CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. Item No.
Item No.
Item No.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Acting City Manager
SUBJECT: Randolph Corridor Active Transportation Concept Plan Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Receiving and filing a presentation on the proposed Randolph Corridor Active Transportation Proposed Bike Facilities Improvements Concept Plan by GHD, Inc., the City’s project design consultant; and Approving the proposed Randolph Corridor Active Transportation Bike Facilities Improvements Concept Plan Alternative B1; and Authorizing staff to proceed with the design.
BACKGROUND
The Metro Active Transportation Strategic Plan was published in 2016 and included two categories of possible projects identified including First-Last Mile and Corridor projects. Within the Corridor component, the Randolph MAT Corridor Project was the top ranked project for possible Measure M investment. The Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) reached out to the Cities of Commerce, Huntington Park, Bell, and the County of Los Angeles to gage their interest in potentially receiving a grant based on a competitive process (i.e. Measure M Metro Active Transportation (MAT) Program – Cycle 1 Letter of Interest) beginning with an application submittal.
In February 2020, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) released its "Call for Projects” for Active Transportation Cycle 1 Funding. The Call for Projects prompted GCCOG to initiate a joint project with the Cities of Commerce, Bell, Huntington Park, and LA County (MAT Team) to develop an active transportation corridor along Randolph Street.
The MAT Team selected the City of Commerce as the lead agency and in March 2020, the Commerce City Council adopted a Resolution supporting the City’s participation in Metro’s Cycle I Active Transportation (MAT) Grant opportunity and authorized the City Manager to execute funding documents for the Project. On April 30, 2020, City of Commerce submitted a grant application for the Project and in January 2021 was awarded a $6,703,891 MAT Grant (Measure M Funds). Metro’s Funding Agreement associated with the MAT Grant became effective on June 15, 2022.
The Project will provide high quality mobility improvements to residents and businesses of the Cities of Commerce, Bell, Huntington Park and parts of Los Angeles County. It includes pedestrian improvements and bike lanes connecting the Los Angeles River with various landmark destinations. The Randolph Corridor begins at the eastern terminus in the City of Commerce and extends west along the corridor through the City of Bell and Los Angeles County to the western corridor terminus in the City of Huntington Park.
The Project length is approximately 6.8 miles with 2.34 miles in the City of Commerce. Based on the City having approximately 34.3% of the total length, a proportional amount of $1.9 million of the overall $6.704 million was allocated to the City of Commerce for the Project’s active transportation improvements.
The Project has an estimated three (3) year schedule through Fiscal Year 2025/2026. The project timeline includes the following scope of work: Planning/Conceptual Environmental, Design Engineering, and the Construction Phases. The design phase is expected to take 9-12 months to complete.
On May 9, 2023, City Council through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process approved a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Southstar Engineering & Consulting, Inc. to provide Project Management Services to work with the cities and county during planning, environmental, design and construction phases.
On August 22, 2023, City Council through an RFP process approved a PSA with GHD, Inc. to provide Professional Planning, Environmental, Design, and Construction Engineering Support Services for the Project. Shortly thereafter a technical advisory committee (TAC) was established for regular monthly collaborations between the corridor jurisdictions and to provide recommendations and guidance to the consultant team.
ANALYSIS:
In September 2023, GHD, Inc. commenced the Planning Phase of the Project and held regular meetings to understand and incorporate project elements that are eligible for reimbursement via the MAT funding agreement. The technical team worked with each jurisdiction to develop active transportation concept maps and have been provided to the respective agencies for their review and approval. The proposed active transportation studies for Commerce resulted in five (5) Alternatives (see attached) which are scheduled to be presented by GHD, Inc. to the City Council at tonight’s meeting.
Staff recommends approving the proposed Randolph Corridor Active Transportation Proposed Concept Plan Alternative B1 which involves construction of a new wide sidewalk level two-way shared bike and pedestrian pathway adjacent to the railroad on the southside of Randolph Street and authorizing staff to proceed with the design phase.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Project is 100% grant funded by Metro’s $6,703,891 MAT Grant based on reimbursement. Reimbursable Funds in the amount of $3,650,000 were budgeted in the Measure AA Funds (Account 41-5170-57010.50010) to cover project management, planning, environmental, design, and portion of the construction phases.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This item relates to Council’s 2016 Strategic Action Plan’s:
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle 4 to “support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.” Prepared by: Gina Nila, Department of Public Works Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Vilko Domic, Acting City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
GHD Presentation
Resolution