HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/21/2001, B3 - REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (RTIP) GRANT APPLICATIONS. councit
August 21,2001
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Mike McCluskey, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner LIS .
SUBJECT: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM(RTIP)
GRANT APPLICATIONS.
CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution:
1. Authorizing the CAO to submit RTIP grant applications to the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG) for the projects listed below and to execute all requisite agreements with
SLOCOG associated with these projects:
A. Phase I Santa Barbara Avenue Widening ($455,000)
B. Orcutt Road Widening @ the Union Pacific Railroad($600,000)
C. Monterey Street Rehabilitation ($350,000)
D. Phase II Los Osos Valley Road Medians ($150,000)
E. Railroad Safety Trail Program ($350,000)
F. Sinsheimer School Access Trail ($350,000)
G. SLO Transit Bus Rehabilitation ($360,000)
H. Regional Fare Pass Interface ($73,500)
I. Santa Rosa Street Traffic Signal Improvements ($76,000)
J. Broad Street Pedestrian Signal Improvements($51,000)
2. Approving the draft Project Study Report(PSR) equivalent for the Santa Barbara Avenue
Widening project.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Every two years, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) invites all local transportation
agencies (Cities and the County) to apply for Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP)
funds. SLOCOG estimates that there is a total of$32.56 million available to fund transportation projects
in five different categories. Staff recommends that the City apply for the funding of ten projects (listed
above)eligible in four of the five categories. Applications are due at SLOCOG on September 5'".
DISCUSSION
1. Introduction to the RTIP. The Regional Transportation Improvement Program or "RTIP" is
administered by SLOCOG and provides funding for a wide range of transportation projects. Projects are
divided into five categories. Four of the five categories provide funding on a"competitive basis"with all
transportation agencies in the county eligible to apply. The sixth program, entitled "Local Choice,"
provides grants to Cities and the County based on a formula that takes into account population and miles
of road with each jurisdiction. The table on the next page shows the project categories and the amount of
funding available within each category.
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RTIP Category- Percent Target Amount
State Highway Projects 65% $20.54 million (competitive)
Local Projects 22% $7.13 million
Routes of Regional Significance 11% $3.55 million (competitive)
Local Choice 11% $3.55,million formula
Enhancement Projects rans ortation Only) 9% 1 $2.96 million (competitive)
Transit, ITS & Rail Projects 4% $1.33 million com etitive
The deadline for submitting RTIP applications to SLOCOG is September 5, 2001 with the SLOCOG
Board is scheduled to decide which projects to support on December 5, 2001. The Board's actions will
then be forwarded to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) that is scheduled to act in April
2002 with funding available on July 15`.
2. Summary of Recommended Projects. Staff recommends that ten grant applications be submitted for
funding in four of the five RTIP categories. Each of these categories are briefly described below:
State Highway Projects (competitive): projects on state highways that provide congestion relief,
improve operations and efficiency. (Note: staff has not recommended any projects within this
category for this RTIP cycle. However, the Council should expect to apply for 2004 RTIP funds to
help pay for improvements to the Los Osos Valley Road Interchange.)
Q Routes of Regional Significance (competitive): projects that improve major routes that are on the
"Federal Aid System"of streets. (Most City arrerial.streets are part of the federal aid system.)
Local Choice Projects (formula): projects are limited to improvements to Federal Aid Roads or
transit capital projects. Funds may also be used for road rehabilitation, reconstruction, shoulder
widening, bike lanes and as a match for a "major project" or, a previously programmed but under-
funded project. San Luis Obispo is eligible to receive.$430,000 as its"Local Choice"share.
Q Enhancement Projects (competitive): projects that provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities,
landscape beautification;downtown enhancements, and energy conservation projects, including traffic
signal upgrades.
Q Transit,ITS and Rail Projects (competitive): projects include an array of high tech activities,transit
improvements, and operational improvements along routes of regional significance (e.g. traffic signal
synchronization), and passenger rail service amenities.
The following describes each recommended City project and presents a brief staff evaluation.
