HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-12 Rail Agenda Packet1
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the City Council Rail Committee after distribution of the
agenda packet are available for public inspection in the city’s website at www.cityofpaloalto.org
CITY COUNCIL RAIL COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Special Meeting
Community Meeting Room
1:00 PM
Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council and Committee meetings will be held as “hybrid”
meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To
maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of
the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the
public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/99227307235)
Meeting ID: 992 2730 7235 Phone:1(669)900-6833
The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media
Center at https://midpenmedia.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom meeting. All requests to
speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments
can be submitted in advance to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org and will be provided to
the Committee and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly
indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your email subject line.
Call to Order
Oral Communications
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda.
Verbal Update on Interagency Activities
1.Updates from Caltrain, VTA, and City Staff
Action Items
2.Review and Recommend Proposed Rail Committee Work Plan and
Guiding Principles to the City Council for Approval
Presentation
2
City Council Rail Committee Special Meeting June 15, 2022
Next Steps and Future Agendas
Adjournment
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to hybrid meetings via email, in
person, teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to
city.council@cityofpaloalto.org.
2. In person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on
the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk
prior to discussion of the item.
3. Spoken public comments using a computer or smart phone will be accepted
through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below
to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
• You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using
your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome
30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+. Certain functionality may be
disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom
application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and
enter the Meeting ID below
• You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you
identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify
you that it is your turn to speak.
• When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will
activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before
they are called to speak.
• When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
• A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below.
When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that
you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before
addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
Click to Join Zoom Meeting ID: 992-2730-7235 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA)
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities,
services or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact (650) 329-2550 (Voice) 48
hours or more in advance.
City of Palo Alto (ID # 14462)
City Council Rail Committee Staff Report
Meeting Date: 6/15/2022 Report Type: Action Items
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Review and Recommend Proposed Rail Committee Work Plan and
Guiding Principles to the City Council for Approval
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Transportation Department
Recommendations
Staff recommends that the Rail Committee discuss and recommend the following items for City
Council approval:
1. Rail Committee work plan (Attachment B)
2. Rail Committee Charter/guiding principles (Attachment A)
This item is agendized under the Brown Act to finalize which work items/topics are to be put
into the Rail Committee’s work plan. Should the Committee desire to substantively discuss
specific work plan items/topics, they should be specifically agendized for a future meeting.
Discussion
On May 18th, 2022 the Rail Committee discussed and decided on several items to put in its
proposed work plan. Staff drafted the attached work plan based on the Committee’s discussion
during the May 18th meeting. Staff seeks the Committee’s final review on the draft work plan in
preparing the recommendations for City Council approval. Based on the May 18th discussions,
the Rail Committee would like the following items to be delegated to be included within the
work plan of Rail Committee that have not already been delegated by Council:
Policy Items
• Review grade separation selection criteria for any revisions
Bicycle and Pedestrian Items
• Advance the planning and selection of new east-west bike/ped rail crossings
Funding Items
• Seek/Obtain funding for Palo Alto rail crossing projects
• Seek/Obtain funding for new east-west bike/ped rail crossings
2
Packet Pg. 3
City of Palo Alto Page 2
In addition, the Committee directed staff to bring forth the guiding principles from the last
iteration of the Rail Committee for review and discussion and is attached as Attachment A. Staff
recommends the committee review and update the guiding principles for recommendation to
the City Council.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: 04-11-2017 Adopted Rail Committee Charter
• Attachment B: Draft Rail Committee Work Plan 2022
2
Packet Pg. 4
April 11, 2017 Rail Committee Charter
Page 1 of 2
Rail Committee Charter
[Adopted April 11, 2017]
Preamble
The City of Palo Alto supports transportation and urban design solutions for the Caltrain
corridor that are compatible with community values and that complement the goals and
policies of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Caltrain corridor has long been a physical constraint to east-west movement in Palo
Alto, and the current grade crossings create traffic congestion and pose safety and noise
challenges that will get worse as the frequency of train service increases. As a result,
the City actively participates in planning for the rail corridor, and supports changes that
improve and do not exacerbate impacts to the Palo Alto community.
Purpose of the Committee
The City Council’s Rail Committee was re-established in 2015 to analyze and advance grade
separated crossings for all modes of travel (bicycles, motor vehicles, transit, and pedestrians).
While the Committee in the past has focused on High Speed Rail, Caltrain grade separations and
electrification will be the essential focus of the Committee for 2017-2018.
Guiding Principles
1. Palo Alto seeks to improve east-west connectivity, traffic circulation, pedestrian and bicycle
movements, safety, and the noise environment along the Caltrain corridor.
2. Palo Alto strongly supports Caltrain and the improved commuter rail service that will come
as a result of modernization (including electrification).
3. Palo Alto will continue to work with Caltrain to ensure that all potential impacts of
modernization are addressed and adopted mitigation measures are implemented.
