City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: INFORMATION REPORTS
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: December 16, 2024
Report #:2405-3043
TITLE
Semiannual Update on the Status of Capital Improvement Program Projects; CEQA Status – Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
This report is provided for information only and requires no Council action.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council and Palo Alto community can be proud of the City’s capital improvement program (CIP). The CIP represents major investments in infrastructure functionality and sustainability, funded largely through the 2014 Council Infrastructure Plan as well as utility rates and various other sources. The 2024-2028 five-year CIP totaled $1.2 billion for 209 projects as reviewed by the Council in its adoption of the FY 2024 Capital Budget. Since July 2016, the City of Palo Alto has completed 101 individual community-serving projects totaling over $406 million in improvements. A summary of all completed CIP projects is provided at the end of Attachment A.
The CIP also represents a major effort for much of the City workforce. The following table summarizes the status of all projects for the six-month period of January to June 2024.
One Time CIP's
CIP Workgroup Recurring CIPs
Pre-Design Design Procurement Construction Completed
Airport 0 0 3 2 1 0
Buildings and Facilities 10 4 10 0 11 0
Electric 9 2 10 0 6 0
Fiber Optic 2 0 2 0 0 0
Gas 4 0 1 0 1 0
Parks and Open Space 9 5 5 0 5 1
Stormwater Management 2 0 3 0 3 0
Streets and Sidewalks 8 0 3 0 0 0
Traffic and Transportation 5 1 5 1 2 1
Wastewater Collection 4 0 0 0 0 1
Wastewater Treatment 1 2 3 0 3 1
Water 7 1 1 0 2 1
Subtotals 61 15 46 3 34 5
Totals 164
BACKGROUND
This report provides Council with an update on the status of capital improvement program (CIP) projects, with detailed and useful information for the Council and public regarding general fund and enterprise fund projects that appear on Council agendas and will be visible throughout the community. The report does not include Internal Service Funds projects (Information Technology and Vehicle).
ANALYSIS
Project Update Organization
The City of Palo Alto has a robust capital improvement program, and many individual projects are in progress at any given time. The 2024-2028 five-year CIP totaled $1.2 billion for 209 projects as reviewed by the Council as part of the adoption of the FY 2024 Capital Budget. The attached CIP project tables are intended to provide Council with a quick overview of each project, including budgetary information, the anticipated completion date, a brief description of the project scope, the status of the project, and upcoming activities including Council actions.
Also included in the report is a list of all completed projects since the introduction of the Infrastructure Management System.
Major/Significant Projects Summary
The 2014 Council Infrastructure Plan is a major focus of staff’s capital improvement program efforts and ties to several 2024 City Council Priorities and related objectives. The following table details the Total Project Budget and Total Actual Expenses through June 30, 2024, for the Infrastructure Plan projects. Please note that the project updates in the Council Infrastructure Plan table are current as of the publication of this report, while the attached comprehensive project updates include June 30, 2024 status information.
Council
Infrastructure
Plan Projects
CIP
Number Project Update
Total Project
Budget
Total Actual
Expenses*
New Public Safety
Building
PE-15001 Construction is finishing up with
completion expected in winter 2025.
Phased staff move-in is expected in
January 2025, following December 2024
issuance of a Temporary Certificate of
Occupancy.
$118,137,997 $113,275,793
Bicycle and
Pedestrian
Transportation
Implementation
Plan
PL-04010 This project funds the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Transportation Plan Update, which has
kicked off recently and is slated to take
approximately 18 months to complete. This
project also funds the implementation of
various bicycle and pedestrian projects.
$15,293,904 $211,611
New Downtown
Parking Garage
PE-15007 Council directed staff to look at the feasibility of partnering with a private entity to develop
new parking using downtown in-lieu parking
fees in conjunction with housing or other
uses, including the use of City surface lots or
privately held parcels. Council gave direction
to staff in December 2023 to advance the
project in conjunction with advancement of
affordable housing in the Downtown area. A
design contract for the garage was approved
on Council’s December 2, 2024 consent
agenda.
$7,488,918 $1,440,311
New California
Avenue Area
Parking Garage
PE-18000 Completed (final punch list items in progress) $50,213,486 $49,442,821 Charleston
Arastradero
Corridor Project
PE-13011 Completed $20,645,491 $20,645,491
Fire Station 3
Replacement
PE-15003 Completed $10,598,580 $10,598,580
Highway 101
Pedestrian/Bicycle
Overpass Project
PE-11011 Completed $23,734,218 $23,734,218
Fire Station 4
Replacement
PE-18004 Project is going through building permit
review. Staff is completed a pre-qualification
process, with construction bidding
anticipated in early 2025.
$15,329,846 $1,860,907
Byxbee Park
Completion
PE-18006 On hold pending completion of Baylands
Comprehensive Conservation Plan.
$3,699,189 $368,192
Downtown
Automated
Parking Guidance
Systems
PL-15002 Council approved a design build contract in
May 2023. Construction is underway and
expected to be completed in spring 2025.
$5,197,833 $1,658,417
*Total actual expenses through June 30, 2024
Current Council Infrastructure Plan project schedules can be found at https://www.infrastructure.cityofpaloalto.org/
Key considerations for the information presented in the project update tables include:
•Project status information is current as of June 30, 2024. •The individual project tables align with the Capital Improvement Fund categories in the Fiscal Year 2024-2028 capital budget: Buildings and Facilities, Parks and Open Space, Streets and Sidewalks, and Traffic and Transportation.
•Enterprise Fund projects follow the order of their respective Fund in the capital budget. •Department Technology Upgrades and Improvements projects and Cubberley Property Infrastructure Fund projects are included in the Buildings and Facilities table. •Additional project information is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2028 capital budget. •Each project table is divided into a section for one-time projects and a section for recurring projects that have ongoing annual funding.
•Budgetary figures include staff oversight costs for projects to which staff costs have been allocated.
•The table of completed projects, located at the end of Attachment A, provides a summary of all CIP projects completed since the Biannual CIP updates to council began in 2016.
Completed Projects
There were five completed one-time projects in the second half of Fiscal Year 2024 (January through June 2024).
•Baylands Nature Preserve Entrance Gate (OS-24000)
•Charleston Arastradero Corridor Project (PE-13011)
•Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation Augmentation Project 31 (WC-19001) •Primary Sedimentation Tank Rehabilitation (WQ-14003)
•Water Regulation Station Improvements (WS-07000)
One-time projects do not include the significant amount of annual work completed under ongoing recurring projects, such as streets and sidewalks repairs, parking lot maintenance, roofing replacements, and regular maintenance of Utilities assets.
Below are some photos of completed projects:
Charleston Arastradero Corridor Project (PE-13011)
Primary Sedimentation Tank Rehabilitation (WQ-14003)
Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation Augmentation Project 31 (WC-19001)
One-Time Projects Under Construction
The 34 projects that are currently underway include the following:
Capital Improvement Fund (general fund):
• Baylands Boardwalk Piling Repair (PE-24000)
•Boulware Park Improvements (PE-17005)
•Cameron Park Improvements (PG-14002)
•Churchill Avenue/Alma Street Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements (PL-20000)
•City Facilities Assessment and Record Plan Management System (PE-20002) •Civic Center Fire Life Safety Upgrades (PE-18016)
•Civic Center Waterproofing Study and Repairs (PE-15020) •Cubberley Field Restroom (CB-17002)
•Downtown Automated Parking Guidance Systems, Access Controls & Revenue Collection Equipment (PL-15002)
•Homekey Facilities (PE-24005)
•JMZ Renovation (AC-18001)
•Library Automated Material Handling (LB-21000)
•Lucie Stern Community Theatre Stage Rigging System Refurbishment (AC-24000) •New Public Safety Building (PE-15001)
•Performing Arts Venues Seat Replacement (AC-18000)
•Ramos Park Improvements (PG-14000)
•Rinconada Park Improvements (PE-08001)
•Roth Building Rehabilitation Phase 1 (PF-23001)
Airport Fund:
• Airport Layout Plan (AP-21000)
Electric Fund:
• Colorado Distribution Feeder Outlet Replacement (EL-22002) •Inter Substation Line Protection Relay (EL-17005)
•Foothills Rebuild Fire Mitigation (EL-21001)
•Hanover Substation Improvement (EL-24001)
•Smart Grid Technology Installation (EL-11014)
•Substation Physical Security (EL-16003)
Gas Fund:
•Gas Main Replacement Project 24 (GS-14003)
Stormwater Management Fund:
• East Meadow Drive System Upgrades (SD-22000)
• East Meadow Circle Connection to Adobe Creek Pump Station (SD-26000) • Trash Capture Device Installation (SD-22002)
Wastewater Treatment Fund:
• Joint Intercepting Sewer Rehabilitation (Phase 1) (WQ-24000) • Plant Master Plan (WQ-10001)
• Secondary Treatment Upgrades (WQ-19001)
Water Fund:
•Water Main Replacement Project 29(WS-15002)
•Water Tank Seismic System Upgrades (WS-09000)
As described above for completed projects, the list of projects under construction does not include work currently being conducted under recurring CIP projects.
Below are some photos of projects under construction:
New Public Safety Building (PE-15001)
Capital Improvements of Note Implemented by Other Agencies El Camino Real:
El Camino Real (State Highway 82) is maintained by Caltrans. Pavement Condition Index scores for El Camino Real are significantly lower than the average for Palo Alto streets. Staff has been communicating with Caltrans about the plans to repave El Camino Real in Mountain View, Los Altos, and Palo Alto. Related work to address ADA updates/shoulder and sidewalk work at different points along El Camino Real has been completed with temporary parking and shoulder closures in effect. Roadway repaving construction began in early September 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2025.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Funding for the projects discussed in this report was appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2024 Adopted Capital Budget and reviewed for the 2024-2028 Five-Year CIP.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
This report was coordinated with internal City staff in the Administrative Services, Community Services, Office of Transportation, Public Works, and Utilities Departments. Stakeholder engagement is conducted separately for each project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it is an informational report to Council. CEQA compliance is reviewed separately for each capital project.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Semiannual Update on the Status of Capital Improvement Program Projects
APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer