DATE: January 24, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications and Calling for Bids for the Safe Routes to School Project, Project No. 05319
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) approving the plans and specifications, and call for bids for the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Project, Project No. 05319.
SUMMARY
The SR2S Program, funded by Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), supports safe access and mobility to and from schools by funding sustainable transportation improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. In FY22, the City was successful in obtaining the SR2S Mini-Grant to fund improvements for Cesar Chavez Middle School (CCMS), including installation of paint and post curb extensions, and yellow high-visibility crosswalks and signage, among other enhancements. The project design has been completed and bid documents have been prepared. Staff is requesting Council’s approval of the plans and specifications and call for bids to be received on February 21, 2023.
BACKGROUND
In February 2021, ACTC announced a funding opportunity to all cities and unincorporated areas in Alameda County for the SR2S Mini-Grant Program. The Program provided $1.7 million in Measure B – Local Transportation funds and Congestion Management Agency Transportation Improvement Program funds. In July 2021, ACTC awarded the City $162,000 for improvements at CCMS. On September 28, 2021, Council adopted Resolution No. 21-188 authorizing the City Manager to accept the grant funds and appropriate a total budget of $324,000 for the SR2S Project.
DISCUSSION
CCMS is located near the South Hayward BART Station and borders an active railroad track. A six-foot tall chain-link fence separates the school from Tennyson Road and the railroad corridor. The only pedestrian and vehicle access to the school is located on Whitman Street. CCMS has a high proportion of students walking to and from school. Since walking is one of the simplest, most effective, and affordable strategies for kids and adults to include physical activity daily, this project aims to make it safer for all pedestrians and bicycles to walk and bike to school. This project also provides equitable improvements to South Hayward, an area that has historically been underserved.
Safety improvement recommendations include installation of yellow high-visibility crosswalks, paint and post curb extensions, advanced stop and yield marketing, median extension, and signage. These recommended improvements were developed after the County of Alameda’s SR2S Team completed a School Safety Assessment (SSA) at the school in February 2018. The Team was comprised of staff from the City, ACTC, Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), CCMS, and parents of students attending schools in HUSD.
Staff has completed the plan, specifications, and estimates for this project. The bid documents have also been prepared.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
This item supports the mobility goals established in the City’s 2040 General Plan, providing a balanced multi-modal system of transportation facilities and services throughout the City. The alternative modes of travel, namely walking and biking, will reduce congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs related to single-lane occupancy vehicles. The overall transportation system will be more efficient and pedestrian and bicycle friendly, creating positive economic and health benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT
The SR2S Project has a total appropriated budget of $324,000 in the FY23 Adopted CIP Budget. The project is partially funded through an ACTC grant, which will reimburse up to fifty percent of the estimated construction cost (not-to-exceed $162,000). The project budget is outlined below. This item has no impact on the General Fund.
Measure BB – Local Transportation (Fund 212) $324,000
Includes ACTC SR2S $162,000 Mini-Grant
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This item supports Council’s strategic priority of Invest in Infrastructure. Specifically, this item relates to the implementation of the following project(s):
Project N8(d): Implement Safe Routes to School
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
This item has no direct sustainability features.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Staff has been in contact with ACTC and the public regarding this item. In February 2018, the SR2S Team completed the SSA. The City conducted a public survey in early 2022 to gather community input. In March 2022, staff presented the project and recommended improvements at a community meeting.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves this request, staff will publicize the project and collect bids on February 21, 2023. The estimated project schedule is outlined below:
Receive Bids February 2023
Award Construction Contract March 2023
Notice to Proceed April 2023
Construction Completion June 30, 2023
Project Closeout December 31, 2023
Prepared by: Manny Grewal, Management Analyst II
Saeed Saebi, Associate Civil Engineer
Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager