DATE:
October 24, 2023
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Public Works
TITLE: North Whisman Road/Pacific Drive
Traffic Signal
RECOMMENDATION
1. Accept the traffic signal and related improvements at the intersection of North Whisman Road and Pacific Drive installed by the Mountain View Whisman School District for maintenance and operation throughout their useful life.
2. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mountain View Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Reimburse the Mountain View Whisman School District a Total of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000) as the City’s Share of the Cost to Install the Traffic Signal and Make Related Improvements at the Intersection of North Whisman Road and Pacific Drive , to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report).
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the Mountain View Whisman School District (MVWSD) issued a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the development of the new Vargas (formerly Slater) Elementary School.
The MND included a traffic study, and the traffic volume did not demonstrate a need for a traffic signal at the intersection of North Whisman Road and Pacific Drive, located at the entrance to the school parking lot. The City expressed concerns to MVWSD about the safety of the children and residents who will be crossing this intersection to access the school and sports field and recommended the installation of a traffic signal for the project.
The MVWSD concurred with the City’s concerns but requested that the City share in the cost of installing the traffic signal since it was not required in the MND and it was not included in MVWSD’s budget for the new school . Through staff discussions, there was an agreement that the City would pay 50% of the cost for the traffic signal installation. The estimated cost for design and construction of the traffic signal was $1.1 million, with the City’s share set at $550,000. On June 19, 2018, the City Council ad opted a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2018 -19 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which included funding for the Slater School Field, Restroom, and Traffic Signal, Project 19-55, including $550,000 of funding for the City’s share of the traffic signal cost.
North Whisman Road/Pacific Drive Traffic Signal
October 24, 2023
ANALYSIS
The acceptance of the traffic signal and related improvements signifies that MVWSD has satisfactorily completed improvements in the City’s right-of-way. Once accepted, the City takes ownership of and maintenance and operations responsibility for the improvements.
MVWSD completed construction of the traffic signal and related improvements in August 2020, and the traffic signal was turned on soon thereafter. All improvements passed final inspection, as-built plans were submitted, and the excavation permit for the work was signed off on March 9, 2022. The improvements have been completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and are in accordance with the City’s standard policy to accept the improvements for ma intenance and operation.
With Council’s acceptance of the traffic signal and related improvements, staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager or designee to remit $550,000 to MVWSD for the City’s share of the costs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the traffic signal is included in Slater School Field, Restroom, and Traffic Signal, Project 19-55. Project 19-55 includes $606,000 from the Construction/Conveyance Tax Fund for the traffic signal work , which is sufficient to pay the $550,000 to MVWSD and cover the City’s administrative costs. Project 19-55 also includes $1,119,000 from the Park Land Dedication Fund for the City’s share of the school field and restroom at the new Vargas School. Staff will return to Council for authorization to pay for the school field and restroom should there be a new Joint Use Agreement with MVWSD.
ALTERNATIVES
Determine that the recommended improvements are not complete or in conformance with City standards and do not accept the improvements or authorize payment to MVWSD.
PUBLIC NOTICING—Agenda posting. A copy of the Council report was sent to MVWSD.
Prepared by:
Dawn S. Cameron
Public Works Director
Approved by:
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager
DSC/LL/4/CAM/939-10-24-23CR-1
203501
Attachment: 1. Resolution