Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Submit a Request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of $126,618 in Fiscal Year 2022-23 for Two Grand Street Transportation Safety Projects per Transportation Development Act Article 3 for Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding, and to Execute All Necessary Documents. (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962740)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year, the City of Alameda (City) is eligible to receive Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for eligible bicycle or pedestrian projects or programs. This coming fiscal year, the City is applying for funding for two projects along Grand Street. The first is to use $50,000 in TDA funds to build 260 feet of missing sidewalk next to City-owned property on Grand Street between Clement Avenue and Eagle Avenue. The second is to use $76,618 to supplement the budget for the Grand Street Pavement Resurfacing and Safety Improvements, which is in design and for which a concept will be heard by City Council later this year. These funds would be used to supplement the project budget and help contribute towards the required local match for the existing One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funds.
BACKGROUND
The TDA, Public Utilities Code Sections 99233.3 and 99234, makes funds available in the nine-county MTC region for pedestrian/bicycle projects, programs and plans. MTC makes annual allocations of TDA Article 3 funds to eligible claimants after review of applications submitted by counties or congestion management agencies. All cities and counties in the Bay Area are eligible to claim funds under TDA Article 3. Funds are allocated and apportioned by population, and are submitted as part of a countywide coordinated TDA Article 3 claim. MTC has estimated the total funds for TDA Article 3 pedestrian/bicycle projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 and, the City’s total, with some unused funds from FY 2021-22, is $126,618.
DISCUSSION
Two projects were selected for this small annual grant funding source based on infrastructure maintenance needs and funding needs for existing projects:
1. Grand Street Sidewalk Gap Completion, $50,000.
The City has received many complaints over the years regarding the lack of sidewalks along Grand Street in the area around Clement Street. There are no sidewalks on the western side of the street, next to the Pennzoil property, and 260 feet of sidewalk missing next to City-owned property between Clement Avenue and Eagle Avenue. The City will rectify this by using the TDA Article 3 funds to build the eastern sidewalk. As the Pennzoil property is developed, that project will build the sidewalk infrastructure on the west side.
2. Grand Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements, $76,618.
The “Grand Street Pavement Resurfacing and Safety Improvements” project, funded by OBAG funds plus local matching funds, is in the concept design phase. The project will make improvements to Grand Street between Shore Line Drive and Encinal Avenue including high visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, flashing beacons at Wood School and at the Grand Street/San Antonio Avenue intersection, protected bike lanes in key areas and enhancements to bike lanes in others, and narrower travel lanes to encourage slower vehicle speeds. One public workshop was held in late 2021 and a second is being held in early May. The project will be reviewed by the Transportation Commission in May and brought to City Council for approval in July. These funds would be used to supplement the required local match for the grant funds, as the project scope has expanded.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council alternatives are to:
• Approve staff recommendation to apply for $126,618 to fund these two projects; or
• Approve staff to apply for funding for only one of the two projects, or
• Not authorize staff to apply for any TDA funds in FY 2022-23, and instead hold the funds in reserve to be used in a future year for different bicycle/pedestrian projects or programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Authorizing staff to apply for the TDA grant funds will potentially increase available funding for transportation safety projects by $126,618 in FY 2022-23, subject to future City Council appropriations approval. If the City does not apply for an allocation of these funds for FY 2022-23, the funds would still be available to be used in future years for other bicycle/pedestrian projects or programs.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The Mobility Element of the 2021 General Plan includes Policy ME-14 on Active Transportation, to “reduce traffic, improve public health, increase transportation equity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and air and noise pollution, increase access to transit, enhance quality of life, and improve the efficiency of the transportation system by making Alameda a city where people of all ages and abilities can safely, conveniently, and comfortably walk, bike, and roll to their destinations.” Action (b) under Policy ME-14 calls for Maintenance: “Regularly maintain the active transportation network for safety and comfort, and to ensure current design standards are being met.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed projects are minor improvements to existing public facilities, which are categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15301.
CLIMATE IMPACT
Supporting walking and bicycling will help the City meet its goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by supporting mode shift away from automobiles. The City’s 2019 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan found that transportation accounts for 70% of the City’s GHG emissions, and that moving people out of automobiles is paramount to reducing transportation-related emissions. Creating streets focused on people, rather than cars, encourages these modes of transportation, and can reduce emissions from people driving (still predominantly gasoline-powered vehicles) to their destinations, and help the community develop lifelong habits of walking and bicycling.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to submit a request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the allocation of $126,618 in Fiscal Year 2022-23 for two Grand Street transportation safety projects per Transportation Development Act Article 3 for pedestrian/bicycle project funding and to execute all necessary documents.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
cc: Gerry Beaudin, Interim City Manager