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December 12, 199~
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, Cali~ornia
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~i:3cal Year 1992-93 Transoortatior: Development Act (TlJAj F,mding
for pedestrian/Bikeway Pro;ect_s
Members of the Council:
REPORT IN BRIEF
This report outlines staff recommendations for projects to be
included in the three year priority list of bikeway and pedestrian
projects in Santa Ciara county, and recommends that Counci! adopt
the attached Resolution (Attachment 2) authorizing the filing of ~n
application for 1992-93 TDA grant funds for the following projects,
listed in priority order:
2.
Project
Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard
Extension Implementation
Bicycle Lane Improvements
BACKGROUNp
.[unount
$69,000
$25,00D
In late October-, the Santa Clara Cour.ty Transportation Agency
issued a letter {Attachment 1) notifying all cities in the county
of the availability of State TDA funding for bicycle and pedestrian
facilitie.s# in the upcoming fiscal year. Grant applications are
due to the County and the Metropolitan Transportation commission
(KTC) by January 15, 1992.
Upon evaluating the project submittals from local agencies, county
staff ~ill develop a three-year plan of countywide projects for TDA
grant funding. Ho~ever, since MTC authorizes grants only for the
upcoming fiscal year# just those projects listed in the plan for
1992-93 will be recommenjed to MTC for TDA funding.
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For F'l 1992-Sl3 Santa Clara County ... i11 be entitled to approximately
$900,000 in TDA funds. Of that amount, 70 percent is distributed
to local jurisdictions on a population based ~ppo:r-tionment; the
remaininq 30 percent i6 distributed equally among the five
supE~iscrial districts fer special, irmovative projects. Cities
within each district compete fc-U,e latter tunos,
Palo Alto's minimUll:'! share of tile local Clgency funds is estimated to
be $38,000. Any project propDsals we submit would also be eligible
for some or all of the special cateqvry funds ($54,000) allocated
to Supervisorial t>istrict 5, and funds not claimed by other
jurisdictions. Historically, Palo Alto has received qrant
allocations in excess of its minimum share.
PROJECT PROPOSALS.
Last year two projects were tentatively identified for TDA funding
in FY 1992-51J! (1) Alma/Charleston Improvements ($70,000), ar.d
(2) Airport Levee Trail Improvements ($60,000).
The Alma/Charleston Improvements project provides for capacity
improve!4ents at the intersection (a ne... southbound r':'ght-turn
pocket and dual left-turn lanes in both directions on Alma Street)
and p~destrian and bicycle improvements; including pedestrian qate~
on the sidewalks at the railroad crossing, 11 new rubberized
railroad track crossing, handicapped ra~ps at the intersection, and
new bus stop facilities on Alma. This project ... ill be fully funded
from traffic impact fees, gas tax funds, and federal grant funds.
Therefore, this project can be removed from the TDA proj ect
priority list.
Tha Airport Levee Trail Improvement Project has been carried
forward on the TDA project list for the last three years. This
proj ect involves relocating the trail at the end of the Palo Alto
Airport runway from the top of the levee to the toe of the levee.
Before this project can proceed, Santa Clara County must build a
fence a~ the end of the runway, which has not yet bee~ doue.
The open Space Division rangers report that the existing warning
devices along the levee trail on either side of the airport runway
are functioning satisfactorilY4 They have not received any
complaints, nor are they aware of any problems along the levee
behind the ai~rt runway~
Since this project is not included in the 1990-95 Capital
Improvement Program, and no further action is contemplated at this
ti~e, staff recommends that this project be removed from the TDA
project list~
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This year staff has reevaluated Palo Alto's bikeway and pedestrian
needs, and developed a revised priority list. The re.vised priority
list takes into account the City Council's recerJt approval of the
Briant Street Bicycle aoulev~rd Extension, and other projects that
address deficiencies in the city's bikeway system. Listed in
priority order, thay are as follows:
1992-93 lOA FUNDING PRIQRITY LIST
1. Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extensign
As discussed in the staff report requesting a budget amendment
for the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Implementation Project
(CMR:554:91) included in this packet, a new capital Improvement
Project is being created tor the unfunded portion of the
project: the street closu~e on Bryant street and the signing
and pavement markings on Bryant, Waverley, Churchill, Coleridge
and Addison related to the implementation of the bicycle
boulevard extension from Churchill Avenue to San Francisquito
Creek~ The cost of $69,000 is based upon the initial estimate
of $54,000 indicated in previous staff reports, plus $15,000
for the six-month test of the street closure and subsequent
installation of a permanent closure~
staff recommends that a TDA grant applicatinn for the $69,000
be submitted for 1992-93~ The TDA funds, if approved, would
beco~e available a~ of July 1, 1992.
