RESOLUTION R2024-__
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NAPA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, (1) APPROVING THE CITY OF NAPA NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM POLICIES; (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE CITY OF NAPA NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM; AND (3) DETERMINING THAT THE ACTIONS AUTHORIZED BY THIS RESOLUTION ARE EXEMPT FROM CEQA WHEREAS, the City of Napa’s General Plan identifies Policy TE 2-3 regarding traffic calming, which states, “Apply traffic calming principles where appropriate with consideration of functional classification, emergency access, and vehicular traffic volumes to support livable and complete streets. Conduct an update of the City of Napa Traffic Calming Guidelines”; and WHEREAS, the Public Works Department has undertaken work to develop an updated Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP); and WHEREAS, the NTCP complements the City’s other transportation safety related work, including the City of Napa Local Roadway Safety Plan and Vision Zero; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all information related to this matter, as presented at the public meetings of the City Council identified herein, including any supporting reports by City Staff, and any information provided during public meetings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Napa, as follows:
1. The City Council hereby finds that the facts set forth in the recitals to this Resolution are true and correct, and establish the factual basis for the City Council’s adoption of this Resolution.
2. The City Council hereby determines that the actions authorized by this resolution are exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (minor alterations of existing public facilities), Section 15303 (construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures) and Section 15304 (minor public alterations in the condition of land).
3. The City Council hereby approves the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Policies described in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
4. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to establish and implement administrative regulations and procedures to facilitate the project goals and benefits identified in the Traffic Calming Program Policies set forth on Exhibit “A” (attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference). The administrative regulations will use the four E’s of traffic safety (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Empowerment) as identified on Exhibit “A,” and encourage community members impacted by proposed traffic calming measures to provide input on a range of alternative measures. The administrative regulations will document a further delegation of authority to the Public Works Director to approve the plan or design of any traffic calming measures that create a physical change to public property. Once approved, the administrative regulations will supersede and replace the 2005 Citywide Guidelines for Traffic Calming and Neighborhood Traffic Management.
4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Napa at a public meeting of said City Council held on the 21st day of May, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: ________________________
Tiffany Carranza
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
_________________________
Sabrina S. Wolfson
Interim City Attorney
EXHIBIT “A”
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Policies
The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) applies to roadways classified as a collector or local street as specified in the City of Napa’s 2040 General Plan and that have a posted speed limit of 35 MPH or less.
Goals and Benefits
The overarching goals of the NTCP are to:
Lower traffic volumes and reduce vehicular speeding on neighborhood streets; and Enhance safety for all roadway users.
In addition to the overarching NTCP goals, a comprehensive Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program can benefit the community in numerous ways, including:
Encouraging non-motorized modes of transportation, such as walking and cycling.
Educating drivers on roadway regulations.
Improving drivers’ attention and awareness, thus positively affecting driver behavior long-term.
Allowing residents and other stakeholders a new path to be heard and have local roadway concerns remediated.
Providing a fair, transparent, consistent, and equitable process that is understood by both the City and its residents.
Fostering a livable community.
The Four E’s
The NTCP utilizes a comprehensive approach to traffic calming incorporating the four E’s of traffic safety – Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Empowerment. This approach recognizes that not all locations can be addressed solely by infrastructure improvements (i.e., engineering strategies), and that significant impact often requires a multi-faceted approach. Each strategy is discussed below:
Engineering: Most traffic calming measures involve engineering analysis followed by specific physical improvements on streets or sidewalks. Engineering strategies include vertical deflection, roadway narrowing or reallocation, visibility improvements, and conflict point reduction. While some engineering strategies are relatively simple and inexpensive, most measures require substantial funding, construction times, design considerations, and staffing hours. Therefore, other strategies should be explored without being solely dependent on engineering measures.
Education: Education strategies are essential to inform residents about traffic-related topics, such as the City’s traffic calming policies and procedures, basic rules of the road, and how different traffic devices operate. The intent of education strategies is to instruct people in all age groups on how to use the public streets safely.
Enforcement: Enforcement is a strategy that deters motorists from speeding and other unsafe driving behavior. This can be accomplished by enforcement conducted by the City’s Police Department. Measures of enforcement range from portable trailers that measure motorists’ speed to increased patrol and citation issuance. Enforcement can effectively create awareness of vehicle speeds and traffic safety in the neighborhoods.
Empowerment: Traditional traffic calming strategies rely heavily on the first three “E’s”, but this document considers the addition of Empowerment. Public empowerment allows community members to take initiative and have an active role. Numerous cities across the nation have engaged their communities in such programs, with impressive results including less speeding and increased street safety.
The City will develop and implement a process by which members of the public may make a request to the City for implementation of traffic calming measures based on the four E’s and by which City staff will exercise its discretion to review and approve a request.
ATTACHMENT 1
R2024-__ Page PAGE 1 of NUMPAGES 1 May 21, 2024
ATTACHMENT __
R2022-__ Page PAGE 1 of NUMPAGES 1 Type approved date of resolution here