A. Routes of Regional Significance
(1) Phase I of the Santa Barbara Avenue Widening ($455,000): widen the east side of Santa
Barbara Avenue by approximately 2.1 meters (seven feet) between High Street and Roundhouse
Avenue.. This street widening will enable the installation of a northbound left turn pocket at High, a
southbound left tum pocket at Roundhouse and a center turn lane in between.
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Staff Comment: Santa Barbara Street is a regional route that connects HWY 227 with
Downtown San Luis Obispo and HWY 1. This minor widening is consistent with the operational
plan that the Council approved for Santa Barbara Street in 2000. The proposed street width will
be consistent with the recently widened sections of Santa Barbara Street north of High Street.
Inclusion of a center turn lane will address a long-standing concern for traffic safety at the
northern driveway to the Do-it Center and improve safety and convenience for motorists turning
left into the new Railroad Transportation Center or onto High Street to access Quaglino's
Hardware Store on the west side of Santa Barbara.. The street would retain curb parking on its
west side (where it currently exists) and bicycle lanes on both sides. This widening will require
the removal and reconstruction of a portion of the Do-it Center's main building that fronts Santa
Barbara Street. No other structures should be impacted. A portion of the Art's Bicycle Shop's
front lawn will also be acquired and widened. Frontage improvements will be consistent with the
Railroad District Plan,which requires boardwalks.
For this project to be eligible for RTIP funding, a Project Study Report (PSR) equivalent must
accompany the City's funding application and be submitted to SLOCOG by September 5`f'. As of
the writing of this Agenda Report, the PSR is in preparation and will be available in the Council's
reading file for review and approval prior to and as part of the August 215`meeting.
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Segment to be
Widened
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(2) Orcutt Road Widening ($600,000): Widen Orcutt Road between Duncan and Laurel Lanes
(including the at-grade railroad crossing), realign Bullock Lane to connect with Orcutt Road at the
Laurel intersection and install a traffic signal at this intersection, install bike lanes and sidewalks on
both sides of the widened street section.
Staff Comment: At its August 8, 2001 meeting, the SLOCOG Board decided that the City
would need to compete again for the programming of RTIP dollars for improvements on Orcutt
Road at its crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad. In 2000, the SLOCOG Board had supported
the use of$600,000 of STIP funds to pay for environmental review and preliminary design of a
grade separation (overpass or underpass) on Orcutt Road at the railroad. As part of its CIP
development, the City Council decided to scale back this project (because of the extreme cost
of $10 to $14 million for the grade separation) and instead to pursue a more modest $1.27
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million widening of Orcutt.Road to four lanes and the realignment of Bullock Lane to link with
Laurel Lane.
Because of SLOCOG Board's recent action, the City must again apply for use of RTIP funds
for our reduced-scale project as part of the routes of regional significance category. The
attached resolution and the fiscal impact section of this report reflect the recommended funding
strategy as outlined in the City's 2001-03 Financial Plan (Appendix B, page 158). The Project
Study Report (PSR) for the Orcutt Road Grade Separation that was prepared last year will be
revised to present the alternate street widening project, consistent with its description included
in the City's CIP (Appendix B, page 158). SLOCOG staff has indicated that this revised report
can be submitted for approval in October or November.
At the SLOCOG Board's August 8th meeting, at least two Board members indicated that the
$600,000 contribution of RTIP funds for the City's widening project might be excessive. Staff
disagrees with this assessment, since SLOCOG's own adopted ranking criteria provides up to 15
points for agencies that provide a substantial local funding match. For this project, the City has
programmed a $500,000 or 38% match, which is a far greater share than that provided by most
other agencies. In addition, the City has spent many thousands of dollars acquiring the necessary
right of way to construct these improvements. Nevertheless, the Council may want to consider
whether it wants to move forward with this project if the SLOCOG Board approves significantly
less funding (such as $300,000 to $400,000 vs. the requested $600,000). The City will know in
November what SLOCOG staff s preliminary recommendations will be regarding this project: If
funding recommendations are below the requested $600,000, additional City funding would have
to come from the unappropriated General Fund balance to make the project whole.
B. Local Choice Projects
(1) Monterey Street Rehabilitation ($350,000): repave Monterey Street between California
Boulevard and the Highway 101 ramp system. Install video detection cameras at the Grand-Monterey
Street intersection. Provide ADA access improvements where needed(curb ramps etc.).
