RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERCULES REQUESTING THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ALLOCATE $150K IN TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 3 PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE PROJECT FUNDING IN FY 2024 FOR THE SYCAMORE AVENUE BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN EAST-WEST CONNECTOR PROJECT WHEREAS, Article 3 of the Transportation Development Act (TDA), Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 99200 et seq., authorizes the submission of claims to a regional transportation planning agency for the funding of projects exclusively for the benefit and/or use of pedestrian and bicyclists; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), as the regional transportation planning agency for the San Francisco Bay region, has adopted MTC Resolution No. 4108, Revised, entitled “Transportation Development Act, Article 3, Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects”, which delineates procedures and criteria for submission of requests for the allocation of “TDA Article 3” funding; and WHEREAS, MTC Resolution No. 4108, Revised requires that requests for the allocation of TDA Article 3 funding be submitted as part of a single, countywide coordinated claim from each county in the San Francisco Bay region; and WHEREAS, the CITY OF HERCULES desires to submit a request to MTC for the allocation of TDA Article 3 funds to support the projects described in Attachment B to this resolution, which are for the exclusive benefit and/or use of pedestrians and/or bicyclists.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the CITY OF HERCULES declares it is eligible to request an allocation of TDA Article 3 funds pursuant to Section 99234 of the Public Utilities Code.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that there is no pending or threatened litigation that might adversely affect the project or projects described in Attachment B to this resolution, or that might impair the ability of the CITY OF HERCULES to carry out the projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CITY OF HERCULES attests to the accuracy of and approves the statements in Attachment A to the resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Hercules on this 27th day of February 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
____________________________
Dan Romero, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
Attachment A
REQUEST TO THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2024 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 3 PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE PROJECT FUNDING Findings
1. That the CITY OF HERCULES is not legally impeded from submitting a request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the allocation of Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds, nor is the CITY OF HERCULES legally impeded from undertaking the project(s) described in “Attachment B” of this resolution.
2. That the CITY OF HERCULES has committed adequate staffing resources to complete the project(s) described in Attachment B.
3. A review of the project(s) described in Attachment B has resulted in the consideration of all pertinent matters, including those related to environmental and right-of-way permits and clearances, attendant to the successful completion of the project(s).
4. Issues attendant to securing environmental and right-of-way permits and clearances for the projects described in Attachment B have been reviewed and will be concluded in a manner and on a schedule that will not jeopardize the deadline for the use of the TDA funds being requested.
5. That the project(s) described in Attachment B comply with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq.).
6. That as portrayed in the budgetary description(s) of the project(s) in Attachment B, the sources of funding other than TDA are assured and adequate for completion of the project(s).
7. That the project(s) described in Attachment B are for capital construction and/or final design and engineering or quick build project; and/or for the maintenance of a Class I bikeway which is closed to motorized traffic and/or Class IV separated bikeway; and/or for the purposes of restriping Class II bicycle lanes; and/or for the development or support of a bicycle safety education program; and/or for the development of a comprehensive bicycle and/or pedestrian facilities plan, and an allocation of TDA Article 3 funding for such a plan has not been received by the CITY OF HERCULES within the prior five fiscal years.
8. That the project(s) described in Attachment B which are bicycle projects have been included in a detailed bicycle circulation element included in an adopted general plan, or included in an adopted comprehensive bikeway plan (such as outlined in Section 2377 of the California Bikeways Act, Streets and Highways Code section 2370 et seq.) or responds to an immediate community need, such as a quick-build project.
9. That any project described in Attachment B bicycle project meets the mandatory minimum safety design criteria published in the California Highway Design Manual or is in a National Association of City and Transportation Officials (NACTO) guidance or similar best practices document.
10. That the project(s) described in Attachment B will be completed in the allocated time (fiscal year of allocation plus two additional fiscal years).
11. That the CITY OF HERCULES agrees to maintain, or provide for the maintenance of, the project(s) and facilities described in Attachment B, for the benefit of and use by the public.
Attachment B
TDA Article 3 Project Application Form
Agency
City of Hercules
Primary Contact
Mike Roberts
Mailing Address
111 Civic Dr, Hercules, CA 94547
Email Address
[email protected]
Phone Number
925-286-5554
Secondary Contact (in the event primary is not available) Dante Hall
Mailing address (if different) N/A☒
Email Address
[email protected]
Phone Number
510-799-8216
Send allocation instructions to (if different from above):
N/A
Project Title
Sycamore Ave. Bicycle & Pedestrian East-West City Connector Project Amount requested
$150,000
Fiscal Year of Claim
2024
Description of Overall Project:
The City of Hercules has been facing challenges in its pedestrian and bike infrastructure due to missing links in the network. With the I-80 and SR 4 freeways dividing the city, it has become difficult for residents to travel between the eastern and western areas. On each side of I-80, there are bike lanes and pathways. On the eastern side of the city, there are recreational trails for biking and walking along Refugio Creek and on certain sections of Sycamore Ave. On the western side of the city, there are bike lanes along sections of San Pablo Avenue, Willow Avenue, and Refugio Valley Road. However, these two networks of safe cycling and pedestrian paths are not connected to one another except through the Sycamore Avenue Corridor, which is dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians. To address this, a project has been proposed, which entails installing a 10-ft wide multipurpose pathway and Class II bicycle lanes in the Sycamore Avenue Corridor under the I-80 and the BNSF railroad overcrossing.
