To the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date lb 13124 CA \/ CC ✓
CM d~ JLDCM (3) 2
October 3, 2024
Council Memorandum
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Publ~ orks
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2024073
Re: Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project Grant Update (District 1)
This memorandum provides an update on the status of the grant associated with the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 6058.
Background
The last project staff report to the City Council was provided on July 18, 2023. Attachment A provides the City Council Meeting Minutes for the July 18, 2023, meeting, which includes a summary of the discussion of the project. Attachment B, which is a Council Memorandum dated March 17, 2022, provides background information on the project.
The City of Carlsbad is committed to creating roads that are safe and accessible, while balancing the needs of drivers, bicyclists, walkers and other road users. This is especially important around our busy coastline.
This project is one of several that reflects state law, our Climate Action Plan and the city's General Plan Mobility Element, a City Council policy approved in 2015 to transform city roads into "complete streets." Complete streets are safe and accessible to drivers, bicyclists, walkers and other road users. When most of the city's streets were designed, the focus was mostly on managing car traffic.
The project at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue will:
• Reduce speeding
• Prioritize safety for drivers, bikers and walkers
• Create more parking
• Widen sidewalks, including across the bridge
• Move the bus stop out of the middle of the intersection so it's easier and safer to use, especially for people with disabilities
• Ease traffic flow
The project status at a glance:
Public Works Branch
Transportat ion Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo - Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Intersection Improvemen ts Update (Dist rict 1 ) October 3, 2024
• Several years ago, the city worked with project neighbors and the community to get their input on potential designs.
• This project was started before the city's local traffic emergency , but its goals support the Safer Streets Together initiative.
• The City Council asked to see data on how the Cannon Road roundabout performs before authorizing construction of a roundabout at Tamarack Avenue . • City staff will gather data for three months after the Cannon Road project is completed and return to the City Council for additional discussion and direction on how to proceed with Tamarack Avenue.
Additional background is provided at the following project webpage address:
https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/public-works/projects/our-coastline/tamarack-area coastal-project
Discussion
The project's funding includes a grant that is administered by the San Diego Association of Governments (SAN DAG). City staff have been coordinating with SAN DAG staff on continuing to utilize the grant, given the challenges of delivering a project of this scope involving multiple agencies.
On September 24, 2024, city staff met with SAN DAG staff to review the project status and options regarding the subject grant. A summary of the meeting includes:
• The original grant was approved by SAN DAG and the city in May 2016 and had two grant extensions with a current target deadline of May 2025.
• The original grant was approved with a total construction cost of $1,804,000, requiring a
41.57% local match and a 58.43% contribution from SAN DAG, amounting to $1,054,000.
To date, the city has billed and received $334,285.12 from SANDAG, with $15,508 .53 held as a 10% retention. This retention amount will be released to the city upon project completion.
• This is the only grant remaining in SANDAG's Active Transportation Program, so SAN DAG staff would like to close it out as soon as possible.
• SAN DAG and city staff reviewed the pros and cons of three options for continuing to utilize the grant including: 1) early withdrawal, 2) scope change and 3) time extension . • The tentative recommendation from SAN DAG and city staff is to request a scope change that would remove the construction phase from the grant's scope of work. • This adjustment would enable SAN DAG to close out the grant more quickly. • SAN DAG staff suggested finalizing the recommended approach by the end of October 2024.
Council Memo - Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Intersection Improvements Update (District 1) October 3, 2024
Next Steps
City staff will continue to coordinate with SAN DAG staff and are tentatively planning to present the three options to the City Council for consideration on October 29, 2024.
Attachments: A. City Council Meeting Minutes for July 18, 2023 B. Council Memorandum dated March 17, 2022
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
Gina Herrera, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director
Zach Korach, Finance Director
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director
Mike Strong, Assistant Director of Community Development Eric Lardy, City Planner
Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Eric Zielke, Senior Engineer
CITY COUNCIL
Minutes
July 18, 2023, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Luna.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONCURRENT MEETINGS: None.
Attachment A
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: City Manager Scott Chadwick led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF M INUTES: None.
PRESENTATIONS:
Recognition of Donation from George Krell
Library & Cultural Arts Director Suzanne Smithson said a few words about the Krell's and their donation .
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike Borrello expressed his concern with freedom of speech regulations and censorship.
Walt Meier expressed safety concerns with vegetation in local parks.
Nicki Rudden expressed her appreciation for events held at the city libraries.
Katrina Waidelich expressed her appreciation for events held at the city libraries .
PUBLIC REPORT OF ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 through 7. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
1. REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENTS AS OF MAY 31, 2023 - Accept and file Report on City Investments as of May 31, 2023. (Staff contact: Craig Lindholm and Laura Rocha, Administrative Services Department)
2. APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF THE TABLEAU ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FROM SOLUTION SIMPLIFIED, INC. - Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-198 authori zing the City Manager or a designee to purchase the Tableau software subscription renewal from Solutions Simplified, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $215,475 for a one-year term ending July 31, 2024. (Staff contact: Maria Callander and David Graham, Administrative Services Department)
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2
3. APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF THE OKTA SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FROM CDW-G, LLC - Adoption of Resolution No. 2023 -199 authorizing the City Manager or a designee to purchase the Okta software subscription renewal from CDW-G, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $406,944 for a three-year term ending Aug. 24, 2026. (Staff contact: Maria Callander, Administrative Services Department)
4. REQUEST TO APPROVE THE REVISED AUTOMATED REGIONALJUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT - Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-200 approving the Automated Regional Justice Information System joint powers agreement and authorizing the City Manager to make the annual payments as required, including any annual cost adjustmen t s. (Staff contact: Maria Callander, Administrative Services Department and Christie Calderwood, Police Department)
5. AGREEMENT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL
REALIGNMENT RESPONSE GROUP PROGRAM AND ITS PROBATION COMPLIANCE CHECKS - Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-201 approving the 2018 agreement for the Regional Realignment Response Program and authorizing the City Manager to enter into future similar agreements and to accept and appropriate reimbursement funds received from the County of San Diego for the Regional Realignment Response Group Program. (Staff contact: Amanda Baker and Christie Calderwood, Police Department)
6. USE OF CITY FACILITIES FOR 2024 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION VOTE CENTER LOCATIONS - Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-202 authorizing the use of the Calavera Hills Community Center Activity Room, Alga Norte Community Park Meeting Room 301 (General Election only), Pine Avenue Community Center Activity Room and Stagecoach Community Center Activity Room as vote center locations and waiving any associated fees for their use in the 2024 Primary and General Elections. (Staff contact: Faviola Medina, City Clerk Department)
7. ACCEPTING A $100,000 DONATION FROM GEORGE KRELL TO THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LIBRARY & CULTURAL ARTS DEPARTMENT - Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-203 accepting a $100,000 donation from George Krell to the City of Carlsbad Library & Cultural Arts Department and appropriating $50,000 of the donation for purchase of new seating and large-type books. (Staff contact: Suzanne Smithson, Community Services Department) ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None.
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION: None.
PUBLIC HEARING:
8. UPDATING CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 7.08 TO REFLECT CITY'S CONTRACT WITH
THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY AND ADOPTING USER FEES RELATED TO ANIMAL CONTROL July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3 AND REGULATION - 1 ) Introduce Ordinance No. CS-450 amending Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 7.08 Rabies, Animal Control and Regulation; and 2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-204 adopting updated user fees for the recovery of city costs related to animal control and regulation services. (Staff contact: Reid Shipley and Amanda Baker, Police Department)
City Manager 's Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing, introduce the ordinance and adopt the resolution .
Police Captain Reid Shipley and Deputy City Attorney Marissa Kawecki presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Mayor Blackburn opened the duly noticed public hearing at 5:21 p.m.
Hearing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Blackburn closed the duly noticed public hearing at 5:21 p.m.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Blackburn, Police Captain Shipley explained that the employees of the human society can use discretion to be able to provide assistance or waive fees as needed on a case-by-case basis.
City Attorney Cindie McMahon titled the ordinance .
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to introduce Ordinance No. CS-450. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0 .
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-204. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
9. CARLSBAD TOMORROW GROWTH MANAGEMENT CITIZENS COMMITTEE REPORT- Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-205 accepting the Carlsbad Tomorrow : Growth Management Citizens Committee's Report and directing staff to return to the City Council with an implementation program and opt ions to update the Growt h Management Program consistent with the committee's recommendations three months after the completion of the Housing Element Rezoning Program. (Staff contact: Eric Lardy, Community Services Department) City Manager 's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution.
City Planner Eric Lardy, Community Development Director Jeff Murphy and Carlsbad Tomorrow: Growth Management Citizens Committee Chair Eric Larson presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4 Diane Nygard urged the City Council to consider directing staff to come back with a plan to conduct proximity study for city parks.
Steve Linke expressed his appreciation for serving on the committee.
Dave Ordas expressed his desire for a new city park as a safe space for children.
Lance Shulte expressed his desire for a new city park.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, City Planner Lardy explained that the standard for the Growth Management Plan is 15% open space that is not biological, and it was adopted in 1986 before the ballot initiative. He added that it was estimated that at the build out of the plan, the city would fall between 35% to 40% open space.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Community Development Director Murphy explained that at the July 13, 2021, City Council meeting there was a discussion on whether to acquire open space or park space in the southwest quadrant of the city . He added that realignment of Carlsbad Boulevard was also discussed and would allow for up to 50 acres of land that could be used to recreational or open space purposes.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, City Planner Lardy explained that the Housing Element Rezone Program is required to be adopted by April 2024.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster explained that the Parks Master Plan is scheduled to go to the City Council in September 2023 and park equity will be discussed in that report.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Environmental Sustainability Director Jaime Wood explained that a sustainability commission has not been considered or pursued in the city but could be if directed by the City Council to do so.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Parks & Recreation Director Lancaster explained that if the City Council directed staff to conduct a study on a distance based standard a consultant could be hired to complete the study, however it would likely not take place until early 2024. He added that this would allow for the City Council to receive updates on other items, such as the park equity maps, that are scheduled to be presented before then .
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, City Attorney McMahon confirmed that any ballot initiative measures can only be undone by ballot measures, unless determined to be void or voidable.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Luna, Parks & Recreation Director Lancaster explained that there is a staff committee within the Parks & Recreation Department that meets quarterly to review and discuss natural open space opportunities .
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 5 In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, City Planner Lardy explained that generally, the four quadrants in the city are defined by El Camino Real between the east and the west and Palomar Airport Road between the north and the south.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Tom Frank shared an overview on the South Carlsbad Boulevard Climate Adaptation Study and an established Capital Improvement Project in south Carlsbad that is not currently funded. He added that with the Safter Streets Together Plan, a third project is currently funded to consider an arterial realignment .
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Blackburn, City Manager Scott Chadwick explained that the city currently has approximately 17 boards and commissions.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Deputy City Manager Public Works Paz Gomez explained that energy studies are spread out throughout various city departments.
Minute Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, directing staff to return to the City Council with a discussion on a distance-based park standard. Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel rescinded her motion.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-205. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
In response to an inquiry from City Manager Chadwick, Parks & Recreation Director Lancaster explained that staff could return to the City Council 60 days after the adoption of the Parks Master Plan with more information on the distance-based park standard.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Parks & Recreation Director Lancaster explained that the Parks Master Plan currently scheduled for September 2023 will provide more information into park equity and if the City Council would like more information into distance-based park standard, the City Council could direct staff at that time.