Staff Comment: Monterey Street is the primary access route to the downtown for patrons of
"Motel Row". In recent months, major utility work has torn up the pavement between California
Boulevard and Santa Rosa Street.
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These segments of the street will be repaved as part of those utility projects. This RTIP project
will complete the rehabilitation of Monterey Street through the Motel Row area. Since the in-
pavement traffic signal loop detectors at Grand Avenue will be torn up as part of the repaving
project, they will be replaced with video cameras, similar to what has been installed along other
major arterial streets.
C. Enhancement Projects(Transportation Only)
(1) Phase II Los Osos Valley Road Medians ($150,000): Install landscape medians in Los Osos
Valley Road, roughly from Laguna Lane to the western City limits.
Staff Comment: In 2000, SLOCOG approved the use of $300,000 of RTIP funds to pay for
part of installing landscaped medians in Los Osos Valley Road from Royal Way to the western
City limits. This funding will not cover the full cost of this project. In July 2001, the City
applied for $150,000 of "Statewide Transportation Enhancement Funds" to complete the
funding for the median project. The City will not know the results of that application until
October or November of 2001. Therefore, staff recommends that the City again apply for
regional RTIP funds to cover the full cost of this project. If the City receives approval of State
transportation enhancement funds and RTIP funds, depending on the approved funding level,
the City should use the RTIP dollars since there is no required funding match.
(2) Railroad Safety Trail Program ($350,000): Purchase requisite land and easements from the
Union Pacific Railroad and hire an engineer to design Phase III of the Railroad Safety Trail that
would extend along the west side of the railroad from the AMTRAK passenger terminal to Marsh
Street. If for some reason, securing the land from Union Pacific for Phase III of the bike path
becomes a protracted issue, the requested $350,000 would be applied to the design and
construction of the northern segment of the path extending along the east side of the railroad across
City-controlled property between Foothill Boulevard and Hathaway Street, identified here as the
"alternative project."
Staff Comment: In 2000, the City hired RRM Design to prepare a route plan for the Railroad
Safety Trail from the AMTRAK terminal to Foothill Boulevard. RRM has completed their
design work, the proposal has been reviewed and supported by the Parks and Recreation
Commission and the Bicycle.Advisory Committee, and is slated for ARC review in September
2001 with Council consideration to follow. Also scheduled in September is a meeting between
City staff and Union Pacific officials to discuss the project with the intent to obtain UP's
support of the concept plan and right of way requests.
The construction of Phase III of the path involves installation of two pre-fabricated free span
bridges (one crossing San Luis Creek and the other crossing Johnson Avenue) and the
construction of a cantilevered section just northeast of the train station. The total cost of this
section is estimated at $2.45 million dollars (land acquisition $100,000, design $250,000,
construction $2,100,000). Staff recommends that the City request funding for the first two
components(land acquisition and design)which is estimated to total $350,000.
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In July 2001, the City applied for $350,000 of"Statewide Transportation Enhancement Funds"
to construct the northern segment of the RST, identified here as the "alternative project." The
City will not know the results of that application until October or November of 2001.
Therefore, staff recommends that the City identify this project as an alternative to the priority
Phase III project.
. ' Primary segment of
Railroad Safety Tail
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(3) Sinsheimer School Access Trail ($350,000): Construct a Class I bicycle path that extends
along the north side of the local creek from the Railroad Recreational Trail (RRT) eastward to
connect with the north end of Southwood Drive at the Sinsheimer Park parking lot.
Staff Comment: This project requires the cooperation of the San Luis Obispo Coastal Unified
School District since the proposed path alignment crosses District property. An informal
decomposed granite (DG) path already exists along this alignment. This project will replace
the current path with a 2.4 meters wide Class I bikeway to complete the legitimate link between
the RRT and Augusta Street adjacent to Sinsheimer School, and will substantially improve
safety and convenience for children accessing that school and the adjacent park.
The District's corporation yard currently adjoins the northern creek bank and is fenced with a
1.8-meter (six foot) high fence. In order to provide some setback from the top of the creek
bank, this fence will need to be moved back up to 3 meters (ten feet) in some places and
replaced, which will require District approval. To date, staff has contacted the SLOCUSD and
talked with staff. Staff indicated that since there is a DG path already existing along the
proposed alignment and the City and District have a history of cooperative use in Sinsheimer
Park,they felt that the School Board support should look favorably upon this request.
A portion of the trail will be located within the creek setback area. The District's corporation
yard currently encroaches into that area as well as the existing dirt path. The presence of a
mature stand of eucalyptus trees has precluded any native understory habitat from being
established. None-the-less, a discretionary exception to provisions of the City Creek Setback
Ordinance (consistent with recent recommendations by the Planning Commission) will be
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needed to implement this project. This project is consistent with the Bicycle Transportation
Plan (1993).
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School
Path Johmon
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D. Transit,ITS and Rail Projects
(1) SLO Transit Bus Rehabilitation ($360,000). Rehabilitate up to ten buses (including existing 30-
foot coaches) to upgrade emissions, engines, transmissions, brake systems, head signs, seats, flooring,
electrical systems, various mechanical components, and other work as needed.
Staff Comment: San Luis Obispo owns 19 buses that are used by the SLO Transit system.
Rehabilitating up to ten of the older busses will significantly extend their life. Considering the
cost of a new transit vehicle ($275,000 for one bus), this rehabilitation effort is very cost
effective.
(2) Regional Fare Pass Interface ($73,500). Purchase computer hardware and software that will allow
SLO Transit patrons to use pass cards that electronically register fares.
Staff Comment: This computer equipment and software interface will allow the electronic fare
boxes on SLO Transit buses to accept a regional magnetic fare pass as well as student ID cards
issued by Cal Poly University and Cuesta College. This project is an important component of a
multi-faceted effort to update and modernize the SLO Transit System and improve its operational
efficiency.
(3) Santa Rosa Street "Smart" Traffic Signal Improvements ($76,000): Install video detection
equipment at City-controlled intersections (Peach, Mill, Palm, Monterey, Higuera). Install additional
cable connections from these intersections to the City's intersection monitoring system at City Hall
(the"Quicknet" system).
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Staff Comment: Use of this equipment will enable the City to better manage traffic flow along
this major downtown access route to account for changes in travel demand during peak and off-
peak periods of the day.
(4) Broad Street Pedestrian Signal Improvements ($51,000): Install video detection and pedestrian
push buttons and signal heads at the Broad-Buchon and Broad-Pismo intersections. Install additional
cable connections form these intersections to the City's intersection monitoring system at City Hall.
Staff Comment: Currently the older traffic signals at these intersections utilize an out-dated fixed
timing system. This type of system requires motorists to stop at intersections during off-peak
hours when there is no cross traffic to warrant such a stop. These stops create unnecessary delay
for motorists and noise caused by the breaking and accelerating of vehicles. The proposed
changes would allow the City to establish variable traffic signal timings that can be applied to high
traffic volume periods and off-peak periods. The pedestrian buttons and signal heads will provide
additional crossing time for pedestrians at any time of the day that it is activated. The proposed
connection to the City's Quicknet system will allow for improved monitoring and management of
traffic flow along this corridor segment.
FISCAL IMPACTS
The following table presents the funding plan for the ten proposed projects:
Project RTIP Request Other Sources Comments
Santa Barbara Street $375,000 Regional Route Possible.ROW This project would use local
Widening8$ 0.000 Local Choice dedication. choice dollars to provide a
$455,000 (1) 17.5% match.
Orcutt Road Widening $600,000 Regional Route $170,000 SHA(2)
$500,000 TIF(3)
Monterev Street Rehab. $350,000 Local Choice NA
Phase II LOUR Medians $150,000 NA Assumes that City will not
receive State TE grant..
Phase III Railroad Safety $350,000 TE Funds NA Same funding proposed for
Trail "Alternative Project."
Sinsheimer School $350,000 TE Funds NA Will require formal approval
Access Trail by SLOCUSD.
SLO Transit Bus $318,600 Transit Funds $41,400 TDA Reserve TDA funds used to
Rehabilitation provide local match.
Regional Fare Pass $65,000 Transit Funds $8,500 TDA Reserve TDA funds used to
Interface provide local match.
Santa Rosa Street Traffic $76,000 ITS Funds NA
Signal Im rovements
Broad Street Pedestrian $51,000 ITS Funds NA
Signal Improvements
Notes:
(1) City will work with property owners to see if land dedication is a potential local funding contribution
and that can reduce the contribution requirement of Regional Route funds.
(2) "SHA" means"State Highway Account Dollars previously approved by SLOCOG for this project.
3 $500,000 of Transportation Impact Fees TIF is the amount identified in the.2001-03 Financial Plan.
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It is important to note is that there is no required local match for most categories of projects — except .
for transit projects. However, projects that have a commitment of local funds or other in-lieu
contributions (or use of an agencies Local Choice dollars)tend to score higher with SLOCOG.
CONCURRENCES
Formal School District support for Project #6 (Sinsheimer School Access Trail) will be forthcoming.
No other agency approvals are required.
ACTION ALTERNATIVES
The City Council may:
I. Modify or delete any of the project proposals identified by staff. Staff will be prepared to discuss
each item and provide information as needed.
2. Addother projects to the list. Staff will be prepared, as best it can, to comment on the eligibility,
cost and grant application prerequisites for alternative projects. However, given the limited time
until the September 5t' submittal deadline, limited additional research and planning is possible.
Attachments
City Council Resolution Approving submittal of RTIP Grant Applications
Council Reading File
Project Study Report Equivalent for the Santa Barbara Street Widening
J
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RESOLUTION NO. ( 2001 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING
THE SUBMITTAL OF TEN GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE SAN LUIS OBIISPO
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (SLOCOG) FOR THE USE OF REGIONAL_
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (RTIP) FUNDS
WHEREAS, in June 2001 the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) notified
local agencies that $44.25 million Regional Transportation Improvement Program dollars would be
available to support eligible transportation projects proposed by local transportation agencies; and
WHEREAS, in August, SLOCOG revised its estimate of available funds to $32.56 million and
established a method for distributing this amount between five funding categories; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has identified ten RTIP-eligible projects and has directed its
CAO to prepare and submit grant applications for these projects to SLOCOG for consideration; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City that if funding is provided, the ten proposed projects
will be carried out consistent with the time frames for the RTIP grant program; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has found that the proposed projects will provide significant
benefits to both local and regional travel and enjoyment of the circulation system within the San Luis
Obispo area.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo hereby:
SECTION 1: Authorizes the CAO to submit ten grant applications to SLOCOG for the use of
Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) for the following:
PROJECTS ____ _ FUNDING
RTIP Funding by Category Other Funds
Phase I Santa Barbara Street Widening $375,000 Regional Route
$80,000 Local Choice
Orcutt Road Widening @ the Union Pacific Railroad $600,000 Regional Route $500,000 City Funds
$170,000 RSHA
Monterey Street Rehabilitation(California to U.S. 101 $330,000 Local Choice
Phase II Los Osos Valley Road Medians $150,060 Trans. Enhancements
Railroad Safety Trail Proms Santa Rosa to Marsh Sts. $350,000 Trans.Enhancements
Sinsheimer School Access Trail $350,000 Trans. Enhancements
SLO Transit Bus Rehabilitation $318,600 ITS Transit $41,400 Local TDA
Regional Transit Fare Pass Interface $65,000 ITS Transit $8,500 Local TDA
Santa Rosa Street Traffic Signal Improvements $76,00 ITS
Broad Street Pedestrian Signal Improvements $51,000 ITS
SECTION 2: Agrees to provide the 11.5% Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding
match required for the-transit project identified in Section 1.
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Page 2: Resolution (2001 Series) +
SECTION 3: Authorizes the CAO to execute any requisite agreements with the San Luis
Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) for approved grant-funded projects and take other
actions necessary to secure requisite RTIP funding.
SECTION 4: Approves the.Project Study Report equivalent for the Santa Barbara Avenue
Widening project
Upon motion of seconded by , and
on the following roll call voter
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this 21st day of August, 2001.
Mayor Allen K. Settle
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED:
tom Je ey iojgensen
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