HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2009, B3 - POSTPONEMENT OF THE RELINQUISHMENT OF HIGHWAY 227 TO THE CITY Maaua,Dare
Couna Oct 20, 2009
j acEnbA RepoRt
. CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Jay D. Walter, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Barbara Lynch, Deputy Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: POSTPONEMENT OF THE RELINQUISHMENT OF HIGHWAY 227 TO THE
CITY
RECOMMENDATION
Postpone pursuit of the relinquishment of Highway 227 at this time.
REPORT-IN-BRIEF
After direction in 2003 to begin relinquishment proceedings with the State, staff is now returning
to the Council to receive final direction as to the relinquishment of Highway 227 by the State to
City control. There are four main considerations for this relinquishment. They are: 1) Permitting
for City construction projects, 2) Broad Street Corridor plan implementation, 3) Private
development issues and 4) On-going maintenance. Various issues with permitting, development,
and plan implementation all argue in favor of relinquishment to some degree, but the
maintenance burden of the additional right-of-way argues against it.
Given the City's current fiscal situation and the uncertain economic climate, staff is
recommending postponing consideration of relinquishment to a future date when development is
more active, the Corridor plan is more likely to be funded by the City for implementation, and
additional resources for maintenance can be secured.
DISCUSSION
Background
On October 7, 2003 staff requested and received direction from the City Council to pursue
relinquishment of Highway 227 within the City limits (see map - Attachment 1). Highway 227
within the City limits is currently comprised of portions of Madonna Road, Higuera Street, South
Street and Broad Street and is operated and maintained by the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) (Attachment 2). Staff pursued legislation that was passed in
September of 2004 to allow the relinquishment to occur (Attachment 3). At that time, members
of the City Council raised several concerns regarding the City's ability to complete work along
the highway in a timely manner, to influence development, and to provide a streetscape that was
more urban than highway in nature. While these issues remain, staff is increasingly cognizant of
the maintenance costs associated with infrastructure in an era of dwindling resources and high
community expectations.
The State normally brings a facility proposed for relinquishment into a "state of good repair"
prior to the transfer. Caltrans has prepared plans and is nearly complete with the construction of
roadway rehabilitation along Highway 227 and is nearing the time when they would be ready to
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Highway 227 Relinquishment Page 2
finalize the transfer. Given the length of time since the Council action in 2003 regarding this
subject, staff felt is was appropriate to bring the issue back to the Council for final direction
before completing the steps for relinquishment with Caltrans.
Considerations
There are four main considerations to consider with this potential relinquishment. Three impact
the City and the last, impacts primarily private development.
1. City construction work in the State Right-of-Way(ROW)
From.time to time, the City has a construction project that requires work within the Hwy 227
State ROW. This is most commonly due to City-owned water and sewer facilities which abut the
State highway. Engineering staff routinely requests encroachment permits for such projects.
Obtaining a permit can be a lengthy process, not so much because of the difficulty in submitting
plans or with working with the Caltrans staff, but largely because the State's internal process for
review is lengthy. Emergency repairs are covered under a separate permit which allows staff.to
respond immediately to make repairs to existing facilities. While obtaining a permit slows
project delivery, it can be planned for. Project delivery becomes a challenge should there be a
need to accelerate a project and expedite State permitting. Acquiring Highway 227 will not
completely eliminate this process for all City projects, as it will still be required for projects at
freeway ramps and on Highway 1, but it will eliminate the need for an encroachment permit for
those projects currently within the Highway 227 limits.
2. Implementation of City plans in the State ROW
The City is in the process of adopting the Broad Street Corridor Plan with the intent to redevelop
this area back into a neighborhood. Caltrans has said it supports this type of design in
communities as part of its "Context Sensitive Solutions" program. However, as staff has
processed the Broad Street Corridor Plan through the State for review, Caltrans has remained
concerned about the proposals it contains and has indicated it will be unable to make a firm
recommendation to support the project without detailed project-level engineered designs. Since
the Corridor Plan is a higher level planning document that covers 150 acres of changing land use
and urban design issues as well as the improvements to Highway 227 itself, this level of detail is
not yet available nor anticipated until much further in the future. While the City supports a
philosophy that leans more towards "build it and they will come" for alternative transportation
such as cycling and walking, the comments from the State clearly indicate its support for such
facilities only when the demand can be shown to exist already.
The City did see some support for more neighborhood oriented design in the recent South Street
project; however, there was compelling public support behind improving pedestrian safety. Until
the City implements the Broad Street Corridor Plan, it is not certain what elements will meet
resistance from the State. Based on past history, the City should anticipate challenges
implementing landscaped medians, installing traffic signals to facilitate pedestrian and side street
traffic that the State does not support, and reducing lane widths. If the corridor was under City
control, the City would have control over these decisions.
3. Increased maintenance resulting from acquisition of new facilities
Currently all water, sewer, landscaping, street light and tree maintenance is performed by City
staff in this area so there will be little change for most maintenance functions. In looking at
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Highway 227 Relinquishment Page 3
maintenance impacts, staff focused on the street maintenance function. In total, the addition of
the four miles of Highway 227 in the City limits will increase the City's "streets" inventory by
about 3 percent. Significant areas of increase include traffic signals, drainage inlets, and bridges,
at close to 10 percent, and street sweeping at over 7 percent. Staff has provided a detailed
breakdown of the various inventory items in Attachment 4 along with staffing level trends.
If the City desires to maintain the same level of service with staffing per mile, this additional
mileage would equate to an additional 23 hours of staffing per week. In the last 20 years, little
has been added to the resources for street maintenance even though in the last 30 years the areas
off Tank Farm Road saw significant growth, along with growth along Los Osos Valley Road, at
the end of Patricia Street and Madonna Road, and along South Higuera Street.
Street sweeping will be one of the first items that will have to be addressed from a maintenance
perspective. The City reduced its sweeping staff by one half time employee as part of the 2009-
11 budget reductions and has reduced sweeping frequencies. The sweeping frequencies will
either have to be further reduced, or additional resources will be needed to allow for sweeping of
this corridor. Sweeping is currently a part of the City's Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)
commitment.
In addition to added staff hours, contract and material costs are also needed to complete major
maintenance. For this stretch of roadway, staff estimates that during the first 20 years, the City
should spend approximately $1.3 million for maintenance and upgrades including street sealing,
sidewalk repairs, signal upgrades and storm drain pipe replacements. At the 50 year mark, the
City would face between $12 million and $25 million in maintenance costs depending upon the
availability of bridge replacement grants. Staff has summarized the various facility maintenance
and replacement costs for this added inventory in Attachment 4.
4. Private development abutting State ROW
There are occasional delays for private development projects that front along the highway.
Madonna, Higuera, South, and portions of Broad streets are largely developed. The more
southerly portion of Broad Street is the area where development is most active. The experience
of the City's Community Development Department is that dealing with Caltrans adds additional
time to the process, perhaps a month or more, and that the size of the agency can make getting
clear direction on requirements challenging. For projects in the Broad Street Corridor Plan area,
the challenge during development is more focused on implementation of the City's vision,
covering issues of beautification, landscaped medians and parkways. This is really the same
issue . as discussed above, urban development versus highway capacity and operations.
Community Development staff must spend more time with projects taking place along State
highways in order to ensure all requirements for the project, both City and State, are properly
tracked and followed up.
Process for Relinquishment
Should the City Council provide staff with direction to proceed with the Highway 227
relinquishment, Caltrans will work with the City to develop a cooperative agreement. Caltrans
will prepare mapping and legal descriptions for that document. Staff will bring the final
cooperative agreement to the Council for approval. The agreement would be forwarded to
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Highway 227 Relinquishment Page 4
Caltrans headquarters and the California Transportation Commission for final approvals. The
relinquishment process is estimated to take up to six months.
Recommendation
The decision to pursue relinquishment is a challenging one. The current economy and situation at
the State level has many agencies struggling to survive. In five years, the City's Measure Y
funding will be up for voter renewal. These fiscal issues speak to the added maintenance burden
the City will have with the addition of Highway 227. On the other hand, the implementation of
the Broad Street Corridor plan will likely be very challenging, and for some elements, may not
be possible while Broad Street is under State control.
Staff is recommending a compromise, that the Council delay relinquishment to a future date.
This is largely driven by the unknowns of the near future as the State attempts to settle its current
fiscal problems, and the duration of the current economic downturn. The most recent Financial
Plan included a largely maintenance only Capital Improvement Plan. The likelihood that the City
will have funds to pursue implementation of the Broad Street Corridor Plan in the near future is
low. Development in general has also slowed. Currently, the legislation does not limit the City as
to when relinquishment must occur. In the future, the City could pursue relinquishment should
the need for control within the ROW become more pressing.
Staff is recommending the following guidelines be used by staff to trigger a return to the City
Council for further consideration of relinquishment.
1. Inability to implement key Broad Street Corridor Plan elements in a timely manner,
2. Renewal of Measure Y or significant revenue increases,
3. Ongoing problems with project implementation, or
4. At Council's request.
CONCURRENCES
The Community Development Department supports pursuing relinquishment, because, as
outlined in this Council Agenda Report, the benefits support development and planning
initiatives. That department also supports the compromise recommendation, knowing that the
issue can be brought up again in the future.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City could anticipate an initial cost of about $55,000 upon receipt of the facility,primarily to
convert traffic signal control to the City's system. Ongoing maintenance costs would be
presented with other needs in the community during the Financial Planning process. The new
roadway should have certain resources applied to it for maintenance; however, the reality is that
there is no revenue stream directly associated with receipt of the facility. The acquired facility
will have to compete with other needs for the available resources.
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Highway 227 Relinquishment Page 5
ALTERNATIVES
Pursue relinquishment. The alternative to the staff recommendation to postpone consideration
of relinquishment is to actively pursue the relinquishment. Staff does not recommend this action
due to the many variables and unknowns of the State budget situation and the current economic
climate. Furthermore, the relinquishment will add to the City's maintenance burden during a
time of limited resources.
Deny relinquishment The City Council could express its desire to not pursue relinquishment of
Highway 227 any further. Staff does not recommend this option as the relinquishment would
provide additional support for key Broad Street Corridor Plan elements, development and
planning initiatives.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Map
2. October 7, 2003 Council Agenda Report
3. Street and Highway Code Excerpt
4. Inventory Details & Staffing Levels
AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE
Broad Street Corridor Concept Map,
t%coundl agenda reportstpublic works cart20091streets ignals1227reliquishm t\e 227relinquishrpt.doc
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ATTACHMENT 1
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ATTACHMENT 2
council hkmOct
October 7,2003
C I T Y O F S A N L U 1 S O B I S P O
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Jay D. Walter; City Engineer
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING RELINQUISHMENT OF STATE
HIGHWAYS 1 &227
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction to staff to pursue relinquishment options for State Highways 1 and 227 and
begin discussions with local State elected officials to introduce necessary legislation in the next
session.
DISCUSSION
Background
One hundred years ago or so, San Luis Obispo was a very small town and two state highways
(227 and 1) connected our town to many others. There was no development along these
highways, therefore, the highways were designed and maintained for high-speed regional traffic.
Over time, the City expanded along these two highways and eventually the State's need to
maintain high speed traffic began to conflict with urban desires for slower speeds and pedestrian
amenities. Staff believes these conflicts have presently grown to the point where it makes sense
for the City to control portions of Highways 1 and 227 as urban streets, leaving design and
maintenance issues to the State on roadways out of the urban core.
Differing Missions
The mission of Caltrans is simply not the same as an urban city. Whereas our City's mission is to
provide arterial streets with a full compliment of amenities — landscaped medians, sidewalks,
landscaped parkways, bike lanes, street lighting, synchronized signals and moderate speed travel
lanes for cars, trucks and buses, the mission of Caltrans is focused on moving traffic quickly and
safely on State highways. The differing missions lead to differing opinions on issues ranging from
how best to proceed with City projects to how private development should be permitted inside the
City's limits. These differences have often resulted in substantial delays to projects (resulting in
increased costs) and at times have so delayed private sector projects that tenants were lost.
Because Caltrans is not set up to govern urban development, Caltrans' headquarters in
Sacramento must approve what the City considers normal urban design. Caltrans is good at
engineering State highways and the City is good at urban design. Staff feels it is time to let both
agencies pursue their respective areas of expertise.
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ATTACHMENT 2
Council Agenda Report—RELINQUISHMENT OF STATE HIGHWAYS 1 &227
Page 2
Justification for Relinquishment
On numerous occasions City staff has held discussions about the relinquishment of State Highway
227 (Broad Street, South Street) within the city limits. The primary justification for
relinquishment comes from the City's frustration in dealing with Caltrans on a wide variety of
issues affecting both city projects and private development projects. The City cannot make final
decisions because Caltrans has the ultimate jurisdiction over the road right of way. A good
example of this is the developer at the corner of Broad and Orcutt who had to wait three years for
Caltrans to make final conditions of approval causing him to lose tenants.
Another example has to do with recent discussions the City had with Caltrans about implementing
a new signal-timing plan for Santa Rosa Street, which is also State Highway 1. The City's desired
to implement a timing plan that would be more responsive to local traffic needs. The City asked
Caltrans to implement the plan, but they declined. The City also offered to take over the signal
timing along Santa Rosa Street but Caltrans again declined. The result is a less than optimum
timing plan that results in frustration for motorists and City staff.
If Broad, South and Santa Rosa Streets were removed from the State Highway system, it would
allow the City to implement its own set of standards for the modification and use of those
roadways without requiring Caltrans review and approval. These standards would include lane
widths, parking, bicycle lanes, sidewalk space, curbs, median landscaping, signalization and signal
timing. The City would also no longer be required to apply for encroachment permits for
construction, maintenance or development along those streets.
It is the intent of the State Highway system to provide a network of highways to allow travel
along heavily traveled rural and urban corridors that connect the communities and regions of the
State. These highways should serve the State's economy by connecting centers of commerce,
industry, agriculture, and recreation. In the case of Highway 227, the City has grown far enough
south that it no longer serves just to connect, but it serves as one of the City's major Arterial
streets. Caltrans jurisdiction is a point of friction as it intrudes on the City's desire to plan and
develop the corridor according to the Council's direction. Special meetings and reviews must
take place with Caltrans personnel to discuss the City's plans, and approvals must be received
from Sacramento and Fresno for design and planning issues.
Once these streets have been removed from the State Highway system, the City would be
responsible for all maintenance costs including pavement, traffic signals, and associated facilities.
We currently have maintenance responsibilities for roadway, drainage, landscaping, debris and
signals on Hwy 227 and roadway, drainage, debris and landscaping on Hwy 1. We are able to bill
the State for reimbursement for expenses up to $31, 500 per year.
Once relinquished, the City would, as with all other city streets, be named as a potential defendant
for any damages related to accidents or other causes along the portion of highway relinquished to
the City.
ATTACHMENT 2
Council Agenda Report—RELINQUISHMENT OF STATE HIGHWAYS 1 &227
Page 3
City staff believes that the relinquishment of these routes would have a positive impact on the City
by bringing decision-making back to the City and reducing frustration for City staff as well as
local developers and contractors.
Relinquishment Process
The State provides two methods for relinquishment of State. Highways, which are summarized
below:
1. The State shall relinquish any portion of any State Highway within the City that has been
deleted from the State Highway system by legislative enactment. If only a portion of the
route is deleted, the City would be required to maintain proper signage directing traffic to
the remaining portion of the highway.
2. It may likewise relinquish any portion or all of any State Highway that has been
superseded by relocation.
The first option applies to us. The City would request relinquishment of Route 1 and/or 227 by
resolution. The desire to relinquish would be carried out subject to the terms and conditions
negotiated with Caltrans identified in a Cooperative Agreement, and adopted by the California
Transportation Commission (CTC). The Streets and Highways Code wouldbe amended by the
State Legislature to provide the authority to proceed with the relinquishment. This would be
accomplished by having a specific bill proposed by one of our legislators or by including the
necessary language in another transportation related bill.
The exact procedures that the State has established to enable relinquishment are summarized
below:
1. To begin the process of relinquishment, the City Council passes a resolution stating its
intent to have the State Highway designation deleted. Staff would work with SLOCOG
and Caltrans on developing the appropriate language for the resolution. Once the
resolution to revise the State and Highways Code is prepared, it would be submitted to the
City's State legislators for them to direct through the Legislative process.
2. Prepare the amended text for the Streets and Highways Code in order to authorize the
relinquishment and submit to the State Legislature for action. (Estimated to take any
where from 4 to 6 months, depending on timing and coordination with State Legislature.)
3. Prepare and process a Cooperative Agreement between Caltrans and the City.
4. Caltrans would prepare a Project Scope Summary Report (PSSR) or a Project Report
(PR) defining the scope, cost, and schedule of work necessary to complete the
relinquishment. This report will include all work necessary to bring the State Highway up
to a mutually acceptable condition of repair. Caltrans would pay for the cost of this work.
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ATTACHMENT 2
Council Agenda Report—RELINQUISHMENT OF STATE HIGHWAYS 1 &227
Page 4
It is estimated this work could take from 6 to 8 months depending on repair work
necessary. This work cannot begin until legislative action has approved the relinquishment.
5. State law requires that relinquishment of roads or highways must be made by a resolution
executed by the California Transportation Commission. Once the above process is
completed, but prior to construction repairs of the highway, Caltrans will prepare the
relinquishment resolution and process it through the Chief of the Engineering Service
Center four months prior to the anticipated completion date of all construction projects
related to the previously designated State Highway.
As a condition of relinquishment, the State would be required to place the highway in a "state of
good repair" and be responsible for the costs of bringing the roadway up to an acceptable
condition. Coincidentally, a State project to bring the road to a "state of good repair" has been
planned by Caltrans, but because of the State's budget difficulties it is not likely to occur in the
near future. If the above steps to pursue relinquishment are started, the time needed to have all
necessary reports completed and legislation drafted may position the City to be ready to accept
relinquishment as soon as the roadway construction project is complete.
CONCURRENCES
Caltrans Deputy District Director for Planning Richard Krumholz was contacted to discuss the
relinquishment. He had no objection to discussing relinquishment of Route 227. In fact, Caltrans
has planned for either a complete or partial relinquishment. He was more skeptical about Route 1,
given its major importance as the primary route to Hearst Castle and the North Coast areas of the
County. He also mentioned complicated planning issues surrounding the interchange at Route 101
and the future expansion of Cal Poly, which would generate a need for more capacity on this
route. He felt that more focused discussions on cooperation between the agencies would be
fruitful rather than relinquishment. (Staff would agree that focused discussions are always helpful
and should they prove fruitful, the Council would not have to proceed with relinquishment. The
actions suggested in this agenda report only give future Councils options for action toward
relinquishment.)
Assuming that Council concurs with the CAO Recommendation and that research, data and
negotiations are successful; a Circulation Element amendment would eventually be necessary to
clean up language relating to either or both State Highways. Because each highway would
continue to have directional signing, the motoring public would see no difference — the sole
difference would be in who owns, controls and maintains the roadway and thus the Circulation
Element would need to be amended to clarify this relationship. Processing the Circulation
Element would require Planning Commission review and City Council approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
Costs to pursue the relinquishment process would be limited to staff time spread over the course
of the process, estimated at approximately a year.
ATTACHMENT 2
Council Agenda Report—RELINQUISHMENT OF STATE HIGHWAYS 1 & 227
Page 5
Via its agreement with Cal Trans in 1993, the City must perform certain work on the Hwy 227
right-of-way and can be reimbursed for that work up to $31,500. However, as a gauge of actual
expenses, last fiscal year the City billed for reimbursement $19,775.03. This covered the cost of
street sweeping, pothole repair and signal electricity. Using that number as a guide, and
comparing lengths of Hwy 227 to Hwy 1, the estimated cost that we would have billed for
services on Hwy 1 (if a similar agreement were in place) would be $5,627.99. Thus on a rough
basis average yearly costs to maintain both right-of-ways would be $25,402.03. The actual
revenue lost due to relinquishment would be $19,775.03.
