STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of July 25, 2023
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Roberts, Public Works Director/City Engineer SUBJECT: Development of a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Receive a report from staff regarding the Draft Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP); Ask staff any clarifying questions; and
By minute order refer the development of the LRSP to the Public Safety/Traffic Council Subcommittee.
BACKGROUND:
The goal of the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is to eliminate traffic collision fatalities and serious injuries for all modes of transportation on City streets. The LRSP provides a framework for organizing stakeholders to identify, analyze, and prioritize safety improvements on local roads. This process typically entails assembling a core group of stakeholders such as police, fire, and engineering; then reviewing crash, traffic, and roadway data; engaging the community; and culminates in a list of prioritized safety improvements.
MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission), Caltrans, and FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) are now requiring local agencies to develop a LRSP to be eligible for safety-related grants, such as the new federal Safe Streets and Roads for All and Highway Safety Improvement Program.
In 2022 the City applied for a $36,000 grant from Caltrans to develop a LRSP and was awarded the full amount, which requires a $4,000 match. Staff is currently negotiating a contract with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $40,000 to assist the City in the development of the Plan. Kittelson was selected by the CCTA (Contra Costa Transportation Authority) to provide support to West County Cities with the development of their respective LRSPs. Utilizing Kittelson will allow Hercules’ Plan to be seamlessly integrated into CCTA Countywide Safety Action Plan that is under development. CCTA intends to apply for roadway safety grants for regional projects, which if successful would benefit individual jurisdictions such as Hercules.
ANALYSIS:
It is recommended the Public Safety/Traffic Council Subcommittee oversee the development of the Draft LRSP given its focus on traffic safety, the time commitment required, and Councilmember guidance that would be provided. In addition to the Council subcommittee members, the meetings would be attended by the Police Chief, Public Works Director, other identified stakeholders, and interested members of the public. The discussions would be facilitated by the Kittelson & Associates, Inc. team, who would also provide technical support including researching crash data and developing priority safety projects or strategies.
It is anticipated 2 meetings of the Council Subcommittee would be needed to develop the Draft LRSP:
Meeting #1: Introduction to the LRSP and safety management process, discussion of stakeholder roles, discussion of crash analysis results, and initial priority locations.
Meeting #2: Review of Draft LRSP and priority projects and strategies, identify any needed changes ahead of full City Council review.
The meetings would be hybrid to allow members of the public to participate remotely. Community engagement would also include an informational website with an interactive web map to allow community members to comment on specific locations that are a safety concern to them at a time that is convenient for them.
The Draft LRSP would be brought to the full City Council for review, any needed changed would be made, and then the Final LRSP would be brought back to City Council for final approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.