Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Cooperative Agreement, Substantially in the Form of the Attached Agreement, with the California Department of Transportation to Complete the Construction of the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this Project is Categorically Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor Alterations to Existing Facilities Including Bicycle Facilities) and Section 15304(h) (Minor Alterations to Land and the Creation of Bicycle Lanes on Existing Public Rights of Way). (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962740)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this agenda item is to seek City Council authorization to execute a Cooperative Agreement (Agreement) between the City of Alameda (City) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to complete the construction of the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project (Central Avenue Project), which is a Caltrans requirement since the portion of the project from Webster Street to Sherman Street is on State Route 61.
BACKGROUND
Project Objectives: The Central Avenue Project implements the City Council’s 2018 Transportation Choices Plan, 2019 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, 2019 Intersection Daylighting Policy, 2019 Lane Widths Policy and 2021 Vision Zero Action Plan by achieving four overarching objectives:
1. Reduce crashes and improve safety for all modes of travel and for all members of the community including school children, seniors, people with disabilities, bicyclists, transit riders and automobile drivers;
2. Improve bicycle and pedestrian access and safety between West Alameda and Central Alameda and along the San Francisco Bay Trail;
3. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
4. Reduce automobile delay and improve traffic operations and travel times.
City Council Actions: The Central Avenue Project is the result of a ten year collaborative effort directed by the City Council: www.alamedaca.gov/Central <http://www.alamedaca.gov/Central>
• In May 2013, the City Council approved submittal of a Community-Based Transportation Planning state grant application to Caltrans for the project;
• In February 2016, the City Council approved an initial concept for the Central Avenue Project and directed staff to continue the design development process with Caltrans and to work with the neighboring community to provide safer improvements for the Webster Street area;
• In October 2016, the City Council approved a federal grant application submittal to the Alameda County Transportation Commission, which the City won so as to fully fund the construction at $10.8 million in combined grant monies;
• In June 2017, the City Council approved $557,000 of the Central Avenue local match monies for fiscal years 2017 to 2019 as shown in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP);
• In January 2018, the City Council adopted the Transportation Choices Plan, which included the Central Avenue Project to address the climate crisis and to increase the safety and convenience of walking, bicycling, carpooling and using transit;
• In April 2018, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans and a contract with CDM Smith to prepare the Caltrans required Project Initiation Document (PID) since the eastern part of the corridor is a state route;
• In March 2019, the City Council approved a revised Central Avenue concept between Paden School and McKay Avenue extending the safer two-way bikeway;
• In June 2019, the City Council approved $2.5 million in Central Avenue expenditures from local and federal funding sources for fiscal years 2019 to 2021 as shown in the CIP;
• In November 2019, the City Council approved a CDM Smith contract amendment for the Central Avenue Project approval and environmental document phase (PA&ED) and the final concept - plans, specifications and estimate phase (PS&E);
• In May 2020, the City Council approved the Caltrans Cooperative Agreement for the PA&ED and the PS&E since the project is partially on a state route;
• In April 2021, the City Council approved the final design after a virtual open house in fall 2020 and February 2021 as shown here: <https://gather.cdmsmith.com/v/y2qm2KdR1wO>;
• In September 2022, the City Council approved the Caltrans required resolution for parking restrictions on the State Route 61 part of the Central Avenue Project; and
• In December 2022, the City Council approved a CDM Smith contract amendment for the Central Avenue Project roundabout design, construction support and continued Caltrans coordination.
Project construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2023.
DISCUSSION
The Agreement (Exhibit 1) between the City and Caltrans establishes the responsibilities for each agency in the construction phase of the Central Avenue Project, which is partially on the state highway. As described in the Agreement, the City is responsible for the construction of the project, and Caltrans will provide oversight and quality assessment for those portions of the project on State Route 61.
Staff is requesting that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement, which needs to be executed before the City advertises for construction.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council may consider the following alternatives:
• Authorize execution of the agreement as recommended.
• Authorize execution of the agreement with amendments.
• Do not authorize the agreement, and direct staff to proceed with another approach.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Construction totals $15.1 million, including the pending OBAG3 grant, and is funded primarily by federal grants with required local matching funds. The total project cost, including the OBAG3 grant, is expected to be $18.9 million, and is comprised of 70 percent federal and state grants and 30 percent local funds (Table 1). Notification of award of the OBAG3 grant is expected by February 2023. The grant agreement, including appropriation of local matching funds, will be subject to future City Council approval.
Table 1: Central Avenue - Cost Allocations by Project Phase
|
Funding |
Concept |
PID |
PA&ED |
PS&E |
CON |
Total |
% |
Status |
|
CBTP Caltrans Grant |
$198,095 |
|
|
|
|
$198,095 |
1% |
Secured |
|
OBAG3 Federal |
|
|
|
|
$2,325,000 |
$2,325,000 |
12% |
Pending |
|
CMAQ/STP Federal |
|
|
|
|
$3,487,000 |
$3,487,000 |
18% |
Secured |
|
ATP Federal |
|
|
$180,000 |
$300,000 |
$6,846,000 |
$7,326,000 |
39% |
Secured |
|
Local Match |
$23,455 |
$556,928 |
$1,420,000 |
$1,186,000 |
$2,396,429 |
$5,582,812 |
30% |
$4 million approved |
|
Total |
$221,550 |
$556,928 |
$1,600,000 |
$1,486,000 |
$15,054,429 |
$18,918,907 |
|
|
|
Schedule |
2014-16 |
2018-20 |
2020-22 |
2022 |
2023-24 |
|
|
|
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and the City's Mobility Element of the General Plan with the four main goals of equity, safety, choices and sustainability.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this project is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities) and Section 15304(h) Minor Alterations to Land and the creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights of way. For the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) determination, Caltrans has specified that this project is a categorical exclusion under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 771.117(c): activity (c)(3).
CLIMATE IMPACT
Since vehicle miles traveled in Alameda is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda, safety improvements in support of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit will have a positive climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Cooperative Agreement, substantially in the form of the attached agreement, with Caltrans to complete the construction of the Central Avenue Project.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Director of Planning, Building and Transportation
By,
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret L. O'Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Cooperative Agreement for Construction - Central Avenue Project
cc: Erin Smith, Public Works Director