The two road segments if both relinquished would add 4.5 miles to the City's inventory of 198
miles or about a 2% increase. In theory this would increase the demand for pavement
management yearly funding in order to plan for eventual major resurfacing, sealing etc. to
maintain the road adequately. But the pavement management funding was recently cut due to
budget considerations and thus the addition of these roadways would not cost the City more funds
but most probably bump other streets for priority pavement maintenance work. Again, however,
assuming the "state of good repair" minor maintenance would not be needed for eight years and
major maintenance for 20 years.
Cal Trans would not relinquish either the Hwy 227 or the Hwy 1 interchange with Hwy 101. Just
as with LOVR and other interchanges, their jurisdiction rightfully includes both the freeway and
its interchanges that move people off the freeway and onto the local street system Thus both
would continue to be considered State route to State route interchanges when applying for State
Transportation Improvement Project (STIP) funding.
ALTERNATIVES
The following alternatives are presented for the Council's consideration:
1) Continue to work with Caltrans to resolve the differences that come up on a case-by-
case basis.
2) Direct staff to return to a subsequent Council Meeting with additional information as
requested by the City Council.
3) Take no further action.
4) Provide additional direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT
Location Map
G:\Staf-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\_CAR\2003\Engineering and Maintenance Services(Walter)\hwy 1 and 227 relinquisfunent.doc
- 63 - 11
CA Codes (shc:300-635)
ATTACHMENT 3
STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CUJE
527. (a) Route 227 is from Route 1 south of Oceano to Route 101 in
San Luis Obispo.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) , the commission may
relinquish to the City of Arroyo Grande the portion of Route 227 that
is located within the city limits of that city, upon terms and
conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the
state, including, but not limited to, a condition that the City of
Arroyo Grande maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing
motorists to the continuation of Route 227.
(2) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective
immediately following the recording by the county recorder of the
relinquishment resolution containing the commission's approval of the
terms and conditions of the relinquishment.
(3) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, both of
the following shall occur:
(A) The portion of Route 227 relinquished under this subdivision
shall cease to be a state highway.
(B) The portion of Route 227 relinquished under this subdivision
may not be considered for future adoption under Section 81.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) , the commission may
relinquish to the City of San Luis Obispo the portion of Route 227
that is located within the city limits of that city, upon terms and
conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the
state, including, but not limited to, a condition that the City of
San Luis Obispo maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing
motorists to the continuation of Route 227.
(2) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective
immediately following the recording by the county recorder of the
relinquishment resolution containing the commission's approval of the
terms and conditions of the relinquishment.
(3) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, both of
the following shall occur:
(A) The portion of Route 227 relinquished under this subdivision
shall cease to be a state highway.
(B) The portion of Route 227 relinquished under this subdivision
may not be considered for future adoption under Section 81.
(4) For the portions of Route 227 that are relinquished, the City
of San Luis Obispo shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs
directing motorists to the continuation of Route 227.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di§playcode?section=shc&group=00001-01000&file=30... 8/14/2009
Highway 227 Relinquishment Attachment 4
Infrastructure Inventory
The addition of Highway 227 will add the following to the City's inventory:
Infrastructure Increase Percent Increase
Street 4 Miles 3 %
Sweeping 364 Miles 7.4 %
Sidewalk 5 Miles 2.7%
Signs 334 2.2%
Traffic Signals 6 10.5 %
Drainage Inlets 64 8 %
Drainage Pipe` 2 Miles 3.5 %
Brid-es 3 10%
This assumes a once per week sweeping such as provided for other arterial streets
'` This includes an increase to the inventory of 640 feet of corrugated metal pipe, the remainder being
mostly concrete pipe and some plastic pipe.
Estimated Rehabilitation/Replacement Costs in 2009 Dollars
(Costs shown are totals for two 10 year periods,c vering the first 20 years after relinquishment)
Infrastructure 0- 10 years 10 to 20 years
(total cost) (total cost
Street $370,000 $370,000 Estimate assumes microsurfacing every 8 years.
Complete reconstruction is projected to be needed in 50 years at
a cost of$10 million, but is not included in the costs shown.
Sidewalk $20,000 $20,000 Estimate assumes 1/3 of the current areas showing damage will
need to be repaired in each of the two time periods.
Signs $50,000 $50,000 Estimate assumes r/2 of the existing signs will need to be
upgraded to new standards for reflectivity in the first 10 years
and the remainder replaced in the following 10 years.
Traffic Signals $55,000 $120,000 ,All intersections will need control system upgrades and
interconnection to allow operation in the City system
immediately.
Based on historic patterns, traffic signals require equipment
upgrades after 20 years. Estimate assumes lh of the signals
would be upgraded between year 10 and year 20 and the
remainder after.
Drainage Inlets $0 $0 Inlets appear to be in good shape and able to take considerable
water. Therefore, staff is assuming no work will be needed in
the next 20 years to either repair or add inlets.
Drainage Pipe $120,000 $120,000 Estimate assumes all CMP pipe is compromised and r/2 will need
to be replaced in the first 10 years and the remainder replaced in
the following 10 years. It also assumes no work will be
performed on other types of pipes.
Bridges $0 $0 Estimates are based on current Bridge Inspection Reports and
structure age for the 3 bridges to be added.
Current average age of the bridges=40
Average Bridge Rating = 88 (Bridges are eligible for
rehabilitation funds at a rating of 80 and eligible for replacement
funds at a rating of 50 out of 100)
Bridges are exhibiting typical early signs of internal rusting of
the reinforcing steel.
Bridges could be expected to last an additional 50 years before
8313
Highway 227 Relinquishment Attachment 4
Infrastructure 0- 10 years 10 to 20 years
(total cost) (total cost)
needing replacement, at which time the City would face a
replacement cost of $5 million each or $15 million total ($2
million total if federal grant programs are still in effect at that
time.)
One exception may be the bridge on Madonna Road which is
exhibiting signs of an internal problem which could result in
premature aging.
Totals: 615,000 680,000
Street Maintenance Staffing
In putting together information on staffing levels versus infrastructure quantities, staff reviewed how increased
infrastructure has been addressed in staffing levels in years past. An organizational chart from 1979, thirty years
ago,and 1982 are compared below to staffing levels approved as part of the 2009-11 Financial Plan.
1979 1982 2009
Street Supervisor 1 1 1
Lead worker 1 2 1
General maintenance
Drains stem maintenance 0.5 0.5 2.5
Sweeper operator 1 1 1 _
Traffic Signals/Street Lights 0.2 0.2 2
Total: 14.2 15.2 15.5
Reflects a reduction of 1.0 Full-time equivalent (FTE) Maintenance Worker from actual as Streets Maintenance
staff no longer provide trash can collection services.
Z Reflects a reduction of 1.0 FTE Maintenance Worker from actual as Streets Maintenance staff no longer provide
parking meter repair service. Parking meter repair work is funded under the Parking Enterprise fund.
3 Reflects the loss of 1.0 FTE Maintenance Worker position slated for elimination in 2010-11
Includes 2.0 FTE Wastewater Collection Operator positions in the Wastewater Collection Section of the Utilities
Department,but paid for by the General Fund to clean the storm drain system.
5 Estimated FTE—work on traffic signals formerly performed by City vehicle maintenance staff. Street lights were
maintained by PG&E
As the chart indicates, general street maintenance resources, which includes street, sign, striping, and sidewalk
maintenance, has decreased by about 24% in the last 30 years. Traffic signal, lighting, and storm drain maintenance
has been added, for a 9%staffing increase in the last thirty years or a 2%staffing increase in the last.20 years.
The City purchased the street light system from PG&E in 1999, and is now responsible to maintain 2270 street
lights. The City has also added 20 traffic signals during the last 30 years, an increase of 150%. A traffic signal
maintenance staff was added for the first time in approximately 1984 and augmented by a half-time person in
building maintenance with the purchase of the street light system. The staffing level for the traffic signal and street
light section was augmented again as part of the 2007-09 Financial Plan,and is now 2.0 FTE.
The addition of the drainage system cleaning staff came as part of the implementation of the mandated Municipal
Stormwater program. The two person crew and cleaning equipment was approved as part of the 2007-09 Financial
Plan.The street maintenance staff provided minimal cleaning in prior years but was unable to supply the systematic
cleaning that is now occurring. Street maintenance staff continues to provide additional assistance to cleaning staff
and storm event response.