2. Bicycle Lane Imprcvements
The Tri.'lnsportation Division has received r-equests from the PTAs
of Ohlone and El carmelo Schools and from the Barron Park
Association for the instl'tillation and/or improvement of bike
lanes along school commute routes:
(1) Bike lanes on Lema. Verde betvet;!n Middlefield and the
Brvant St:r.~et ~icycle Boulevard.
Lema Verde is a direct commute route to El Carmelo School on
Bryant street, and is also used by many Ohlone School students
who prefer to ride to school via Lema Verde instead of East
Meadow Drive. There are bike lanes on l..oma Verde east of
Middlefield, but west of Middlefield the street is merely
signed as a bike route. (The bi~e lanes between Middlefield
and Cowper Were removed in the early 19806 because they were
narrow with parkinq allowed at all times, and, thus, did not
function as proper bike lanes for bicyclists.)
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The PTAs of both schools have requested that the bike lanes be
r~instated from Middlefield to Bryant street~ to link with the
bike boulevard and El CaI'lllelo Scho-ol. In order to install
proper bike lanes O~ this road segment, parking ~ould need to
be restricted on one side of the street between 7 a.m. and
7 p.m., as has been done on many other bike routes j including
the segment of Lama Verde f['"om Middlefield t,o Louis Road.
Last fall r staff held a neiq!iliorhood :meeting at E1 Carmelo
School to present this proposal to the neighbcrhood. There
was general support for t!le project from t't .. e r-esidrants in
attendance.. The Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory commitl:ee has
reviewed the pceliminary plans and supports this project.
(2) Bike Lanes on El CaminQ Way betveen Meadow Drive and El
Cam~o9 Real (at Los Robles).
concerns have been expressed by both the Barron Park
Association and the Stanford Middle School PTA about th£ need
to improve safety along this road segment~ In 1990-91 major
improvements were maoe at the intersection of Los Robles/
El Camino/El Camino way to improve bike safety. Ho~ever, the
segment of El Camino Way from the Los Robles/El camino inter
section to Meadow Drive is still a difficult area because
there is a bike lane only on the east side of the road. On
the west side, the sidewalk is a designated bike path, but the
presence of several co:aur.~rcial drive~ays and on-street parking
throughout the day (e)(cept between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.),
complicate this commute route for young and inexperienced
cyclists~ A designated bike 1 ane can be installed on the west
sid~ of El Camino way if on-street parking is prohibited in
this area. The PTAS and Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory committee
support this proposal.
staff recommends that TDA funding be requested for these two
project in FY 1992-93. During the coming months, staff will
further develop the plans, review them with the aff€cted property
owners, and return to council for approval of the plans and parxing
restr ictions. The improvements 'Would be implemented during the
summer of 1992, prior to the start of school in September. Should
Council not authorize the project, the TDA grant could be
rescinded.
ENVIP'0NMENTAL IMPACT
A request for funds is not considered a project under the
California Environmental Quality Act; therefore, no environmental
assessment is needed~ Prior to COUncil authorization of specific
con~truction projects, appropriate environmental review documents
will be prepared.
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REc9MXENQATIQN
Staff recommends that council
(1) Adopt the attached Resolution aathorizing the City Manager to
file a claim for allocation of TDA funds in FY 1992-93 for
pedestrian/bicycle projects in the following priority order:
(a) Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard Extension ($69,000).
(b) Bicycle Route System Improvements ($25,000).
Respectf~lly submitted,
'-Ie f· ,./~--)(1..lf<-,i 'I( L 1~ J
GAYLE 'LIkENS
Senior Planner, Transportation
LDu._ :d :X~IAK ZANER
City Manager
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
Attachments: Letter from Santa Clara county Transportation Agency
Resolution
cc: Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory committee
City/School Traffi~ Safety Committee
Jim Hathiott, Principal, Jane Lathrop Stanford ~idQle School
Janice Parrillo, principal, Ohlone School
Elayne Goodman, PrinCipal, El Carmela School
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e s~nra Clara County Transportation Agene)<" .' '.
~" A~ Of t1HJ CDunty o( S8.ttlB ClllfV ATTACHME~T I
October 28, 1991
TOI ~eh C~ty Englneer/Di~ector of Public works
SUBJECT: Annual Clelms and Proj~ct Proposals from the Cities and County
For Tr.~$port.tion Development ACT (TDA) Artiel. 3 Funds for
Bicycle and Pedestrian Faeilit1es in Santa Clara County
T~e local process for the annual update to the three-year priority list of
project. for TOA Artiele 3 funds fer bicy~le and pedestrian facilities in
Santa Clar. County is officially undervay. The purpose of this letter is to
~o11cit elaias and project proposals from the cities and County for this
annual update. It 1s i~port&nt that eac~ jurisdi~tion clai= it~ s~are of
the funds because any unclaimed funds viII be redistribu~ed on a population
bas\s to ether jurisdictions that claimed their share of funds. The
deadline date for claims and submittal of project proposals 1$ January 15,
1992.
The purpose of this annual update is to develop a continuing three-year plan
of project~ for TDA Art1ele ~ funds for pedestriap and bicycle ia~illties.
When ~pdatinl these three-year plans the previous funded year is dropped,
and an additional year's worth of projects is zdded to the plan. The firsl
year of the thr~e-year plans is the Rfunded year~. This year's annual
update ~ill cover the 1992-~J, 1993-94 and 1994-95 Fiscal Years and only
those projects that are listed in the funded year (1992-93 F.r.) of the
three-year plan will be reco~ended to the Metropolitan Transportation
eo.a1ssian (KTC) for TDA Article 3 funds be~ause KTC's interest is limited
to project p~oposa15 for the funded y~ar. Projects in the amount of
approxlaately $900,000 viII be re~ommended in priority ord~r to MlC fQr the
1992-93 fiscal year.
The local proe~ss used in Santa Clara County for the developm~nt of the
three-year plans ~d annual updates to those plans is described in the
enelosed resolution. T!te resoh'tion pro ... ·id£$ for the folloYing d~stribution
of TOA Artiele 3 funds, ~d this dist~ibution is to be used as a iuideline
in developing the three-year plans:
a. Special category Projects 30%
b. Local Agency (Cities and County) Projects 70%
The resolution requires the special category funds to be equally distributed
among the five (5) supervisorial districts vi thin the initial five-year
period of the plan .nd ~ithfn ~three-year periods w thereafter. The initial
five-year period of the plan covered the 1979-80 thru 1983-84 fiscal Years.
the third "three-year period" began with the 1990-91 Fiscal Year.
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Each City Enrlneer/Oirector of Public Vorks
' .... 2 October 28, 1991
. i>::i~' A 42£ 1
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The seventy-percent (70%) distribution to local &,eocy proJec ts is to be
shared aaonr the l?e.l .,en~le$ on s pro rata basis according to population.
At:c.ord1n.g to the lccal process resolution, each jlJrlsdic:tion shall m.ak. an
annual cIa1. to the Bighvayt and Bikeways Committee regarding its intention
tOO expend its share of the ~funded y~ar· (1992-93 r.Y.) apportionments. It
is important tbat ea~ jurisdiction claim its tha~e bee.use any uncl~lmed
share viII be redistributed on & population ba3i5 to the other ju[i~dictions
that Bubmitted eli.ible projects that year. All cities are ~ncouraged to
t1.1. their share of the seventy-percent distribution. In Making this claim
the jurisdictions .ust spe~1fy the ~riorlty order ~f their project5 and ~&y
ap~17 to do the follov1na:
a) Make applieatlon to expend the total apportion~ent on proje~ts during
that year.
b) Make application to expend that year's apportionm~nt plus up to tvo
additional ,.ars apportionments.
c) Make application to accumulate that year's apportionMent (up to three
years) apportionaent fer a futu~e project.
d) Not cl.im the apportionment.
e) eo.b1natlon of the Gbove accumulations and expenditures for three-year
periods.
It should be noted that .11 projects are to be considered for special
eategoIY funding and that substantial spe~!al category funds are available
for proj.ec.u in each supprvlsorial district. Also local agencies lIay spply
to use future year alloc&tions or .cc~ul~te funds for their projects as
d~cribed 10 the re$olution.