The present condition of the Sycamore Avenue Corridor, which runs under I-80 and the BNSF railroad, is dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians. Currently, pedestrians heading west on the north side of Sycamore must climb up a steep dirt footpath and scramble down an even steeper loose gravel area to cross under the overcrossing on Sycamore Ave. Meanwhile, cyclists must take the outside vehicular lane, which has limited sight distance due to the bridge column and poor visibility because of the shadows from the overcrossing. The danger of this situation is demonstrated by the 17 accidents recorded along this small section of road over a recent 4-year period.
To address this problem, the project will install a 10-ft wide multipurpose pathway and Class II bicycle lanes in the Sycamore Avenue Corridor under the I-80 and the BNSF railroad overcrossing. On the south side of Sycamore Avenue, the new pathway and bike lanes will link the bike lanes on San Pablo Avenue to the bike lane on Sycamore Avenue at Refugio Valley Road and a multipurpose pathway in Refugio Park. On the north side, a new Class II bike lane will connect the Creekside Center to a 10 ft multipurpose trail that will be installed westerly, tying into the recently installed multipurpose trail leading to John Muir Parkway, and ultimately to the planned Regional Intermodal Transit Center on the Hercules waterfront. The result of this project will be an increase in cyclist and pedestrian safety, a reduction in pedestrian and cyclist-involved traffic collisions, and the linking of the two halves of the city.
Crucially, this project links all the schools (elementary, middle, and high) on the east side of town to the Civic Center on the west side, which includes the library, city hall, and the community swim and teen centers, as well as the senior center. It is also particularly important as it is within the last half-mile on the route to the Hercules Transit Center and connects to the San Pablo Avenue Priority Development Area. It is also near the Waterfront District Priority Development Area.
The project links three different Plan Bay Area 2050 Growth Geographies: the Waterfront and San Pablo Avenue Corridor PDAs to the west, and the Transit-Rich Area, which is centered on the Hercules Transit Center to the east. The entire project is within one mile of a PDA boundary.
The completion of this project will improve the safety of pedestrian and cyclist traffic through the Sycamore Avenue Corridor, crossing I-80 and the BNSF railroad overpass. The city has secured the right of way for these multipurpose pathways and bike lanes at the project site as demonstrated on the attached Sidewalk Layout Plan. Beyond the project site itself, this new, safe connection between the east and west of the city will increase the viability of pedestrian and cyclist travel throughout the city of Hercules, creating a safer, more accessible network.
Project Scope Proposed for Funding: (Project level environmental, preliminary planning, and ROW are ineligible uses of TDA funds.) Project Location: A map of the project location is attached or a link to an online map of the project location is provided below:
Project Relation to Regional Policies (for information only) Is the project in an HYPERLINK "https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/transportation/access-equity-mobility/equity-priority-communities"Equity Priority Community? Yes☐ No☒ Is this project in a HYPERLINK "https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/land-use/priority-development-areas-pdas"Priority Development Area or a HYPERLINK "https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/land-use/transit-oriented-communities-toc-policy"Transit-Oriented Community? Yes☒ No☐ Project Budget and Schedule
Funding included in “Other Funds” will include Measure J transportation tax revenue and the city’s general fund capital reserve.
Project Eligibility
Has the project been reviewed by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee? Yes☐ No☒ If “YES,” identify the date and provide a copy or link to the agenda.
If "NO," provide an explanation).
Pending this submission to the CBAC
Has the project been approved by the claimant's governing body? Yes☐ No☒ If "NO," provide expected date:_______03/2024_________
Has this project previously received TDA Article 3 funding? Yes☐ No☒ (If "YES," provide an explanation on a separate page)
For "bikeways," does the project meet Caltrans minimum safety design criteria Yes☒ No☐ pursuant to HYPERLINK "https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/manual-highway-design-manual-hdm)."Chapter 1000 of the California Highway Design Manual?
1. Is the project categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to CCR Section 15301(c), Yes☒ No☐ Existing Facility?
2. If “NO” above, is the project is exempt from CEQA for another reason? Yes☐ No☐ Cite the basis for the exemption. __________________________ N/A☐ If the project is not exempt, please check “NO,” and provide environmental documentation, as appropriate.
Estimated Completion Date of project (month and year): ______________2026 Have provisions been made by the claimant to maintain the project or facility, or has Yes☒ No☐ the claimant arranged for such maintenance by another agency? (If an agency other than the Claimant is to maintain the facility, please identify below and provide the agreement.
Is a Complete Streets Checklist required for this project ? Yes☒ No☐ If the amount requested is over $250,000 or if the total project phase or construction phase is over $250,000, a Complete Streets checklist is likely required. Please attach the Complete Streets checklist or record of review, as applicable. More information and the form may be found here: HYPERLINK "https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/transportation/complete-streets"https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/transportation/complete-streets PAGE
Construction and Construction Management
The project site is in the Sycamore Avenue corridor between Refugio Avenue and Willow Avenue in the City of Hercules. See the attached location map for further detail EMBED Excel.Sheet.12