HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/18/2000, 5 - REPROGRAMMING FUNDS PREVIOUSLY EARMARKED FOR THE BRIZZOLARA STREET SOUND WALL PROJECT07
council
agenda uepoat
Meetiv� Dade
Jmnmry 18.2000
C I T Y OF S A N L U I S O B I S P O
FROM: Michael McCluskey, Director of Public Works X# t �
Prepared By: Terry Sanville, Principal TransportationPlanner J
SUBJECT: Reprogramming Funds Previously Earmarked for the Brizzolara Street
Sound Wall Project
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council should:
Direct Staff to submit a request to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments ( SLOCOG) to
reprogram $500,000 of State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds for the
following:
A. Repave Osos -Santa Barbara Street from just south of Marsh Street to Broad Street
($300,000).
B. Repave a portion of Johnson Avenue, segment yet to be determined ($200,000).
2. Conceptually approve the possible allocation, if needed in the future, of $75,000 of the General
Funds used to support the Pavement Management Program for landscaped enhancements to the
"City Side" of the Brizzolara Street sound wall, if they are needed.
DISCUSSION
1. Background
Early in 1999, the City Council reserved $500,000 in local STIP funds to match an equal amount of
regional STIP funds to design and build the Brizzolara Street sound wall. However, in Fall, 1999,
the State provided a new source of funding for this project, Caltrans offered to take over its
implementation, and the SLOCOG Board withdrew its support for using regional STIP funds for
the project
At its December 7, 1999 meeting, the City Council supported Caltrans assuming project
implementation responsibilities. The Council also reserved $75,000 of local STIP funds for
additional landscaping on the "City Side" of the sound wall, if it is needed. This action left
$425,000 of STIP funds to be reprogrammed for other uses. Staff also promised to prepare a list of
transportationproject that may warrant considerationfor funding —attached as Exhibit A.
Meanwhile, SLOCOG staff sent a memorandum to the Public Works Department stating the
speck intent of the State legislation that originally provided the STIP funds was to fund road
rehabilitation pro (see Exhibit B). This memo states:
"While the other projects may be consistent with the general STIP Guidelines, they are not
consistent with the specific intent of SB 1477 and would not be recommended for approval
by SLOCOG staf. "
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Council Agenda Report - Reprogramming of STIP Funds
Page 2
STIP funds are to be used to rehabilitate Routes of Regional Significance or for sound wall projects
that can be underway within the 1998 -2002 STIP funding cycle. These routes within San Luis
Obispo are shown on attached Exhibit C.
Rehabilitation of any type of road within San Luis Obispo is typically undertaken as part of the
City's Pavement Management Program, which is supported by General Funds. Therefore, using
STIP funds for road rehabilitationprojects can extend and expand this existing program.
2. Discussion of CAO Recommendation.
Road Rehabilitation Projects (Recommendation 1). Given the legislative intent for using the
1998 STIP funds, the Public Works staff reviewed the Regional Routes of Significance map to
determine whether there are routes that need to be rehabilitated in the near future. Two routes were
identified and approximate costs established:
A. Repave Osos -Santa Barbara Street from Pacific to Broad Street ($300,000).
The City Council previously approved the submittal of an STIP funding application for this
project. Osos and Santa Barbara Streets form a major route leading into and through the
downtown with extensive development (including the City's Railroad Transportation
Center) planned along its length.
B. Repave a portion of Johnson Avenue, segment yet to be determined ($200,000),
Recent utility work along Johnson Avenue has reduced the quality of the pavement of this
important arterial street. STIP funds would pay for the rehabilitation of a portion of the
street, whichever segment appears to demonstrate the greatest need for repaving.
Sound Wall Landscape Enhancements (Recommendation 2). The Council may remember that
at its December 7, 1999 meeting it reserved $75,000 of STIP funds for this purpose. Staff is now
recommending an alternative and more flexible funding strategy. Instead of reserving STIP funds,
staff recommends that all STIP funds (the full $500,000) be spent on street rehabilitation projects
and that $75,000 of General Funds that support the Pavement Management Program be reserved
for sound wall landscape enhancements and used if necessary. The reasons why staff is suggesting
this alternative funding strategy include the following:
• The activity which is supported by STIP funds (in this case landscape enhancements) must be
undertaken during the 1998 -02 STIP cycle. Since Caltrans is now responsible for designing
and constructing the sound wall, the City has no control of the timing of this project. The City
could end up loosing the STIP funds because they are not spent in a timely manner.
