-related rules and restrictions (also known as the color-tier system) amidst improvements in public health data and increasing availability of the COVID vaccine. The City of Palo Alto rescinded its declaration of local emergency on July 1, 2021. O. On September 13, 2021 the Council voted to extend the street closures of portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street through June 30, 2022 to allow for the continued use of these streets for outdoor dining and other activities as may be allowed. The Council voted on each street separately and Resolution 9987 extended the closure of California Avenue only; a separate resolution (no. 9988) extended the closure of Ramona Street. At the same meeting, the Council directed the City Manager to open the portion of University Avenue which was closed by Resolution 9909 and its successors on October 15, 2021. P. On May 16, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 10040, which amended and restated Resolution 9987 to continue its provisions until December 31, 2023. Q. The City Council now desires to continue the provisions of Resolution 10040 until December 31, 2024. NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The Council hereby adopts the above Recitals as findings of the Council. SECTION 2. Supersedes Resolution 10040. This Resolution shall supersede Resolution 10040, which is rescinded as of the effective date of this Resolution. SECTION 3. Extension of Temporary Street Closure A. The following street is hereby closed to any and all vehicular traffic through December 31, 2023, in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e), to facilitate the temporary uses of outdoor dining, retail, and other permitted uses: 1. California Avenue from Birch Street to El Camino Real. B. The City Manager is authorized to determine the days, hours and duration of the temporary street closure(s) within the period specified in Section A, with reasonable notice provided, and whether exceptions to the closure *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 4 shall be made for municipal purposes. The City Manager is also authorized to close only part of the street authorized for closure in Section A. SECTION 4. The Council finds that this Resolution is categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15304(e) (minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment). SECTION 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: __________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: __________________________ _____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager _____________________________ Director of Public Works _____________________________ Chief Transportation Official _____________________________ Director of Planning and Development Services *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 1 Resolution No. ___ Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Extending the City Manager’s Authority to Temporary Close a Portion of Ramona Street Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101 to Facilitate Outdoor Dining, Retail, and Other Uses R E C I T A L S A. On June 23, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution No. 9909 approving the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue, University Avenue and certain other Downtown streets through Labor Day 2020 to allow for outdoor dining and retail on those streets, consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order in effect. The street closures were part of a Summer Streets Program initiated by the City to accommodate outdoor uses at a time when indoor dining remained prohibited in the County and the growing scientific evidence showed a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission outdoors compared to indoors. At that time, the City anticipated that indoor dining would be allowed to resume in the County, as had been allowed in neighboring counties, and sought to address the immediate needs of the community including residents, workers and businesses that had been severely impacted by loss of business activity and revenue. B. Through Resolution No. 9909 the Council also approved a temporary pilot parklet program to allow parklets to be installed in on-street parking spaces on an expedited and temporary basis to provide more space for outdoor dining. C. On July 2, 2020, the County Public Health Officer issued a revised Shelter in Place Order, to become effective on July 13, 2020, that allowed certain additional activities to resume if specified strict across-the-board risk reduction measures were followed. The objective was to allow activities that were already allowed in surrounding jurisdictions, which had reopened more quickly than Santa Clara County, so long as the prescribed risk reduction measures were followed. D. On July 7, 2020, the State approved Santa Clara County’s requested variance that allowed the revised Shelter in Place Order to go into effect on July 13, 2020. E. However, with the number of COVID-19 cases dramatically increasing again in the State, on July 13, 2020, the Governor announced a sweeping roll back of the reopening that the State had allowed. The State mandated that all counties close certain indoor operations, including in-restaurant dining. For counties on the State’s monitoring list for 3 consecutive days (and thus placed on the State “watchlist”), the State required the closure of additional industries or activities unless they could be modified to operate outside or by pick-up; these included gyms and fitness centers, places of worship and cultural ceremonies, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops, and shopping malls. *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 2 F. Through the summer, the United States including “hot spots” like California continued to hit new highs in confirmed cases and deaths, as the loosening of shelter-in-place restrictions had precipitated a resurgence of the virus in many states, including California. As of July 27, 2020, the State was averaging nearly 10,000 new COVID-19 cases per day, and hospitals and their intensive care units were filling up. Thirty-seven counties representing 93% of the State’s population were on the State’s watchlist, and California had 460,550 confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 8,445 deaths. G. On August 10, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution No. 9911, which amended Resolution 9909, to extend until December 31, 2020 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders. Resolution No. 9911 also extended the temporary parklet program to September 7, 2021. H. Since August 2020, the County Public Health Officer issued a Risk Reduction Order on October 5, 2020, which coincided with the County moving into the orange tier under the State’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” tiered restriction system. I. However, on November 16, 2020, the State moved Santa Clara County two steps from the orange/moderate tier to the purple/widespread tier (the highest risk tier) due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases statewide. On that date, the County reported 388 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total to 28,686. As of November 17, 2020, California reported 1,029,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 18,263 deaths, and 94.1% of the State’s population was now in the purple tier (according to the Governor’s Office). The State’s rules for the purple/widespread tier mandate that restaurants and gyms cannot have indoor service and retail stores may only have 25% capacity indoors. J. On December 14, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution 9933, which amended Resolution 9099, to extend until May 31, 2021 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders. K. On March 3, 2021, the State moved Santa Clara County one step down from the purple/widespread tier to the red/substantial tier. As of March 16, 2021, the County reported a cumulative total of 112,909 COVID cases and 1,867 deaths. L. On May 10, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 9954, which further amended Resolution 9099 to extend until October 31, 2021 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders. *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 3 M. On June 7, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 9962. Resolution 9962 amended and restated Section 4 of Resolution 9909 regarding the pilot parklet program on a non- emergency basis. N. On June 15, 2021, the State of California eliminated the Blueprint for a Safer Economy system of COVID-related rules and restrictions (also known as the color-tier system) amidst improvements in public health data and increasing availability of the COVID vaccine. The City of Palo Alto rescinded its declaration of local emergency on July 1, 2021. O. On September 13, 2021 the Council voted to extend the street closures of portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street through June 30, 2022 to allow for the continued use of these streets for outdoor dining and other activities as may be allowed. The Council voted on each street separately and Resolution 9988 extended the closure of Ramona Street only; a separate resolution (no. 9987) extended the closure of California Avenue. At the same meeting, the Council directed the City Manager to open the portion of University Avenue which was closed by Resolution 9909 and its successors on October 15, 2021. P. On May 16, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 10039, which amended and restated Resolution 9988 to continue its provisions until December 31, 2023. Q. The City Council now desires to continue the provisions of Resolution 10039 until December 31, 2024. NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The Council hereby adopts the above Recitals as findings of the Council. SECTION 2. Supersedes Resolution 10039. This Resolution shall supersede Resolution 10039, which is rescinded as of the effective date of this Resolution. SECTION 3. Extension of Temporary Street Closure A. The following street is hereby closed to any and all vehicular traffic through December 31, 2024, in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e), to facilitate the temporary uses of outdoor dining, retail, and other permitted uses: 1. Ramona Street from University Avenue to Hamilton Avenue. B. The City Manager is authorized to determine the days, hours and duration of the temporary street closure(s) within the period specified in Section A, with reasonable notice provided, and whether exceptions to the closure *NOT YET ADOPTED* 20231024_ts24 4 shall be made for municipal purposes. The City Manager is also authorized to close only part of the street authorized for closure in Section A. SECTION 4. The Council finds that this Resolution is categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15304(e) (minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment). SECTION 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: __________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: __________________________ _____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager _____________________________ Director of Public Works _____________________________ Chief Transportation Official _____________________________ Director of Planning and Development Services Fall 2022-Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report Car-free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Fukuji Architecture and Planning Fehr & Peers May 2023 Prepared for: City of Palo Alto, California Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 2 of 24 TABLE OF CONTENTS ASSIGNMENT................................................................................................................................... 