DATE:
September 10, 2024
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Public Works
TITLE: Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets
Study—Various Actions
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mountain View Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements with the California Department of Transportation for the City of Mountain View Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study, to be read in ti tle only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report).
2. Approve a midyear Capital Improvement Program project, Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study, and transfer and appropriate $71,600 from the Transportation Reserve Fund to the new project. (Five votes required)
3. Accept $352,000 in grant funds and appropriate the grant funds (revenues and expenditures) to the new Capital Improvement Program project, Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study. (Five votes required)
BACKGROUND
In September 2023, the California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans) released grant application guidelines for the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program. This program aims to support Caltrans’ mission to provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment. This grant program includes approximately $25 million in Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) funds for state -funded Sustainable Communities grants awarded to cities, counties, and other planning agencies. The Sustainable Communities competitive grants are intended to support local and regional multi -modal transportation and land use planning projects that:
• Implement the Regional Transportation Plan Sustainable Communities Strategies; • Contribute to the state’s greenhouse gas reduction targets; • Address the needs of underserved communities; and
• Assist in achieving the Caltrans and program objectives of safety, sustainability, and equity.
Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study – Various Actions September 10, 2024
On January 18, 2024, staff submitted a Sustainable Transportation Planning grant application for the Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study (Study), which will evaluate and identify feasible active transportation and green street improvements for Rengstorff Avenue between El Camino Real and Leghorn Street (see Figure 1). This Study was selected as a good candidate to compete for this grant based on the following factors:
• Rengstorff Avenue Green Complete Street Improvements, Study and Preliminary Design, is included in the Fiscal Year 2023 -24 through 2027 -28 Five -Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as a Fiscal Year 2026-27 project.
• The draft Vision Zero Action Plan/Local Road Safety Plan (VZAP/LRSP) identifies Rengstorff Avenue as the highest priority on the City’s list of Safety Corridors based on the history of fatal and severe injury crashes, equity, and proximity to key destina tions. As part of the September 10, 2024 Council agenda, Council will be considering the approval of the VZAP/LRSP.
• This 1.7-mile segment of Rengstorff Avenue and its side streets (including Junction Avenue, Rock Street, Latham Street, and Montecito Avenue) are designated as suggested routes to eight different schools.
• As an arterial road with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour and wide curb -to-curb width, speed management and crossing conflicts are a safety -related concern along Rengstorff Avenue.
In July 2024, Caltrans recommended grant awards for 89 of the 146 applications submitted. The recommended grants included $352,000 for the Study.
Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study – Various Actions September 10, 2024
Figure 1: Project Location Map
Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study – Various Actions September 10, 2024
ANALYSIS
The Study will consider ways to enhance safety, incorporate green street elements, and improve multi-modal access for people walking, bicycling, using public transit, and driving the corridor along and across Rengstorff Avenue between El Camino Real and Leghorn Street. Staff will be coordinating the Study with the bicycle and pedestrian improvements included in the Rengstorff Grade Separation project. This Study will assess the feasibility of active transportation and green street concepts, including:
• Crossing and intersection improvements;
• Green street elements;
• Speed management strategies;
• Pedestrian improvements;
• Bicycle facility upgrades; and
• Opportunities for driveway access management.
The Study ’s scope of work will include technical analysis and a robust community outreach process.
In order to receive the grant funds, the City Council must adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute agreements with Caltrans for the Study . Another grant requirement is for the Study to be completed by June 30, 2027. Once the Study is completed, the City will be in a good position to compete for future grants for the design and construction phases of the project.
If Council approves the recommendation, staff will execute the funding agreement for the Study with Caltrans. Staff anticipates beginning work on the Study in Q2 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant will provide $352,000 for the Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study and requires a local match of $45,600, for a total Study budget of $397,600. Staff recommends that Council approve creating a midyear CIP project for the Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study in the amount of $423,600, which includes the Study budget and $26,000 for the CIP administrative cost.
Staff also recommends that Council transfer and appropriate $71,600 from the Transportation Reserve Fund to the new CIP project for the local match of $45,600 and CIP administrative cost of $26,000. There are sufficient funds in the Transportation Reserve Fund for the recommended action.
Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study – Various Actions September 10, 2024
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not adopt a resolution, forgoing the grant funding award, and do not approve a midyear CIP project for the Study.
2. Do not approve the appropriations from the Transportation Reserve Fund and direct staff to use another funding source.
3. Provide other direction.
PUBLIC NOTICING
Agenda posting and dis tribution to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Vision Zero subscribers.
Prepared by:
Priyoti Ahmed
Transportation Planner
Reviewed by:
Ria Hutabarat Lo
Transportation Manager
Approved by:
Edward Arango
Acting Public Works Director
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager
PA/LL/6/CAM
935-09-10-24CR
204380
Attachment: 1. Resolution