City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: August 19, 2024
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Safe Routes to School Priority Projects
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the top two projects developed by the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Steering Committee and direct staff to add the projects to the City’s Capital Improvement Program and engage a consultant for design services. The top two projects are Pedestrian Safety Improvements at the Fifth Street/Rincon Road intersection and at the Fifth Street/US 101 Interchange.
BACKGROUND
The Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan was an effort to develop recommendations for pedestrian improvements in the vicinity of the public K-12 schools in the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, and King City. The planning team (Team) was comprised of staff from TAMC, Ecology Action (a nonprofit organization), and the Monterey County Health Department.
The Safe Routes to School Plan relied on a Resident Steering Committee in each city to identify, discuss and prioritize infrastructure and non-infrastructure recommendations for improving walkability to schools. The Steering Committee recommendations will serve as the basis for pedestrian improvements through the countywide Safe Routes to School Program (funded through TAMC’s Measure X) as well as future state and federal grant applications.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
To provide context to the Steering Committee, the Team reviewed previous planning documents relevant to SRTS to ensure consistency with past plans and projects. The Team was tasked with noting concerns or issues collected through parent survey data, reviewing crash data history, consulting with the school AGENDA
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18 staff, and observing if there are infrastructure deficiencies and/or dangerous behaviors. Input from the community members and collected data were used to develop the draft projects.
A participatory budgeting process was used by the Gonzales Steering Committee. The Participatory Budgeting Process included:
1. Creating the Ballot - the Gonzales Safe Routes to School Steering Committee, made up of residents and community advocates in coordination with Safe Routes to School program partners developed a list of projects for residents to vote on.
2. Election Strategy Plan - The election started with a strategy plan that took place at the Gonzales Police Department on March 20, 2024, in which the committee discussed the collection locations, duration of the voting period, and the different plans for outreach.
3. Voting – Gonzales residents were given four weeks during April and May with a deadline of May 18 to vote on their preferred safety improvement projects. Voting was provided in the form of inperson voting ballots at various places such as the Gonzales Car Show, at City Hall, and participating school locations, as well as online.
4. Election Results - The top projects were announced at the June 17th City of Gonzales Council Meeting.
As presented at the June 17, 2024 Council Meeting, the Gonzales Steering Committee recommended implementing the following two projects:
1. Pedestrian Improvements at the Fifth Street/Rincon Road intersection.
2. Pedestrian Improvements along Fifth Street and at the on and off ramps at the Fifth Street/US 101 Interchange.
The recommended improvements at each location include upgrading the existing crosswalks to high visibility crosswalks, installing better signage, and constructing curb extensions to shorten the distance across the street. Staff issued a Request for Proposal for Roadway Design Services to consulting firms on July 26, 2024, and designing the Safe Routes to School project was listed in the scope of services.
In conclusion, staff recommends that the City Council approve the top two projects as developed by the Safe Routes to School Steering Committee and direct staff to add the projects to the City’s Capital Improvement Program and engage a consultant for design services.
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: The projects identified by the Gonzales Steering Committee 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 ensure 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 Yes X 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 revise the selected projects.
BUDGET IMPACT
TAMC will provide up to $250,000 in SRTS funding to implement the two pedestrian safety projects.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the top two projects developed by the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Steering Committee and direct staff to add the projects to the City’s Capital Improvement Program and engage a consultant for design services. The top two projects are Pedestrian Safety Improvements at the Fifth Street/Rincon Road intersection and at the Fifth Street/US 101 Interchange.