Enclosed ar~ copi~s of XTC's project application forms for the tDA Arti~le 3
f~ds. These forms are to be used for project submittals to both the
Bi,hvayp:; and Bike .... ays Cout Uee and MTC. Copies of the completed projec:t
application forms for the B1ghvays and Bikeways Committee should be s~nt to
tbis office. and Kreis copies should be sent to the attention of Mr. Marc
Roddin &! MTC. It shoul~ be poicted out that KTCrs ~in interest concerns
the project propos2ls for the fund~d year <1~92-93 I.Y.) of our three-year
plan.
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Each C1 ty Encineer(Olrec.tor of Pu!:llie 'ii'orils
P,... 3
Octcb4r 28, 1991
Th.retore, it ¥tll also be nl!ce~s~ry for the jurisdic.tions t~ r~submit
project applieation f~ra3 for any of their pc-ejects that ~ere listed for the
previous year (1991-92 P.Y.) in l&3t year'~ thrp.e-y~.r ~lan. Please be
t~lnded that the local proeess re301uti~n requires the local agencies to
lpecify tbe priority order of their projects to facilitate the selection of
projects for special category funding and to ensure that the local agency
share of funds are d:rected to their higber priority projects.
If there are any questions coneeroina the annual update to the three-year
plan of projects for TOA Artid. 3 f,mds, please eonta.ct Art I>4!vincenzi at
(.08) 299-2177.
Very truly you~s,
~. . Al\T~
SE1/IOB ENGINEER
ACD •• d
c:c: Karc. Roddin, HTC
COunty Parks and Aecreation
Bach Kamber of the Board of Supervisors
Sally !lee<!
B.ach Ci ty Manger
Each City Director of Public Uorks
LIt
SAl!
BGB
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ATTACHMENT 2
RESOLUTICN NO. _____ __
RESOLUTION OF THE ,90VNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AUTHORrZrNG THE FILING OF A CLAIM WITH THE METRO
POLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISS10N FOR ALLOCATION
OF TRANSPORTA'rION DEVELOPMENT ACT FUNDS FOR
FISCAL YE~~ 1992-93
WHEREAS. the Transportation Development Act ("TDA"), as
amenned (Public Utilities Code section 99200 et seq.), provides for
the disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund of the
County of Santa Clara for use by eligible claimants for the purpose
of providing pedestrian and bicycle facilities: and
\f\."HEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the TDA, as -amended,
and pursuant to t~e applicable rules and regulations thereunoer (21
Cal.Adndn. Code section 6600 et seq.), a prospective claimant
wishing to receive an allocati~n from the Local Transportation Fund
shall file its claim .. ·ith the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto is an eligible claimant for
TDA funds pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 99234, as
expressed in the City of Palo Alto's opinion of counsel, dated
December 11, 1991; ar.d
WHEREAS, TDA funds from the Local Transportation Fund of
Santa Clara county ~ill be required in fiscal year 1992-93 for the
purpose of improving pedestrian and bicycle faci 1 ities in Palo
Alto; and
WHEREAS, this claim is in accordance with the policy in the
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan to promote bicycle use;
NOW, 7HEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto d~es
hereby RESOLVE as follo~s:
SECTION 1. The Council hereby approves and authorizes the
City Manager to execute and file an appropriate claim, together
with all neces5a.r'y supporting documents, with the Matropclit.an
Transportation Comrrdssion for an allocation of Ninety Four Thousand
Doll~.rs ($94,000), in l'DA funds in fiscal year 1992-93 for the
purpose of providing the following pedestrian and bicycle projects
in Palo }-.l to:
Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension
Bicycl e Lane Improvements
$69 r OOO
25,ODO
~EcrION 2. The city Clerk is hereb)' directed to transmit
a copy of this resolution to the Metrapol itan Transportation
Commission in conjunction ~ith the filing of the claim, and the
Metropolitan Transportation Coro~ission is requested to concur in
theSe findings and grant the allocations of funds as specified
herein.
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SECTION 3. This request for funds is not considered a
project under the Califcrnia Environmental Quality Act, and
therefore, n~ environmental assessment is needed.
INTROOUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVE 0 AS TO ,FORM:
Senior Asst :--ci tyAttorney
9111-11 b& OWQl5-6
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APPROVED:
Mayor
Director o~ Planning and
Community Environment
Chief Transportation Officia~
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