Minute Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta to return to the City Council with a discussion on reevaluating Proposition H. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Minute Motion by Council Member Acosta directing staff to bring back an agenda item regarding the potential formation of an energy advisory committee or a sustainability committee with renewal energy as part of their scope and to consider the recommendations as part of the current item. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Mayor Blackburn declared a recess at 6:55 p.m.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 6 Mayor Blackburn reconvened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
10. SELECTING INTERSECTION TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR THE · CARLSBAD BOULEVARD AND TAMARACK AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - 1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-206 approving a roundabout at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue as the preferred intersection traffic control option and authorizing staff to move forward with the environmental review, permitting and final engineering design of the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project; or 2) Adoption of a resolution approving a traffic signal at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue as the preferred intersection traffic control option and authori zing staff to move forward with the environmental review, permitting and final engineering design of the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project. (Staff contact: Lauren Ferrell and Tom Frank, Public Works Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution that identifies the preferred intersection traffic control method.
Transportation Director and City Engineer Frank and Associate Engineer Lauren Ferrell presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Jerry Tucker expressed his support for an intersection .
Don Thorstenson expressed his support for a roundabout.
Mark Embree expressed his support for a roundabout.
Jon James expressed his support for an intersection.
Pat Ward expressed her support for a roundabout.
Michael Hedrick expressed his support for a roundabout.
Chuck Pateros expressed his support for a roundabout.
Loren Chaffin expressed his support for an intersection .
William Fowler expressed his support for a roundabout.
Christina McGoldrick expressed her support for a roundabout.
Robert Wilkinson expressed his support for a roundabout.
Steve Linke, representing a group consisting of Jan Neff-Sinclair, Hope Nelson and Scott Engel, expressed his support for an intersection.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 7 Kris Wright, representing a group consisting of Elizabeth Banks, Sue and Barbara Campbell, expressed her support for an intersection.
Sophia Gocan expressed her support for a roundabout.
Monica Gocan expressed her support for a roundabout.
Joseph Nevins expressed his support for a roundabout.
Judy Frankel expressed her support for a roundabout.
Pete Penseyers expressed his support for a roundabout.
Joe Whittaker expressed his support for a roundabout.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank explained that city staff began to consider a roundabout option when discussing how to meet the objective of improving active transportation uses among the coastline while also slowing down traffic speeds.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank confirmed that this project is not concurrent with other roundabout projects in Carlsbad south of Tamarack Avenue.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank explained that though staff currently have remote communication with the traffic signals at the intersection, smart signals would not address the concerns that are being presented .
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank explained that the roundabout option has a less expensive construction cost, as well as a higher cost-benefit ratio.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Wood Rogers Inc. Project Engineer Mario Tambellini explained that the current study demonstrated that on a Saturday in 2022 during a peak afternoon hour there were 200 pedestrians on the north leg, 70 pedestrians on the east leg, 1 pedestrian on the south leg and 30 pedestrians on the west leg.
Wood Rodgers Inc. Senior Engineer Melissa Gomez explained that their study captured 11 total accidents for the Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard intersection.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank explained that from the community outreach that was conducted, the main concern from residents was to slow speed, have a safe intersection for all users and to allow for different modes of transportation to be utilized safely.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 8 In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Fire Chief Michael Calderwood explained that the roundabout does not demonstrate any significant decline on emergency response time. He added that the road plan also allows for ample area for vehicles to yield and allow for an emergency vehicle to pass through.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank confirmed that statistically a pedestrian struck in a collision has greater odds at survival with the roundabout option.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank explained that the Communications Department will be providing on-going information on roundabouts as they become more popular in the city. He added that a helpful safety tip for drivers to know is to be sure to use their turn signals when entering a roundabout.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank explained that pedestrian flashing beacons will be considered once the project's conceptual phase is complete and they enter the final design phase.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank explained that from his observation, in traffic congestion most gridlock occurs with traffic signals rather than roundabouts .