Staff is not sure at this point whether landscape enhancements will be necessary. This
determination will be based on a review of Caltrans design of the sound wall and the amount
and type of landscaping that Caltrans proposes to provide. If the City - decides that it does not
want to use the STIP funds for landscaping, it would be required to ask SLOCOG and the State
to reprogram the $75,000 for some other road rehabilitation project. Depending on when the
decision to use or not to use the STIP funds for landscaping is made, it could be too late in the
STIP cycle to reprogram it
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Council Agenda Report - Reprogrammingof STIP Funds
Page 3
• By using General Funds for landscape enhancements to the sound wall, the City does not have
to concern itself with the timely use of state funds nor seek any other approvals from SLOCOG
or the State. The City has full discretion on how and when it uses its General Funds.
Impacts of Staffs Recommendation on the Pavement Management Program. The City's
Pavement Management Program divides the City into nine areas (including the Commercial Core).
To date, funding has been appropriated for pavement management projects within four of the nine
areas with about $2.3 million annually earmarked for this purpose. Council support of Staff s
recommendation will, in effect, extend the City's funding commitment to this effort by $425,000,
made possible by the infusion of STIP dollars to pay for the two paving projects identified in
Recommendation 1.
Using STIP for road rehabilitation projects is consistent with the legislative intent of SB 1477 that
provided the supplemental STIP funding. City staff s recommended .funding strategy is fully
consistent with SLOCOG staffs December 3'd memorandum (Exhibit B).
FISCAL IMPACT
No adverse impact.
ALTERNATIVES
Staff strongly believes that since the State STIP funds are specifically earmarked for transportation
purposes, any General Funds saved by receiving this funding should also be used for transportation
purposes. Furthermore, the need for continued pavement management funding is important if the
City intends to continue implementing this program.
However, it is possible to redirect General Funds saved as part of the Pavement Management
Program to other transportation uses. Attached Exhibit A identifies a variety of transportation
projects and activities the City Council might consider. Alternative funding strategies to the CAO
recommendation #3 include the following:
1. Reserve funds for approved transportation activities where funds have not been
appropriated and to cover unanticipated or desired cost increases.
If the Council selects this alternative, staff recommends the following activities:
A. Pedestrian Crosswalk Projects ($100,000). At its January 18'h meeting, the Council
will consider a policy for directing the installation of lit crosswalks and other
pedestrian safety improvements along arterial streets at non - stop - controlled
locations. Staff estimates that each location could cost between $15,000 and $25,000
to install this equipment.
B. Railroad Transportation Center Supplemental Improvements ($200,000). Boyle
Engineering is currently designing this project for the City adjoining Santa Barbara
Street and the Union Pacific Railroad. Construction is slated for Summer, 2000.
Staff anticipates that there may be additional costs associated with removing a
billboard on the site, modifying the Morro -Upham -Santa Barbara Street intersection
to close Morro Street, and possibly installing a traffic signal at that intersection.
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Council Agenda Report - Reprogramming of STIP Funds
Page 4
C. Video Traffic Signal Detection along Streets That Are Being Repaved ($125,000).
When a street is repaved, in pavement detectors at signalized intersections must be
replaced. Staff recommends that along routes where this occurs, the in pavement
detectors be replaced with above - ground video systems. Depending on the number of
approaches to an intersection, video detection equipment can cost $10, 000 to $20 000
per signalized intersection.
2. Reserve funds for a new project or projects where City funds have not been
appropriated. Attached Exhibit A identifies a variety of transportation projects that the
Council may consider. The cost estimates for each project are, in most cases, rough
approximations and in some cases might vary significantly. However, the Public Works
staffs workload for capital projects is currently very aggressive and cannot easily
accommodate major new projects without impacting the priority of other already -
programmed projects.
3. Reserve funds for some other type of activity. It is possible to use the funds: "saved" from
the pavement management program for types of activities other than transportation projects.
