CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: January 23, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-23 AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT
A REQUEST TO THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023
TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 3
PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE PROJECT FUNDING
SYNOPSIS
State Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 grants are available, and staff proposes that the City apply for a grant in the amount of $100,000 for the construction of the Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project. The purpose of this item is to consider a resolution of the City Council to authorize the City Engineer to submit the TDA grant application.
DISCUSSION
Background
The project is identified in the FY 2022/2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) (Project MK-3D).
Available funding in FY 23-24 consists of local funds (Measure K) in the amount of $75,000, which may be used for engineering design services. The TDA grant application is to supplement construction costs. Funding for construction and construction management will be reviewed and programmed during a future CIP budget update.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) notified agencies of available TDA funds in November 2022. Eligible projects may include sidewalk improvements; pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; on-street or off-street bicycle facilities; and development of bicycle safety education programs or plans. The basic objectives of the TDA grant program are to increase the safety and efficiency of bicycle and pedestrian travel, and to encourage alternative modes of transportation. The MTC requires a supporting Resolution from the City Council to be eligible for grant funds.
The TDA program allows the City to submit one grant application per fiscal year. The grant award process has historically been very competitive. Although agencies are not required to provide a local funding match for the grant, it is strongly encouraged in order to remain competitive in the grant selection and award process.
Last year MTC allocated approximately $1.4 million in State TDA funds for project awards among the various agencies within Contra Costa County. Project funding awards for sidewalk gap closure projects historically do not exceed $100,000.
Analysis
Oak Park Boulevard is a growing minor arterial in the City of Pleasant Hill with a traffic volume of 15,000 vehicles per day. Residents and pedestrians are reluctant to utilize Oak Park Boulevard as a path of travel due to motorized traffic, and with significant growth attributable to the new Library, athletic fields, and residential housing, this gap closure project is needed to provide students, residents and bicyclists a safe means of access along Oak Park Boulevard. The proposed project will decrease the potential of vehicle conflict, provide access and encourage walking/biking to school and other civic destinations from the surrounding neighborhoods. The proposed project will evaluate the location and effectiveness of the existing speed feedback sign to maximize traffic calming efforts.
The proposed gap closure project will construct approximately 635 feet of ADA-compliant sidewalk along Oak Park Boulevard and Hook Avenue. The purpose of the new sidewalk is to connect residents to popular nearby destinations, including several schools, Pleasant Oaks Park, Pleasant Hill Library, EBMUD paved asphalt trail, and future athletic fields. The proposed 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk will connect the existing sidewalk located at Hook Avenue (sidewalk already exists at the Aegis Senior Living facility) to the existing sidewalk located at the EBMUD trail. Minor drainage and landscape modifications will be required. The existing Class III bike route will be upgraded to a Class II bike lane on Oak Park Boulevard where possible, and will connect to the newly installed Class II bike lane adjacent to the Pleasant Hill Library. All proposed work is located within the existing public right-of-way.
In December of 2022, staff submitted a preliminary application for the Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project to the Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC). The CBAC’s opinion of this project was favorable.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project improvement cost is estimated at $680,000, of which staff is seeking $100,000 in TDA grant funds. Local funds (Measure J, K and/or Gas Tax) would fund the remaining $580,000 in estimated project cost to match the TDA grant funds. If the TDA grant application is successful, funds would become available in August 2023, and construction costs would have to be incurred before June 30, 2026.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt proposed resolution.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council can choose not to adopt the proposed resolution and not authorize the filing of the TDA grant application. If so, local funds would need to fund the full project construction cost for the Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Project Location Map
Proposed Resolution
Attachment A: Findings
Attachment B: TDA Article 3 Project Application Form
Prepared by: Deirdre Castillo, Senior Civil Engineer
Reviewed by: Ethan Bindernagel, Community Development Director/Assistant City Manager Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager