HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/21/1992, 6B - SUBMITTING PROPOSITION 116 GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR A MULTI MODAL TRANSIT CENTER AND VARIOUS PHASES OF THE RAILROAD BICYCLE PATH AND ESTABLISHING FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THESE PROJECTS. I�IN�lyll�llllll�l�� III MEETING DATE:
N A����� city of san LUIs oBIspo 7/21/9Z
ANINNIM
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: Terry Sanville, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: Submitting Proposition 116 grant applications for a Multi
Modal Transit Center and various phases of the Railroad
Bicycle Path and establishing funding priorities for these
projects.
CAO RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Adopt resolutions authorizing the CAO to sign and
submit grant applications for the Multi-Modal
Transfer Center and the Railroad Bicycle Path.
(2) By minute action, identify the Multi-Modal
Transfer center as having the highest priority for
Proposition 116 funding with the Railroad Bicycle
Path having second priority.
(3) By minute action,consider supporting Proposition
116 funding of bike lanes on outer Orcutt Road
and Tank Farm Road within the County.
DISCUSSION
I. THE SITUATION
Proposition 116 provides funding for a variety of alternative transportation capital projects
(transit, bicycles, pedestrians, rail). $10.1 million dollars in grant funding has been
earmarked for agencies within San Luis Obispo County. The San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG) is responsible for administering this competitive grant program;
all cities and the County as eligible applicants. The deadline for filing grant applications
with SLOCOG is August 14, 1992. Proposition 116 grants cover 100% of the project costs;
there is no local match required.
In April, SLOCOG approved an emergency request to use Proposition 116 funds for the
purchase of five transit vehicles ($1.4 million). Two of these vehicles are the City's (see
companion staff report for item on the July 21 Council Agenda). The remaining
Proposition 116 funds available for allocation is $8.7 million. SLOCOG has also provided
a guaranteed minimum allocation of $100,000 for each jurisdiction provided the project
meets appropriate criteria. All Proposition 116 funds will be awarded as part of this year's
funding cycle. There is no additional Proposition 116 funding after the first year.
There is keen interest by agencies within the county to secure Proposition 116 funding for
a variety of projects. If an agency submits more then one grant application, SLOCOG has
required that the agency set funding priorities.
II. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CITY PROJECTS
Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the filing of grant applications for
the following projects (copies of the grant applications are available in the City Council's
office and from the City Clerk for inspection by the Council and the public):
�����ai>IIIi(iIIIIIIIIfIPI I�����ll city of San L%-AIS OBISPO
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
A. The Multi-Modal Transfer Center (Recommended First Priority Project)
This project is recommended as having first priority for Proposition 116 funding because
it will improve both local and regional transit systems, improve public access to these
systems, and has the support of participating transportation agencies.
The City would request $2.4 million to fund the design, land acquisition and construction
of a multi-modal transfer center that supports City and Regional transit systems. The
center would be located in the block bounded by Toro, Santa Rosa, Monterey and Higuera
Streets.
The Multi-Modal Transfer Center is a joint project between the City and San Luis Obispo
Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA). It is consistent with recommendations of the City's
Short Range Transit Plan and has the approval of the Mass Transportation Committee,
SLOCOG, and CalTrans.
Proposition 116 funds would be used to acquire property and build a modest transit center
to serve the City and Regional transit systems. If the final design of the Multi-Modal
Transfer Center turns out to be something more than a single use facility, as envisioned
by the Downtown Concept Plan, then a multi-source funding program will need to be
developed. This task is contained in the project's RFP for consultant services (see
companion staff report for this task).
B. The Railroad Bicycle Path (Recommended Second Priority Project)
This project is recommended as having second priority for Proposition 116 funding. The
bicycle path will primarily benefit commuter bicyclists who live in San Luis Obispo. It will
improve access to the downtown from residential areas to the south and east and is the first
link in a more extensive commuter bike path that will connect City areas with Cal Poly
University.
The City would request $1.07 million to fund the acquisition of surplus railroad right-of-
way and for the construction of a pedestrian-bicycle bridge that connects the Ella Street
neighborhood with the downtown. The railroad bicycle path has received past City Council
support, is part of the City's bicycle plan, the Draft Circulation Element, the Regional
Transportation Plan, and has the support of the Bicycle Committee. The funding and
phasing strategy for this project is summarized on the following page and on attached Map
#1.
This project is divided into five phases to enable flexible implementation and funding. For
example, some City Parkland Development funds (current balance of $1,049,167) would
pay for Phase 1 acquisition because much of the land being purchased would add territory
to Sinsheimer Park. Use of Parkland Development funds would demonstrate a local
commitment to the project.
Proposition 116 grants would fund Phase 2, 3 and 4, and property owner dedications would
establish Phase 5 segments of the bicycle path. Phase 3 of the project involves the
construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge linking the Ella Street neighborhood with
���n����►►►►ulllllll�p° ���IN City Of San LaiS OBISPO
Nii% COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
the downtown at Osos Street. The need for this project has long been identified by City
planning and engineering staff as a way of providing safe crossing of the railroad tracks and
providing a more direct pedestrian and bicycle link to the downtown.
SLOCOG, in its consideration of the Railroad Bike Path project, could choose to support
only Phase 2, Phases 2 and 3, or Phases 2, 3, and 4. Phase 3 of the project (the
bicycle/pedestrian bridge) could stand on its own as a fully-functional project. Each of
these alternatives would result in the establishment of a functional bicycle path, although
the funding of Phase 2 and 3 would better benefit commuter bicyclists.
RAILROAD BICYCLE PATH FUNDING AND PHASING STRATEGY
Phase: Segment Acres Cost Est. Funding Source
1 Orcutt Road to 9 $385,000 City Parkland Funds
Sinsheimer Park
2 Sinsheimer Park to 11 $470,000 Prop 116
Water Tower
3 Pedestrian/Bike Bridge - $3009000 Prop 116 (1)
@ Jennifer Street
4 McMillian Lane Culvert 7 $3009000 Prop 116
to South Street (extended)
5 South Street to Railroad -- NA Developer Dedications (2)
Square
Notes:
(.1) The Bicycle Committee has recommended that the City file dual
applications for this phase -- applying for Proposition 116 grant funding,
from both the local allocation ($8.7 million) and the "state-wide" bicycle
fund ($4.0 million).
(2) Some adjoining property owners are interested in purchasing surplus
railroad right-of-way. The owners would agree to prepare a master:plan
for the area showing how a bike path would be accommodated andwould'
dedicate the necessary land to the City. (See attached letter to Victor
Montgomery from John Dunn.).
Establishing bike paths north of the railroad station and the water tower will require
additional work with Southern Pacific Railroad, will require SP to accept a specific path
design, and is beyond the funding scope of the Proposition 116 grant program. Other grant
programs and funding sources will be considered for these later phases.
8-3
iIIIIGIIII � city of San 1...,S OBISPO
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
III. FISCAL IMPACTS
The total amount of Proposition 116 funding that is requested is $3.47 million. There is
no match required for Proposition 116 funding. Application for Proposition 116 funds is-
a "one time" event; once the $8.7 million is dispersed, the program is complete with no
further funding available. At this time, there does not appear to be any other grant sources
that could provide the proposed level of funding for these two projects.
If the City purchases excess railroad right-of-way to establish a bicycle and pedestrian path,
then it will need to budget for the eventual construction of these facilities. No specific cost
estimated have been made. However, assuming that a paved 8-foot (minimum width) bike
path would be created along approximately 2 miles of flat railroad right-of-way, construction
costs would approach $300,000. Additional cost may result from changes to the McMillan
Lane culvert to allow for under-track crossing of bicyclists and for improvements to make
bike path connections with adjoining local streets. Construction could be phased over time i
to reduce the overall impact on the City budget.
The implementation of both of these projects will impact the City's budget for upkeep,
operations and maintenance. �
• i
IV. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BICYCLE COMMITTEE
i
The Bicycle Committee has also recommended that the City support the approval of grant
applications for two bicycle lane projects that are outside the City Limits but within the
City's Urban Reserve line. Bike lanes would be added to Tank Farm Road between Broad
and South Higuera Streets and to Orcutt Road between the Edna-Islay project and Johnson
Avenue. Both of these projects would improve bicycle safety and improve commute
bicycling from outlying areas to San Luis Obispo. (See Map #2.)
I
City Council support of these projects would be in the form of advocacy for the County's
preparation and SLOCOG's approval of grant applications. The cost estimates for these
projects have been prepared to date. However, both projects would require some widening
of the roadways to accommodate Class 11 bike lanes.
If the Council wants to support these project, it should do so by minute action. However, 1
it should be noted that if the County prepares grant applications for these projects, they will
compete with the City's applications for limited Proposition 116 funding. Nevertheless, the
City Council could support these applications with the clear understanding that the City's
first two priorities are the Multi-Modal Transfer Center and the Railroad Bicycle Path.
i
V. ALTERNATIVES
A. Submittal of Grant Applications:
The City Council may decide to:
1. Not submit Proposition 116 grant applications.
City Of San � .,S OBISPO
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
If the City wanted to go forward with these two projects it would need to find
alternative funding. Given the scale of the Multi-Modal Transfer Center project, it
is doubtful whether there are alternative funding sources available. The City might
have to delay or defer indefinitely the construction of this facility.
Although the Railroad Bicycle Path is less expensive than the transfer center and the i
project can be "phased,' there are few grant programs that will fund bicycle path
development. The City would probably need to rely on its general fund (a scarce
resource) to acquire the necessary land.
2. Submit Proposition 116 grant application only for the Multi-Modal Transfer Center-
- or only for the Railroad Bicycle Path.
Either the Multi-Modal Transfer Center project or the Railroad Bicycle Path project
would have to be deferred.
3. Change the scope and proposed funding levels for either of the two proposed
projects. `
The City could ask for Proposition 116 funds to support only a part of either of the
two projects. Partial funding of the Multi-Modal Transfer Center (eg. apply for land j
acquisition funds only) would mean that its eventual construction could be !�
jeopardized since sources for construction funding are unknown at this time.
The Council could reduce the scope of the Railroad Bicycle Path by eliminating
recommended Phase 4 (land on the west side of the railroad). However, this
reduction would significantly limit the utility of the path for commuting bicyclists i
with origins in the downtown and destinations in the southeastern part of the
community.
� I
B. Setting Proposition 116 Funding Priorities
The City Council may decide to:
i
1. Identify the Bicycle Path project as having top funding priority.
2. Further divide the Bicycle Path projects into separate applications (eg. Phases 2 and
3 as one application and Phase 4 and a second application) and establish funding
priorities accordingly.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolutions authorizing the submittal of a Proposition 116 Grant Applications
Map #1 showing Orcutt Road and Tank Farm Road Bike Lanes
Map #2 showing Railroad Bicycle Path phasing
Letter to Victor Montgomery from Ken Hampian
RESOLUTION NO. (1992 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CLEAN AIR AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT ACT NON-URBAN COUNTY
FUNDING FOR A MULTI-MODAL TRANSFER CENTER
WHEREAS, the Clean Air and Transportation Act of 1990 supports the construction
of multi-modal transfer centers to enhance transit service; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is the hub of the consolidated regional
transit system and transit service has strong support from the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the development of a Multi Modal Transfer Center is part of the City
of San Luis Obispo's Short Range Transit Plan approved by the City Council in 1991; and
WHEREAS, a preliminary engineering study for the transfer center has already been
funded by the City of San Luis Obispo and San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Agency
(SLORTA) in conjunction with a Transit Capital Improvement (TCI) grant; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is an eligible applicant for program grant
funding and all funds identified in the application are committed to the project by the City;
and
WHEREAS,other funding sources will be used to complete this project if the project
costs exceed those identified in the application; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has the financial and institutional ability
to accept the legal liabilities associated with this project; and
WHEREAS, Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act funds will not supplant
funds previously planned, programmed or approved for the purpose for which the funds
were awarded; and
WHEREAS,the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)by resolution
has recommended that the City be approved in this application request
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
1. Approves the submittal of an application for $2.4 million CATIA funding for the
design, land acquisition, and construction of a Multi-Modal Transfer Center to
support and enhance both local and regional transit service.
2. Authorizes the City Administrative Officer to execute all grant application
documents.
Page 2
Resolution No. (1992 Series)
On motion of ,seconded by and
on the following role call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1992.
Ron Dunin, Mayor
ATTEST:
Pam Voges, City Clerk
APPROVED:
ZA /7/,eovo�, : , —7'���
JoTm Dunn, City AdIbinistratiyeOfficer
WUHM Statler, Finance Director
*Jons Ci ttorney
'Ferry &0"e, Principal Pldnner
Acting &nmunity Development Director
6 �- 7
RESOLUTION NO. (1992 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CLEAN AIR AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT ACT NON-URBAN COUNTY
FUNDING FOR A RAILROAD COMMUTER BICYCLE PATH
WHEREAS, the Clean Air and Transportation Act of 1990 supports the construction
of bicycle paths that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters (CATIA Section
99650); and
WHEREAS, approximately 9% of all transportation trips in San Luis Obispo are by
bicycle and that the proposed railroad bicycle path will better link outlying neighborhoods
with center city employment and shopping destinations; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is an eligible applicant for program grant
funding and all funds identified in the application are committed to the project by the City;
and
WHEREAS, other funding sources will be used to complete this project if the project
costs exceed those identified in the application; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has the financial and institutional ability
to accept the legal liabilities associated with this project; and
WHEREAS, Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act funds will not supplant
funds previously planned, programmed or approved for the purpose for which the funds
were awarded; and
WHEREAS,the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)by resolution
has recommended that the City be approved in this application request.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
1. Approves the submittal of an application for $870,000 CATIA funding for the
acquisition of land and for the construction of a bicycle/pedestrian bridge that will
support the development of a Class I commuter bicycle path along surplus right-
of-way of the Souther Pacific Railroad.
2. Authorizes the City Administrative Officer to execute all grant application
documents.
On motion of ,seconded by and
on the following role call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
68- 8
Page 2
Resolution No. (1992 Series)
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1992.
Ron Dunin, Mayor
ATTEST:
Pam Voges, City Clerk
APPROVED:
John Duhn, Ci trative CXEcer
William Statler, Finance Director
2"z4c,a� —
W7Je ty ttorney
Terry anville, Principal Planner
Acting Community Development Director
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san lugs osIspo PROPOSITION 116 PROJECTS
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990 Palm Street/Poet Office Box 321,Sen Lula Obispo,CA 93408
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990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100
June 18, 1992 R F
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Victor Montgomery JUN 2 11992
RRM Design 3026 South Higuera Street °F�LUIS
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 OF49z:o
Subject: Acquisition of surplus railroad property on the west side of the tracks between
the Railroad Square project and the eastern end of High Street.
Dear Mr. Montgomery:
I am writing to you in response to the letter of April 20, 1992 from Burke, Smith, Helenius
& Hayes, whom you represent.
The City has a continuing interest in establishing a bicycle path along the western side of
the Southern Pacific Railroad between Orcutt Road and Johnson Avenue. Also, the City
is interested in preserving the option for establishing a overnight layover facility on the west
side of the tracks for the AMTRAK train, should "San Diegan" service be extended north
from its current terminus in Santa Barbara.
With these objectives in mind, the City does not object to your clients negotiating with
Southern Pacific railroad for the sale of surplus land on the west side of the tracks so long
as the City can be assured that a bike path will be developed and land will be reserved for
a layover facility. To allow both City and your client's.objectives to be met, we suggest that:
1. The City agrees that your clients may proceed with discussions with SP for
acquisition of surplus railroad land.
2. Prior to any agreement for property sale, you will prepare a master plan for the
affected railroad territory. ..As a minimum, the plan would identify: the location of
future commercial developrhent areas; any street extensions necessary to serve the
area; the location of a Class I bike path that meets or exceeds all Caltrans design
standards; access points from adjoining public streets to allow connections to the bike
path; the location of a potential layover area for the San Diegan AMTRAK train.
3. The City would review the master plan for the affected land and would determine
that it meets the City's bike path and rail transportation planning objectives. At that
point, the prospective property owners would agree to dedicate the necessary area
for the bike path and its connection to adjoining public streets as part of any future
subdivision or development application for the area.
6B -�z
Page 2
4. Subject to the City's support of the master plan, you clients would proceed with final
negotiations and:acquisition actives with Southern Pacific railroad.
The above described "master planning" strategy is sufficient to address the City's concern
to deal v�ith the overall redevelopment of the area,
for transportation planning. However,
your clients may want to pursue the preparation and City adoption of a more formal
"specific plan" that can 2ddress a broader scope of planning issues.
We hope this letter and the understanding implied by it is adequate to allow you to proceed
with discussions with Southern Pacific.
Sin
unn
City Administrative Officer
C. Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer
Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney
Wayne Peterson, City Engineer
Terry San\ille, Principal Planner
Larry Keefer, Sales Manager, Southern Pacific Transportation Company
I:bikes
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