3 UPLIFT LOCAL CAR-FREE STREETS INITIATIVE ........................................................................................................................ 3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT .......................................................................................................... 4 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 STAKEHOLDERS AND OUTREACH METHODS.......................................................................................................................... 4 ENGAGEMENT PROCESS ................................................................................................................................................... 5 CONTEXT SETTING........................................................................................................................... 6 IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON CITIES ................................................................................................................................. 6 LESSONS LEARNED FROM PEDESTRIAN MALLS ...................................................................................................................... 8 REVITALIZING MAIN STREET .............................................................................................................................................. 9 INTERIM STREET TRANSFORMATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 10 STREET CHARACTER & VITALITY.................................................................................................... 11 CALIFORNIA AVENUE ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 RAMONA STREET .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES ....................................................................................................... 14 LOCAL BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ......................................................................................................................... 14 COMMUNITY MEMBERS................................................................................................................................................. 17 CONSENSUS BUILDING .................................................................................................................. 19 CALIFORNIA AVENUE ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 RAMONA STREET .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 MOVING FORWARD ...................................................................................................................... 21 DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ........................................................................................................................................... 21 UPCOMING STUDY ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS ............................................................................................................................................... 23 Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 3 of 24 “Even 10 years ago, reclaiming streets from cars to create space for people to walk and to bike was considered a radical - almost revolutionary - act. Today, people-focused streets are a proven global best practice and the first-line response for transportation and transit agencies during COVID-19 crisis, from Berlin to Brussels.” Jannette Sadik-Kahn Chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials ASSIGNMENT U PLIFT L OCAL C AR -FREE S TREETS I NITIATIVE The City Council authorized Car-free Streets early in the COVID-19 pandemic as an economic recovery effort and to provide community members with outdoor spaces to gather socially distant. The Uplift Local Car-free Streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street initiative is a Council-supported effort enabling outdoor dining, retail, and personal services in business districts such as California Avenue and the downtown core. In May 2022, the City Council extended the program through the end of 2023 and directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study various alternatives and impacts of different street configurations. From October 2022 to April 2023, City staff, Bruce Fukuji, the City’s urban design consultant and Fehr & Peers, the City’s on-call transportation consultants engaged key stakeholders and the community through meetings, interviews, focus groups, a community workshop and an online survey to better understand priorities for California Avenue and Ramona Street, and to determine the topics and themes to study and include as part of the RFP. This report summarizes the research questions, data collection and analysis, business and community perspectives and demonstration projects to invest in the transformation of California Avenue and Ramona Street to be vibrant, attractive destinations. Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 4 of 24 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT O BJECTIVES The objectives of the community engagement process are to: • Solicit local stakeholder and community perspectives regarding current issues, opportunities for change and potential near-term projects to advance the Car-free street initiative. • Receive feedback on a potential scope of work for an RFI (Request for Information) or RFP (Request for Proposals) to design and implement priority projects and study different potential street configurations. S TAKEHOLDER S AND O UTREACH M ETHODS To gain an in-depth understanding of key stakeholders’ perspectives with long- term interests in the California Avenue and Ramona Street, City staff and consultants undertook the following outreach: • Nearly a dozen structured interviews with business and property owners, non-profit and for-profit developers, Chamber of Commerce leadership, local architects, property managers, the Palo Alto Art Center Director, and Councilmember Pat Burt. • Two rounds of focus group meetings with: o Local business owners on California Avenue, o Local business owners on Ramona Street, and o City Commission Chairpersons • Two community meetings: an in-person Community Workshop on California Avenue, attended by over 60 people, with facilitated small group engagement followed by informal discussion with elected officials, local business owners and community members, and a subsequent online community meeting, attended by 30 people with facilitated individual feedback. • Online survey on the City’s website, viewed by 617 people with 356 responses, predominantly Palo Alto residents, with only 1 percent Palo Alto business owners, and 15 percent of respondents living outside of Palo Alto. Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 5 of 24 E NGAGEMENT P ROCESS The outreach process was organized into two phases: • Assessment – comprised of background research, context mapping, framing key questions for stakeholders and community members; conducting initial outreach; collecting data and conducting analysis; and formulating preliminary findings (Fall 2022 through Winter 2023). • Validation – comprised of conducting a second round of outreach for stakeholders and community members to validate what was learned by City staff and consultants from initial outreach, and solicit feedback on demonstration projects and upcoming Alternatives study (Winter 2023 through Spring 2023). Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 6 of 24 CONTEXT SETTING To frame the community inquiry process for the potential future of California Avenue and Ramona Street as post-pandemic, people-first streets, the following background context was shared with stakeholders as to the potential long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned from the U.S. experience of converting main streets to pedestrian malls, and current best practice on the transformation of street travel ways to multi-modal and public use. I MPACT OF THE P ANDEMIC ON C ITIES U NPRECEDENTED F ORCES C HANGING M AIN S TREET The COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered how most people go about their daily lives with huge shifts to how we move in the world, how we get groceries and food, whether we go outside, where we go, who we see, and what we do.1 2020 ushered in the trauma of COVID-19, with the world shutting down with shelter-in-place orders resulting in one half of the world’s population asked to stay home and avoid public places.2 Never had the world seen such striking images of ghostly empty city streets, parks, and cities. Five main forces are leading to long lasting transformations of cities 3 that bear on how to reconfigure California Avenue and Ramona Street: 1. Fear and avoidance of crowded public places 2. Technological transition to remote work, school and online shopping which has drastically reduced office occupancies and commuting, expanded home delivery and integrated digital life deeply into society, including over-exposure of youth to social media 3. Need adequate hygiene standards and rapid adaptability of publicly facing businesses, gathering places and infrastructure to secure the urban environment from future public health crisis’s 1 Janette Sadik-Kahn, “Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery.” National Association of City Transportation Officials, Global Designing Cities Initiative, 6/25/2020. 2 Jordi Honey-Rosse, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Public Space: an Early Review of the Emerging Questions – Design, Perceptions and Inequities,” Cities, Health and COVID- 19: Initial Reflections and Future Challenges, 21 April 2021 https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2020.1780074 3 Richard Florida, “Cities in a Post-COVID World,” Urban Studies, June 27, 2021, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00420980211018072 Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 7 of 24 4. Economic and public health inequities to frontline workers 5. Reconfiguring indoor and outdoor spatial use for social distancing N EW P RIORITIES FOR M AIN S TREET As the unparalleled disruption of daily life extended for over a year, people struggled with mental health issues with continued unemployment and working from home without childcare or school for children and teens. Public life came to a halt with State and County public health mandates. Streets became a first line of defense: The requirement of “social or physical distancing”—maintaining at least 6’ (2 m) distance between people, with significant reductions or bans on group gatherings and crowds—combined with what we know today about the transmission of this coronavirus and its increased communicability in indoor settings, requires that we reallocate our streets and sidewalks for public use during this crisis and for the future.4 With the rollout of vaccines, and a fall is cases and deaths, public health officials progressively reopened public settings for in-person use. As pandemic restrictions were slowly lifted, streets provided room for restaurants, vendors, schools, and daycare to expand outdoors, allowing businesses to re-open and people to return to the office. Public health requirements for social distancing lead to a global epiphany that cities need to completely rethink the allocation of street space for public use and economic recovery: “As we think about ways to reopen during this pandemic, its’ staring us in the face: sidewalks and street spaces are right there outside every business, restaurant, hairdresser…. particularly in the developed world, these spaces have long been underutilized, and are far more equitable distributed across cities…we can create more space for those businesses to start to move outside.5” Collectively, we experienced an immense sense of hope and relief with the return of the social life of public places, of reconnecting to friends and loved ones in person, and the affirmation of our common humanity through the daily interactions of urban life. Unfortunately, remote work and online shopping drained the life out of downtowns. The daily concentration of downtown workers evaporated, and online shopping looted the viability of small independent businesses. With communities now coming to terms with the “new normal” of 4 Ibid. 5 Carey L. Biron, “Public Space a Lifeline for Post-Lockdown Cities,” Reuters. June 15, 2020, https://news.trust.org/item/20200615091609-7dluu/ Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 8 of 24 post-pandemic economic and social life, the permanent closure of main street to vehicle traffic needs to consider the emerging needs for economic recovery and desires for social life. “The feeling of city life – people were hungry for this…as businesses expanded into the city’s closed streets…there was unimaginable enthusiasm on the first day…as competition arose [for outdoor dining space], the City had to come up with metrics for deciding which establishment would have access to which piece of public space, and this became part of a broader strategy aimed to draw in young families and new talent. This is an important factor of economic recovery, but we were thinking even more about the spirit of the City.6” Regmigijus Simasius, Mayor of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania L ESSONS L EARNED FROM P EDESTRIAN M ALLS Michael Berne, in American Downtown Revitalization Review, argues that pedestrian malls were a “good concept at the wrong time” and that [pre- pandemic], with the growing appreciation for the benefits and attraction of dense urban living, and the emergence of Business Improvement Districts, the closing a main street to vehicle traffic pedestrian mall maybe less of a “gamble” with the right fundamentals, nuanced attention and a good exit strategy.7 Research overwhelmingly indicates that closing Main Street to vehicle traffic has been an economic failure in the United States with 89 percent of “pedestrian malls” re-opening to vehicle access after experiencing increased vacancies, deteriorating retail mix, and changing retail focus from comparison/destination goods/services to convenience stores. In cities where few people lived downtown, pedestrian malls turned lifeless after work, becoming uncomfortable, threatening environments. Only 11 percent continue as pedestrian malls today8 and this is primarily due to community organizing and implementing a successful main street management program. This has resulted in low vacancy rates, higher pedestrian traffic levels and greater mix of businesses and uses for these closed streets. Civic leaders and City Planners believed main street conversions to pedestrian malls were the answer to suburbanization and the decline of downtowns because of post-World War II population investing in the American dream of single-family home ownership and relocating from the urban core to the periphery of regions. 6 Ibid. 7 Michael Berne, “Pedestrian Malls: The Newest Fad?” The American Downtown Revitalization Review, Volume 2, 2021. 8 Cole E. Judge, “The Experient of American Pedestrian Malls: Trends Analysis, Necessary Indicators for Success and Recommendations for Fresno’s Fulton Mall” Downtown Fresno Partnership, October 2013. Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 9 of 24 The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 exacerbated this trend by shifting investment from central business districts to the highways with convenient auto exits to shopping malls with free parking. Planners in the 1960’s installed over 200 pedestrian malls as an effort to lure shoppers back to downtown and bring economic development back to the core of cities.9 Pedestrian malls failed in part because these downtown locations were not able to compete with destination shopping and large chain stores at newer suburban locations, as they continued to lose tenants and offer comparatively less retail selection. Research from the Downtown Fresno Partnership on trends of American pedestrian malls found the key findings for success: • Need to be near or attached to a major anchor such as a university, or in close proximity to a beach • Designed to be short in length in terms of city blocks • Located in a city with population under 100,000 and/or a city with a major tourist location • Cities that embrace the Main Street model have experienced turnarounds in their downtowns with more investment, higher occupancy rates and more pedestrian traffic R E VITALIZING M AIN S TREET The Main Street America is a program of the National Main Street Center, established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The purpose of the program is to revitalize older and historic commercial districts and build vibrant neighborhoods and thriving economies.10 The Main Street approach offers community-based retailization strategies to transform a local economy and enhance quality of life. Foundational to this approach is the creation of a local organization to promote and manage the placemaking and economic development of the area. Expanded outdoor dining has the potential to revitalize California Avenue, create an anchor destination to attract people locally and regionally and counter the technological trends of remote life on retail use. Across the United States, communities are finding, in the aftermath of street closures and the lifting of emergency shelter-in-place orders, outdoor dining has not only allowed restaurants, cafes, and bars to stay open and survive the pandemic, it is wildly popular, giving cities a more European street life feel. This approach has 10 https://www.mainstreet.org/aboutus Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 10 of 24 statewide political support, as shown by the unanimous bipartisan California State Senate vote to approve on Senate Bill 314 the Bar and Restaurant Recovery Act.11 I NTERIM S TREET T RANSFORMATIONS In response to citizen frustration with the conventional project development process that takes several years to plan, design, environmentally analyze, bid, award, and finally construct a capital improvement, several cities are implementing short term improvements strategies, such as San Francisco’s “Quick-Build”12 projects and NACTO’s “Interim Design Strategies.”13 These efforts are identifying tools and tactics to enable cities to rapidly deliver low-cost community projects. The informal street environment of California Avenue and Ramona Street, with temporary outdoor dining, and ample travel way space, is an ideal candidate to apply this approach. Key benefits are: • Repurpose existing street infrastructure • Demonstrate new ideas • Engage and empower stakeholders • Implement change quickly • Explore and refine designs • Inspire new policies and practices The interim street transformation process relies on the City capacity to deliver improvements and creative local partnerships to take ownership to activate, program and maintain the space. 11 https://sd11.senate.ca.gov/news/20210602-senator-wiener’s-legislation-allowing- outdoor-dining-alcohol-post-pandemic-passes 12 https://www.sfmta.com/vision-zero-quick-build-projects 13 https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/interim-design-strategies/ Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 11 of 24 STREET CHARACTER & VITALITY C ALIFORNIA A VENUE H ISTORY In its heyday, California Avenue was a bustling Main Street with a theater, bookstores, camera shops, magazine shop, pharmacy, clothing, shoes, candy, ice cream, cafés, and restaurants. California Avenue is considered by residents as Palo Alto’s second “main street.” It is located within the oldest part of the city, with origins dating back to the 1850s when it was the main commercial street for the town of Mayfield, which was incorporated into Palo Alto in 1925. The closure of California Avenue across the Caltrain corridor to Alma Street with the building of the Oregon Expressway in the 1960’s reduced the accessibility and vitality of the street. The growth of Stanford Research Park, with more than 150 companies, many industry leaders in technology, brought 23,000 workers near California Avenue, providing a daytime population to support the retail and restaurant uses. A SSETS The California Avenue District has the structure of a sustainable neighborhood per LEED Neighborhood Design criteria, with its walkable street and block pattern, mixed-use, access to regional transit and proximity to a regional employment center, Stanford Research Park. California Avenue is served by a multi-modal, regional rail Caltrain station. It is locally and regionally planned as a transit-oriented neighborhood. With predominantly one and two-story buildings, California Avenue is a lower-density commercial environment with air space for multi-story mixed-use development. The California Avenue right-of-way is 90 feet wide, which is similar width to two successful pedestrian streets, Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, and the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California. California Avenue has become a lunch and evening destination for outdoor dining offering over 20 restaurants, and the Sunday Farmer’s Market is vibrant with pedestrian activity with 70 vendors. The close knit, local business community has a long standing, multi-generational presence on California Avenue. Live music is adding life to the street, with public art recalling the history of the area. Residents find California Avenue more local serving that University Avenue downtown. Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 12 of 24 C URRENT E NVIRONMENT Today, California Avenue is open to pedestrians and closed to through vehicle traffic from El Camino Real to Birch Street. California Avenue is more local serving than the University Avenue/Downtown, and it is the closest business district to employees and visitors to Stanford Research Park and portions of Stanford University. Electrification of Caltrain by 2024 can increase service and improve travel times for riders at California Avenue Caltrain Station, further improving regional transportation access. 