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Home My WebLink About2023-02-15 Rail Agenda PacketRAIL COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Community Meeting Room & Hybrid 1:00 PM Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council 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. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/86388142528) Meeting ID: 863 8814 2528 Phone: 1(669)900‐6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. 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 Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to city.clerk@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. VERBAL UPDATE ON INTERAGENCY ACTIVITIES A.Caltrain B.VTA C.City Staff ACTION ITEMS 1.Rail Committee to review and provide direction for the development of the 2023 Rail Committee Workplan. FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. For 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 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 smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in 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 HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 863‐8814‐2528 Phone: 1‐669‐900‐6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329‐2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. RAIL COMMITTEERegular MeetingWednesday, February 15, 2023Community Meeting Room & Hybrid1:00 PMPursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with theoption to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safetywhile still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose toparticipate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe andparticipate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged ifattending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live onYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen MediaCenter https://midpenmedia.org.VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/86388142528)Meeting ID: 863 8814 2528 Phone: 1(669)900‐6833PUBLIC COMMENTSPublic comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or anamount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutesafter the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance tocity.council@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided to the Council and available for inspectionon the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in yoursubject line. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to city.clerk@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. VERBAL UPDATE ON INTERAGENCY ACTIVITIES A.Caltrain B.VTA C.City Staff ACTION ITEMS 1.Rail Committee to review and provide direction for the development of the 2023 Rail Committee Workplan. FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. For 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 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 smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in 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 HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 863‐8814‐2528 Phone: 1‐669‐900‐6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329‐2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. RAIL COMMITTEERegular MeetingWednesday, February 15, 2023Community Meeting Room & Hybrid1:00 PMPursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with theoption to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safetywhile still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose toparticipate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe andparticipate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged ifattending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live onYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen MediaCenter https://midpenmedia.org.VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/86388142528)Meeting ID: 863 8814 2528 Phone: 1(669)900‐6833PUBLIC COMMENTSPublic comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or anamount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutesafter the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance tocity.council@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided to the Council and available for inspectionon the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in yoursubject line.PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted onlyby email to city.clerk@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received,the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strongcybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are notaccepted.CALL TO ORDERPUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. VERBAL UPDATE ON INTERAGENCY ACTIVITIESA.CaltrainB.VTAC.City StaffACTION ITEMS1.Rail Committee to review and provide direction for the development of the 2023 RailCommittee Workplan.FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDASMembers of the public may not speak to the item(s) ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. For 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 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 smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in 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 HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 863‐8814‐2528 Phone: 1‐669‐900‐6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329‐2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. Item No. 1.Page 1 of 2 Rail Committee Staff Report From: Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official Meeting Date: February 15, 2023 TITLE Rail Committee to discuss and decide activities and issues for committee discussion in 2023 Recommendation Discuss and decide activities and issues for Committee discussion in 2023 in accordance with the 2022-23 Committee Workplan. Executive Summary The Rail Committee and Staff worked to develop the Rail Committee Workplan for 2022-23 which was approved by the Council on August 8, 2022. The 2022-2023 workplan includes policy review, bicycle and pedestrian planning, funding for rail crossing projects, engagement with Caltrain and Local Policy Makers Group, and collaboration with the Palo Alto Unified School District and Stanford. In Attachment A, Staff have updated the status of the workplan items performed in 2022 and seeks rail committee review and direction for the continued progress on the 2022-2023 Rail Committee Workplan. Discussion In June 2022, the Rail Committee reviewed the workplan and made a recommendation to the City Council to approve the 2022-23 Workplan. The 2022-23 workplan was approved by the City Council on August 8, 2022 (Link). At that meeting, the City Council delegated the following additional items to the Rail Committee scope as recommended by the Rail Committee. •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, including consideration of whether the City should move forward on specific crossings before the upcoming Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan is finished. •Funding Items: Seek/Obtain funding for Palo Alto rail crossing projects and new east-west bike/ped rail crossings Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 4 of 7 Item No. 1.Page 2 of 2 In addition, the workplan also included items that were previously assigned by the City Council during grade separation discussions, such as pursuing Caltrain for a reduction in the areas in Palo Alto considered for four-tracking and to engage through the Local Policy Makers Group (LPMG). The workplan also included facilitating and engaging with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), and Stanford on all grade crossings, and for staff to refine design alternatives and review construction methods. The 2022-2023 Workplan is attached as Attachment A. Staff seeks Rail Committee review of the Rail Committee Workplan for guidance on prioritization and to help agendize future and upcoming Rail Committee meetings. In addition, if the Rail Committee wishes to amend the workplan, the Rail Committee can consider making a recommendation to the City Council. Any amendments to the workplan should consider overlap with other Committees, Boards, or Commissions. Resource Impact The work involved in performing actions included in the Rail Committee Workplan for 2022-23 is generally associated with grade separation projects. However, there may be some elements in the Workplan that involve other approved Capital Improvement Projects. Any project(s) resulting from the discussions at the Rail Committee will require City Council approval and direction. There is no financial impact at this time. Stakeholder Engagement The Rail Committee meetings are open to the public and therefore provide the community with opportunities to provide comments to the rail committee and the City. In 2022, these meetings were held on April 20, May 18, June 15. August 9, September 21, October 19, November 18, & December 13. Environmental Review The recommendation in this report does not constitute a project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and is therefore not subject to environmental review. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: 2022-2023 Rail Committee Workplan with Progress Updates Report #: 2301-0901 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 5 of 7 Attachment A RAIL COMMITTEE 2022-23 WORKPLAN - With Progress Updates Focus Issue Planned Rail Committee Activities Anticipated Timeframe Progress Update 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 •Consider the Comprehensive Plan, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, the 2012/2013 Rail Plan, and the SCAP plan in the review of grade separation election criteria. •Additional studies will take up to a year, dependent on start date and other criteria (such as any holds for 4 tracks info etc.) •Studies are ongoing. Additional studies are anticipated to be completed by fall of 2023. •Refinements to the underpass alternatives for all crossings were discussed at Study Sessions •Caltrain was asked to review alternative strategies such as bridge strengthening instead of replacement. 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 •City staff submitted applications for various grants. (INFRA, MEGA, BIL, & RCEP) •Staff is currently working to submit CalSTA funding request under TIRCP program C. Seek changes to rail design criteria/technical standards in order to reduce costs and uncertainty to Palo Alto crossing projects •Advocate Caltrain review and revision of design criteria/technical standards 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 •Caltrain has initiated a Corridor Crossing Strategy Study to evaluate key considerations requested by the City. •City represents regularly at the LPMG meetings. 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 •City received the proposals from Consultant for BPTP update and currently in process of negotiating the scope for execution of the contract. Item 1 ATTACHMENT A - 2022-23 WORKPLAN Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 6 of 7 Focus Issue Planned Rail Committee Activities Anticipated Timeframe Progress Update •Rail Committee to work in parallel with BPTP update process for planning and prioritizing these new east-west bike/ped crossings. 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 end of life consideration of Embarcadero-Alma project. •Major funding applications will follow BPTP location selection •Staff has initiated the near-term option of Embarcadero/Alma project to provide improvements on Embarcadero Road east of Alma Street (Emerson Avenue to High Street). 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 •Staff is working on the study for Palo Alto Quiet zone. •Following completion of Palo Alto Avenue Quiet Zone study staff will initiate the study at other crossings. 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 •As part refinements to alternatives, staff coordinated with PAUSD, Stanford, PABAC, CSTSC, community design experts for feedback. 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 •Engaging with VTA, Caltrain and other regional and State Agencies (examples) o VTA Board representation o LPMG (Caltrain crossing Strategy o VTA Adhoc Grade Separation Committee I.•• Item 1 ATTACHMENT A - 2022-23 WORKPLAN Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 7 of 7