Title
Recommendation to Receive an Informational Report on the Public Access Pathways Associated with the Tidal Canal Project. (Public Works/Recreation and Parks 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Receive an Informational Report on the Public Access Pathways Associated with the Tidal Canal Project
BACKGROUND
The Oakland Inner Harbor Tidal Canal (Tidal Canal) is a 1.8 mile long, 400 feet wide portion of the waterway between Oakland and Alameda that was dredged between 1882 and 1904 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to create a tidal effect throughout the Oakland Estuary. The Tidal Canal covers 85 acres and until recently was owned by the Army Corps. Twenty six years ago, the United States of America, through the Army Corps, offered to convey half of the Tidal Canal to the City of Alameda. After many City Council meetings and years of work, the City gained ownership of the Tidal Canal, subdivided it into ninety-nine lots, sold all eighty-four residential lots and six of eight commercial lots, and retained nearly $1 million in proceeds to help complete the next two phases of the project.
On April 18, 2017, the City Council discussed the Tidal Canal project and the related public access points. At that meeting, the Assistant City Attorney requested direction and authority to move forward with staff’s plan for Phase II of the Project. Phase II was an attempt to address a number of long standing issues: (i) cleaning up the encroachments on the three (3) public access points; (ii) disposition of the submerged property (now owned by the City) adjacent to those public access points; (iii) keep open reasonable and feasible options for increasing public access into the water at one or more of these points; and (iv) clearing title to the docks and piers that have been built and used by the adjacent property owners, consistent with the previously stated goals. After hearing public comment from the community on both sides of the issues, the City Council declined to grant authority to staff to move forward with the surveying and property encroachment negotiation proposed as part of Phase II at that time and instead gave direction for short term solutions involving erecting temporary fencing and signage, as well as repaving the two public paths/driveways in disrepair. Progress has been made in implementing these solutions as outlined below.
Long-term, Council directed staff to develop solutions through a feasibility study (Phase III) for the use of these paths after gaining input from neighbors and the Recreation and Parks Commission. The City Manager has convened an interdepartmental team of the City Attorney, Police, Public Works, Public Information, and Recreation and Parks (ARPD). Police is addressing safety concerns at the paths. Public Works is addressing the paths’ pavement, signage, and fencing for improved, immediate use by the public. ARPD, together with the Public Information Officer, is responsible for the community planning and input process to best determine locations and amenity improvements for these public access points.
This informational report focuses on the three public access points along Fernside Boulevard between High Street and Fairview Avenue, and also addresses three other public pathways on East Shore Drive between Liberty Avenue and Meyers Avenue (Exhibits 1 and 2).
discussion
Short-term solutions. Over the past several months, the Police Department has provided increased patrol attention on the pathways, especially during evening hours. Officers have been asked to walk the paths whenever possible, and a patrol bulletin has been issued to maintain the increased patrols.
Public Works has addressed trash and graffiti issues at the two currently accessible pathways on East Shore Drive. The signage at the three locations along Fernside Boulevard has been reviewed and found acceptable (Exhibit 3). By December 2017, new signage resembling the Fernside Boulevard signage will be installed at the two accessible locations on East Shore Drive. The third, currently inaccessible location on East Shore Drive and Meyers Avenue will get signage after the encroachment issue is addressed (Exhibit 7). Subject to further direction by the City Council, the City Attorney and Public Works will begin discussions with the adjacent property owner to resolve the encroachment.
Temporary fencing was installed at the end of the pathways between 3267 and 3301 Fernside Boulevard and between 3335 and 3341 Fernside Boulevard to address immediate safety concerns. By December 2017, this temporary fencing will be replaced with lower, 3-4 foot fencing that is more attractive and that will remain until long-term solutions are adopted. Finally, the paving at several of these pathways is deteriorated and will be improved (Exhibit 4). Public Works estimates completing those tasks on all three paths by March 1, 2018 at an expense of no more than $250,000.
Public Input Process. ARPD has issued a Request for Proposals to identify a consultant with marine and shoreline recreation design experience to conduct a feasibility study of the six identified public access points on Fernside Boulevard and East Shore Drive. The goal of this study is to identify what recreational uses are possible at each of the six pathways to the water. These options could include a viewing area with benches or steps to the water, fishing, or a launch for small non-motorized craft such as a kayak or stand-up paddle board. The study will identify opportunities and challenges for these types of recreational uses at each of the six public access points. It will also include cost estimates for various use types. It is anticipated that this feasibility study will be completed this winter.
The results of the feasibility study will be discussed with the neighbors who live adjacent to each of the public access points as well as distributed to the community for review. This information will then be the starting point for discussion at community input meetings, held in early 2018. Through the community input process, staff will develop recommendations for review by the Recreation and Parks Commission. The Commission’s feedback will be incorporated and presented to City Council for the final decision in spring 2018.
Design and detailed construction documents will then be developed and the construction of the six public access points is anticipated in 2019.
Status of other public walkways throughout Alameda. There are approximately 23 public walkways throughout the City (Exhibit 6). In August 2017, Public Works visually assessed each pathway and, other than the issues identified above as part of the Tidal Canal project, no walkways were blocked or otherwise impassable.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The net proceeds of the Tidal Canal’s real estate transactions have been deposited in the Capital Improvement Project No. 91624. This project has $1.1 million remaining of $1.5 million in original budget, which is sufficient to cover Public Works’ short-term improvements, the feasibility study, and resolution of the encroachment issues. However, it is difficult to know whether this funding will cover the full extent of Phases II and III, as the scope of those phases is not yet set. Funding for ongoing maintenance of the six public access points is also not yet budgeted.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The proposed plan is consistent with the City of Alameda General Plan Open Space and Land Use Policies, as well as the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt under CEQA Guidelines, Class 1, Section §15301(C), Existing Pedestrian Trails.
RECOMMENDATION
Report on the public access pathways associated with the tidal canal project.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet C. Kern, City Attorney
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Liam Garland, Acting Public Works Director
By,
Abdulla Ahmed, Project Manager III
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Location Map - Fernside
2. Location Map - East Shore
3. Existing Signs (photo)
4. Pavement Condition (photo)
5. Blocked Pathway Access (photo)
6. List of Public Walkways from City’s Pedestrian Plan
7. Inaccessible Public Path (photo)