However, since the City's transportation needs are significant (Exhibit .A alone identifies
$30, 000, 000+ worth of projects), staff recommends that the Council select a funding strategy
that benefits community transportation programs.
4. Some combination of the above alternatives.
Attachments
Exhibit A: Potential Transportation Projects/Activities
Exhibit B: December 3, 1 999 Memorandum from SLOCOG Staff
Exhibit C: Map shown Routes of Regional Significance
I:\ Everyone\ GouncilAo,rndaRepons \SMFundingReprogranuning
5 -4
*Exhibit A
- POTENTIAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS /ACTIVITIES'
#
Description
Estimated Total
Project Cost
Pedestrian
Projects
1'
South Higuera Sidewalks (Elks Lane South): build sidewalks along South
$180,000
Higuera Street adjoining the cemetery south of Elks Lane and reconfigure the Elks
Lane intersection.
2
Lit Crosswalks at Select Locations: install in- pavement lighting and related
$100,000
safety features at targeted non -stop controlled pedestrian crossings along arterial
streets.
3
Madonna Road Sidewalks Over San Luis Obispo Creek: construct sidewalks
$360,000
along the south side of Madonna Road at San Luis Obispo Creek.
4'
Madonna Road Sidewalks on Route 101 Overpass: construct a sidewalk along
$650,000
the west side of the overpass bridge and the western slope bank to extend to the
Madonna Inn driveway.
53
Morro Street Make Over: reserve funds and accelerate the design and
$350,000
construction of changes to Morro Street between Monterey Street and Higuera to
create a pedestrian- friendly environment.
6
Downtown Pedestrian Enhancements: establish a reserve fund to provide for
$200,000
pedestrian enhancements in the downtown (e.g. bulb outs, seating, etc.) that
complement the improvements required of the Palm Street -Court Street Project.
7"
Mission Plaza Expansion — Broad Street Dog Leg: hire a consultant to do
$425,000
initial planning studies and community outreach, prepare design plans, and
construct improvements.
8
Expanded Sidewalk Funding: Expand the amount of funds earmarked for
$400,000
sidewalk installation and repair by $100,000 a year for the next four years. (Note
the Financial Plan currently earmarks $75,000 to $100,000 per year for this
purpose.)
9
Disabled Accessibility Improvements: Expand the amount of funds earmarked
$400,000
for accessibility improvement by $100,000 a year for the next four years. (Note
the Financial Plan currently earmarks $80,000 per year for this purpose.)
Category Subtotal
$3,065,000.00
' City applied for a TEA grant for this project but was unsuccessful. Project could be done at same time as South Higuera
Street Rehabilitation Project.
Included in Financial Plan's 4 -year CIP and programmed for 2001 -02 and 2002 -03 using General Funds.
3 Included in Financial Plan's 4 -year CIP; project design ($40,000) is programmed for FY 2002 -03 but no construction
estimates have been made.
Included in Financial Plan's 4 -year CIP; project design ($40,000) is programmed for FY 2001 -02 but no construction
estimates have been made. Cost estimate is really rough since the type of facilities and treatment determined appropriate
for the dog leg area is unknown.
5 -5
Combined Bicycle and Pedestrian. Protects 7, _
10
Safe Routes to School Program: hire additional contract staff for two years and
$350,000
work with the SLCUSD to establish a safe routes to school program for all
elementary and secondary schools within the City Limits. Program would include
publication of educational materials, preparation and distribution of routes to
school maps, promotional events (e.g. annual bicycle rodeo), applying for grants,
and capital projects needed to improve walking and bicycling safety for school
children.
11
California Boulevard Bike - Pedestrian Path: install a shared bike and pedestrian
$400,000
path west of palm trees along California Boulevard on City property (norther
segment of the Railroad Recreational Tail).
12
Lawrence Drive Bicycle- Pedestrian Bridge: acquire residual land as needed and
$2,500,000
construct a bridge connecting Broad Street via Lawrence Drive to Sinsheimer Park
over the Union Pacific Railroad.
13
Penny Lane Bicycle- Pedestrian Bridge: install pedestrian- bicycle bridge over
$450,000
5
Union Pacific Railroad to connect Penny Lane with Fairview Avenue.