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank explained that when a pedestrian crosses the street with the roundabout option all other traffic motions continue with the exception of the traffic directly next to the pedestrian crossing, allowing for more vehicular traffic flow to occur.
In response to an inquiry from City Manager Chadwick, Transportation Director Frank explained that there is another roundabout project at Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard that could be evaluated for any issues before final construction of the Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard roundabout . He added that temporary or interim roundabouts do not allow for the full benefits of roundabouts to be utilized.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Burkholder, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-206 with staff returning to the City Council within five months of completion of the Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard roundabout with data for the City Council to reevaluate and determine if changes are needed in the design of the Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard roundabout or to pursue other options for this intersection.
Motion carried, 3/2 {Blackburn, Burkholder - No).
This item was continued to a date certain of July 25, 2023.
11. WHAT WORKS CITIES CERTIFICATION FOR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 9 OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE - Receive a report on the City of Carlsbad's performance management and operational excellence efforts that have been recognized with a silver certification by What Works Cities, an international standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government. (Staff contact: David Graham and Rachel Maltz, Administrative Services Department)
City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report.
12. LOCAL CONTROL RESOLUTION - Consider a request from Council Member Burkholder to adopt a resolution expressing support for actions to further strengthen local democracy, authority and control in relation tb local zoning and housing issues. (Staff contact: Sheila Cobian, City Manager Department)
City Manager's Recommendation: Consider the request to adopt the resolution .
Council Member Burkholder provided opening remarks.
Council Member Luna requested the deletion of the 3rd recital contained in the resolution:
"The City of Carlsbad will explore various ways to protect the ability of cities to retain local control over zoning as each individual city within the State of California is best suited to determine how the zoning in their city should be allocated in order to meet the housing needs of the community."
Steve Linke expressed his support for adopting the resolution .
Motion by Council Member Luna, seconded by Council Member Burkholder to adopt Resolution No. 2023-207 with the deletion of recital 3. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Mayor Blackburn and the City Council Members reported on activities and meetings of some committees and subcommittees of which they are members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the community regarding events that Members of the City Council have been invited to, and may participate in.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None.
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None.
CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Blackburn adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 9:05 p.m. f41.r=
Kaylin McCauley
Deputy City Clerk
To th e members of the:
Cl1Y COUNCIL
Date 3/, 1 / q1,a CA ✓ CC~
CM vACM v DCM (3) v
~ -
March 17, 2022
To:
Council Memorandum
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Mana • Works
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City M na
Attachment B
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2022031
Re: Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamar Avenue Pedestrian Improvements (District 1) This memorandum provides an update on the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 6058.
Background
In 2015, the city received a grant from the Active Transportation Grant Program, or ATGP. The project was selected for the grant because it promotes active transportation improvements and traffic calming at this heavily traveled segment of Carlsbad Boulevard to make it safer for all modes of users. The project improvements will provide operational enhancements for vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and transit riders consistent with the city's General Plan Mobility Element and Climate Action Plan.
Based on the project's goals and public input, some notable improvements include:
• Reconfiguration of the intersection at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue to help manage speeds and improve traffic flow for all modes
• Widening the sidewalk south of Tamarack Avenue, including across the bridge • Relocating a North County Transit District, or NCTD, bus stop to provide safer access • Improve the project area's aesthetics
• Other improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the project area In 2019, staff received approval from the San Diego Association of Governments, or SAN DAG, · for a three-year extension of the ATGP. This extension started in May 2019 and is set to expire in May 2022. In addition t o construction and temporary impacts, the project will also have a permanent impact on the look and the feel of the project area. Due to these impacts, the city needed to conduct an extensive public outreach effort to gather the public's input from 2016 to 2018.
As part of the public engagement effort, staff convened two communi ty workshops and open houses, an online survey, an in-person survey, four on-site public informational questions and answers, or Q&A's. Staff additionally presented the project's proposed improvements to California Coastal Commission staff and twice presented the project to the former Traffic Safety Public W orks Branch
Transportation Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo - Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Pedestrian Improvements (District 1) . March 17, 2022
P_age 2
Commission, now known as the Traffic and Mobility Commission. Staff incorporated feedback from these engagements to develop and refine design options for the intersection improvements and associated technical studies.
During the preliminary engineering and assessment phase of the project, topographic and site surveys revealed property line ambiguities in the right-of-way between the city and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, or State Parks, property. Staff have been in an ongoing coordination with the State Parks since early 2018 to address the long-term maintenance and liability issues associated with the project.
City staff have also presented the State Parks staff with a draft reimbursement agreement that would reimburse the State Parks for their staff's plan review and construction inspection expenses related to the project. The draft reimbursement agreement was submitted to the State Parks staff in fall 2021 for their plan check and construction inspection expenses. The city has not yet received any comments from the State Parks on the draft reimbursement agreement which has resulted in delays to the previous project schedule.
The city has worked with the State Parks to receive concurrence on conceptual intersection control designs since portions of the project are located within the State Parks' right-of-way.
Three alternatives were presented to the State Parks for consideration, and additional evaluation was prepared to address their comments. In 2021, city staff received a concurrence letter from the State Parks staff on the project's conceptual designs.
Once city staff received the concurrence letter on the conceptual design options from the State Parks, staff advertised a request for qualifications in summer 2021 to provide engineering and environmental services for the project . The first-ranked firm that staff selected to perform these design services had previously worked on the project in the grant writing and preliminary design context. Accordingly, staff consulted with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, or FPPC, to determine whether a Government Code section 1090 conflict of interest existed with the first-ranked firm due to their previous work on the project.
Based on feedback received from the FPPC, staff determined that the first-ranked firm had a conflict of interest based on their previous project work. Consequently, the city's selection panel completed negotiations with the second-ranked firm, Wood Rodgers, Inc. On March 8, 2022, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Wood Rodgers, Inc. to provide engineering design and environmental services for the project.
Discussion
Due to the complexities of the project and maintenance agreement issues with the State Parks, the project schedule has been significantly extended. Staff have coordinated with SAN DAG staff and have requested a second 36-month grant \;!Xtension for the project after the current expiration in May 2022. The process to seek such an extension requires city staff presentations Council Memo - Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Pedestrian Improvements (District 1) March 17, 2022
at the SAN DAG Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, or ITOC, and the SANDAG Transportation Committee meetings.
City and SAN DAG staff presented the grant extension request to the ITOC on March 9, 2022. At the same meeting, the ITOC recommended approval to the SAN DAG Transportation Committee for the grant extension request. Next, staff will present the city's extension request at the SAN DAG Transportation Committee meeting on March 18, 2022, and will request thei r support for the city's grant extension request.
Next Steps
The city's consultant will evaluate the feasibility of the three intersection control options, which will be the basis of formalizing an alternatives analysis, and one design will be selected as a final alternative. The process will include a thorough public outreach program. Once the intersection control alternative is determined, the project will advance to final engineering design, processing environmen t al clearance and resource agency permitting.
The engineering design and environmental process will begin in April 2022 and is estimated to be completed and a final conceptual design approved by the City Council in early 2025. The final design is targeted for approval and aut horization to solicit bids for a construction contract in mid-2025. Staff plan to request City Council approval of the construction contract in mid-2025 .
The construction is targeted to start in late 2025 and be completed by late 2026, contingent upon coordination with the State Parks and obtaining a Coastal Development Permit.
Attachment: A. Project location map
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Mickey Williams, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Robby Cont reras, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Directo r
Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Scott Lyle, Senior Engineer
Lauren Ferrell, Associate Engineer
Attachment A
LOCATION MAP
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EXHIBIT
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