67 percent of survey respondents visit California Avenue at least once a week, and 1/3 visit several times a week. 90 percent visit for outdoor dining, and 2/3 attend the farmer’s market. Half of visitors go to grocery shopping or to a café, 40 percent to retail shops, and 25 percent use professional services. Key concerns for California Avenue: • Undifferentiated space with travel way markings • Too many vacancies • Loss retail shops • Does not feel like a care-free community space • Tents ugly, no aesthetic unity • No people gathering places • Underutilized street space • No appealing storefronts or buildings • Landscaping blocks views to storefronts • Conflicts between pedestrians & bicyclists • Barriers are not inviting • Emergency lane divides street, limits creating public space • Pedestrian connections from parking have no signage, just blank walls Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 13 of 24 R AMONA S TREET H ISTORIC A SSETS Ramona Street is recognized as a Historic District in the National Registered Historic Places. The cohesive character of the architecture is in Monterey and Spanish Colonial styles with archways, balconies, wrought iron work, tile roofs of varying heights, and courtyards. C URRENT E NVIRONMENT Ramona Street is open to pedestrians and closed to vehicle traffic for a half block in between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. This portion of Ramona Street has become an outdoor dining destination downtown. Visitors enjoy the safety and community feeling of the street closure. An emergency access lane divides the street with parklets and outdoor dining lining replacing on-street parking, extending from the sidewalk into the street on both sides. 30 percent of survey respondents visit Ramona Street at least once a month, with 1/4 visiting at least once every six months. 26 percent of respondents are regular visitors at least once a week. The predominant reason to visit Ramona Street is dining for 81 percent of respondents, and over half visit a cafe. 1/3 of respondents visit for retail shopping. Challenges to be addressed to advance City Council objectives to enhance community experience and economic vibrancy of Ramona Street are: • Temporary situation is not visually attractive • Emergency lane divides street, limits creating public space • Need aesthetic standards for improvements • No gathering places • Too many vacancies • Loss of retail shops • Not enough parking • Road closure barriers not welcoming Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 14 of 24 STAKEHOLDER PERS PECTIVES L OCAL B USINESS AND P ROPERTY O WNERS C ALIFORNIA A VENUE Initial outreach to local business and property owners confirmed that, in consideration of the continued closure California Avenue to vehicle traffic, these stakeholders have the “most at stake.” Some California Avenue retailers feel they are at high risk of further economic impact with the permanent closure of the street. In the absence of compelling data otherwise, these retail business owners want to keep street open to at least a single lane of vehicle movement. Restauranteurs are the economic beneficiaries of the street closures, and want outdoor dining extended indefinitely. Several restauranteurs are appreciative of the closure of the street and the opening of outdoor dining. This has saved their businesses. Nevertheless, if outdoor dining can continue, they are indifferent if the street is re-opened to vehicles. Local business owners have several concerns regarding the future economic health of the California Avenue, citing the loss the daytime population of Stanford Research Park workers to remote work and the evaporation of destination retail due to online shopping. Retail rents are down, and vacancies reported as high as 25 percent including “shadow” vacancies, which are storefronts where lease payments are made but there are no tenants occupying the space. Restaurants are benefiting from the use of the street for outdoor dining; however, they are challenged with finding workers and the increasing costs to stay in business. While sales tax revenues have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with California Avenue contributed approximately 4 percent to the City’s sales tax revenues in 2022, small, independently owned retail business are not back to pre-pandemic Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 15 of 24 cash flows and required revenue margins.14 Several interviewees felt that today’s California Avenue: • Has no destination stores, and therefore there is no reason to go there other than for outdoor dining, groceries or to take Caltrain. For example, the now closed Keeble & Shuchat Photography store was a destination store for camera shopping, a regional attraction now lost. • Is at risk of “out–of-sight, out-of-mind,” where the closure of the street to vehicle traffic eliminating drive-by awareness of retail shops and creating a circuitous driving route to find a shop from the rear alleys and parking. The belief is that this limits attracting new retail tenants, and overtime erodes the shopper base as people forget what is there and never return. • While people like outdoor dining, there are no free places to sit or work. • Is a dirty, empty space with nothing charming to draw you to it, with no building height, or buildings worth saving. • Doesn’t have the density of housing (employment or tourism) of a major metropolitan city; unrealistic to imagine California Avenue becoming State Street in Santa Barbara. At the second California Avenue Business Owners focus group it was clear that, to attain the support of those who provided their input, to achieve the City Council’s objectives the following issues would need to be addressed: • Their need to be a high priority voice in decisions on future of street • Their interests are respected and represented, as shown by senior staff and City Council level engagement • There is an alternative that has at least a single vehicle lane that provides customers store front access, which includes exploration of parklets. • There is not a “Car-free” bias in the selection, analysis, and evaluation of alternatives • There needs to be more demonstrated progress since City Council action in February 2021 • Zoning regulations need to eliminate barriers to opening new businesses, including conditional use permits, restrictions to convert ground floor space to non-retail uses, and parking. 14 Streetsense, “Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update,” City Council Study Session Item #2 11/7/2022 Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 16 of 24 R AMONA S TREET Local business owners on Ramona Street want to see it permanently closed to vehicular traffic. Main perspectives are: • The impact the emergency access lane, which divides the street along its length in half and displaces a third of the street, significantly limits creating a destination public space. • The desire for high quality design and uniform standards for parklets, outdoor dining and street improvements that complement the historic character of the street; business and property owner willingness to invest with clear guidance and City commitment to create a high-quality environment. • A need for wayfinding and signage to direct visitors to dining on Ramona Street from University Avenue and Hamilton Avenue. • Reallocating curbside loading space along the west side of Ramona Street between University Avenue and the alley to accommodate door-to-door deliveries, passenger pick-up and drop-off and loading. • High demand for and lack of availability of bike racks. • Cars turning around in front of the Wine Room, creates confusion and vehicle congestion. At the second focus group, local business owners wanted to see Ramona Street space allocated to community use, including how to repave the street to reflect the historic architectural character of the area. They expressed concerns about street drainage, and how to provide alternatives to an emergency access lane extending the entire length of the street. Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 17 of 24 C OMMUNITY M EMBERS C ALIFORNIA A VENUE The December 2022 Community Workshop, plus the online community survey show a predominant preference to continue closure of both California Avenue (79 percent in favor) to car traffic except emergency vehicles. Additional feedback received on California Avenue includes: • Extend street closure permanently, continue outdoor dining • Reduce vacancies and loss of retail, increase diversity of retail shopping • Ensure pedestrian and bike safety, avoid conflicts, consider bike lanes • Design street to attract people to linger and shop at a vibrant pedestrian promenade, add community gathering places with street furniture and lighting and explore introducing nature areas and more trees • Need wayfinding and signage to attract attention and guide visitors to arrive and shop • Expand use of public art • Need variety of events – music, theater, and community services to both attract and serve the residents and regional visitors • Need district economic development, small business support, and anchor destination uses to ensure long-term viability • Need equity with use of public space for private economic benefit • Area underutilized, no appealing storefronts or buildings • Need aesthetic unity, consistency and beauty, street is empty without cars, but it does not feel like a car-free community place Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 18 of 24 At the April 2023 Community Meeting, comprised primarily of long-term residents who frequently visit California Avenue, the main points were: • General support for closure • Enjoyment of outdoor dining • Support for retail businesses, with a recognition of the impact of online shopping and the pandemic, and a need for the City to lift zoning restrictions for retail, and support economic development partnership for retail to be successful • Concerns on pedestrian/bike conflicts recognizing the important role of California Avenue in the city’s bicycle network • Want to see a range of alternatives: street closed to vehicles, open to vehicles with at least one-lane, with district wide traffic, and parking analysis • Broad support for demonstration projects and upcoming Alternatives study R AMONA S TREET Similarly, at the December 2022 Community Workshop and results from online the community survey show a predominant preference to continue closure of and Ramona Street (70 percent in favor) to car traffic. Additional feedback received on Ramona Street includes: • Create an outdoor dining destination (70 percent survey respondents) • New planting and streets trees that complement the historic buildings (61 percent of survey respondents) • Over half want to maintain the historic character and scale of the street, small-scale public spaces with seating and high-quality design • There is a lack of people gathering places and the loss of retail • Visitors appreciate the safety and feeling of community with the street closure Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 19 of 24 CONSENSUS BUILDING C ALIFORNIA A VENUE The closure of California Avenue to vehicular traffic, in response to the pandemic, has introduced new possibilities to reshape the use of these streets by Palo Altans and visitors to advance the city’s economic vitality, community livability, sustainability, and public health. Stakeholders have different perspectives on how to shape the future physical environment of California Avenue, as shown in Figure 1: Stakeholder Perspectives. On one hand, the discussion is divided between local retail business owners and residents on the allocation of street space for vehicle access: • Some local businesses have a strong preference for an alternative that is not car-free (a single travel lane or re-open the street except for the Farmer’s Market). • Many residents favor the closure of the street for safety, outdoor dining, and public spaces without vehicles. However, some residents feel that public gathering spaces and outdoor dining do not need use of all the street space to the complete exclusion of cars. On the other hand, local retail business owners, restauranteurs, and residents agree on several points: • California Avenue is a highly valued, frequently visited environment integral to community and economic vitality of the Palo Alto. Figure 1: Stakeholder Perspectives Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 20 of 24 • The District needs to be revived as a destination with a new identity, and that economic development, urban design, and community partnerships need to work together to realize the potential of California Avenue. • California Avenue’s wide, 90-foot right-of-way offers opportunities for restaurant, retail, and community needs to be met and create a more vibrant destination environment, by building on the assets of the area and addressing the barriers to attracting ground floor uses. • The current street environment is temporary, unattractive, and needs to change. • Retail businesses are suffering from the loss of daytime activity from Stanford Research Park employees due to remote work and the loss customers to online shopping. R AMONA S TREET Stakeholders all agree that Ramona Street, as a historic district, is an ideal setting downtown to shape a vibrant public space as an outdoor dining destination. Local business owners and community members expressed great interest in maintaining Ramona Street permanently closed to vehicle traffic, however the emergency vehicle lane dividing the street in half presents a barrier to realizing the potential to transform this street into cherished urban place. Stakeholder all agree that Ramona Street is of such importance to the downtown Palo Alto experience that it merits investment in high quality, historically respectful urban and landscape architectural design. Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 21 of 24 MOVING FORWARD The Car-free Streets effort proposes two parallel approaches to advancing the City Council’s objectives: demonstration projects and an upcoming Alternatives study. D EMONSTRATION P ROJECTS Local business owners and residents strongly supported the idea of demonstration projects to initiate immediate change. To improve the current temporary environment, the City is planning to implement the following demonstration projects for both California Avenue and Ramona Street as shown in Figures 2 and 3 California Avenue – Demonstration Projects, and Figure 4 Ramona Street – Demonstration Projects. • Install removable bollards • Flexible community spaces • Wayfinding and signage • Ground plane public art and building murals (California Avenue) U PCOMING S TUDY The following topics were presented to stakeholders for the Alternatives study. Overall, people were supportive of this approach for California Avenue and Ramona Street: • Streetscape design & amenities • Circulation • Design guidelines for private outdoor dining and public areas • Fee/pricing for use of Right-of-Way • Parking strategies • Historic resources • Signage • Legislative options • Equity & accessibility • Partnership building Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 22 of 24 Figure 2: California Avenue Demonstration Projects El Camino Real to Mimosa Lane Figure 3: California Avenue Demonstration Projects Mimosa Lane to Birch Street Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 23 of 24 S TRATEGIES FOR S UCCES S Based on what was learned from this stakeholder engagement effort, there are three transformational strategies needed to advance the City Council’s goals to enhance community experience and economic vibrancy of California Avenue: economic development, organizational capacity building, and urban design. • Economic development will need resourcefulness and creativity to establish the area’s market position and focus investment to enhance the vibrancy of the street, per Streetsense.15 • Organizational capacity building is creating a California Avenue Business Association that can take a leadership role in the revitalization of California Avenue. The leadership role needs to cultivate partnerships, build consensus, recruit staff, secure funding, focus on an economic vitality plan, placemaking and promotion of the area. Based on stakeholder engagement so far, there is no functioning California Avenue Business Association. • Urban design can improve the quality and function of the physical environment, however by itself it is insufficient to advance economic 15 City Council staff report 2/10/23. Figure 4: Ramona Street Demonstration Projects Lane Car-free Streets – Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report 24 of 24 vibrancy of California Avenue without the other two strategies leading the way. The three strategies need work together with a consensus building process among local businesses and community stakeholders to shape a vision for California Avenue. Economic development and building organizational capacity need to be prioritized. Local business concerns need to be addressed in the short- term. Demonstration projects can build trust and credibility with local business owners, but ultimately will be insufficient without these two transformational strategies. California Avenue’s wide, 90-foot right-of-way has ample space to balance economic, placemaking, and environmental considerations to create a vibrant main street destination. Stakeholders all agree that California Avenue has tremendous potential. The interviews, focus groups, community meetings, and survey have a wealth of observations and ideas about California Avenue to build upon – what brings people, what is and is not working, and desires for the future. Stakeholder agreement on goals and evaluation criteria will enable alternatives to be designed, tested, and refined. Feedback on potential benefits and impacts of each alternative will enable selection of a feasible, achievable, and optimal solution for City Council action. It will take well-managed, on-going stakeholder engagement to advance the City Council’s direction to enhance the community experience and economic vibrancy of California Avenue and Ramona Street. Fukuji Architecture & Planning 1 COMMUNITY SURVEY SUMMARY Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Fukuji Architecture and Planning Fehr & Peers April 2023 Fukuji Architecture & Planning – Car Free Streets Community Survey Results 2 S URVEY R ESULTS The on-line survey was conducted from December 7, 2022, to January 9, 2023. 617 people viewed the survey with 356 responses with approximately 18 hours of public comment. A total of 15 questions covering both California Avenue, Ramona Street and background demographics were asked. The survey question type asked is the select-all-that-apply format.1 C AL IFORNIA A VENUE 1. How often do you visit California Avenue? 67% of respondents visit California Avenue at least once a week, with 1/3 visiting several times a week, so respondents are predominantly regular visitors. 2. What brings you to California Avenue? The predominant reasons that bring visitors to California Avenue are dining for 90% of respondents and attending the Farmer’s Market for 2/3 of respondents. Half of respondents go grocery shopping or to a café. Retail shopping is at approximately 40%. Interestingly, ¼ of respondents use Caltrain and 24% use professional services, showing diversification of reasons to be at California Avenue. More respondents visit for the arts/entertainment at 10% than employment, at 5% and even less go for government or non-profit reasons. 3. What Concerns you the most about California Avenue today and in the future? Too many vacancies and loss of retail are primary concerns, at 46% and 39% respectively, with almost a ¼ of respondents feeling the area is underutilized, and 15% feeling there are no appealing storefronts and buildings. 30% of respondents observed there are no people gathering spaces, and over 1/3 felt there were other concerns not listed in the survey. Alternatively, little concern was expressed on the visibility of the store fronts to motorists driving along the street at 8 % or insufficient parking at 6%. 4. If you can have anything on California Avenue, what would you want long-term? The overwhelming response was continuation of outdoor dining at 82%, followed by 2/3 of respondents wanting public places with seating at 62% and music at 62%. Slightly less than half want to see public art (47%), retail vendors and kiosks (44%), and programmed events and activities 42%. Over ¼ of respondents want to see children’s play areas (26%), and almost 1/3 would like artisan stalls (29%) and food trucks (32%). Slightly less than 1/5 expressed interest in adult games and sports. 1 For ranking of endorsements, select-all-that-apply questions yield similar results from forced-choice questions, so this format was selected. The consultant tested forced-choice questions with the City Commissioners, and Commissioner feedback was to reduce barriers to have the survey be as direct and simple as possible. Fukuji Architecture & Planning – Car Free Streets Community Survey Results 3 5. If you were to test creative, flexible interim street design prior to permanent improvements, which options would you want to explore? The predominant preference is for closure of the street to all car traffic except emergency vehicles at 79%. A pedestrian promenade (71%) and public plazas with street furniture including movable chairs, tables, planters and lighting (69%) are preferred urban design options to explore, followed by identifying locations for future trees and nature areas (53%) and bike lanes (52%). Slow low traffic volume two-way access to local businesses (10%) and partial closure to one lane vehicle access to local business (9%) were the least desired options of respondents. R AMONA S TREET 6. How often do you visit Ramona Street? 30% of respondents visit Ramona Street at least once a month, with 1/4 visiting at least once every six months. 26% of respondents are regular visitors at least once a week. 18% visit at least once a year. 7. What brings you to Ramona Street? The predominant reasons that bring visitors to Ramona Street are dining for 81% of respondents and cafes for over ½ of respondents. 1/3 of respondents visit for retail shopping. 8. What concerns you the most about Ramona Street today and in the future? The predominant concern of respondents is a lack of people gathering places (34%). Too many vacancies and loss of retail are concerns are at 26% and 24% respectively, followed by not enough parking at 21%. The road closure barriers are of concern for 16% of respondents. ¼ of respondents felt there were other concerns not listed in the survey. 9. If you were to test creative, flexible interim street design prior to permanent improvements, which options would you want to explore? The predominant preference is for closure of the street to all car traffic except emergency vehicles at 70%. Expanding outdoor dining, (58%) and creating an urban public space (55%) are preferred urban design options to explore, followed by identifying locations for future trees and nature areas (48%) and bike lanes (42%). Slow low traffic volume two-way access to local businesses (10%) and partial closure to one lane vehicle access to local business (12%) were the least desired options of respondents. 10. If you can have anything on Ramona Street, what would you want long-term? The preferred response is creating an outdoor dining destination at 70%, followed by 61% of respondents wanting planting and streets trees that complement the historic buildings. Over half want to maintain the historic character and scale of the street (56%) and small-scale public spaces with seating (56%), followed by 43% wanting to see high quality design. Fukuji Architecture & Planning – Car Free Streets Community Survey Results 4 D EMOGRAPHICS 11. How old are you? Just under half of the respondents are over 55 years of age, and the other half of respondents are adults 25- 54. 12. Where do you live? Over half work within a short 5–10-minute bike ride of California Avenue (54%). 16% work within a short 5– 10-minute bike ride of Ramona Street in Downtown Palo Alto. Ten percent of respondents work at Stanford at less than 2%, other areas not within walking of cycling distance of California Avenue at 6%. Surprisingly, 15% of respondents live outside of Palo Alto. 13. Where do work? Approximately 1/3 work within a short 5–10-minute bike ride of California Avenue. Slightly over 20% live within a short 5–10-minute bike ride of Ramona Street in Downtown Palo Alto. Approximately 25% work at Stanford Research Park (14%) and Stanford University (11%). One quarter of respondents work outside of Palo Alto 26% and ¾ of respondents work in Palo Alto. 14. Do you own a business in Palo Alto? 99% of respondents do not own a business in Palo Alto. Only 5 respondents of 356 respondents own a business on California Avenue or Ramona Street. 1 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Contents i.Summary of responses 2 ii.Survey questions 11 iii.Individual responses 14 Summary Of Responses As of January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM, this forum had:Topic Start Topic End Attendees:617 December 7, 2022, 2:12 PM January 9, 2023, 12:00 AM Responses:356 Hours of Public Comment:17.8 QUESTION 1 How often do you visit California Avenue (pick one)? %Count Several times a week 34.5%122 At least once a week 32.5%115 At least once a month 26.3%93 At least once every 6 months 6.2%22 At least once a year 0.6%2 QUESTION 2 What brings you to California Avenue? [select all that apply] %Count Restaurants 89.8%318 Grocery store 50.6%179 Farmer's market 63.8%226 Cafe 51.4%182 2 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. %Count Retail 39.8%141 Professional services 23.7%84 Government or non-profits 3.7%13 Arts/entertainment 10.5%37 Caltrain station 24.9%88 Place of employment 5.1%18 QUESTION 3 What concerns you most about California Avenue today and in the future? [select all that apply] %Count Too many vacancies 46.0%151 Loss of retail shops 39.3%129 No people gathering places 29.9%98 No potential customers driving on the street 7.6%25 Underutilized 24.4%80 Not enough parking 6.1%20 No appealing storefronts and buildings 15.5%51 No reason to be there 6.4%21 Other 35.7%117 3 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. QUESTION 4 If you can have anything on California Avenue, what would you want long-term? [Select all that apply] %Count Outdoor dining 81.8%287 Music 62.1%218 Food trucks 31.6%111 Retail vendors and kiosks 44.2%155 Public art 46.7%164 Artisan stalls 28.8%101 Public places with seating 62.4%219 Children's play areas 25.6%90 Adult games and sports 18.2%64 Programmed events and activities 41.6%146 Other 22.8%80 QUESTION 5 If you were to test creative, flexible interim street designs prior to permanent improvements, what options would you want to explore: [Select all that apply] %Count Closure to all car traffic except emergency vehicles 79.3%276 Partial closure to one lane vehicle access to local businesses 8.9%31 4 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. %Count Slow, low volume two-way vehicle access to local businesses 10.3%36 Bike lanes 52.0%181 Pedestrian promenade 71.3%248 Public plazas with street furniture including chairs, tables, movable planters, and lighting 68.7%239 Locations for future trees and nature areas 52.6%183 Other 12.9%45 QUESTION 6 How often do you visit Ramona Street? [Select one] %Count Several times a week 8.8%28 At least once a week 17.2%55 At least once a month 30.3%97 At least once every six months 25.9%83 At least once a year 17.8%57 QUESTION 7 What brings you to Ramona Street? [Select all that apply] %Count Restaurants 80.7%251 5 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. %Count Cafes 54.7%170 Retail 31.8%99 Professional services 6.1%19 Place of employment 2.6%8 Other 10.0%31 QUESTION 8 What concerns you most about Ramona Street today and in the future? [Select all that apply] %Count Too many vacancies 26.4%61 Loss of retail shopping 23.8%55 No people gathering places 33.8%78 Road closure barriers 15.6%36 No potential customers driving past businesses 6.5%15 Emergency vehicle access 2.6%6 Not enough parking 21.2%49 Other 25.1%58 QUESTION 9 If you were to test creative, flexible interim street designs prior to permanent improvements, what options would 6 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. you want to explore: [Select all that apply] %Count Closure to all car traffic 70.2%205 Partial closure to one lane vehicle access to local businesses 11.6%34 Slow, low volume two-way vehicle access to local businesses 10.3%30 Bike lanes 41.8%122 Expand outdoor dining 58.2%170 Create an urban public space 55.5%162 Locations for future trees and nature areas 47.6%139 Other 6.5%19 QUESTION 10 Long-term, what would you like to see on Ramona Street? [Select all that apply] %Count Small scale public spaces with seating 56.1%162 Maintain historic character and scale of street 56.4%163 High-quality design 42.9%124 Planting and street trees that complement historic buildings 60.6%175 An outdoor dining destination 69.9%202 Other 11.1%32 7 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. QUESTION 11 How old are you? %Count 18-24 1.7%6 25-34 12.8%44 35-44 12.8%44 45-54 20.6%71 55+47.1%162 Prefer not to answer 4.9%17 QUESTION 12 Where do you live? %Count Downtown Palo Alto 5.2%18 Adjacent Downtown Palo Alto neighborhood within 5-to-10-minute walk 8.2%28 Within 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Ramona Street 6.7%23 Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of Ramona Street 2.6%9 Cal Ave District 6.4%22 Adjacent Cal Ave District neighborhood within 5-to- 10-minute walk 21.6%74 Within 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Cal Ave 26.5%91 Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of California Avenue 6.4%22 Stanford University 1.7%6 8 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. %Count Outside of Palo Alto 14.6%50 QUESTION 13 Where do you work? %Count Downtown Palo Alto 8.7%25 Adjacent Downtown Palo Alto neighborhood within a 5- to 10-minute walk 3.5%10 Within a 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Ramona Street 3.5%10 Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of Ramona Street 1.4%4 Cal Ave District 6.6%19 Adjacent Cal Ave District neighborhood within 5-to- 10-minute walk 10.5%30 Within a 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Cal Ave 12.5%36 Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of Cal Ave 3.1%9 Stanford Research Park 13.9%40 Stanford University 10.5%30 Outside of Palo Alto 25.8%74 QUESTION 14 Do you own a business on Cal Ave or Ramona St? 9 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. %Count Yes 1.1%4 No 98.9%350 QUESTION 15 Which business(es) do you own on Cal Ave. and/or Ramona St.? Answered 5 Skipped 351 italico 10 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. Survey Questions QUESTION 1 How often do you visit California Avenue (pick one)? • Several times a week • At least once a week • At least once a month • At least once every 6 months • At least once a year QUESTION 2 What brings you to California Avenue? [select all that apply] • Restaurants • Grocery store • Farmer's market • Cafe • Retail • Professional services • Government or non-profits • Arts/entertainment • Caltrain station • Place of employment QUESTION 3 What concerns you most about California Avenue today and in the future? [select all that apply] • Too many vacancies • Loss of retail shops • No people gathering places • No potential customers driving on the street • Underutilized • Not enough parking • No appealing storefronts and buildings • No reason to be there • Other QUESTION 4 If you can have anything on California Avenue, what would you want long-term? [Select all that apply] • Outdoor dining • Music • Food trucks • Retail vendors and kiosks • Public art • Artisan stalls • Public places with seating • Children's play areas • Adult games and sports • Programmed events and activities • Other QUESTION 5 If you were to test creative, flexible interim street designs prior to permanent improvements, what options would you want to explore: [Select all that apply] • Closure to all car traffic except emergency vehicles • Partial closure to one lane vehicle access to local businesses • Slow, low volume two-way vehicle access to local businesses • Bike lanes • Pedestrian promenade • Public plazas with street furniture including chairs, tables, movable planters, and lighting • Locations for future trees and nature areas • Other QUESTION 6 How often do you visit Ramona Street? [Select one] • Several times a week • At least once a week • At least once a month • At least once every six months • At least once a year QUESTION 7 What brings you to Ramona Street? [Select all that apply] • Restaurants 11 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. • Cafes • Retail • Professional services • Place of employment • Other QUESTION 8 What concerns you most about Ramona Street today and in the future? [Select all that apply] • Too many vacancies • Loss of retail shopping • No people gathering places • Road closure barriers • No potential customers driving past businesses • Emergency vehicle access • Not enough parking • Other QUESTION 9 If you were to test creative, flexible interim street designs prior to permanent improvements, what options would you want to explore: [Select all that apply] • Closure to all car traffic • Partial closure to one lane vehicle access to local businesses • Slow, low volume two-way vehicle access to local businesses • Bike lanes • Expand outdoor dining • Create an urban public space • Locations for future trees and nature areas • Other QUESTION 10 Long-term, what would you like to see on Ramona Street? [Select all that apply] • Small scale public spaces with seating • Maintain historic character and scale of street • High-quality design • Planting and street trees that complement historic buildings • An outdoor dining destination • Other QUESTION 11 How old are you? • Under 12 • 13-17 • 18-24 • 25-34 • 35-44 • 45-54 • 55+ • Prefer not to answer QUESTION 12 Where do you live? • Downtown Palo Alto • Adjacent Downtown Palo Alto neighborhood within 5-to-10-minute walk • Within 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Ramona Street • Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of Ramona Street • Cal Ave District • Adjacent Cal Ave District neighborhood within 5-to-10-minute walk • Within 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Cal Ave • Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of California Avenue • Stanford University • Outside of Palo Alto QUESTION 13 Where do you work? • Downtown Palo Alto • Adjacent Downtown Palo Alto neighborhood within a 5- to 10-minute walk • Within a 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Ramona Street • Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of Ramona Street • Cal Ave District • Adjacent Cal Ave District neighborhood within 5-to-10-minute walk • Within a 5-to-10-minute bicycle trip to Cal Ave • Within Palo Alto, but not walking or cycling distance of Cal Ave • Stanford Research Park • Stanford University • Outside of Palo Alto QUESTION 14 12 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. Do you own a business on Cal Ave or Ramona St? • Yes • No QUESTION 15 Which business(es) do you own on Cal Ave. and/or Ramona St.? 13 | www.opentownhall.com/12434 Created with OpenGov | January 9, 2023, 4:43 PM Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street Visioning Share input on the future of car free streets: California Avenue and Ramona Street. Car Free Streets: California Avenue Ramona Street City of Palo Alto April 2023 Fukuji Architecture & Planning Fehr and Peers NACTO Global Street Design GuideRamona Street California Avenue Agenda 1.Welcome & Introductions 2.Outreach Findings •Cal Ave •Ramona Street •Feedback 3.Two Project Approach •Demonstration Projects •Upcoming Study topics •Feedback 4.Next Steps •Validate outreach findings •Receive feedback on: •Demonstration projects •Upcoming study topics Meeting Objectives Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street City Council effort to: •Enhance community experience and economic vibrancy of Palo Alto •Engage community, businesses & property owners •Advance interim and permanent street configurations Community & Stakeholder Outreach •Project Website •12 Interviews •Local businesses, property owners & managers, non-profit leaders, Chamber of Commerce, elected officials, developers •3 Focus Groups 11/17 –12/1 •Ramona Street Business Owners •California Avenue Business Owners •Chairpersons of City Commissions •12/7/22 Community Workshop -60 attendees •Online Community Survey -356 responses! Cal Ave Business Owners Community Workshop Outreach Meetings Identifying Opportunities, Concerns, and Priorities for Cal Ave and Ramona Street California Avenue Outreach Findings What brings you to Cal Ave? Online Survey 24% 25% 40% 51% 51% 64% 90% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Services Caltrain Retail shops Café Grocery Farmer's market Restaurants percentFarmer’s Market Restaurants What concerns you about Cal Ave? Online Survey Former Bank California Hotel 46% 39% 30% 24% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Too many vacancies Loss of retail shops No people gathering places Underutilized What would you like to see on Cal Ave? Online Survey 82% 62%62% 44%42% 32%29% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Outdoor dining Public places with seating Music Retail vendors & kiosks Events Food trucks Artisan stalls Public Spaces with Seating & Music Outdoor Dining Cal Ave –Perspectives on Street Closure Want at least one vehicle lane open Zoning too restrictive to attract tenants Build outdoor dining to destination Need daytime vitality Can’t attract tenants,erodes shopper base RETAILERS “We’re at high risk to further impacts with permanent closure” RESTAURANTEURS “Outdoor dining saved our business” Customers enjoy outdoor dining Need signage from parking to shops Need shops open before & after dinner Heaters essential RESIDENTS “Close street permanently” Ped/bike safetyDoesn’t feel like community space Desire events Need community gathering places Retail Diversity Support small business retention Cal Ave Assets •Historic Main Street •Walkable •90-foot ROW •Recent streetscape improvements & parking structure •Farmer’s Market •Higher density & mixed-use •Regional transit •Pedestrian connections from parking •Public art Cal Ave Challenges No aesthetics Vacancies Retail invisibility UnderutilizedNot inviting Divided Ped/bike conflicts Disorganized Ramona Street Outreach Findings What brings you to Ramona Street? Online Survey 6% 32% 55% 81% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Services Retail shops Cafés Restaurants percent Restaurants What concerns you about Ramona Street? Online Survey No gathering places 16% 21% 24%26% 34% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Road closure barriers Not enough parking Loss of retail shops Too many vacancies No gathering places What would you like to see on Ramona Street? Online Survey 70% 61% 50%50% 43% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Outdoor dining destination New planting & street trees Maintain the historic character Small-scale public spaces with seating High-quality design Outdoor Dining Destination Business Owner Perspectives •Customers love street closure, supports business •Temporary situation is not visually attractive •Emergency lane divides street,limits creating public space •Need aesthetic standards for improvements •Willing to invest long-term if City commits to permanent street closure Feedback Ground Rules Give everyone a chance to contribute Share by ”raising your virtual hand” When called on unmute yourself If having a technical problem, contact Ozzy Arce at Ozzy.Arce@CityofPaloAlto.org Cal Ave & Ramona Street Feedback Community Outreach •Did we capture the high-priority opportunities and concerns? •Any gaps? Two Project Approach Initiating immediate and near-term change to Cal Ave Demonstration Projects Upcoming Study as directed by City Council Demonstration Projects Install removable bollards Flexible community spaces Ground plane public art Wayfinding and signage Demonstration Projects –Removable Bollards Replacing barriers to create safe and inviting public spaces on Cal Ave & Ramona Street Contemporary removable bollards for Cal Ave Traditional removable bollards for Ramona Street Demonstration Projects –Flexible Spaces Activating public spaces on Cal Ave and Ramona Street Outdoor living rooms Seating for Individuals and small groups Space for events and games Demonstration Projects –Ground Plane Art Creating public art on Cal Ave Street Murals Commissioned Artists, Community Members and City Staff Mural –Fort Collins, Colorado Demonstration Projects –Wayfinding & Signage Communicating walking route information to Cal Ave and Ramona Street destinations Walking Distance Directional Signs to Destinations Cal Ave -Demonstration Project Locations El Camino Real to Mimosa Lane Cal Ave -Demonstration Project Locations Mimosa Lane to Birch Street Ramona Street -Demonstration Project Locations University Avenue to Hamilton Avenue Upcoming Study Topics Upcoming Study Topics Alternatives Analysis & Implementation Plan •Streetscape design & amenities •Circulation •Design guidelines for private outdoor dining and public areas •Fee/pricing for use of Right-of-Way •Parking strategies •Historic resources •Signage •Legislative options •Equity & accessibility •Partnership building Cal Avenue & Ramona Street Feedback Demonstration Projects •Feedback on the demonstration projects? •Thoughts on the proposed locations? •Feedback on additional locations for demonstration projects? Upcoming Studies •What are the highest priority topics for City Council consideration? Next Steps 1.Implement demonstration projects this summer! 2.Release the Scope of Work/RFP for the Alternatives Analysis study, as directed by Council 3.Council approval of contract for the Alternatives Analysis study once a preferred consultant is identified For More Information Project Website: CityofPaloAlto.org/CarFreeStreets Project Contact:Ozzy Arce, Senior Transportation Planner Ozzy.Arce@CityofPaloAlto.org Car Free Streets: California Avenue Ramona Street City of Palo Alto December 7, 2022 Fukuji Architecture & Planning Fehr and Peers NACTO Global Street Design Guide Car Free Streets: California Avenue & Ramona Street City Council effort to: •Enhance community experience and economic vibrancy of Palo Alto •Engage community, businesses & property owners •Advance interim and permanent street configurations 1.Welcome & Introductions 2.Presentation 3.Small Group Activity 4.Next Steps Ramona Street California Avenue •Listen to community perspectives and ideas •Present best practices •Input on draft work plan Agenda Objectives Reshaping a Post Pandemic Main Street Challenges for California Avenue © 2022 Google © 2022 Google © 2022 Google 2022 Post-Pandemic 2019 Pre-Pandemic 3RD Street Promenade -Santa Monica, California DOWNTOWN BOULDER RETAIL/VIBRANCY STUDY MARCH 2018 Pearl Street –Boulder, Colorado Lessons Learned: Successful Pedestrian Main Streets Creating Central Destination for Downtown Economic Vitality Google Earth City of Santa Monica City of Santa Monica City of Boulder Lessons Learned: Pedestrian Mall Conversions Reintroducing cars -placemaking and walkability with increasing visibility with local vehicle access Fresno, California: 1964 Fulton Street Closed; 2017 Converted to 2-way Street with 1960’s Art Kalamazoo, Michigan: 1959 Nation’s First Pedestrian Mall; 1998 Converted to a One-Way Street Google Earth Google Earth City of Fresno Kalamazoo City Museum Lessons Learned: Elements for Success Vibrant Main Streets are the result of comprehensive management and revitalization Main Street America Resource Guide National Main Street Center and National Trust for Historic Preservation Benefits •Demonstrate new ideas •Engage and empower stakeholders •Implement change quickly •Explore and refine designs •Inspire new policies and practices National Association of City Transportation Officials Post Pandemic Opportunity: Interim Street Transformations Reprioritizing Transportation Infrastructure for Public Use Process for Reshaping Streets NACTO Global Street Design Guide 1. Plan 2. Design 3. Implement4. Test Thursday, Thursday , 5. Evaluate Thursd ay, Test system Identify Permanent improvements Street Transformations –Existing Condition Pike Street, New York New York City Department of Transportation Street Transformations –Interim Design Pike Street, New York New York City Department of Transportation Street Transformations –Capital Reconstruction Pike Street, New York New York City Department of Transportation State Street –Interim Design Santa Barbara, California State Street –Interim Design Santa Barbara, California State Street –Interim Design Santa Barbara, California State Street –Interim Design Santa Barbara, California Sunset Triangle Plaza –Interim Design Los Angeles, California City of Los Angeles Public Space Activation NACTO 2021 Grant Program -Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery 10 City/Community Partnerships Funded Baltimore –Denver –Fort Collins –Los Angeles –Madison –Minneapolis –Portland –San Francisco –Seattle –Washington DC Source District Bridges Local Cart VendorsCommunity Artists Indigenous CulturePop-up Library Bike Repair Station Street Murals Street Transformations –Community Visioning State Street Design Charrette, Downtown Santa Barbara, California St at e St r eet Co r r id o r - Tea m A D O W N T O W N S A N T A B A R B A R A Date: 09/24/20 Design Charrette 2020 RE:INVIGORATE INVENT IMAGINE PURPOSE Civic Center / Old Town: D e La G uerra Street O rtega Street DE LA GUERRA PLAZA PASEO NUEVO METRO 4 THEATRE EL PASEO MERCHANT KIOSKS CHILDRENS FOUNTAIN ALLEE OF REMBERANCE ARTISAN STALLS OUTDOOR SEATING Small Group Activity •Give everyone a chance to contribute •Make notes on maps or post-its to document your thoughts •This is a data collection, not decision making or consensus building •All ideas welcome ! Small Group Questions 1.What concerns you most about the closure of California Avenue to vehicle traffic? 2.If you can have anything on California Avenue what would attract the most people to visit and spend time? Next Steps 1.Update City Council 2.Summarize Outreach Results including On-line Survey 3.Develop Scope of Work 4.Focus Group Follow-up 5.Draft RFQ/RFI For More Information Project Website: CityofPaloAlto.org /CarFreeStreets Project Contact:Ozzy Arce, Senior Transportation Planner Ozzy.Arce@CityofPaloAlto.org California Avenue Existing Conditions El Camino Real to Mimosa Lane California Avenue Existing Conditions Mimosa Lane to Birch Street Ramona Street Existing Conditions University Avenue to Hamilton Avenue ꢀĂůŝĨŽƌŶŝĂꢁꢂǀĞŶƵĞꢁꢃǆŝƐƟŶŐꢁꢀŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ El Camino Real to Mimosa Lane October 13, 2023 Backyard Brew Californina Avenue OptometryBenetech (Vacant) Former Bank Club Pilates Techcu Lee Country Sun Natural FoodsAldinger InsuranceBookshare Jin Sho Jin Sho TerunTerun Flexible Community Space TerunGame Play Area: Mini Golf Flexible Community Space Mediterranean WrapsLa Bodega del Medio Kali WĂƐƟ͛Ɛ Kowa Thai Lotus La BohemeIzzy’s Bagels Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels La Bodeguita del Medio Eye Works Namaste Ramen Leaf & Vin Vino Vacant Lotus Thai Ume Tea Sekoya Lounge Boheme and LaꢀŝƟ Bank Indian Kowa Cuisine Petal Wine Kali Greek Kitchen Kitchen Campus Barber Shop Mediterranean Wrap ꢀŚƌŝƐƟĂŶ Science Reading Room Hairshaper’s Club>ĞŐĞŶĚ Pedestrian Alley/Walkway Parking LotOutdoor Dining Area Emergency Access Lane Tented Dining Area KƌĂŶŐĞꢁWůĂƐƟĐꢁꢂĂƌƌŝĞƌ Bus Stop ScaleFlexible Community Spaces/ Game Play Areas 0 ϱϬꢁŌ ꢀalŝĨŽƌŶŝaꢁꢂǀeŶƵeꢁꢃǆŝƐƟŶŐꢁꢀŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ DŝŵŽƐĂꢁ>ĂŶĞꢁƚŽꢁꢂŝƌĐŚꢁ^ƚƌĞĞƚꢁꢃǆŝƐƟŶŐꢁꢀŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ October 13, 2023 Abbey Neurodynamic Center Gallery HouseMassage Therapy Center Palo Alto Sol Omomi Lash & Permanent Makeup Anatolian Kitchen (Vacant) Former Bank The Cobblery Sun of Wolf Zombie Runner ꢀŽīĞĞ Summit Bicycles Avalon Art & Yoga Center La Jolie California Nail Spa Paint Co. Spoke & Weal Printers Cafe Moods Performance Wine Bar Gaines Gym Gamelandia The Sun of WolfCobblery Palo Alto Sol Flexible Community Space Flexible Community SpaceFlexible Community Space Ground-Plane MuralJoanie’s CafeLa Boheme Flexible Community Space iTalicoLocalZareen’sKitchensFood Hall Vacant Vacant Local Kitchens Food iTalico Vertex Ventures (Future) ^ĐƵƩůĞďƵƚ Restaurant (Future) Outdoor ^ĞĂƟŶŐꢁĨŽƌ ^ĐƵƩůĞďƵƚ Sekoya Lounge and Pure BarreLa Boheme Joanie’s Cafe KƌĂŶŐĞꢁƉůĂƐƟĐꢁZareen’s Pakistani & Indian Kitchen barriers HallKitchen Casual Chic Salon >eŐeŶĚ Pedestrian Alley/Walkway Parking LotOutdoor Dining Area Emergency Access Lane Tented Dining Area KƌĂŶŐĞꢁWůĂƐƟĐꢁꢂĂƌƌŝĞƌ Bus Stop ScaleFlexible Community Spaces/ Game Play Areas 0 ϱϬꢁŌ ZĂŵŽŶĂꢀ^ƚƌĞĞƚꢀꢁǆŝƐƟŶŐꢀꢂŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐꢀ University Avenue to Hamilton Avenue October 13, 2023 CiƟ Bank Vacant (Formerly Old Pro) Warby Parker Sweet GreenVacantNola Sweet GreenNola Ramona Street 16’20’ Wood Oven Pizza Coupa Cafe Tea Time Bistro Maxine Osteria Bistro Maxine Cardinal Barbershop OsteriaForest Spa BouƟƋue Coupa Cafe >ĞŐĞŶĚ Pamela Walsh Gallery Wood Oven PizzaMansoorVacant Tea TimeParkletParking Lot Good Emergency Access Lane KƌĂŶŐĞꢀWůĂƐƟĐꢀVibraƟons Barrier Outdoor Dining Area Bus Stop Flexible Community Spaces Pedestrian Alley/Walkway ScaleBike Corral 0 ϱ0 Ō Item No. 9. Page 1 of 3 3 4 4 0 City Council Supplemental Report From: Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official Meeting Date: November 6, 2023 Item Number: 9 Report #:2310-2194 TITLE Supplemental Memo: Update on Business Stakeholder Engagement and Additional Details on the One-Way Street Configuration Option RECOMMENDATION This supplemental memorandum transmits additional information on stakeholder engagement with the business community for Car-Free streets and presents additional considerations for implementing a one-way street with a potential bike lane (Option C in the staff report and proposed by some members of the California Avenue business community). BACKGROUND Stakeholder Engagement with the Business Community: As part of the stakeholder engagement regarding car-free streets, staff convened a meeting with members of the business community on Monday, October 30. The purpose of the meeting was to review: 1) The scope of the discussion the City Council will have on Monday, November 6 regarding Car- Free Streets 2) The opportunity for members of the business community to participate in the continued conversation regarding California Avenue and Ramona Street – both through the City Council discussion as well as the planned consultant study. The meeting had 46 attendees which included property owners, brokers, retailers, restauranteurs, and merchants operating on or near Ramona Street and in the California Avenue Business District. After discussing the staff report, the recommended action, and opportunities for members of the business community to engage in the discussion – both at City Council on November 6 as well as in the proposed project plan – the conversation turned to a moderated discussion with questions and answers. Many participants on the call voiced their support for the proposal that was published by business owners in Palo Alto Online on Friday afternoon, calling for opening one lane of traffic with a bike lane along California Avenue. There were also some businesses who advocated for Item No. 9. Page 2 of 3 3 4 4 0 keeping the street in its current configuration during the study period with additional improvements (as recommended in the staff report) and some who wanted the full re-opening of the street to vehicular traffic. Those in favor of either the one-lane “compromise” or the full reopening of the street cited potentially enhanced accessibility for patrons, increased visibility for businesses by motorists, and the need to see if vehicular traffic might ease some of the pain felt by retailers during the street closure. The restaurants in support of a one-way opening acknowledged that their outdoor dining footprint would shrink in such a configuration. Those advocating for the current configuration cited the community benefit of a car-free street and the changing nature of retail as the primary reason that some businesses were slower. Staff notes that no polling of businesses has occurred recently, so it would be difficult to characterize how widely these views are held. An additional point of feedback received during the meeting was the need to ensure sufficient access to the street for those with disabilities. Staff will be working to increase access by looking at the location of handicap parking stalls, pedestrian circulation, and incorporating improvements into the street configuration. Considerations for Implementation of a one-way street with bike lane As noted in the initial staff report, the one-way street configuration option requires additional time, evaluation, and consultation. Staff’s preliminary review of the one-way configuration and the steps and timeline involved to implement it are detailed below. This assumes an east-bound one-way vehicle travel lane from El Camino Real to Birch Street, entering on the El Camino Real side heading toward and exiting on Birch Street. Steps and Timeline o Define the scope of the project, including answering: Is the travel lane center-running, or is there a preference for using one side of the street? Open the intersection with Ash Street to vehicles too? Add a bicycle lane, and is it one or bi-directional? Would on-street parking return as part of this one-way proposal? o The scope of the project will determine the level of environmental review required. o Depending on the scope, a traffic impact study may be needed to better understand and mitigate any potential impacts of a one-way street configuration and provide technical design for the new street layout. o Coordinate signal timing and signage with Caltrans to allow for vehicles to enter the one-way street from El Camino Real. o This work may delay other ongoing Office of Transportation work to implement this interim option as soon as possible. o Approximately 4-6 months to implement following approval of the scope. Once scoped, most of the work would be on design elements and their impacts The actual work to configure the street, including the striping, would take approximately one month. Item No. 9. Page 3 of 3 3 4 4 0 Resource Needs o Design one-way street layout and prepare signing and striping plans for proposed modifications to existing striping, signage, barriers, delineators etc. to accommodate vehicular and bicycle traffic through various intersections for the project in accordance with California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and addressing concerns/recommendations of traffic study. o Contractor to install proposed signage and striping plan to implement the one-way street configuration. Funding would be required for the one-way design and installation. o Need to develop temporary City guidelines for outdoor dining areas sited near traffic on California Avenue. Consideration of parklets is possible, but it is complicated by the weekly Sunday farmers’ market as well as the use of non-parking spaces for outdoor dining on Cal Ave. o Hire a contractor to pressure-wash away the ground-plane public art mural at the intersection of Cal Ave. and Ash Street. o For temporary closures and special events, such as Third Thursdays, resources to close the street to traffic will need to be identified. o Ongoing maintenance of infrastructure once installed. Potential Business Impacts o Configuring outdoor dining next to traffic is a different context than the current configuration and will require modifications and investment. Businesses would need to align their outdoor dining with new temporary City guidelines for outdoor dining. Businesses would need to upgrade their outdoor dining design and infrastructure to allow for adjacent one-way vehicle traffic, and potentially bicycles too. This includes the need to install barriers, reflectors, and other features to enhance the safety of all on the street. o Some businesses will need to reduce or eliminate their outdoor dining footprint. Different footprint implications for each business, based on the direction and location of the one-way street. A larger footprint required if a one or bi-directional bicycle travel lane is installed. On-street barriers separating uses also take up space on the street. Given the interest in this topic and the impacts of Council direction on the street configuration, staff has provided these updates to Council through this supplemental memorandum in advance of the City Council meeting. Staff will also address these topics during the presentation for the item on November 6, 2023. ATTACHMENTS NONE APPROVED BY: Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official