14
Phillips Lane Bicycle- Pedestrian Bridge: build a bicycle - pedestrian bridge over
$900,000
the Union Pacific Railroad to Connect Phillips Lane on both sides of rail corridor.
(Bridge may require some ramps and towers on both sides of rail line to meet
minimum clearance requirements.)
15
Bob -Jones City -To-Sea Bike Trail: accelerate and commit to the design and
$660,000
6
construction of the segment of the trail between Prado Road and LOUR.
16
Phase III Railroad Recreational Trail: purchase property, prepare PS &E and
$2,000,000
7
construct trail (including two bridges) along west side of Union Pacific Railroad
between the AMTRAK passenger terminal and Marsh Street.
17
Railroad Recreational Trail Southern Extension: subsequent to the approval of
$600,000
the Orcutt Area Specific Plan, purchase easements (as necessary) or secure land
dedications and construct RRT extension from Orcutt Road (along Bullock Lane)
to Tank Farm Road east of the existing detention basin. Require dedication of fee
title of land as Orcutt Area develops.
18
RRT School Connection: work with the School District to design and construct a
$150,000
Class I bike path adjoining the northem bank of the creek and the District's
corporation yard between the Railroad Recreational Trail (RRT) and Southwood
Drive.
5 Cost assumes that bridge will meet minimum clearances over the railroad without requiring ramps or stairs on either end.
6 Included in Financial Plan's 4 -year CIP and programmed for 2001 -02 and 2002 -03 using General Funds. Cost may be
less depending on land acquisition and bridging requirements.
' Rough estimate that assumes low acquisition costs and bridge structures crossing Johnson Avenue and San Luis Creek
that do not require extensive abutments (set on grade) or ramp systems.
5 °6
19
RRT Crossing of Tank Farm Road: purchase land or easement from Union
$1,500,000
Pacific Railroad and extend bike path from the west end of Ironbark Street north
to Tank Farm Road; also install a bridge across Tank Farm Road (parallel bike -
pedestrian bridge attached to underpass structure),to the north City limits.
Category Subtotal
1 $9,510,000.00
Street Projects
20
Pavement Management Program: retain the $425,000 in the Pavement
$425,000
Management Program. This strategy would incrementally extend the program's
funding. (Note: currently, the City has budgeted about $2,000,000 a year for
pavement management activities — both micro - surfacing and overlay work.)
21
Orcutt Road Grade Separation: purchase requisite property to form a new
$5,000,000
Laurel - Orcutt intersection and construct overpass at the Union Pacific Railroad on
Orcutt Road. Project to include southern extension of Railroad Recreational Trail
(RRT) under the overpass to connect with Bullock Lane.
22
Mid- Higuera Street Widening: use reprogrammed General Funds to reduce
$2,900,000
previously - approved GF contribution to this street widening project (about
$1,000,000).
23
Mid- Higuera Utility Undergrounding: as part of the Mid - Higuera Widening
$400,000
project, underground overhead utilities. (This activity does not reduce the cost of
the street widening project but increases its overall cost, including general fund
contributions, from $2.9 million to $3.3 million.
24
Prado Road Bridge Replacement: widen the bridge over San Luis Obispo Creek
$2,300,000
on Prado Road to six lanes (plus bike lanes and sidewalks) to serve the planned
new interchange @ SR 101 and future airport area traffic growth.
25
Project Study Report: Santa Rosa -SR 101 Interchange Area: work with
$200,000
Caltrans and sponsor the preparation of a Project Study Report for the interchange
systems generally between, and inclusive of California Boulevard and Broad
Street. (Staff has encouraged Caltrans to sponsor this project; City funding could
accelerate its preparation.)
26
South Street Widening Funding: reserve funds to contribute to the Caltrans
$50,000
8
project to widen the south side of South Street from Higuera to Beebe Street.
(Council supported funding contribution in March, 1999).
27
Prado Road Design: hire a qualified design engineer to prepare a street design
$20,000
and a building setback line ordinance for Prado Road between SR 101 and South
Higuera Street to include all approaches to the Prado - Higuera intersection.
Category Subtotal
$11,295,000.00
'The City Council has already agreed to contribute $50,000 toward this effort and has told Caltrans that it was willing to
enter into a Cooperative Agreement with them.
5 -7
Transit and Para4ransit Profects and Programs _ _.
28
Downtown Transit Center: build an off -street transit center on a site east of
$3,000,000
Santa Rosa Street, possibly to include parking and possibly with County
participation.
29
Enhanced Transit Stops: find locations within the SLO Transit service area
$250,000
where transit turn outs and enhanced transit shelters are warranted (at locations not
associated with the development or redevelopment of adjoining properties) and
construct improvements.
30
Downtown Parking Demand Reduction (PDR) Program: support parking
$425,000
demand reduction and alternative transportation efforts in the downtown for 10 to
15 years. Includes the cost of providing reduced -cost or free bus passes for
downtown employees.
Category Subtotal
$3,675,000.00
Traffic Planning & OpeF #0* _
31
Video Signal Detection: install video traffic detection at intersections where in-
$125,000
pavement detection devices must be replaced as part of the City's pavement
management program (e.g. Morro /Santa Barbara Street, Johnson Avenue, South
Higuera Street).
32
Expanded Traffic Signal Funding: after the traffic signal study is complete (it's
$300,000
funded with SHA dollars) establish a reserve fund to pay for the installation of
traffic signals at existing intersections where a signal is needed to address
cumulative traffic increases.
33
NENUTP Traffic Model Refinements: rework the City's existing traffic model
$30,000
to provide for enhanced levels of accuracy in its traffic forecasting.
Category Subtotal
$4551000.00
T:ransportat<on E ancements -- -
34
Los Osos Valley Road Medians: construct landscaped medians extending from
$350,000
the western city limits to about Oceanaire Drive and provide turn pockets and
protected pedestrian refuges at key intersections.
35
Railroad Walk Of History Implementation: Conduct requisite Phase I and (if
$95,000
10
needed) Phase H Hazardous Materials Studies, a Phase I Historic Archaeological
Evaluation, and acquire 0.31 acres of surplus railroad property located between
Emily and High Streets from the Union Pacific Railroad.
36
RTC Billboard Removal: remove the billboard that is on the RTC property, is
$95,000
"
visible from Santa Barbara Street, and will obscure the view of the historic Freight
Building (that will be rehabilitated using TEA funds).
9 Very rough estimate of land acquisition, environmental mitigation, and surface development costs. Does not include
multi-story parking facilities.
0 Project was an unsuccessful TEA application submitted to SLOCOG in October, 1999.
" The removal of the billboard is an unanticipated cost of building the Railroad Transportation Center.
*'�
37
Landscape Medians on Orcutt Road: complete the landscaped medians (install
$100,000
landscaping and irrigation) on Orcutt Road between Broad Street and Duncan
Lane after the basic facilities are installed by developers of adjoining properties.
38
Historic Railroad Track Installation: combine funds with the construction of
$75,000
the Railroad Transportation Center (RTC) to construct a rail line that will
accommodate both narrow and standard gauge railroad cars adjacent and east of
the historic Freight Building.
39
South Higuera Street Billboard Removal: purchase and remove three older
$200,000
billboards on the side of South Hills along the east side of Higuera Street near elks
lane.
Category Subtotal
$915,000.00
Envhinment:d
Witigation ._ -- _
40
Santa Barbara Street Traffic Noise Mitigation: establish a reserve fund and
$60,000
offer noise mitigation funding for older dwelling along the west side of Santa
Barbara Street across from the proposed Railroad Transportation Center (RTC).
(This program is a required mitigation measure for the RTC's development.)
41
South Johnson Avenue Neighborhood Enhancement: if the CC approves. Prado
$800,000
Road extension west of the railroad to connect with the south end of Johnson
Avenue, construct expanded parkways or center landscaped medians along
Johnson Avenue between Laurel Land and Orcutt Road.
42
Staff Enhancements: hire a contract project engineer to work on transportation
$240,000
capital projects (bikes, pedestrian, streets, etc.) for the next four years.
Category Subtotal
$191001000.00
GRAND TOTAL
$30,0109000.00
5 -9
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