4. Palo Alto supports Caltrain as the lead agency for all system improvements in the Caltrain
corridor.
5. Palo Alto has long had concerns about the potential impacts of High Speed Rail and believes
that the project should be terminated. If the project proceeds, CHSRA should provide
funding for affected cities to analyze potential impacts.
6. Palo Alto believes that CAHSRA should fund grade separations and should not commence
service until they are complete.
2.a
Packet Pg. 5
At
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
:
A
t
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
A
:
0
4
-
1
1
-
2
0
1
7
A
d
o
p
t
e
d
R
a
i
l
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
C
h
a
r
t
e
r
(
1
4
4
6
2
:
R
a
i
l
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
W
o
r
k
P
l
a
n
D
i
s
c
u
s
s
i
o
n
a
n
d
April 11, 2017 Rail Committee Charter
Page 2 of 2
7. Palo Alto will advocate strenuously for its fair share of County Measure B funding for grade
separations and actively seek additional funding from Caltrain, CAHSRA, Santa Clara County,
and other external funding sources.
8. Palo Alto supports the use of the Context Sensitive Solutions process for High Speed Rail
and grade separations and will structure a CSS process to engage the community in
selection of a preferred grade separation alternative for the corridor.
9. Palo Alto seeks modernization of freight operations in the corridor and will seek flexibility
from the UPRR to pursue desired improvements in the Caltrain corridor.
10. Palo Alto will work cooperatively with neighboring communities with respect to HSR and
Caltrain issues of mutual concern, including grade separations.
2.a
Packet Pg. 6
At
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
:
A
t
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
A
:
0
4
-
1
1
-
2
0
1
7
A
d
o
p
t
e
d
R
a
i
l
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
C
h
a
r
t
e
r
(
1
4
4
6
2
:
R
a
i
l
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
W
o
r
k
P
l
a
n
D
i
s
c
u
s
s
i
o
n
a
n
d
Attachment B
DRAFT RAIL COMMITTEE 2022-23 WORKPLAN
Focus Issue Planned Rail Committee Activities Anticipated Timeframe
A. Advance the planning and
design of preferred rail crossing
alternatives
• Review grade separation selection
criteria for any revisions
• Receive progress reports and review
consultant engineering studies as work
proceeds
• Monitor and engage with Caltrain on
San Francisquito Bridge rehabilitation
• Additional studies will take
up to a year, dependent on start
date and other criteria (such as any
holds for 4 tracks info etc.)
B. Seek/Obtain funding for
Palo Alto rail crossing projects
• Support for new funding opportunities
and grants
• Monitor and engage with Caltrain, VTA,
MTC, CAHSR, and other State/Federal
funding/legislation
• City has advocated for
funding opportunities and applied
for grants
• This is an ongoing task
C. Seek changes to rail
design criteria that add costs and
uncertainty to Palo Alto crossing
projects
• Advocate Caltrain review and revision
of design criteria through LPMG
• Monitor and engage on HSR final
EIR/EIS
• Letters to Caltrain sent
regarding 4-tracks and key design
standards
• LPMG receiving regular
updates on Caltrain grade separation
study
D. Advance the planning and
selection of new east-west
bike/ped rail crossings
• Receive updates and provide feedback
on new crossings as Bicycle and Pedestrian
Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update proceeds
• BPTP project is scheduled
with procurement for Request for
Proposals in Summer, project to
continue into 2023
E. Seek/Obtain funding for
new east-west bike/ped rail
crossings
• Engage VTA for use and prioritization of
Measure B Grade Separation funds for
bike/ped crossings
• Letter sent to VTA requesting
Measure B fund eligibility – awaiting
VTA full response
• Staff reviewing
Embarcadero/Alma near-term
options & prior CIP project
• Major funding applications
will follow BPTP location selection
F. Explore establishment of
quiet zones at Palo Alto Avenue
and elsewhere as applicable
• Receive updates and provide feedback
on quiet zone study for Palo Alto Avenue
• TBD, pending Menlo Park’s
bids/contract award
G. Engage Palo Alto
community in all rail planning
activities
• Receive presentations from outside
agencies
• Receive information from additional
community engagement including (PAUSD,
Stanford, PABAC, CSTSC, community design
experts)
• Following additional
meetings, which are scheduled to
occur in Summer/Fall
H. Engage with regional and
state agencies
• Participate and provide updates:
o Caltrain Local Policy Makers Group
(LPMG) Delegated to Rail Committee
o VTA Board
• Ongoing
2.b
Packet Pg. 7
At
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
:
A
t
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
B
:
D
r
a
f
t
R
a
i
l
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
W
o
r
k
P
l
a
n
2
0
2
2
(
1
4
4
6
2
:
R
a
i
l
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
W
o
r
k
P
l
a
n
D
i
s
c
u
s
s
i
o
n
a
n
d
R
e
c
o
m
m
e
n
d
a
t
i
o
n
s
)