HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/2003, C6 - BTA GRANT APPLICATION FOR ALTERATIONS TO THE JENNIFER STREET BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE council M.�dn°yc �i id103
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C I TY OF SAN L U IS O B I S P O
FROM: Michael D.McCluskey,Public Works Director
Prepared By: Jake D. Hudson,Assistant Engineer I
SUBJECT: BTA GRANT APPLICATION FOR ALTERATIONS TO THE
JENNIFER STREET BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
CAO RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. As recommended by the Bicycle Advisory Committee(BAC), adopt resolution that:
a) Directs the City Administrative Officer to submit an application to
Caltrans for a $225,000 Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) grant
to pay for proposed alterations to the Jennifer Street Bicycle &
Pedestrian Bridge: and,
b) Certifies that local match funding will cover ten percent of the total
project cost.
2. If the grant application is successful, approve appropriation of $25,000 from the CEP
Reserve, if funds are still available, or from the General Fund balance, to act as a local
match for the grant.
3. Authorize the City Administrative Officer to execute all required grant documents.
DISCUSSION
In 2001, the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) expressed a desire to submit applications
to the California Department of Transportation(Caltrans) for funding bicycle projects under
the Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) program. In 2002, the BAC recommended and
the City Council authorized the submittal of a BTA grant application for the installation of
the northern segment of the Railroad Safety Trail between Foothill Boulevard and Hathway
Street. Due to the State's fiscal difficulties,approval of these grants has been delayed.Word
on last year's grant application has not been received,but is expected any time. The State is
anticipated to again hold this grant competition in 2003 even though the fiscal situation
remains much the same as last year.
At its September 18, 2003 meeting, the BAC considered eligible projects (Attachments 1
and 2) to include in this year's grant application that is due December l st. The BAC
recommended that an application be submitted for alterations to the Jennifer St. Bicycle &
Pedestrian Bridge to coincide with expected improvements to the Bill Roalman Bicycle
1
Council Agenda Report—Bicycle Transportation Account Grant Application
Page 2
Boulevard(Vicinity Map,Attachment 3). The grant will fund the design and construction of
a second ADA accessible ramp and corresponding alterations to existing walkways and
landscaping to accommodate the ramp on the west(downtown) side of the bridge. The new
ramp will allow users a second point of access to the bridge from the south (Railroad
Transportation Center parking lot). Currently users on the west side access the bridge from
the Osos Street roundabout area(Attachment 4) and accessing the new signal at Upham will
require backtracking to that location. A second entry ramp will provide a more direct
connection to downtown via the soon to be constructed traffic signal at Santa Barbara
Street/Upham Street intersection and the Bill Roalman Bicycle Boulevard on Morro Street.
Currently bicyclists wishing to travel in this direction exit onto the roundabout and either
continue down Osos Street into downtown or ride through the heavily used Railroad Square
parking lot to Santa Rosa Street.
The Bicycle Transportation Account(BTA)
The BTA grant program provides statewide funding for projects that improve safety and
convenience for bicycle commuters. Since 2001, the BTA program has provided $7.2
million annually for bicycle projects. The competing City and County agencies that are
awarded the grants must provide a local funding match covering at least 10% of the total
project cost; BTA funds will cover the remaining 90%of the estimated project cost. In order
to be eligible for BTA funding, agencies must have an adopted Bicycle Transportation Plan
that has been certified by the Regional Transportation Planning Agency & the State's
Bicycle Facilities Unit. Agencies also must have completed all environmental clearances
needed to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Eligible projects
include:
1. New bikeways serving major transportation corridors.
2. New bikeways removing travel barriers to potential bicycle commuters.
3. Secure bicycle parking at employment centers, park-and-ride lots, rail and transit
terminals, and ferry docks and landings.
4. Bicycle-carrying facilities on public transit.
5. Installation of traffic control devices to improve the safety and efficiency of bicycle
travel.
6. Elimination of hazardous conditions on existing bikeways.
7. Planning.
8. Improvement and maintenance of bikeways.
A listing of the City's eligible projects is included as Attachment 1.
CONCURRENCES
At the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on September 18, 2003, the BAC
considered several eligible projects and recommended that an application be submitted for
funding of alterations to the Jennifer St. Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge to provide a second
ADA accessible ramp to the bridge's west(downtown) side.
Gf, -Z
Council Agenda Report—Bicycle Transportation Account Grant Application
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT
Estimated Project Cost $250,000
Sources for Appropriations:
BTA Grant $225,000
General Fund Match 25,000
$250,000
BTA grants require a minimum 10 percent local match. The proposed resolution must
certify that the City is prepared to provide the required local match. If the application is
approved, the $25,000 match would come from the CIP Reserve, if funds are still available.
Otherwise, funding would come from the General Fund balance. After approval of funding
for two prior projects on this agenda,the CIP Reserve balance is currently$202,266.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Continue the item with direction for staff to provide additional information. Staff does
not recommend this alternative because this grant application is due on December 1,
2003.
2. Do not adopt the resolution approving submittal of the grant application and certification
of the local match funding. Staff does not recommend this alternative because the grant
will expedite achievement of the City's modal split goals as established in the
Circulation Element of the General Plan by removing a travel barrier to potential bicycle
commuters.
ATTACHIdENTS
1. Other eligible projects considered by the BAC on September 18,2003
2. September 18,2003 Bicycle Advisory Committee minutes
3. Vicinity Map
4. Location map&graphic
5. BTA Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2004/2005
6. Resolution authorizing submittal of BTA grant application
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Attachment 1
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Attachment 2
DRAFT
EXCERPT FROM
SAN LUIS OBISPO BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
September 18,2003
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson JeanAnderson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Jean Anderson (Chair), Chris Overby (Vice Chair), Darren Brown, Glen
Matteson, Dixon Moore and Phil Reimer
Absent: Kristen Kent
Staff: Peggy Mandeville, Transportation Associate and Heather Freebairn, Recording
Secretary
PUB C COMMENT PERIOD:
The a was no public comment.
PORTS:
2. Bicycle Transportation Account(BTA) Grant Applications
Staff reported to the Committee that the deadline for BTA grant applications is December 1,
2003. Last year at the recommendation of the BAC, the City submitted a grant application for
the Railroad Safety Trail. Word.of that application has not been received. If word is not
received by Dec. 1, Caltrans staff recommends that the City resubmit the previous grant
application as well as any new applications. Staff provided the Committee with a small list of
projects that meet all of the grant criteria and recommended that the BAC pursue BTA grant /
funding for the Jennifer Street bridge alterations. After discussion,the Committee agreed that
there were a limited number of projects that met all of the grant criteria and of the projects listed,
the alterations to the Jennifer Street bridge was the highest priority after the Rail oad Safety Trail
project (which has BTA grant application in process). The Committee voted un ously to
recommend to the City Council that a BTA grant application be prepared for the Je er Street
bridge alteration.
Attachment 3
Vicinity Map
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ATTACHMENT 4
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Jennifer Street Bridge
Modification Project —
Attachment .)
.trans District 5 Local Assistance Office
BICYCLE 'TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT
PROJECT APPLICATION
Applicant
Agency:City of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department
Address: 955 Morro Street San Luis Obispo,CA 93401
Contact Person: Jake D.Hudson,Assistant Engineer Phone 805-781-7255
Project Title:JenniferStreet Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridee.Alteration
Project Location(County or City/Cities): City of San Luis Obispo
State Legislative Districts: Senate 18 Assembly.33 .
Project Description/Purpose/Need-please include a map with north arrow and scale showing the project
location,length,and project limits if appropriate.
Construct an additional ramp on the west end of the Jennifer Street bicycle-pedestrian bridge. This alteration will improve
connections and enable safe bicycle access to the Morro Street Bicycle Boulevard Traffic Signal &"Morro Street Bicycle
Boulevard" — a dedicated bikeway that connects the southern and eastern quadrants of San Luis Obispo with the
community's central business district along with other Class I & II facilities accessing Cal Poly State_University. By
providing a safe and direct access route,to the Morro Street Bicycle.Boulevard & Signal, bicyclists-will no longer-be,
required to use either Osos St.or a short termyarkinglot to access the Bicycle Signal and Boulevard.
PROJECT BUDGET
Funding Engineering/Design Right-of-Way Construction Total
$11,250 NA $213,750 $225,000
BTA Funds_ _
$1,250 NA $23,750 $25,000
Local Funds
— NA —
Other
Total $12;500 NA $237,500 $250,000
BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT
PROJECT SCREENING CRITERIA
The following items are minimum requirements for project eligibility and must be submitted with the application:
1) A Bicycle Transportation Plan that addresses Streets and.Highways Code Section 891.2(a-k)prepared and adopted
by the applicant and approved by the applicant's transportation planning agency and the Caltrans Bicycle Facilities
Unit. The plan should include copies of the local resolution adopting the Bicycle Transportation Plan and Regional
Transportation Planning Agency approval of the plan. (Letter from Caltrans Bicycle Unit certifying compliance
of City's May 2002 Bicycle Transportation Plan is attached.)
2) A resolution certifying the availability of the required 10 percent local share of the total project cost.
3) Documentation of completed environmental clearance.
Attachment 5
trans District 5 Local Assistance Office
EVALUATION CRITERIA
(To be completed by applicant)
Eligible BTA projects are those that serve the functional needs of bicycle commuters. Accordingly,BTA project applications
will be categorized as Excellent,Good,Fair,Poor or Ineligible according to the following criteria:
How well has the applicant demonstrated that the project:
1) Will be used primarily by bicycle commuters?
The.central business.district is located.at the center of San.Luis Obispo with.2,500+ emplovees and Cal Poly State
University is located at the northern edge of San Luis Obispo with a current enrollment of 17,000+ students. The vast
majority of student, consumer, and employee trips into the central business district and to Cal Poly State University are
made by residents of the City of San Luis.Obispo..According to City survey's(2001.Modal-Split Survey)about 23.5%of
all Work& School (Commuting) trips are by bicycle. This riroiect will serve the expanding commute cycling needs of
both consumers and employee's of the central business district as well as Cal Poly Students by removing a barrier to
these.potential bicycle commuters.
2) Has the potential to increase bicycle commuting?
The southern and eastern quadrants of the City are expected to expand by approximately 16.000 residential units. The
central business district is also expected to expand by approximately an additional 137.000 Soft. of retail floor space and
an additional 470.000 Soft. of office floor space and like most State Universities, Cal Poly intends to increase its.
enrollment by 3.000 or more students. Without any significant increases in automobile capacity connecting these major
growth areas along with vehicle trip reduction policies, such as Cal Polyprohibiting I'-year students from bringing
private.motor .vehicles on campus, there has and will continue to be significant increases in demand for bicycle
commuting. The proposed proiect would remove a barrier and comnlete a vital connection in the Bicycle Route System
connecting these major growth areas.
3) Is the best alternative for the situation?
This project will provide for a safe and convenient connection serving both bicyclists and pedestrians under existing and
future conditions. As traffic volume and congestion increases,it will become more imperative to separate bicyclists from
vehicular traffic. This modification is the best alternative for nroviding.a safe & direct route from the southern and
eastern quadrant. of.the City to the central business district and Cal Poly State University by eliminating the need for
bicyclists to travel through either a high-turnover parking lot or an arterial roadway to access the Morro Street Bicycle
Boulevard&Signal.
4) Will improve continuity with existing bikeways?
This proiect is a part of an innovative bikeroute comprised of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge Bicycle Signal and a
dedicated Bicycle Boulevard which connects the two1)rimary commute destinations of San Luis Obispo City with the
rest of the community. This Particular project will complete a vital connection supporting the long term vision of a
continuous commuter bike path through San Luis Obispo.
��- (D
— Attachment 5
trans District.5 Local Assistance Office
5) Will provide a direct route to activity centers such as schools,employment centers,shopping,etc.?
This proiect will complete.a vital link providing the most direct access to the City's central business district—
which is the government employer center of San Luis.Obispo County and Cal Poly-State-University—which is
San Luis Obisoo's largest employer.
6) Is consistent with the Bicycle Transportation Plan?
This project is consistent the City's adopted Bicycle Transportation Plan(May 2002). The project is.shown in Figure#1
as a grade crossing necessary to link sections of the Rail Road Safety Trail on either side of the Union Pacific Railroad
and to provide access to the Morro Street Bicycle Boulevard & Bicycle Signal. (Note: The City's Bike Plan has been
foundbythe Caltrans Bicycle Unit(Sacramento)to fully comply with pertinent provisions of the Streets and Highways
Code.
FIGURE#1: LOCATION MAP
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Attachment 6
RESOLUTION NO. (2003 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
DIRECTING THE CAO TO SUBMIT A FUNDING APPLICATION TO THE
CALIFORNIA BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT(BTA)PROGRAM FOR
ALTERATIONS TO THE JENNIFER STREET BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
WHEREAS,the City Council has adopted a Bicycle Transportation Plan that complies with
the content requirements of Section 891.2 of the California Streets and Highways Code; and
WHEREAS, the proposed alterations to the Jennifer Street bicycle and pedestrian bridge
are consistent with San Luis Obispo's Bicycle Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) has reviewed the
BTA Grant Program Guidelines, considered alternative eligible projects, and has recommended that
the City Council pursue BTA grant funding for alterations to the Jennifer Street bridge; and
WHEREAS,the Community Development Director has reviewed the proposed project and
granted a Categorical Exemption consistent with Article 19 of the California Environmental Quality
Act(CEQA)Guidelines;and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed alterations to the Jennifer Street
bicycle and pedestrian bridge will improve bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo, consistent
with the community's General Plan Circulation Element.
BE IT RESOLVED,by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows.-
Section
ollows:Section 1. The City Council directs the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to submit the
BTA grant application to Caltrans and to enter into any subsequent cooperative agreements with
that agency for funding the alterations to the Jennifer Street bicycle and pedestrian bridge.
Section 2. The City Council hereby certifies that it will provide a minimum ten percent
(10%) local funding match for alterations to the Jennifer Street bridge.
On motion of seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSEN
J
the following resolution was adopted this_day of ,2003.
Attachment 6
Resolution No. (2003 Series)
Page 2
Mayor David F. Romero
ATTEST:
Lee Price,City Clerk
Jona Lowell,City Attorney