City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: March 20, 2023
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Trevin W. Barber, City Manager
SUBJECT: Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan-Bike Lane Pilot Project
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation on the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan and the proposed Separated Bike Lane Pilot Project on a portion of Fifth Street and provide any feedback.
BACKGROUND
Over the last year, City staff has coordinated with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) and their consultant Ecology Action on Gonzales’ part of the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan. The Safe Routes to School Plan will be developed through a two-year planning process and include recommendations for the public K-12 schools in the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, and King City. This program is funded through a $664,000 Caltrans Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant and $126,500 of TAMC’s Measure X funds.
The Plan will provide a systematic assessment and analysis of the barriers to increased school-based active transportation and access to public transit and carpooling based on community input. The Plan includes community engagement to inform identification of both infrastructure and non-infrastructure recommendations to foster safe routes to schools. These recommendations will provide the basis for future investments through the countywide Safe Routes to School Program (funded through TAMC’s Measure X) as well as state and federal grant applications.
Ecology Action is a consultant to TAMC and is leading the development of the Plan, assisting with organizing public outreach and data collection, and supervising Alta Planning & Design, who will do the following:
AGENDA
ITEM
13 • Develop list of planning-level recommendations including estimated costs to improve traffic flow, reduce collisions, and eliminate barriers to walking and bicycling. • Design the pilot projects for the program including the Separated Bike Lane Pilot Project on 5th Street.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Gonzales’ part of this program was formally kicked-off last August, when staff with Ecology Action made a presentation at the August 15, 2022 City Council Meeting. School audits occurred on October 26, 2022, when city staff, Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Ecology Action and the Gonzales Youth Council observed students arrive and leave La Gloria Elementary, Fairview Middle School and Gonzales High School.
Ecology Action has made several presentations to the Gonzales Youth Council to discuss the plan and receive their input on improvements to address barriers to walking and bicycling for students going to and from school. They have given three presentations at parent meetings for Gonzales schools asking about barriers to walking and biking, conducted outreach at the Blue Zones Launch event in Gonzales in August 2022, and received 32 responses to a parent survey about barriers to walking and biking.
The planning process includes a “pilot project” in each of the four cities which will temporarily install some of the infrastructure recommendations from the Safe Routes to School Plan. These projects are an opportunity for the community to try out recommended changes and provide feedback before the city takes steps to install more permanent infrastructure. Feedback from the community will help refine the recommendations in the Safe Routes to School Plan before taking the Plan to City Council for adoption.
A Separated Bike Lane Pilot Project on 5th Street from Elko Street to Rincon Road is the proposed “pilot project”. The project will install high-visibility crosswalks at the intersections of 5th Street and Elko Street, Gabilan Court, and Rincon Road, as well as separated bikeways on 5th Street between Elko Street and Rincon Road. The attached exhibit shows the new striping and traffic markings. The centerline stays where is currently is.
During the pilot project, the team will be collecting survey data from the community as well as bike and pedestrian count data on the number of people walking and biking before the pilot and while the pilot is in place.
The schedule for installation and operation of the pilot project is:
April 3 – 6 Install new striping, traffic markings and associated elements April 7 Separated bike lanes are opened
June 30 Pilot Phase and associated monitoring is complete July 17 Present report at City Council meeting on the project with recommendation Staff and Ecology Action will make a presentation at the Council meeting as part of this report.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: Installing a Buffered Bike Lane Pilot Project on a portion of 5th Street will enhance the quality of life of Gonzales residents.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Mission.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to insure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: See Vision explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could direct city staff to adjust the location and/or timeline for the bike lane pilot project.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no budget impact to this evening’s presentation.
CONCLUSION
Receive a presentation on the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan and the proposed Separated Bike Lane Pilot Project on a portion of Fifth Street and provide any feedback.
Attachments:
1. Bike Lane Project Plan
2. Powerpoint Presentation