TITLE:
Receive Report and Provide Direction Regarding Replacement of Decorative Signal Poles at North Main Street and Laurel Street ISSUE:
The decorative signal poles at the intersection of Laurel Street and North Main Street (State Route 1 – SR1) in the Central Business District (CBD) are in deteriorated condition. Last summer, Caltrans replaced one pole in the worst condition with a new galvanized pole (Image 1 -3). Staff began discussion with Caltrans about the planned replacement of all the poles at this intersection. Below are the options available to the City, which range from full replacement of the decorative signal poles at the City’s expense to allowing Caltrans to replace the poles with their standard galvanized poles.
ANALYSIS:
Staff is seeking direction on the replacement of the decorative signal poles at Laurel and Main. The poles need to be replaced in the next two years. The approximate cost of the in-kind replacement is $250,000 for construction and about $20,000 for design plans and specifications. If the City Council approves decorative poles at the City’s expense, budget considerations should be made for Fiscal Year 2023/24. Alternately, the City could forego the decorative poles, and allow Caltrans to replace the poles at their expense with their standardized galvanized poles (Image 6) at no cost to the City.
A third option is to work with Caltrans to paint the poles black to give the appearance of a decorative pole intersection with minimal cost to the City. Caltrans allowed the pole that was replaced last summer (located on the southeast corner of the intersection – image 3) to be repainted to match the other poles located at that intersection. Each pole painting (depending on the size) would equate to approximately $1,400 per pole for a total intersection cost to the City of $10,000.
March 9, 2023, staff brought this item forward to Public Works and Facilities Committee and the Committee members were unable to come to a consensus. The Committee recommended this item be brought forth to the whole Council for discussion and recommendation.
Image 1: Pole Prior to Replacement
Image 2: Pole After Replacement
Image 3: Pole after replacement and Paint
Image 4: Current Conditon of other poles at Intersection Image 5: Current Conditon of other poles at Intersection Image 6: Standard Galvanized Pole Intersection
POSSIBLE ACTION(S):
Direct Staff to proceed with one of the following actions:
Add the signal pole replacement project to the FY 23/24 Capital Improvement Program and budget $275,000 from Special Street Sales Tax or seek other funding.
Relinquish pole replacement project to Caltrans at no cost to the City.
Paint signal poles for a decorative look, budgeting $10,000 as a line item in the Streets budget for FY 23/34 to complete the work in coordination with Caltrans.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this project will be $0 - $275,000, depending on Council direction. Once direction is received, the necessary funding will be incorporated into the FY 23/24 budget documents.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IMPACT:
The decision process has no impacts on greenhouse gasses.
CONSISTENCY:
The City’s General Plan Goals and Policies in the Central Business District (CBD), as they relate to this project emphasize the need for Increasing pedestrian activity, improving street lighting, parking, and amenities, and ensuring that renovations and new construction maintain the historic scale and character of this area to foster the continued vitality of the CBD.
While not directly related to signal poles, the following policies and goals from the General Plan, may help Council decide the most appropriate route forward with this project.
Policy CD-2.5 Strengthen the distinctive identity and unique sense of place of the Central Business District.
Policy CD-3.1 Entryways: Clearly define the points of entry to the City through the use of distinctive signs, lighting, and landscaping.
If you consider this intersection as a “Gateway to the CBD”.
Goal CD-5 Use lighting to create a sense of security and to provide cohesion to the physical structure of the community.
If Council was to recommend option 3, paint poles; should we consider painting poles at Redwood and Main as well for cohesion? IMPLEMENTATION/TIMEFRAMES:
Caltrans has recently contacted staff, indicating their intent to proceed with the pole replacement programming and design. Should Council decide to proceed with Option 1 or Option 3, staff will contact Caltrans to discuss roles and responsibilities. The pole replacement project should be completed with the next two years.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
NOTIFICATION:
Streets Construction Notification List
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8C
AGENCY: City Council MEETING DATE: May 08, 2023DEPARTMENT: Public WorksPRESENTED BY: Chantell O’NealEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] AGENCY: City Council MEETING DATE: May 08, 2023DEPARTMENT: Public WorksPRESENTED BY: Chantell O’NealEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: May 08, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTED BY: Chantell O’Neal
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: May 08, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTED BY: Chantell O’Neal
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY