Title
Make a Determination that the Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2019 Capital Budget is Consistent with the General Plan
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Liam Garland
Acting Public Works Director
Date: April 24, 2017
Re: Make a Determination that the Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2019 Capital Budget is Consistent with the General Plan
BACKGROUND
On June 6, 2017, staff will request the City Council approve a 2017-2019 Capital Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). California law requires that, before the City Council approves the 2017-2019 capital budget, the Planning Board determine its conformance with the General Plan.
In November 2016, Public Works convened an interdepartmental CIP team comprised of the City Manager’s office, and Fire, Information Technology, Library, Police, and Recreation and Parks Departments to develop the capital budget and five-year capital improvement program. The City Manager’s Office will finalize the CIP and operating budget in May.
DISCUSSION
A draft of the CIP budget is attached at Exhibit 1. The CIP budget is consistent with Alameda’s General Plan and various plans already approved by the City Council. Written and approved in 1991, with revisions to the Transportation Element in 2009, and the Safety Element in 2016, the General Plan broadly directs Alameda’s existing structures and public infrastructure be improved, enhanced, and maintained.
The CIP budget includes three categories of projects: rehabilitation, transportation, and parks. Parks and rehabilitation projects are consistent with the General Plan, as they either improve, enhance, or maintain existing infrastructure such as parks, City buildings, sidewalks, stormwater pipes and pumps, lagoons, sewer pipes and pumps, and street trees. Transportation projects help maintain a safe, efficient transportation system (e.g., streets, signals, striping), and expand opportunities for transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists, which is consistent with the Transportation Element’s four goals of circulation, livability, choice, and implementation.
Each project proposed in the capital budget includes a one-page description, and within that one-page description, the rationale for General Plan consistency is included. The CIP’s funding amounts and projects may be revised prior to the City Council’s final budget approval as staff continue their financial analysis, incorporate the California Legislature’s passage of the Road Repair and Accountability Act on April 6, and include grants expected to be awarded by the Alameda County Transportation Commission on April 27.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed Finding of General Plan Consistency is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Finding of Consistency does not commit the City to any of the identified projects in the CIP budget. Individual projects identified within the CIP budget and approved by City Council will be reviewed in accordance with CEQA requirements prior to their implementation.
RECOMMENDATION:
Make a determination of consistency of the proposed fiscal year 2017-2019 Capital Budget with the General Plan.
Exhibit:
1. 2017-2019 Capital Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Program