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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/2007, C3 - CALIFORNIA BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT (BTA) GRANT APPLICATION COUnCll MecN v November 20,qOO7 acEn6A Pcpmt dem Num6erC CITY OF SAN LUIS 0 B I S P 0 3 FROM: Jay D. Walter, Director of Public Works Prepared By: Peggy Mandeville, Principal Transportation Planner '�� SUBJECT: CALIFORNIABICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT(BTA) GRANT APPLICATION CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. As recommended by the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), adopt a resolution certifying that the City will provide a minimum ten percent (10%) funding match of $193,600 for the construction of the segment of the Railroad Safety Trail between the Amtrak Train Station and Marsh Street. 2. Authorize the CAO to execute any agreements to implement the Council's action certifying a minimum ten percent funding match. 3. Direct staff to seek additional sources of funding during the next two years to complete construction of the entire segment. DISCUSSION Background and Description of Project Caltrans has announced a call for funding bicycle projects under the Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) program. The deadline for submitting grant applications is December 3, 2007. The grant application package must include a resolution from the City Council committing to the minimum 10% local match of the total project cost. Staff seeks Council support for providing the required funding match should the City's grant application be successful. The project recommended by staff for the grant application is the construction of the Railroad Safety Trail segment between the Amtrak Train Station and Marsh Street. The project includes a twelve foot wide asphalt path, two bridges (one over Johnson Avenue and one over San Luis Obispo Creek), and security fencing required by Union Pacific Railroad. The project extends the Railroad Safety Trail north from the Jennifer Street bridge serving the transportation needs of the many commuters who use the corridor. Staff is recommending this segment of the Railroad Safety Trail because all environmental clearances have been obtained and funds for the design and right-of-way have been allocated, so the BTA funding can go directly to the construction of the trail which will directly "improve the safety and convenience of bicycle commuters" as called for in the grant requirements. The Bicycle Advisory Committee is scheduled to consider the BTA grant application request on November 15, 2007. Staff will update the Council on the Bicycle Advisory Committee's recommendation at the Council meeting. C3-I 2008109 Bicycle Transportation Cunt Grant Program Pa ae 2. Description of the BTA Program This program provides annual funding for bicycle projects throughout California. The following are key program elements: 1. Program Budget. The current BTA program provides $7.2 million for bicycle projects. Local agencies compete on a statewide basis for these funds, with the maximum grant received by any agency capped at 25% ($1.8 million) of the total amount available. BTA funds can cover up to ninety percent (90%) of the estimated cost of the project and requires a minimum 10% local match. In the past two years, the City has recently received $541,800 in BTA funding for Phase 4 of the Railroad Safety Trail and $495,000 in BTA funding for the Railroad Safety Trail bridge over Highway 101. 2. Planning Requirement. To apply for BTA funding, agencies must have adopted a Bicycle Transportation Plan that meets content requirements of the Streets and Highways Code and has been certified by the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (in our case, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments or "SLOCOG") and by the State's Bicycle Facilities Unit. The City's Bicycle Transportation Plan complies with these requirements. 3. Environmental Clearances. Agencies must document the completion of environmental clearances needed to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act (e.g. an issued Categorical Exemption, Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or certified Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The City has adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Railroad Safety Trail project and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents required for the project have been prepared and accepted by Caltrans. Evaluating Projects to apply for the BTA Grant The recently adopted Bicycle Transportation Plan Update includes a detailed ranking system for prioritizing bikeway projects and ranks the Railroad Safety Trail as the highest priority bikeway for commuting cyclists. Because the Railroad Safety Trail contains numerous segments, the higher priority segments have been identified below as six stand alone construction projects. 1. Amtrak Train Station to Marsh Street(subject of this staff report) 2. Marsh Street to Highway 101 Bridge (most expensive segment due to elevation changes) 3. Highway 101 bridge(funded by BTA grant last year) 4. Foothill Boulevard to Campus Way(identified by Rotary as a potential project for funding) 5. Laurel Lane to Tank Farm (to be developed as part of Orcutt Area Specific Plan) 6. Bridge over Tank Farm Road(to be developed as part of Orcutt Area Specific Plan) To determine which section of the trail would be recommended, staff also considered the following: Funding Considerations. All remaining sections of the Railroad Safety Trail will be costly to design and construct. The Amtrak Station to Marsh Street segment is the lowest cost project ($1.9 million) to complete because the design and right-of-way components totaling $749,000 have already been allocated. Although the State will support a project up to a maximum of$1.8 million, it is unlikely the City would receive such a large award given the strong competition for state funds. Staff therefore recommends that the City apply for $890,000 in grant funding (approximately 12% of what the State c3-a 2008/09 Bicycle Transportation.,..count Grant Proaram Pane 3 has budgeted) which will construct at least one bridge and a portion of the path and direct staff to seek additional sources of funding during the next two years to fully fund the construction of the entire segment. Environmental Clearances. The BTA program requires documentation of completed environmental clearance be submitted with the application. In essence, the State does not want to consider projects that might get delayed in the environmental assessment process. Because.all of the environmental clearances have been obtained for the segment between the Railroad Station and Marsh Street, staff recommends seeking funding for this segment so construction can be completed before the environmental clearances expire. Ability to Meet State Funding Criteria. The BTA grant applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria: a. How the proposed project will benefit bicycle commuter. The project will provide an extension to an existing heavily used Class I bikeway. In the short term, the path will provide improved access from the south to businesses and hotels on upper Monterey Street and improved access from the north to service commercial and industrial businesses south of Orcutt Road. In the long term, the path will provide-a commuter route through the City with access to Cal Poly. b. How the proposed project will increase bicycle commuting. By providing a relatively level unobstructed circulation route for bicyclists, commuters have fewer reasons not to travel by bicycle. c. Why the proposed project is the best alternative for the situation. Developing a bikeway parallel to the railway is ideal because the travel way does not include steep slopes, stops and starts at traffic signals, or the potential for conflicts with motor vehicles.. d. Citizen and community involvement in the development of the proposed project. Numerous groups and organizations (including the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition, Cal Poly and Union Pacific Railroad) are identified as having involvement in the development of the project. Staff believes that the City can demonstrate a solid justification for the State to approve $890,000 in BTA funding for this section of the Railroad Safety Trail project. Although an additional $852,400 will be needed to fully complete the construction of the segment of the Railroad Safety Trail, much less than half of this amount will fund the two bridges and security fencing making the travel way useable by commuting bicyclists. CONCURRENCES At its November 15, 2007 meeting, the Bicycle Advisory Committee is scheduled to discuss the BTA program and provide a recommendation for Council consideration. A copy of the draft BAC minutes will be forwarded to Council via red file when completed. FISCAL EUPACT The BTA program requires a minimum funding match often percent(10%) of the total project cost. The project's total construction cost in 2009 is estimated at $1,936,000 making the City's contribution C3 ^ 3 2008/09 Bicycle Transportation unt Grant Program Page 4 FISCAL IMPACT The BTA program requires a minimum funding match often percent (10%)of the total project cost. The project's total construction cost in 2009 is estimated at $1,936,000 making the City's contribution $193,600. The 2007-09 Financial Plan identifies the potential use of City Transportation Impact Fee(TIF) funds to pay for construction of this segment in 2009-10 (see Attachment 2, 2007/09 Financial Plan excerpt). Normally it takes six to nine months for the State to act on grant applications. Should the City's grant application be successful, staff will return to Council as part of the upcoming mid year budget review to request the local funding match. The Councilresolution (Attachment 3) certifies that the City will provide the local funding match. During the next two years, staff will continue to seek additional sources of funding to complete the construction. If the City receives the BTA grant funding and has not found all the additional funds needed to complete the construction, staff will recommend additional funding as part of the upcoming 2009-2011 Financial Plan process. ALTERNATIVES 1. The City Council may direct staff to apply for the maximum amount ($1.8 million) of BTA funding for the project. Because these grants are very competitive, staff is recommending that the City apply for approximately half of the maximum amount. 2. The City Council may direct staff to apply for a lower amount of grant funding. Although a lower amount would be more competitive, it could result in less of a project delivery. 3. The City Council may decide not to apply for BTA funding at this time. Staff does not recommend this since the grant represents a high rate of return for a small City investment. ATTACIIMENTS 1: Project location map 2. 2007/09 Financial Plan, Appendix B, Pages 3-276 to 3-279 3. Resolution certifying funding match of 10% G:\Stafr-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\_CAR\2007\Transporta6on Planning\BTA grant 08-09 CAR.doc c3 -� ATTACHMENT I Location Map/Schematic Design Bridge over San Luis Obispo Creek Bridge over - Johnson Avenue- i um, X <1 x AMTRAK Passenge Denot at South trid of o fA ki 1ACHMENT Z RAILROAD SAFETY TRAIL: PHASE 3 CIP Project Summary Extending the Railroad Safety Trail (formerly the Railroad Recreation Trail) along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) between Santa.Rosa Street (AMTRAK Station) and Marsh Street will cost $2,760,000 for construction($2,710,000)and construction management$(50,000) in 2009-10. Project Objectives 1. Reduce conflicts between pedestrians,bicyclists,and railroad operations. 2. Improve safety for all users of the railroad right of way. 3. Reduce trespassing onto active railroad property. 4. Establish a Class I bikeway along the Union Pacific Railroad through San Luis Obispo. 5. Provide more direct pedestrian and bicycle connections between center city neighborhoods and north city destinations such as Cal Poly. Existing Situation In.November 2000 the Council adopted the preliminary alignment plan for the Railroad Safety Trail. Public. Works and RRM Design Group have been working with UPRR to gain support and approval of the proposed bikeway alignment. UPRR has conceptually approved the project,with conditions that include the City entering into license agreements with UPRR in lieu of acquiring land or easements for the bike path. With the major design and acquisition issues resolved,the City is proceeding with negotiations for license agreements and design of the bikeway. The final step in the process is the construction of the bicycle facility Phase 3 project work will include 1)building a Class I bicycle and pedestrian path along the west side of the railroad between Santa Rosa Street and Marsh Street, 2)building two bridges: one over Johnson Avenue and another over San Luis Obispo Creek, and 3) installing fencing as required by UPRR. Goal and Policy Links 1. 1994 General Plan Circulation Element 2. 2002 Bicycle Transportation Plan 3. 1998 Railroad District Plan 4. Recommendation of the Bicycle Advisory Committee that the City continue implementation of the Railroad Safety Trail 5. 1999-01 Financial Plan, pages E-10 and E-33 6. 2001-03 Financial Plan,pages E-9 and E-33 7. 2003-05 Financial Plan,pages E-8 and E-28 8. 2000 Railroad Safety Trail Preliminary Alignment Plan(RRM Design)\ 9. 2005-07 Major City Goal: Bikeway Improvements 10. 2007-09 Major City Goal: Bikeway Improvements Project Work Completed A preliminary alignment for the path was established when the Council adopted the plan in November 2000. A I refined alignment addressing residual concerns raised by UPRR's engineering and operations divisions has received conceptual approval from UPRR(November 17, 2004). Staff is cu I 3-276 C3 Ap - TRANSPORTATION• , s . ATTACHMENT z RAILROAD SAFETY TRAIL: PHASE 3 Environmental Review Environmental documents necessary to comply with CEQA have been completed (reference Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Environmental Study). Costs of specific studies (such as a hazardous materials evaluation) have been included in the proposed budget for license agreements and are underway and should be completed by 6/30/07. Project Constraints and Limitations While UPRR has conceptually approved the Railroad Safety Trail design plans, UPRR may still raise issues as the project moves forward. Due to limited TIF revenues and other priorities this project must await accumulation of TIF or other grants to proceed to construction This CIP request proposes to continue the progress of the overall Rallroad Trail by using City-TIF funds during 2009-10 if available. Project Phasing and Funding Sources Pro'ect Costs by Phase Project Costs To-Date 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total -- Study 145,200 145,200 License Agreements(1) 347,000 347,000 Design(1) 290,000 290,000 Construction 2,710,000 2,710,000 Construction Management 1 50,0001 1 50,000 Total 782,200 - - _ 2,7609000 3,542,200 Pro'ect Funiffng by Source Project Funding Sources To-Date 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total General Fund 200 200 Grants(2) 420,000 420,000 TIF Fund 362,000 2,760,000 3,122,000 Total 782,200 2,760,000 39542,200 (1) $70,000 SHA completed Grant(PUSL08),$25,000 Fed TE Allocated by CTC January 2004 Key Project Assumptions That TIF will accumulate and be available for project use by 2009-10. 3-277 (1 TRANSPORTATION RAILROAD SAFE'T'Y TRAIL: PHASE 3 ATTACHME NI Z Project Manager and Team Support Project Manager CIP-Engineering Project Team Transportation Planning and Engineering Alternatives 1. Deny or defer the project If this project does not proceed,the City's Circulation Element,Bicycle Transportation Plan, and Railroad District Plan goals will not be achieved. However,the City could defer construction to a later date. 2. Change the scope of the project The Phase 3 path segment could be shortened to extend between Santa Rosa Street and Johnson Avenue. Cost would be significantly less because construction of the two bridges would be deferred,-but the path's function would be severely limited, as Johnson Avenue would continue to be a barrier for north-south bicycle and pedestrian travel. Operating Program Transportation Planning and Engineering(50500) Project Effect on the Operating Budget Transportation Planning and Engineering Program: 200 hours for project management. CIP Project.Engineering: 600 hours for design CIP Project Engineering: 1080 hours for inspection Public Works Administration: 200 hours for property acquisition Community Development Dept: 8 hours for plan consistency review 3-278 C3 �� ATTACHMENT 3 RESOLUTION NO. (2007 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CERTIFYING THAT THE CITY WILL PROVIDE A MINIMUM FUNDING MATCH OF$193,600 (10%) FOR THE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEGMENT OF THE RAILROAD SAFETY TRAIL BETWEEN THE AMTRAK TRAIN STATION AND MARSH STREET AND AUTHORIZE THE CAO TO ENTER INTO ANY REQUIRED AGREEMENTS 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, San Luis Obispo's Bicycle Transportation Plan ranks the Railroad Safety Trail as the highest priority commuter bikeway in the City and identifies the segment between the Amtrak Train Station and Marsh Street as a segment of this bikeway system; and WHEREAS, funding has been allocated to the design, engineering, and right of way acquisition for the project, leaving only the cost of construction to complete the project. WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) has reviewed the BTA Grant Program Guidelines, considered alternative eligible projects, and recommended that the City Council pursue BTA grant funding for the project described herein; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Director has reviewed the Railroad Safety Trail project and its Initial Environmental Study and has granted the project a Mitigated Negative Declaration consistent with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)and its guidelines; and WHEREAS, all required Federal studies including a Natural Environment Study, Biological Evaluation, a Historic Property Survey Report, a Floodplain Evaluation Report, an Archaeological Survey Report; and a Historical Resources Evaluation Report have been prepared for the project consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that implementation of this project described below will improve bicycle commuting in San Luis Obispo, consistent with the community's General Plan Circulation Element and Bicycle Transportation Plan. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that it certifies the City will provide a minimum 10% funding match of$193,600 for construction of the project and authorizes the CAO to enter into any subsequent cooperative agreements with that agency for the segment of the Railroad Safety Trail between the Railroad Train Station and Marsh Street. C3-q • �' ATTAQC v i 3 Resolution No. (2007 Series) Page 2 On motion of seconded by and on the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the following resolution was adopted this day of ,2007. David F. Romero,Mayor ATTEST: Audrey Hooper,City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Jo ath . Lowell, City Attorney 11J, l c o u n c i l m E m o iza n o u m RECEIVED Date: November 19, 2007 NOV 19 2007 To: City Council SLO CITY CLERK From: Jay Walter, Director of Public Works( Via: Ken Hampian, Chief Administrative _Officer Subject: Red File: November 20,2007 City Council Meeting Consent Item# C3 Bicycle Advisory Committee Action On November 15, 2007 the Bicycle Advisory Committee unanimously voted to recommend that the City submit a Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) grant application for the Railroad Safety Trail segment between the Amtrak Train Station and Marsh Street. Attached is a copy of the Committee's draft meeting minutes. Attached: Draft BAC Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2007 G:\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\—CAR\2007\Transportation Planning\Red file-BTA grant appl.doc &Py - RED FILE- iii-GOUNCIL TCDD CAO FIN DIR MEETING AGENDA ACAO TFIRE CHIEF DA !% ITEM #-dd_ ATTORNEY V PW DIR CLERK/ORIG POLICE CHF DEPT HEADS RTC DIR PIAL1TIL DIR HR DIR �' Cv1JN000 DRAFT MINUTES Regular Meeting of the SAN LUIS OBISPO BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Hearing Room, City Hall 990 Palm Street, San Luis,Obispo November 15, 2007 Thursday 7 p.m. MISSION: The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee is to provide oversight and policy direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its relationship to bicycling outside the City. ROLL CALL: Present: Kevin Christian (Chair), Jean Anderson, Tim Gillham, Glen Matteson and Tom Nuckols. Absent: Trevor Keith (Vice Chair) and Ben Lerner. Staff present: Peggy Mandeville, Principal Transportation Planner Jake Hudson, Engineer III Dan VanBeveren, Senior Civil Engineer PUBLIC COMMENT: Adam Fukushima, County Bicycle Coalition introduced the new Rideshare Bicycle Coordinator, Jaime Hill. He also provided the Committee with a summary of the Coalition's "Bike Forward" program and the ceremony that took place on the previous Friday when 30 bikes were given away to participants. He noted that the event was covered by KSBY television and the Mustang Daily newspaper. Finally, he notified the Committee that Bike Forward participants would be participating a blog to track their participation and share triumphs and commuting tips. MINUTES: The minutes of September 27, 2007 were approved as written. INTRODUCTIONS: Dan VanBeveren, Senior Civil Engineer in the Public Works Department, provided the Committee with an update on current bike projects. He noted that the Bob Jones City to Sea Trail is under construction between Prado Road and Los Osos Valley Road and that the Railroad Safety Trail, Phase 4 (Highway 101 to Foothill Boulevard) construction plans are 75% complete. Finally, he noted that the Railroad Safety Trail license agreements should be approved by middle of next year and design should be complete by the end of next year. He then discussed the recently completed slurry seal project. He noted that the bicycle stencil at Tassajara and Foothill would be replaced and that the bike lane striping on north bound California south of Foothill would be corrected. mAFT Staff VanBeveren noted that the 2007 slurry seal projects will be touched up to address vertical and horizontal displacement and that the City is developing a standard for grinding bike lanes before a repaving project begins. Finally, he noted that any BAC concerns about particular locations should be relayed to staff via Peggy Mandeville. Chair Christian noted that the BAC can be a positive resource to staff for striping review of paving projects. CM Anderson noted that Pacific Street between Broad and Nipomo has been identified as a street segment that needs to be repaved. PRESENTATIONS: Jake Hudson, Engineer III with the Public Works Department, presented the 2006 Annual Traffic Safety Report to the Committee including information on bicycle collisions. Staff noted that during the past year, the City installed the Mono Street. bicycle signal. Committee members asked general questions of staff. ACTION ITEMS: Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) Grant Application Staff presented the Committee with a presentation outlining staffs justification for identifying the Railroad Safety Trail, between the Amtrak Train Station and Marsh Street, as the recommended grant application project. The Committee concurred that this section of the Railroad Safety Trail is identified in the 2007 Bicycle Transportation Plan as a high priority project and because the design and environmental work has been completed, it is the ideal project to submit for the grant. The Committee voted unanimously to support the staff recommendation that the City submit a BTA grant application for the Railroad Safety Trail section between the Amtrak Station and Marsh Street. CollisionNolume Location Review The Committee deferred discussion on the review of Santa Rosa and Foothill until the next meeting to give the Committee members time to review the project in context with the information provided in the 2006 Traffic Safety Report. The Committee requested that at the next meeting staff provide the Committee with an update on what changes the City made to paving projects in response to their recommendations.. DISCUSSION ITEMS:. Bike Riding on Sidewalks The Committee asked that staff confer with the Police Department to determine how much a ticket is for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk and whether or not the Police Department considers the offense something the BAC should address as part of an education effort. DRAFT - Bikes on Buses Staff notified the Committee that the Air Pollution Control District called a meeting of interested parties to discuss the issue of bicyclists being left behind when the bike racks on buses are full. The group decided to conduct additional research on the issue prior to making any decisions. Air Pollution Mitigation Projects CM Gillham noted the Committee that the Air Pollution Control District is looking for projects to mitigate the air quality impacts of development projects. The Committee recommended that staff send a copy of the 2007 Bicycle Transportation Plan to the District. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm to the regularly scheduled meeting date of January 17, 2008. C:\Documents and Settings\slouser\Desktop\11.15.07.doc Me City of San Luis Obispo is committed to including the disabled in all of its services,programs,and activities. Please contact the Clerk or staff liaison prior to the meeting if you require assistance. X�p�E ONIe San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition 14860 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-4860 s RECEIVED NC J 2 01001 Adam Fukushima, Executive Director SLO CITY CLERK Phone: 805-547-2055 Bicgcle Coalition Email: adamf@slobikelane.org November 19, 2007 ,q-b 6 & L City Council 15 COUNCIL T6CDD DIP, City of San Luis Obispo RED FILE CAO ff FIN DIR MEETING AGENDA ACAO QPFIRE CHIEF 990 Palm St ATTORNEY PW DIR San Luis Obispo CA 93401 DA I a7 ITEM #-! 3 ip CLERK/ORIG POLICE CHF ❑ DEPT HEADS REC DIR —PZ � UTIL DIR Dear Honorable Mayor Romero and Members of Council, .�ctei,� � HR DIR We would like to address Item C3 for the November 20`I' City Council meeting regarding the 4 C .-0,0 City's application for a California Bicycle Transportation Account(BTA) grant. � The Bicycle Coalition would like to urge your support for the CAO's recommendation to adopt a resolution certifying that the City provide a minimum 10% fumding match of$193,600 for the construction of the segment of the Railroad Safety Trail from the Amtrak train station to Marsh Street. The investment of$193,600 is a good use of City funds due to the fact that it will leverage $890,000 in state funding. In addition, City funds will only be committed should the BTA application be successful. Completion of the Railroad Safety Trail is a key component of Measure Y and is among the Major City Goals. The Railroad Safety Trail will provide an excellent backbone of connectivity throughout the City and provide a safer and more convenient path for bicyclists, pedestrians, and those with disabilities to reach major activity centers including CalPoly,Mustang Stadium, the Downtown Business District, the Amtrak Station, and residences. Should you have questions,please feel free to contact me. Best regards, Adam Fukushima, Executive Director San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition The San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization working to transform SLO County into a safer and more livable community by promoting bicycling and walking for everyday transportation and recreation. For more information, visit www.slobikelane.org. Page 1 of 1 From: Justesen, Erik P. [mailto:EPJustesen@rrmdesign.com] RECEIVED Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007.4:34 PM To: Mandeville, Peggy NOV 212001 Subject: SLO Safety Trail--matching funding Importance: High SLO CITY CLERK Dear Peggy, I read with great interest the article in the Sunday Tribune regarding SLO City matching funds for the BTA grant for the Railroad Safety Trail segment between the Station and Marsh Street. I would like to go on record as supporting the staff recommendation to fund the 10%match for the grant application.This project is simply the most important bicycle improvement project in the City with beneficial service to literally thousands of our citizens. It is responsible, green and smart planning all the way around. I am unable to make the City Council hearing tonight, but please consider this letter as an enthusiastic vote in support of item C3 on the consent calendar. Thank you for your hard work and leadership for a bicycle friendly City. Sincerely, Erik Justesen Erik P. Justesen, ASLA CEO rrmdesigngroup 3765 S.Higuera SL,Ste.102 San Luis Obispo,CA 93401 P:(805)543.1794 1 F:(805)543.4609 www.rrmdesion.com RED FILE MEUING AGENDA DATEIZ20L ITEM #_ g COUNCIL SCDD DIR OTAO FW DIR pACAO ;'FIRE CHIEF PW �p7ORNEY OLDCE 18 CHF. �"CLERK(ORIG p p FADS ' e- C . UTIL DIR ZHR MR- C IR_ _. C°.AO 11/20/2007 Page 1 of 1 Counul, SloCity From: Mary Lou Johnson [maryloujohnson@charter.net] Sent: Tue 11/20/2007 1:08 PM To: Council, SloCity Cc: Subject: Yes to Bike Path Funding Attachments: Dear City Council Members, I reside in the city of San Luis Obispo. I am a former member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee and support city plans for alternative transportation within the city limits. Please support funding and direction to complete a bike path connecting the train station to California Street (Cal Poly Campus). This is an important element in our master plan for the City to the Sea Bob Jones trail. I would also urge you to continue to support grants and funding for the planned path from Tank Farm Road to Orcutt Road. I believe many more bike commuters to the downtown core will be collected on this path as well. Thank you, Mary Lou RECEIVED Mary Lou Johnson, e-PRO, Realtor NOV 2 0 2001 i ERA Sea Wave Real Estate SLO CITY CLERK 805-441-3246 Cell 805-773-4611 Office 805-773-1394 Fax www.eraseawave.com REp FILE G AGENDA marylouiohnson@charter.net ME` DATglop G 0 GP J Ci"A�n� https:Hmai 1.sloci ty.org/exchange/slocitycounci i/Inbox/Yes%20to%2OB ike%20Path%2OF... 11/20/2007