DATE:
October 15, 2024
TO:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
FROM:
Mohamed Alaoui, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Approving The Plans And Specifications Of The Doyle Street Bicycle Improvements - Phase 3 Project, Authorizing The City Manager To Increase The Contract Amount And Approve A Change Order To Bay Cities Construction Up To An Amount Not To Exceed $400,000 To Construct Said Project, Appropriating $119,000 From Unallocated Fund 475 And $354,000 From Fund 254-ACTC PFA Grant Fund To The Project Budget, And Finding This Project To Be Exempt From Environmental Review Under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301(c) And 15061(b)(3) Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the above resolution.
Background
During the summer of 2020, the City constructed improvements on Doyle Street between 61st Street and Ocean Avenue which, as a COVID-19 quickbuild response, converted the southbound vehicle lane to a safe distancing zone for bicycles and pedestrians. These improvements were constructed through a Project Funding Agreement with Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) and have been well received by the neighborhood and the public.
As a final phase of the project, it is proposed to carry the design theme one block further south, extending to 59th Street, and improving the bicycle-pedestrian crossing on 59th Street. On July 17, 2024, the City entered into a Project Funding Agreement with ACTC to fund the project for a total amount of $473,000 based on a 75% (ACTC) and 25% (City) funding split as approved by City Council on April 16, 2024.
Discussion
The design of the project creates a 2-way Class IV bicycle facility on Doyle Street between 59th Street and 61st Street by eliminating the southbound vehicle and parking lanes which results in a one-way northbound vehicular traffic configuration for vehicles. It is also proposed to eliminate parking on the south side of 59th Street between the Greenway and Doyle Street to enable a 2-way Class IV bicycle facility at that location. The bike facility design adheres to the requirements of Caltrans’ Design Information Bulletin 89-01 (DIB 89-01) “Class IV Bikeway Guidance”.
The anticipated project benefits are a reduction of collision risk, improved bicycle-pedestrian visibility, traffic calming, and a reduction in cut-through vehicular traffic. During the grant application process letters of support endorsing the project were provided by Bike East Bay, the Emeryville Transportation Management Association, and the Emeryville Parks and Recreation Committee.
The project concept was presented at the October 7, 2024 Transportation Committee where the loss of 7 parking spaces was approved by a 2-0 vote with the condition that a 40’ loading zone that would serve local businesses be located in the parking lanes on the east side of Doyle Street. The Transportation Committee further required, by a 2-0 vote, that the block of Doyle Street north of the project limits be reconfigured so that the pedestrian zone is located on the eastern half of the street and the bike lanes are on the western half. The estimated net parking loss of 7 spaces is as follows: 6 spaces on the west side of Doyle Street, 3 spaces on the south side of 59th Street and a gain of 2 spaces on the east of Doyle Street upon relocation of the bikeshare station to the west side.
The cost to design ($50,000), construct ($400,000), and manage ($23,000) the project is estimated at $473,000 and it is proposed that the City’s on-call consultant, MNS Engineering, perform the design and construction management of the project and to have Bay Cities Construction build the project as a contract change order to the 2024 Sustainable Streetscapes Project that is underway.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt from environmental review under state CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), which applies to minor alterations of existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities; and the "general rule" exemption of Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposal may have a significant effect on the environment.
Fiscal Impact
The entire project cost is estimated to be $473,000, 75% of which is eligible for funding via the ACTC Project Funding Agreement (PFA). Accordingly, appropriations of $119,000 from Unallocated Fund 475 - Measure BB Bicycle Pedestrian Fund and of $354,000 from Fund 254 ACTC-PFA Grant Fund to the project budget are necessary to enable the design and construction phases of project to move forward.
Staff Communication with the Public
Staff discussed the project with the Emeryville Community Organic Garden group whose garden is adjacent to the project. Their input has led to the loading zone configuration as indicated on the plan which was supported by a 2-0 vote from the Transportation Committee.
Conflict of Interest
Not applicable
Conclusion
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the above-titled resolution.
PREPARED BY: Michael Roberts, Senior Civil Engineer
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
Attachments
2022 Letters of support (3)
Draft Resolution
Doyle Street Concept Plan
Doyle Street Bicycle Improvements – Phase 3
City Council Meeting | October 15, 2024
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM