Item No. 7
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – CONSENT AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROBERT OVADIA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 21, 2026
SUBJECT: APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
TJKM TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS FOR THE TOWN
CENTER AREA PARKING AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
EVALUATION AND MIDDLEFIELD ROAD TRAFFIC ANALYSIS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a professional services agreement with TJKM Transportation Consultants (TJKM) for the Town Center Area Parking and Traffic Operations Evaluation and Middlefield Road traffic analysis, in the total amount not to exceed $137,000; authorize the City Attorney to prepare the agreement; authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement; and authorize a contingency amount of $20,000 for the studies.
BACKGROUND
The Town Center and Library Complex (Complex) experiences recurring parking challenges due to the success of the Town Center and Library. The parking demand far exceeds the capacity of the existing parking lot and has impacted the residential streets around the Complex. To address these concerns, the Town has implemented a permit parking program for Ashfield Road and Maple Avenue and encourages visitors to park at Holbrook Palmer Park, where there is ample parking.
Additionally, certain programs have been moved from the Complex to Holbrook-Palmer Park.
Currently, Dinkelspiel Station Lane does not have a dedicated walkway or sidewalk between Maple Avenue and Watkins Avenue to facilitate pedestrian mobility between the Town Center Complex and Holbrook-Palmer Park. Due to the limited right-of-way along Dinkelspiel Station Lane, one-way traffic control may need to facilitate such improvement.
Middlefield Road at Watkins Avenue and Fair Oaks Lane intersections are currently one-way stop controlled with stop signs on the approaches to Middlefield Road. High traffic demand at both intersections lead to pedestrian mobility concerns and long queues on the approaches to Middlefield Road, as left-turning vehicles and through movements at Fair Oaks Lane/Palmer Ln struggle to find adequate gaps particularly during peak hours.
Parking and Traffic Studies
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To address these issues, an evaluation of parking needs, improvements at the Town Center and pedestrian facilities along Dinkelspiel Station Lane is needed, as well as a review of the Middlefield Road intersections with Watkins Avenue and Fair Oaks Lane to enhance safety and mobility for pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic.
ANALYSIS
Staff solicited a proposal from TJKM to conduct the desired analyses. TJKM provided a proposal to conduct the following studies:
1. Parking Study for Town Center Complex and Vicinity; and Holbrook Palmer Park Lot
2. Assessment of pedestrian mobility needs along Dinkelspiel Station Lane for One-way operations of Dinkelspiel Station Lane between Maple Avenue and Watkins Avenue
3. Traffic Study for Middlefield Road intersections at Watkins Avenue and Fair Oaks Lane Parking Study
The Parking Study would evaluate the parking supply/demand imbalance at the Town Center, onstreet parking conditions in the vicinity of the Town Center, parking needs of Town and library staff, Town fleet, and deliveries, parking needs for Mademoiselle Colette coffee shop employees, customers, and deliveries, and need for parking enforcement. The Study would also develop recommendations for improvements including signage/striping enhancements and other opportunities to add parking at the Town Center. This scope of work would include field observations, data collection and analysis, report, attendance at up to two community meetings and one City Council meeting. The cost for this portion of the study is $47,200.
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Pathway
The Assessment would evaluate the feasibility and options for providing a pedestrian facility along Dinkelspiel Station Lane between the Town Center and Holbrook-Plamer Park, including crossing enhancements at Watkins Avenue. Due to the limited right-of-way along Dinkelspiel Station Lane between Maple Avenue and Watkins Avenue, the analysis will include a review of the impacts associated with providing a safe and convenient walkway between the Park and the Town Center, including potential one-way traffic operation options. This study would be conducted after the completion of the parking study and only if a determination is made that a path can only be added if the Town considers one-way control of the street. This scope of work would include data collection and analysis, conceptual drawings, rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates.
The cost for this portion of the study is $62,560. Based on previous requests by Council, staff also requested an estimate of costs to provide a visual simulation of traffic operations associated with the one-way traffic adjustments. TJKM advised that a different analysis program would be required with an added cost of $60,000 for a total fee of $122,560. Based on the additional cost, the visual simulation is not recommended.
Middlefield Road Intersection Evaluations
The Traffic Study would evaluate the intersections of Middlefield Road at Watkins Avenue and at Fair Oaks Lane including review and warrants for traffic signals, pedestrian hybrid beacons (HAWK) and a rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) at each location to enhance pedestrian safety and improve mobility of all modes (vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian). If an intersection meets Parking and Traffic Studies
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the traffic signal warrants, signal timing plans and signal coordination would be developed using Synchro. This scope of work would include field observations, data collection and analysis, and report. The cost for this portion of the study is $26,675.
Staff is recommending approval for all three studies at this time, for a total approval of $136,435 for Parking Study, Pedestrian Pathway Assessment and Traffic Study without the visual simulation.
A separate fee proposal will be provided for the preparation of construction documents including design and construction drawings, cost estimates, and specifications based on the outcome of each study and desired improvements at each location.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2025-26 Capital Improvements Program Budget. Funds for Town Center & Library Circulation Project – Holbrook-Palmer Park Connection is included in the Civic Center Master Plan Implementation Program budget in the amount of $200,000 and for Evaluation of traffic control devices and other improvements at both Middlefield Road/Fair Oaks Lane and Middlefield/Watkins Avenue is included in the Traffic Safety Improvement Program budget in the amount of $100,000.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal B - Improve Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness • Goal E - Maintain and Improve Public Infrastructure
POLICY FOCUS
Enter Policy Focus Here
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission Parking and Traffic Studies
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ATTACHMENTS
1. TJKM Transportation Consultants Proposal for Parking and Traffic Operations Evaluations dated December 9, 2025