CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation (“LACTMA”) Open Streets Grant to Help Fund a Temporary Open Streets Event for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Meeting Date: February 8, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a $500,000 Open Street Grant from Metro to help fund a temporary Open Streets Event that will take place along certain streets connecting Unincorporated East Los Angeles and the Cities of Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera and Whittier.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
Adopted in 2013, Metro’s Open Streets initiatives seek to temporarily close streets to automobile traffic and open them to cyclists, pedestrians and other modes of non-motorized transportation. It is a strategy that is utilized in regions that are seeking innovative ways to encourage members of the public to consider alternative modes of transportation, reduce traffic congestion, achieve economic and public health improvements, among other things. Other goals include, the creation of opportunities for riding transit, walking and riding a bike, possibly for the first time; encourage future mode shifts to more sustainable transportation modes; and promote civic engagement to foster the development of multi-modal policies and infrastructure at the city/community level.
On December 2, 2021, the LACMTA Board approved the Open Streets Grant Program Cycle Four providing Los Angeles County Proposition C funds in the amount of $500,000 to the City of Commerce in partnership with the Cities of Montebello, Pico Rivera, Whittier and the County of Los Angeles to put on our Open Streets Event which will be similar to the very popular Ciclavia events that have taken place throughout the County over the last decade. As part the MOU, there will be an In-Kind contribution of $125,000 between all participating cities for a total of $625,000 (Award + In-Kind Contribution) The In-kind contribution will be achieved through the use of city resources such as staff that will be involved in putting on this event.
Tentatively, the event is projected for late Summer 2023, likely on Sunday, September 17, 2023 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The route will cover an approximate 10-mile stretch connecting the existing Metro Gold Line Station at Atlantic Blvd. in East Los Angeles all the way through Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera and finally to the City of Whittier. The route will include the substantial use of Whittier Boulevard, as well as Garfield Avenue and Flotilla Street in the City of Commerce. A copy of the map is provided with this report. More detailed information will be forthcoming as the coalition of participating agencies is convened in order to undertake the necessary steps to secure any and all permits from City, County and State in order for the event to move forward. Staff will make sure to provide council with updates as details become available.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve as to form as outlined by staff herein.
Provide alternative direction
Not approve the motion to receive the grant (staff does not recommend this action as this type of funding is not often available) FISCAL IMPACT:
If the Open Streets Grant is accepted, the City will have the opportunity to take advantage of a grant in the amount of $500,000 to assist with this temporary event that closes or partially closes local streets to automotive traffic and opens them to people to walk or bike (“Open Street Events”). As indicated in the MOU, participating agencies will be required to provide a combined matching fund of $125,000 ($625,000 total) in order to satisfy this MOU.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
The issue before the Council is applicable to the following Council’s strategic goal: “Create and pursue opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships to maximize resources and address regional issues” as identified in the 2016 Strategic Plan.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Prepared by: Jose Jimenez, Director of Economic Development and Planning Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Grant Agreement for Open Streets Grant Program Cycle Four Tentative Program Map