HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/1998, 6 - SHA/FUNDS & TEA FUNDS council Ming D.
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C I T Y OF S AN L U IS O B I S P O
FROM: Mike McCluskey,Director of Public Work
Prepared By: Terry Sanville,Principal TransportationPlanner'O
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Revised Program Budget for Use of State Highway Account
(SHA) Funds. Consideration of Proposals to Use Federal Transportation
Enhancement Activity(TEA)Funds.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:adopt a resolution:
1. Approving a revised program budget(Exhibit A)for use of State HighwayAccount(SHA) fiords;
2. Approving a proposal to use $535,040 in TEA funds and $72,960 in State Proposition 116 funds to
rehabilitate the historic Railroad Freight Building and purchase nearby surplus railroad right-0f--way;
and
3. Authorizing the CAO to submit funding applications to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
(SLOCOG)relative to Items 1 and 2 and to execute requisite Cooperative FundingAgreements.
REPORT-INBRIEF
In October 1997, the City Council approved the submittal of grant applications to the San Luis Obispo
Council of Governments (SLOCOG) for twelve transportation projects (see attached Exhibit B). The
funding of these projects is contingent upon new transportation legislation being signed into law. As of
the writing of this report, Congress has passed the requisite transportation legislation which now awaits
the President's signature.
However, in the mean time SLOCOG has set a new deadline of June 26'e for submitting final project
proposals. Since last October,some of the City's projects have become obsolete,the rationale for some
projects has continued to evolve,and funding conditions have changed. This agenda report proposes an
"updated" program budget for use of these federal dollars that includes the following changes to the
former listing of projects:
Projects Deleted Reasons
Prado Road Interchange Federal legislation requires that specific time frame and funding
Project Report and Plans and commitments be established for all project components. The City cannot
Specifications meet this requirement at this time.
Los Osos Valley Road This project was proposed because Froom Ranch development was being
Interchange Project Study planned under City jurisdiction. Development is now being pursued under
Report(PSR) County jurisdiction;therefore the PSR should be undertaken under County
sponsorship.
Council Agenda Report-SiLiLA/Funds& TEA Funds
Page 2
Foothill Boulevard Rubberized Union Pacific Railroad will be installing new concrete crossings at Foothill
Crossing Boulevard'and Marsh Street during Summer 1998. Union Pacific does not
like rubberized crossings for maintenance reasons.
"ectsModifed Reason
Santa Rosa Street Interchange Caltrans believes that a PSR is not warranted because building a new
Project Study Report(PSR) interchange at this location is not feasible due to extensive land use impacts.
Instead,a comprehensive study of the freeway ramps at and in proximity to
the Santa Rosa interchange is proposed. Caltrans staff will do this work.
Mid-Higuera Street Widening $675,000 in Federal "Demonstration Project" funds have been secured.
(Marsh to south of High Street) However,this amount falls far short of the estimated full project cost of$2.9
million. The City should apply for $570,000 in regional funding (RSHA),
use $118,000 of its allocated urban highway finding (USHA)), and
contribute$300,000 of its capital project funds or TIF revenues to support a
scaled back project with a budget of$1,663,000.
Minor Funding Level Changes Staff recommends that funding levels for the Traffic Signal Interconnections
(Project 4) and Bike and Pedestrian Projects (Project 7) be incrementally
increased to better reflect funding needs.
New Pmjects Reasons _
Rehabilitation of the Historic City will use State grants to move and stabilize the freight building as part of
Railroad Freight Building and the Multi-Modal Transportation Center project. If granted,the City would
Purchase of Additional use Federal Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) dollars ($534,000)
Railroad Land(TEA Funding) to: (1) pay for rehabilitating the freight building; and (2) purchase a small
amount of surplus railroad right-of-way between Emily and High Streets to
enable parking for CCAT buses and begin implementation of the recently-
adopted Railroad District Plan
DISCUSSION
1. The Overall Funding Picture
The City of San Luis Obispo will either receive or will be eligible to apply for transportation project
funding from the following sources:
• About$1.1 million of Urban State Highway Account(USHA) dollars will be earmarked for City use
over a six year period.
• About $2.8 million of federal Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) dollars will be made
available for enhancement projects on a competitive basis over the six year period.
• About $3 million of Regional State Highway Account (RSHA) dollars will be made available for
regional transportationprojects on a competitive basis over a six year period
Council Agenda Report-ShA/Funds& TEA Funds
Page 3
• About$675,000 of federal Demonstration Project dollars has been earmarked for support of the Mid-
Higuera Street Widening Project.
2. State Highway Account(SHA)Funding
Previous Actions: On October 17, 1997 the City Council approved a program budget for the use of State
Highway Account(SHA)funding(Resolution 8731). This action was taken in anticipation of the Federal
Government approving a new transportation bill that provides funds to pay for these projects. The City's
program budget was submitted to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments(SLOCOG)in the form
of applications for twelve (12) separate projects and programs. A brief description of these projects is
attached as Exhibit B. The funding of these projects is contingent upon new transportation legislation
being signed into law. As of the writing of this report,Congress has passed the requisite transportation
legislation which now awaits the President's signature.
Planned SLOCOG Action: Since last October,the SLOCOG Board has not taken any action on San
Luis Obispo's or other agencies'funding proposals. However,the Board has set June 26'as a deadline
for submitting all final fimding proposals. Staff believes that, for various reasons, the City's October
1997 funding proposal is obsolete and recommends that some projects be deleted, others modified, and
new ones added. A brief critique of the October 1997 submittal along with recommended revisions are
shown on attached Exhibit A.
When considering the recommended revisions,it's important to remember that the amount of potential
SHA funding has not increased from the 1997 estimates—although recent reports on federal legislation
suggest that additional dollars may become available. Transportation funding will come from the
following sources:
3. Transportation Enhancement Activities(TEA)Program
Grant Applications Due: With the signing into law of new federal transportation legislation,SLOCOG
staff estimates that about$2.8 million in Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) will be available
over the next six years. The TEA program will be highly competitive. Also,the TEA program typically
requires that the City provide a non-federal funding match of 12 to 20 percent depending on the type of
project.
TEA funding can be used for a variety of purposes;attached Exhibit C identifies ten project categories.
In the past the City received TEA grants to help pay for Phase I of the Railroad Bicycle Path($280,000)
and the rehabilitationof the historic railroad water tower($45,000).
Recommended TEA Application: The City Council should authorize the CAO to file a TEA Grant
application with SLOCOG for the rehabilitation of the historic Railroad Freight Building and
of nearby surplus railroad right-o{-way. The freight building is currently located on railroad property
east of Santa Barbara Street and north of High Street. Using approved State grant funds,the City intends
to purchase the property and move the freight building to another location on the site to make way for
development of a multi-modal transportationcenter. Those State grants will be used to pay for stabilizing
the building at its new location.
6-3
Council Agenda Report-S" /Funds&TEA Funds
Page 4
A $534,000 Federal TEA grant would be used to: (1) prepare plans and specifications and rehabilitate
the historic freight building to enable its reuse; and (2) purchase a small land area from Union Pacific
Railroad between High and Emily Streets. This area would be used to enable layover parking of CCAT
buses and for initial implementation of the Railroad District Plan. Staff is recommending that the City
Council support the use of TEA funds for this project because:
• The City, in cooperation with SLOCOG and the regional transit system (SLORTA), is planning to
purchase the property that the freight building sits on and develop a multi-modal transportation center.
Relocation,rehabilitationand reuse of the freight building will enhance the use of the property.
• The City will be using State funds to purchase the property,move and stabilize the freight building.
Using TEA funds to rehabilitate the structure will help ensure that this component of the multi-modal
project is completed and that the building does not become derelict.
• Rehabilitation of the freight building falls under both Category 5 (Historic Preservation)and Category
6 (Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings...including historic railroad
facilities...)of the TEA program.
• The City and the State Office of Historic Preservation has designated the freight building as an
historic structure eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Its rehabilitation
would preserve an important component of our community's railroad heritage and provide
opportunities to celebrate this heritage.
• Purchase of the small amount of surplus railroad right-of-way between Emily and High Streets will
provide greater flexibility in accommodating layover parking for CCAT buses and enabling the
implementation of components of the Railroad District Plan.
In essence,this TEA proposal would be an integral part of the City's and SLOCOG's efforts to establish
Multi-Modal Transportation Center project while preserving and enhancing the area's historic resources.
Scoping documents for this project include a preferred schematic design for the Multi-Modal Center and
the recently adopted Railroad District Plan. The budget for this project is presented below:
RailraadFreightBuBdingRehabditaiionand SwplusRailroadPnopertyAcgnisition
ActiivW - - TFAFunding(88%) Prop 116 Funding (12%)". , .Totals(100%)
Rehabilitate Freight $440,000 $60,000 $500,000
Building
Railroad Right-of-Way $95,040 $12,960 $108,000
Acquisition
Totals $535,040 $72,960 $608,000
** As part of its TEA Grant application,staff recommends that the City request the appropriation of$72,960
in unallocated State Proposition 116 Rail Bond funds to provide the requisite 12 percent non-federal
funding match.
Council Agenda Report-SHA/Funds& TEA Funds
Page 5
4. Federal Demonstration Project Funds
The new federal transportation legislation awaiting the President's signature earmarks money to help pay
for the Mid-Higuera Street widening. SLOCOG staff estimate that $675,000 will be made available.
The total cost of the Mid-Higuera Street Widening project(from Marsh Street to south of the High Street
intersection)is estimated at$2.9 million. Exhibit D identifies the basic cost components which relied on
information provided by staff and property appraisal and relocation consultants. This total project cost far
exceeds the availability of federal funds to build it and would require the City to provide extraordinary
levels of capital improvement funds. Therefore, staff recommends that a "scaled-back" project budget
should be established as follows:
1VliW11igueraStreet WidenikProjecl
Source of Funding _ :Amount
Federal Demonstration Project Funds $675,000
(earmarked)
Regional State Highway Account(RSHA) $570„000
Funding(grant request)
Urban State Highway Account(USHA) $118,000
(earmarked)
Local Funding(Capital Improvement Funds $300,000
and/or TIF Funds)
Total Cost $19663,000
If approved by the Council and the SLOCOG Board,it is staff's intent to pursue the widening of the west
side of Higuera Street from Marsh Street to the southern edge of the City-owned parcel. Widening this
segment of Higuera Street was identified in the City's October 1997 funding proposal. Funds not used to
construct this widening would be used to acquire properties,provide relocation assistance for businesses
and/or residents,and incrementally widen the remaining segment of Higuera Street to the extent that the
proposed$1.6 million budget allows.
FISCAL IlVIPACTS
The SHA Program: The State Highway Account(SHA) program will pay 100 percent of the cost of a
project;there is no required local funding match. Any cost overruns,however,must be paid for by the
City using local funds.
The TEA Program: The Federal Transportation EnhancementActivity(TEA) program will require that
the City provide a 12 percent non-federal funding match for rehabilitating the Railroad Freight Building
and purchasing surplus railroad land. The required funding match is estimated at $72,960. As part of
the formal TEA grant application,the City will ask SLOCOG to approve the use of State Proposition
116 funds to cover the match requirement. Under this arrangement,no City funds would be required.
6-S
Council Agenda Report-SZ../Funds&TEA Funds
Page 6
Other fiscal impact issues are discussed in preceding sections of this Agenda Report
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: REVISED PROJECT SCHEDULING OF SHA PROGRAM/TEAPROGRAM
(1998-2004)
Exhibit B: October 1997 SHA Program Budget Submittal
Exhibit C: TransportationEnhancement Activities(TEA)Program Project Categories
Exhibit D: Full Funding Requirements:Mid-Higuera Street Widening
Exhibit E: Council Resolution approving submittal of funding requests
I:\Everyone\CouncilAgendaReports\SHATEAProgramBudget2
6-6
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6 Traffic Signal Modifications and The City needs to complete the upgrading of outdated equipment to allow for
Projects: Complete the upgrading effective signal management and improve reliability. The intersection of
of the internal mechanisms and California and Taft Streets is a candidate location for a new traffic signal— but
reserve funding for the installation other intersections will be carefully evaluated.
of one traffic signal.
7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects: This funding would supplement the minor amount of funds earmarked by the
Various sites throughout the San 1997-99 Financial Plan. The emphasis would be to work toward completing
Luis Obispo. improvements called for by the Bicycle Transportation Plan and supplement
funding for pedestrian facilities.
8 Foothill Rubberized Railroad The primary purpose of this project is to improve the comfort and safety of
Crossings: Install rubberized bicyclists accessing Cal Poly campus via Foothill Boulevard—a primary access
railroad crossings on Foothill route to the University.
Boulevard at the railroad tracks.
Parking and Downtown Access The draft plan identifies various TDM measures, of which bicycle access is
9 Plan Alternative Transportation important. SHA funds would be used to evaluate options for providing access to
Capital Improvements: Enhance the commercial core— including the linking of the Multi-Modal Transportation
bicycle access to the commercial Center on Santa Barbara Street with Marsh Street bicycle lanes via a "bicycle
core—especially from the south— boulevard" concept. Pedestrian improvements within or leading to the core
and consider small-scale could also be eligible for use of these funds.
pedestrian improvements.
10 Montalban Street Bicycle- This project will provide a less-congested route for southbound bicyclists and
Pedestrian Bridge: Install a pre- pedestrians to access the downtown. The bridge will also allow transit users in
fabricated steel bridge over the Chorro Street neighborhood to access transit stops on Santa Rosa Street
Stenner Creek at Montalban Street
31 Railroad Bicycle Path The next challenging link of the railroad bike path to plan for extends between
I Preliminary Engineering Study: the passenger terminal and Marsh Street. This engineering study will evaluate
Hire a consultant to prepare an the physical design requirements of extending the path and building bridges over
engineering study of extending the Johnson Avenue and San Luis Obispo Creek to accommodate the path. A
railroad bike path form the bridge over the tracks at Fairview Avenue and Penny Lane with path linkages to
AMTRAK Passenger Terminal to the south will also be evaluated.
Marsh Street.
12 South Higuera Street Widening: Widening this street segment should relieve traffic congestion at the Higuera-
purchase land and widen Higuera Marsh Street intersection. Higuera Street the only arterial street connection
Street from Marsh Street between southern and southwestern quadrants of San Luis Obispo and the
southward about 122 meters to downtown. Improving circulation on this street will provide additional capacity
include four travel lanes, center for local traffic and should reduce motorist dependence on Route 101 as an
turn lane, bicycle lanes and access route to and from the commercial core.
sidewalks.
EXHIBTTD: COSTESTIIVIATE 'OREUI.L.MID-ffiGUERAS REETWIDM-LN .
(West Side of Hignera Street from Marsh.b`treet to`South of High81;.
S
Cost Item Amount Source of Estimate
Right-of-Way Acquisition $1,000,000 Schenberger,Taylor,McCormick and
Jecker
Relocation assistance, $703,000 Hamner,Jewell&Associates
business fixtures and
equipment,loss of goodwill
claims,appraisals,property
acquisition services,
relocation services,potential
litigation expenses
Building demolition and $600,000 Public Works Staff
project construction
Updated EIR/EIS,hazardous $597,000 Public Works Staff
substance investigations,
hazardous substance
remediation,possible utilities
undergrounding cost
TOTAL Estimate $2,900,000
�p'/7
EXHIBTI'S,:`Pro 6iQSHA7_PItOGRAM'(Octolieri99�
#_ _ .ProaectDescri�tion _ a _ ;RaU0,11 eforP_ orect '"
1 Highway 101 -Highway 227 As local and regional traffic levels increase in the City's southern quadrant,there
Connection is a need to provide a more direct connection between State Route 227 and Route
101. The City's Circulation Element calls for Prado Road to be used as a new
alignment for Route 227. The following five projects are necessary to complete
this new regional route connection.
a. Prado Road Interchange Project This interchange project has been targeted because anticipated annexations and
Report and EIR: These are development in the Airport,Margarita,and Dalidio Areas will require improved
planning and design documents access to Route 101 and because STIP funding is available. These plans are
required by Caltrans that establish required by Caltrans and the California Environmental Quality Act as a
the preferred design for the prerequisiteto construction of the Prado Road interchange.
interchange and evaluate its
environmental effects.
b. Prado Road Interchange Plans, These documents are needed to build the Prado Road interchange.
Specifications and Estimates
(PS&E)
c. Prado Road Interchange Targeted to begin construction in 2000,this project would take one year to build
Construction and therefore would be available to accommodate traffic generated from new
development as well as regional travel.
d. Prado Road Creek Bridge: In order for the Prado Road interchange to function as an interregional traffic
Expand the bridge over San Luis carrier,it must provide a connection between State Route 227 (Broad Street)to
Obispo Creek to accommodate a the east and Route 101. The construction of this bridge will enable this
four-lane roadway. connection by providing for a four-lane arterial roadway. This project is
identified in the City's TIF Fee program.
e. Prado Road Extension from east This new street link is to provide access to the Margarita Specific Plan Area and
1 of Higuera Street to Broad Street to provide a connection between State Routes 227 and Route 101. Depending on
the timing of Margarita Area development,the City may pay for the construction
of the extension and be reimbursed by Margarita Area development.
2 Los Osos Valley Road Growth in regional and local traffic levels warrant an evaluation of options for
Interchange Project Study improving the design of the interchange and related ramps.
Report: A report that evaluates
design options for modifying the
existing interchange ramps and
widening the bridge over Route
101.
3 Santa Rosa Street Interchange As regional traffic levels increase,modifications to the interchange system will
Project Study Report: A report likely be needed. This report will evaluate the design options that the City,
that evaluates design options for Caltrans,and SLOCOG can consider for any future modifications of the system.
modifying the existing interchange
and adjoining ramp systems
(Broad and Osos Streets).
4 Traffic Signal Interconnecting Once completed,this communications system will allow City and Caltrans staff
Conduit: Complete the system of to monitor signal operations from central locations and improve the management
underground conduits that link all of signal timing.
traffic signals operated by the City
and Caltrans within SLO.
5 Opticom and Battery Backup As traffic levels increase,it will be more important to ensure that signal controls
Signal Systems: Installing reliably operate and allow fire trucks to pass through intersections with minimal
actuators in traffic signals that delay.
allow City fire trucks to trigger the
green light cycle; provide a
battery in each signal to provide a
backup power source.
ResolutionNo. (1998 Series)
Page 2
SECTION 3: Authorizes the CAO to execute Cooperative Funding Agreements with the San
Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) consistent with the revised
program budget and TEA Grant application.
SECTION 4: Rescinds ResolutionNo. 8731 (1997 Series).
Upon motion of seconded by ,and on
the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of ,1997.
Mayor Allen K. Settle
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED:
City A 010
Je ey le,4, en
lo'/�
EM IT C
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES (TEAL
Fundina Process/Deadlines.
1. Local agencies follow the Caltrans/CTC Threshold, Eligibility,and Application requirements
2. Local agencies prioritize projects through Council/Board action.
3. Local agencies identify new or resubmit previous candidate TEA project applications to SLOCOG by June
26 1998
4. SLOCOG staff and Caltrans staff rank the candidate projects based on Caltrans/CTC-approved criteria and
develop a proposed program of projects,reviewing recommendations at the July 22, 1998 TTAC meeting.
5. SLOCOG approves a program of projects at their August 5, 1998 meeting.
The approved TEA projects are incorporated into the RTIP and Federal Transportation Improvement Program
(FTIP)which will be adopted by SLOCOG.
Program Description. With ISTEA came the establishment of the Transportation Enhancement
Activities CrEA) program. TEA funds may be used for.
1. Facilities for pedestrians and bicycles;
2. Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites;
3. Scenic or historic highway programs;
4. Landscaping and other scenic beautification;
5. Historic preservation;
6. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities (including
historic railroad facilities and canals);
7. Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for
pedestrian or bicycle trails);
8. Control and removal of outdoor advertising;
9. Archeological planning and research;
10. Mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff.
Allocation criteria. Candidate TEA projects are screened and ranked by SLOCOG staff based on the
California Transportation Commission (CTC)-approved criteria.
Funding Expectation. California could receive an additional $200 million over the next 6-year ISTEA
period, after reauthorization of ISTEA, for transportation enhancement activities. This represents a 10%
set-aside of Califomia's STP funds available only for this program. SLOCOG has been instructed by the
state to set aside $2.8 million in TEA funds for a six year program of projects. Projects will likely require
a minimum non-federal match of 12 percent. Larger matches are encouraged.
Application Reauirements. All candidate projects must file the attached application.Application material
is subject to change slightly. All selected projects will be required to modify applications as necessary to
meet Cafrfomia Transportation Commission requirements.
Group Das/Agenda MateriaWApnl/RSKA and TEA Notification 4
So, VLF debate is badly caught up in very intense partisan politics. Dwight said that the
Assembly Republicans believe they have a winning issue, and their goal is to use it to overcome
their minority status and to be the dominant political party in 2000 for the redistricting exercise.
It was pointed out by Dwight that the current projected State budget projection for 2000 does not
show a surplus. It was also pointed out by one of the participants that San Joaquin Valley still
has high unemployment and resultant slow sales tax growth and that the reduction/elimination of
VLF will have a particular negative impact on them.
What can the cities do? Keep the letters going to the members of the Budget Conference
Committee and the Super Conference Committee members (to be announced: see attached).
Work to keep the legislators informed as to the impact of VLF reduction in your community.
From Dwight's comments, it is imperative that the League continue to strongly oppose the
elimination or reduction of VLF unless there is a Constitutionally-guaranteed revenue
replacement; that is precisely the position before you this evening for consideration.
Attachment(from League)
EXHIBIT E
RESOLUTIONNO. ( 1998 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
APPROVING A REVISED PROGRAM BUDGET FOR THE USE OF STATE HIGHWAY
ACCOUNT(SHA)FUNDS,THE SUMBITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE USE
OF FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITY(TEA)FUNDS,
AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO.8731 (1997 Series)
WHEREAS,on October 7, 1997 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 8731 (1997 Series)that
approved a program budget for the use of State Highway Account (SHA) Funds and authorized the
submittal of pertinent materials to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) for
consideration;and
WHEREAS, in May 1998 Congress passed the requisite legislation that enables SLOCOG to
consider the City's October 7, 1997 program budget proposal and the legislation now awaits the
President's signature; and
WHEREAS, SLOCOG has established June 26, 1998 as a new deadline for submitting any
revisions to previous submittals including proposals to use $2.8 million of Federal Transportation
Enhancement Activity(TEA)funding;and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reevaluated its prior actions, has revised its previous proposal,
and has included a proposal to use TEA funds to pay for the rehabilitation of the historic Railroad Freight
Building and acquire nearby surplus railroad right-of-way,and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City that if funding is provided, the projects identified on the
attached revised program budget (Exhibit"A") will be carried out during the six-year time frame of the
SHA and TEA funding programs;and
WHEREAS,the City Council has found that the proposed projects will provide significant benefits
to both local and regional travel 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: Approves the proposed revised program budget presented on Exhibit A, attached
and incorporated herein by reference, and authorizes the CAO to submit
applications for funding to SLOCOG for the listed projects.
SECTION 2: Authorizes the CAO to submit a grant application to SLOCOG and for the use
$535,040 of Federal Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) funds to
rehabilitate the historic Railroad Freight Building. This grant application shall
include a request to use $72,960 of State Proposition 116 funds to provide the
funding match required by the TEA program.
r
6�J
HOWEVER, to paraphrase an old saying, the road to bell is paved with good'intentions. The problem
is in the DELIVERY of constitutional protection.
1. Backfill Comes from Somewhere! Proponents claim that local governments should have no
worry about a vehicle license fee reduction repeal, because they will constitutionally backfill local
government revenues. The mysterious"backfill"comes from some place. It has to come from other
programs. It has to come from interest groups that do a very good job of protecting their interests in
the state general fund, the school community,prison guards and state correctional programs, and,
higher education.
2. Constitutional Protection of Local Government Revenues=2/3 Vote! A constitutional
measure that would be placed on the November ballot requires A two-thirds vote - 54 votes in the
Assembly and 27 votes in the Senate. This means a substantial bipartisan effort that simply does
not exist today would have to come together on the issue. The interest groups opposed to this
constitutional protection for local governments have now cleared some difficult hurdles on the June
ballot and are refocusing their efforts on the final stages of assembling a strong coalition
accompanied by a public relations effort against any a vehicle license fee repeal.
3. The Results are Not Acceptable. If the constitutional protection can't be delivered, local
government is left with no real protection at all. It is unclear at this preliminary stage in the budget
negotiations how the vehicle license fee issue will resolve. The worst case scenAfio is a vehicle
license fee repeal with no backfill. This appears unlikely as both the proponents and opponents
stand behind some protection, even if it is only for the one year that a statutory"guarantee" can give
local governments. A statutory backfill is not good enough. If local governments receive a
statutory backfill of lost revenues from a vehicle license fee reduction/repeal, it clearly places local
governments in a much more vulnerable position in future budget negotiations when the state
revenue picture is not as good as it is this year.
4. The Future? If a VLF repeal/reduction passes can local governments put this issue behind them
with a budget solution in the 1998-99 budget? NO! At least two problems exist:
a. Cities Would Be Squarely in the State Budget. If there was ever any doubt about cities being
in the middle of the state budget process, that doubt would be removed by any successful vehicle
license fee reduction/repeal. City revenues will be more dependent than ever on the ebb and flow of
the state revenue picture and at odds with others currently fighting over that revenue. This is not
good, because generally speaking local governments do not compete in that arena as well as other
interests,primarily the school community,the convections community and higher education.
b. Proponents Pledge Not to Rest on the Issue. The primary proponent of the vehicle license fee
repeal, Assembly Member Tom McClintock, has stated his intentions publicly to proceed with a
ballot measure for the 2000 ballot that would completely repeal the vehicle license fee revenues and
reduce the money going back to local government by $1 billion. This is hardly consistent with the
statements that he is concerned about local governments and wants to protect them from any
revenue loss.
2
• MEETING AGENDA -
•
DAP ITEM #
council memoizanbum
June 15, 1998
TO: City Council PF
NC:L will, r,
O ❑FI'.'L..._r
FROM: John Dunn, City Administrative O c oRla p aoLlce c:;F
SUBJECT: Vehicle License Fee- The L-atest 17 RUTILTC DIR
O REC DIR
13PERS DIR
On Friday afternoon I heard a presentation by Dwight Stenbacken, League staffer and lobbyist.
In a prefatory note, Dwight said that he was usually totally non-partisan in his approach to the
State Legislature. However, VLF has become a highly-partisan issue and that it is impossible to
discuss except to mention the political side of the debate. He said that the Assembly Republicans
had latched on to the VLF "tax-cut" issue as it "has legs"; they believe it will help to elect
Republicans to the Assembly in November.
The Governor's proposal is a 75%reduction in VLF with statutory backfill(the backfill source is
unspecified). Assemblyman McClintock is seeking a complete repeal of VLF and his position on
backfill changes, but he seems to be leaning towards some (but not total) backfill. Senator
Burton just put forth his two-part proposal for a 75% reduction in VLF with a Constitutional
guarantee of replacement revenues, and put the equivalent of the VLF reduction into education.
Dwight said that the Burton proposal should be thought of as more a"chess move", to frame the
debate.
The League position is to oppose elimination or reduction of VLF until there is a real deliverable
backfill. Dwight said that the votes are not there to deliver a Constitutionally-guaranteed backfill
and that is the problem as today's backfill might become tomorrow's take-aways.
So what is going to happen? Dwight's "best guess" is that either (1) we can kill the VLF
proposal, or(2) VLF will be reduced with statutory backfill. He said that what won't happen this
year is a VLF reduction with Constitutionally-guaranteed backfill.
Dwight said that education, which until now has been standing back from the fray, will be
entering the debate very strongly in the coming weeks. Education will try and kill the VLF
reduction because it includes a backfill position (without a specified source) and they see this to
be to the possible detriment of education. He indicated that the League would be a part of this
coalition.
Assemblyman McClintock, in the event that there the VLF reduction elimination does not
happen in this year,will go for a Year 2000 ballot measure.
Y
Communications from city officials on the VLF issue should be directed at the following decision-making
bodies:
1. Budget Conference Committee. The names of the conferees are listed above. The address for
each member is: State Capitol, Sacramento,CA 95814.
2. Super Conference Committee on Revenue and Tax Issues. As soon as the members of this
Conference Committee are appointed, we will give you names and addresses.
3. Legislative Leadership and the Governor. If city officials have any contacts with legislative
leadership or the Governor, now is the time to communicate about the importance of the vehicle
license fee issue in the state budget. The leadership consists of Senate Pro Tem John Burton, Senate
Minority Leader Ross Johnson, Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and Assembly Minority
Leader Bill Leonard. The Governor is Pete Wilson.
4. Local Legislators. The first stop in communications about the budget should first be directed at
local legislators - of course! If you have communicated with your member already on this issue,
please contact them again and ask that they in turn communicate with the members of the
Budget Conference Committee the Super Conference Committee, the legislative leadership
and if they have contacts with the Governor's office-the Governor.
In addition to the direct communications with the Legislature and the Governor,don't forget the
communications with others that will be important in getting the city message across. Those contacts
include:
1. Local Media. Please contact/recontact local media and update them on the budget deliberations
and the impact on local community programs -police, fire, libraries, parks,etc.
2. Local Public Employee Unions Particularly Public Safety Unions. If there is any group that
will feel the brunt of cuts to local government it is public employees. They can usually muster
considerable clout on these issues with local legislators and with their statewide organizations.
3. Local Business Groups. Don't forget the impact on local businesses if city revenues are cut
without a guaranteed backfill. Services like economic development,planning and infrastructure will
be hit and the threat of new and increased fees becomes greater.
The League has just posted a new and comprehensive set of-figures an c a the vehicle license fee
cuts/repeal on the League web site. The web site addr ss is:www.cacities.org. se this material with all of
the above groups.
What about ACA 42? This is the measure sponsored by the League to constitutionally protect local
government revenues, including property taxes,the Bradley-Bums sales tax, locally enacted taxes and the
vehicle license fees. This measure is still alive and rests with the Asserobly Revenue and Taxation
Committee. It has also been assigned to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The debate over the
vehicle license fees has eclipsed this proposal to some extent. The issues, however,that are addressed in
ACA 42 remain at the heart of the debate over the vehicle license fees.
4
League of California Cities
1400 K Street
1898-1998 Sacramento,CA 95814
916.658.8200
FAX 916.658.8240
Better Cities—A Better Life / www.cacities.org
dunc8, 1998 .2CeS_
TO: All Policy Committee Members
RE: VLF and the State Budget:
The Budget Conference Committee has now been appointed and began deliberations on Monday, June 8,
1998. The membership of this year's Budget Conference Committee is as follows:
Senate Assembly
Mike Thompson Denise Moreno-Ducheny
Steve Peace Carole Migden
Cathie Wright George Runner
After the "member request" session held on June 8, the Committee will settle into the more or less routine
reconciliation of the differences between the Assembly and Senate versions of the budget. Remember, the
technical deadline for the completion of the budget by the Legislature is June 15 giving the Governor until
July 1, 1998 to sign the new budget for the 1998-99 fiscal year. Will the budget be produced on time this
year? It is impossible to tell, but if recent history is any teacher, probably not.
This year there is somewhat of a new wrinkle to the budget process. This new element will be a Super
Conference Committee on Revenue and Tax Issues where some of the larger questions of the budget such as
VLF will be directed. The creation of this Committee is an attempt to keep as much of the large decisions
with the Legislature and reduce the need for extended "Big 5" meetings among the leadership of both houses
and the Governor. Obviously, this Super Conference Committee will have to bring the Governor into the
negotiations at some point. It will be interesting to see if this new procedural step will be more productive
than the now traditional "Big 5" deliberations of past years. The make up of the Super Conference
Committee has not been finalized. As soon as the membership is firm,the League will notify city officials.
VLF Important Note: If the Super Conference Committee emerges as a primary decision-making body in
the 1998-99 state budget,this is the place where the Vehicle License Fee issue and other key local
government finance issues will be addressed (property taxes/ERAF constitutional protection of local
revenues,etc.).
HERE ARE THE POLITICS OF THE SITUATION:
Some proponents of a vehicle license fee reduction/repeal argue that local governments should not be
opposing any such proposal, because they plan to protect local government from any revenue loss with a
constitutionally protected "Backfill." This is an argument you may have heard from some of the
proponents of a VLF cut while others have declared their intentions to go to the ballot and punish local
governments for their non-cooperation on this issue. The intentions to protect local government are
admirable and if constitutional protection for ALL city revenues could be secured with no loss in revenue
for local governments it would be an acceptable solution.
RECEIVED -
JUN ti 1999 {MEETING AGENDA
C i:11' CLERK DATEPT ITEM #
MEMORANDUM
June 11, 1998 -0UNCIL CrOD DIR
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❑FIRE CHIEF
To: Council Colleagues �Ar
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KIORIO ❑POLICE OF
❑REC DIR
From: Dave Romero v �a ❑UTIL DIR
. p pEp3 DIR
Subject: Santa Barbara Street
San Luis Obispo is a growing vital city and over many years we have accomplished many
improvements to achieve the lovely community we all enjoy. In one area, however, I believe we
may fail to preserve our future quality of life—that area is in traffic management. Survey after
survey shows this to be one of the greatest concerns of our citizens, and all of us who have
resided here any length of time have observed the growth of traffic and its implications for the
future.
For many years we were able to keep abreast of the.problem by widening streets, installing one
way streets, traffic signals, channelization and other engineering solutions. In more recent years
the City has relied less on engineering solutions and has attempted to resolve the ever-escalating
problem of traffic by discouraging use of the automobile and encouraging a change of modal
split to emphasize transit and bicycle use. Because of limitations inherent in the use of transit
and bicycles by the major segment of our population, this approach has not solved the problem,
but has allowed traffic congestion to proceed at an accelerated rate.
I believe the time has come to follow an approach which uses all of the tools available to us. A
timely opportunity would be in dealing with traffic demands of Santa Barbara Street as brought
out during a recent hearing on the Railroad District Plan.
There has long existed a substantial traffic demand between the outer Broad Street area and
downtown. This has continued to generate ever-increasing traffic flows during good times and
bad, growth or no growth periods, despite the rerouting of Highway 227 and despite City efforts
to discourage use of the automobile and encourage alternative transportation. I would judge that
traffic flows will increase at an even faster rate in the future with continued development of the
Edna-Islay area,the airport, the Edna Valley wine industry and development in the airport
annexation, including our proposed sports complex. The attached graph provides a clear picture
of traffic flows on Broad, Chorro, and Santa Barbara over the past 39 years and a projection of
what we might expect in the relatively near and intermediate future.
What should we do about it? Because even planning for street widening is politically
uncomfortable, should we just not address the problem as City Councils have in the past?
Perhaps the hope has been that something will come along to change things. It's easier to let
some future Council deal with it. That approach allows the situation to deteriorate over a long
period of time, degrading our quality of life till some future Council will have to deal with it
U
So what's the conclusion to this scenario. At present it is difficult to perceive anv advantage to local
overnments to sign on with the proponents of a vehicle license fee redUCtiDn/re13eal,IN SPITE Oma+
fHE PROMISES. There seems to be no scenario where constitutional protection of all local government
IIrevenues or even a constitutional protection of the vehicle license fee revenues can be delivered by the
proponents.
Will this situation change as the budget deliberations develop? Quite possibly,but there are no offers to date
J that merit city officials signing on with the proponents. We understand that city officials are under extreme
iI pressure from some of the proponents of a vehicle license fee repeal/reduction. You have to ask the hard
questions of them in return: 1)Tell me in detail how you plan to deliver a constitutionally-protected
j backfill for local government? 2) "Show me the Votes" for a constitutionally protected backfill of any
local government revenue loss? 3) "Show me that the state can afford a full vehicle license fee repeal
in the long term and that this will not hasten a state budget crisis in which local revenues will again be
on the chopping block?
City officials have directed a great number of inquires to the League office about where
action/communication should be directed over key local government issues, primarily the vehicle license fee
repeal/reduction proposals. Before getting into WHERE to communicate, here is WHAT to communicate:
1. It Is Time to Invest In Communities. Cities should share in the $4.4 billion surplus that the
state now enjoys. After all,the surplus is funded primarily with city,county and special district
property taxes taken in the early 1990s. This money is needed to restore libraries,add afterschool
programs for youth, maintain public services for safe streets.
2. It Is the Wrong Tax to Cut. If the state is determined to seek a tax cut,cut a state tax-NOT A
LOCAL TAX. The vehicle license fee has been a local tax since 1935,was dedicated to local to
local government by the voters in 1986 and has been a stable source of local government revenue
while other revenues have fluctuated wildly. Other state tax cuts would make much more sense as
an economic stimulus than the vehicle license fees.
3. Let the Voters Decide. If the state wants to cut local taxes, let the voters decide if they want to
reduce local services. The statewide voters should be given the option to decide as a.complete ballot
package to: a) return the local government property taxes taken by the state in the early 1990s; b)
complete constitutional protection for local government revenues in the future; and, c) repeal the
vehicle license fee. .
iNow for the WHERE to communicate. In terms of communications city officials should focus closely
Ion the state budget negotiations rather than the normal"how-a-bill-becomes-Iaw" process. However,
technically,the legislation being carried to repeal/reduce vehicle license fees is still alive! City officials
should not forget the vehicle license fee proposals embodied in AB 1776, SB 2001 and SB 1723,but
immediate concern should be directed at the state budget process for the time being.
The primary action on the vehicle license fee issue will refocus on the state budget.process. Last week,both
houses went through the procedural motions to send the budget bills from their house of origin to the
opposite house, a procedural move needed to establish the Budget Conference Committee for the"final"
negotiations. During the debate in the Assembly over this largely procedural move, Assembly proponents of
a vehicle license fee reduction/repeal attempted to amend the budget bill to provide for the repeal/reduction.
The amendments were"laid on the table," i.e., defeated for the time being.
3
Comment: This is my key point. We should not proceed in a manner which will
preclude future options. Initiating the necessary traffic analysis in this corridor will
provide the information needed to make an intelligent decision as to whether Building
Setback Lines should be established for the purpose of protecting future rights of way for
transportation purposes.
Program: "8.8 Setback Lines. The City will establish building setback lines for routes
listed on Figure 4."
Comment: Although Santa Barbara is not listed on Figure 4, the traffic analysis should
reveal whether it should be added.
In my judgment none of the Circulation Element goals, strategies,policies, or programs prevent
the City from going ahead with traffic analysis which could lead to the adoption of setback lines
on Santa Barbara.
I, therefore, recommend that the City Council direct staff to prepare studies which would
ascertain whether the adoption of setback lines along Santa Barbara between Broad and ®sos
Streets is an appropriate step to preserve right-of-way along this corridor.
which will be a very expensive and disruptive approach. As Council Members, we are elected to
make the hard decisions we know are necessary to preserve our quality of life for future
generations.
While we are in the process of adopting the plan for the Railroad District Plan, I propose we take
a most critical first step in assuring that this area develops in a proper fashion..
The Circulation Element contains the following applicable information:
Goal: "4) Widen and extend streets only when there is a demonstrated need and when the
projects will cause no significant long-term environmental problems."
Comment: There is clearly a need; an EIR will determine if there are long-term
environmental problems.
Strategy: "San Luis Obispo will meet the transportation needs of current and planned-for
population by 5)focusing traffic on arterial streets and regional routes and highways; 6)
accepting some additional traffic on arterial streets and regional routes and highways; 7)
providing facilities that improve transportation safety."
Comment: Santa Barbara is designated as an arterial street; it is also designated as a
"Route of Regional Significance" by SLOCOG; it is designated as a truck route. It is on
a City bus route and may soon be a primary access for the Multi-modal Center. The
trucks and buses will create increased safety problems.
Traffic Management: "E)Manage the use of arterial streets,regional routes, and
highways so that traffic levels during peak traffic periods do not result in extreme
congestion, increased headways for transit vehicles, or unsafe conditions for pedestrians
or bicyclists."
Comment: Many of the conditions are already occurring and will only worsen as time
passes.
Type of streets: "Arterial streets: 2-4 travel lanes."
Comment: If the study indicates that 4 lanes are needed,the criteria will still be met.
Policy—Management Strategy: "B) When traffic reaches LOS E, the City will consider
the selective widening of arterial streets, regional routes and highways when
improvements to public safety and traffic flow outweigh the fiscal and environmental
costs, and do not hinder this plan's alternative transportation policies."
Comment: Currently Santa Barbara operates at LOS D during peak hours, due primarily
to congestion at the Broad-Santa Barbara-South intersection. The main run of Santa
Barbara is free flowing at present because of the lack of cross street traffic. The level of
service would deteriorate rapidly with even a minor increase of cross street traffic or the
installation of a signal—both proposed as part of the Multi-modal project.
Policy—"8.7 Rights-of-way. Rights-of-way should be reserved through the building
setback line process or through other mechanisms so that options for making
transportation improvements are preserved."
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MFETING AGENDA
aTE' ITEM #
R C;E'VED
2230 Exposition Drive No. 30 Jism 1 j 1997
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
SLn CI a �OUrdCIL
June 11, 1998
City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Subject: Railroad District Plan
Dear Mayor and Council members:
The draft Railroad District Plan is very thorough in most respects, and with respect to
public improvements it is very detailed about pedestrian street lights and sidewalks.
However, it seems to omit any mention of other public structures that I am concerned
about, that is traffic stop lights, other street lights, benches and even trash containers.
A section with example drawings could be devoted to these important elements. These
kinds of facilities can enhance or erode an area's sense of place. Witness the choice of
stop lights at the intersections of Osos at Buchon and Pismo Streets and the lack of any
design review or consideration. However, at this late hour, I am requesting that you add
the following to the plan instead of adding a new section:
1. Page 56, Development Review. Change the third sentence, "The Railroad District
Plan will be used by City staff, the City Council, and its advisory bodies, such as the
Planning Commission, Architectural Review Commission, and Cultural Heritage
Committee,-to evaluate planning applications and public works projects, including
traffic stop lights, street lighting and other street furniture facilities within the
Railroad District."
2. Page 57, no. 2, Install traffic signals at Upham Street. Add the sentence, "Signals
and related facilities should be designed to be similar to the historic era (prior to
1950) of the railroad district."
3. Page 64, Site and Public Area Improvements. Insert the following sentence,
111 .
Public improvements such as, but not limited to, traffic stop lights, street
lights, signs, benches and trash containers, should be designed in an historic
character similar to styles prevalent before 1950, and they shall be subject to
review by the Cultural Heritage Committion and Architectural Review
Commission before final design is completed."
Thank you for your consideration. At1NCll D DIR
Q� ❑ FIN DIR
Sincerely, 0 13 FIRE CHIEF
A ERRNEYR/011 ❑ PO DIR
ERKIORIfi E3 POLICE CHF
� `� — ❑ Id6bl M ❑ REC DIR
ames Lopes p' ❑ UTIL DIR
❑ ❑ PERS DIR
MEETING AGENDA
DATE ITEM #=
Eo: :
D DIR DIRE CHIEFBrad SchwanLICE CHFKona Deli Cafe —SLO Inc. j,DIR977 Foothill #1 MDIA
San Luis Obispo, CA. 93405
805 545-0741
brad@fix.net
June 12, 1998
Dear City Council,
Arnold Jonas and myself have worked out a suitable compromise to the
conditions imposed by the ARC upon my property at 726 Higuera. Therefore
this will not need to go before the city council and I would like to withdraw my
appeal. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Brad Schwan
RECEIVED
J U N 1998
SLO CITY CLERK
��• +••• ••� a.v.sV am uVV J1J JV71 I.AL I WOb,YLAN I N G tg 001/001
MEETING AGENDA �[
To: Kim Condon, Assistant City Clerk DATE 6 66' 8 REM # 7
City of San Luis Obispo
From; Paula Huddleston
Date: June 15, 1998
Re: Council meeting on June 16, 1998
Please pull item#4 "Tree Appeal - 364 Buchon"from tomorrow night's agenda. I spoke with
Todd Martin today, and have reconsidered my appeal regarding removal of the ash tree.
RECEIVED
fDR
COONCIL ❑ FIN DR -• .. . 1997
f�CAO t7 RE CHIEF
ITATTORNEY QIPW DIR SLO CITY CLERK
LYCLERKIORIG ❑ POLICE CHF
13jMy7jEAM E3REC DIR
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� V
likely that this proposal will score high since it is not an integral part of an active
transportation project.
• Using TEA funds to finish the work will likely require that the City comply with federal
requirements to store archaeological resources at a federally-approved facility. There are no
such facilities in San Luis Obispo County which suggests that an out-of-county facility
would have to be located or one created within the county—all at additional cost.
• Staff's experience with federal grant programs is that the administration cost associated with
reporting and auditing functions can be high regardless of project scale. The amount of
funding Dr. Parker is seeking is relatively small. Therefore, it would be more cost effective
for the City to consider other funding sources that have minimal administration costs and
reserve federal funding for larger projects where the costs can be justified.
None of the limitations mentioned above detract from the value of this project. Rather, they
address the appropriateness of using federal TEA funding to complete the needed work.
Staff is concerned, however, with treating Dr. Parker in an equitable manner. As cited in his
letter, the value of volunteer hours has already significantly reduced what would otherwise be the
cost of this project by $50,000 and those saving will continue as the rest of the material is
cataloged. We are concerned about Dr. Parker continuing to direct the project without receiving
any compensation for his time. While he has performed his duties effectively to date, by his
estimate only about half the features have been cataloged and his enthusiasm may begin to wane
at some point. Staff believes that it would be appropriate to consider at least partially funding up
to $28,000 of Dr. Parker's request, not through TEA funds, but from the General Fund, if
resources can be found. Staff does not believe that it is appropriate to consider the $20,000
request for publication of research results until the project is closer to completion.
MEETING AGENDA
DATE. �� S ITEM #= -
°�°°"�°11°°"°��11°' council mcmoaanbum
June 11, 1998 C3LOUNCIL ❑C
acAO 2-MI
09A0 ❑
: City Council RE'
O LERRtORM ❑VIA: John Dunn, CityAdministrative O is � E3 O
FROM: Wendy George,Assistant to the CAO
SUBJECT: Request for TEA funding from John Parker,Palm Street archaeologist
The attached letter was received this week from John Parker, the City's archaeologist on the Palm
Street parking structure artifacts project. In November, 1996, the City signed a contract with Dr.
Parker for a total of$44,966. Of that total, approximately $27,000 was designated for training
volunteers and sorting and cataloging artifacts. The remaining funds were for analysis and
preparation of a technical report. To date, we have spent all the funds designated for training,
sorting and cataloging. Since the first of the year, Dr. Parker has continued to work on this
project basically on a volunteer basis.
One of the difficulties in bidding an archaeological project, as the City discovered with the first
archaeologists on this project, is determining up front what the volume of materials to be
catalogued will be. Because Dr. Parker is using mostly volunteer labor to perform the sorting
and cataloging, it was also difficult for him to determine how much of his time would be spent
on this step. As a result, staff has had some sympathy with the financial dilemma which he
presents in his letter. We have told him that if he could develop outside sources of funding, he
would be free to keep those funds. As you know, he has already been promised a contribution
from the Taiwan government.
In the process of looking for outside funding,Dr. Parker became aware of TEA grant funds. As a
private individual, he is not eligible to apply for these funds. Thus, his request of the City. The
City Council is aware that the staff has prepared recommendations for submitting a TEA grant
application to rehabilitate the Historic Railroad Freight Building and purchase adjoining surplus
railroad land. Dr. Parker's proposal is also eligible for application to the TEA grant program.
However, staff sees the following difficulties in submitting an application for this project:
• The TEA grant program will be extremely competitive. With only $2.8 million available
county-wide, this project is not likely to score high when compared to other projects that are
more closely related to transportation. Also, this project will compete with the City's other
TEA grant application and could detract from its full funding.
• Drafts of the new federal legislation required that enhancement projects relate to
transportation projects eligible to receive funding. The nexus between the proposed
archaeological research and an eligible transportation project is tenuous at best since
structured parking (the Palm Street structure was the recovery site for the archaeological
resources) is not an eligible transportation project. Given the competition for funds, it is not
i
statewide TV coverage} . This publicity and positive public
awareness work will continue to grow during the next two
years.
Background: Initially, everyone who looked at the 5 ton
collection of artifacts realized that it would require at
least $200, 000 to process and study. Unfortunately, in 1997
the City was only able to muster $45, 000 for the work.
Realizing that a lot of their time would be voluntary, only
one small group of dedicated researchers were willing to take
on the project. These researchers have trained and been
assisted by more than 200 community volunteers in sorting and
cataloging artifacts . Some of the Ph.D. level researchers
have demonstrated their commitment to the project by
volunteering more than 400 hours themselves.
During the first year of project operation, letters of support
have been received from a host of city and county civic clubs,
churches, community groups, the SLO Chinese Professional
Association, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Affairs
Office.
Conclusion: Looking beyond its original historical research
intent, during the first year of operation, this project has
demonstrated its ability to bring in both direct and indirect
monetary value to the city. In addition, this request falls
clearly within the guidelines and focus for which the TEA
funds have been made available.
Please include this request for $48, 000 along with the other
worthwhile city projects seeking these funds .
Feel free to contact me if there are any questions or concerns
regarding this project.
S ' ncerel ,
/ John P rker, Ph.D.
Project Director
Palm Street Archaeological Research Project
2
Palm Street Parking Structure
Archaeological Research Project
PO Box 109
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
772-0117
crm@tcsn.net
June 8, 1998
Mayor and City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA
RE : Request for TEA funds to complete the research and fund
the final publication of the Palm Street Parking Structure
Archaeological Project.
Dear Mayor Settle and Council Members,
Request: The Palm Street Archaeological Research Project
requires $48, 000 in funding during the next two years to
complete the cataloging, analysis, and publication of final
results. This project falls under categories 5 and 9 of the
ISTEA Section 1007 (c) regulations, which deal with transporta-
tion related Historic Preservation and Archaeological Planning
and Research.
The project' s needs include $18, 000 to reimburse the lab
supervisors who coordinate the volunteer work on the project.
An amount of $10, 000 is needed to cover additional analysis
work. Final publication of the research results will cost
$20, 000.
Project Value to the City: The project' s direct monetary value
to the city can be best expressed in the numbers of volunteer
hours that have been spent on the project. During the past
year, more than 4, 000 volunteer hours have been logged (a
value of more than $50, 000) and 1/3 of the artifact collection
is sorted and computer ready. During the next two years, it
is estimated that an additional 8, 000 volunteer hours will be
logged to complete the cataloging process (a $150, 000 total
value in volunteer work for the city) .
This is an excellent return for an initial investment of
$45, 000 and a requested TEA grant investment of $48, 000 .
In addition to the direct monetary value, the Palm Street
Archaeological Project has caused local, state-wide, . and even
international attention to be focused on San Luis Obispo' s
historic past. It has netted the type of positive publicity
that Chambers of Commerce only dream of (including local and
national newspaper articles, magazines, and local and