CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: February 26, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (CCTA) AND THE
CITY OF PLEASANT HILL FOR COST SHARING COMMITMENTS TO
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT THE CCTA COUNTYWIDE SMART
SIGNALS PROJECT
SYNOPSIS
The Countywide Smart Signals Project is a Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA)-led project to upgrade the traffic signal and communication systems on major arterial corridors throughout the County’s 19 cities and unincorporated communities utilizing grant funds received from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC’s) One Bay Area Cycle 3 (OBAG 3) for design, construction, and deployment of the Project. In the City of Pleasant Hill, this project will upgrade 20 signals along or adjacent to Contra Costa Boulevard, Monument Boulevard, and Taylor Boulevard. The preliminary estimated cost of this project in Pleasant Hill is $1,332,258.
The estimated required local match funds of 11.47% from the City to participate in the CCTA Project is $152,810. The local match funds would come from the City’s Measure K Pedestrian and Bicycle Program for FY 2024/25. The project would be added to the upcoming FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) project list.
The purpose of this item is for the City Council to consider adopting the proposed resolution (attached) authorizing the City Manager to execute a funding agreement committing a local match of $152,810 for the Countywide Smart Signals Project in Pleasant Hill sponsored by Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA).
DISCUSSION
Background
On September 12, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 76-22, authorizing the City Engineer to partner with CCTA on a multi-agency grant proposal to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Countywide Smart Signals Project (see Attachment 2).
CCTA successfully secured $26.55 million in regional funding in January 2023 for the project to develop, manage, and implement Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) initiatives such as upgrading the existing legacy systems, providing interconnectivity throughout Contra Costa County signal systems, and enhancing the sharing of real-time information between agencies and the public.
The signals identified for this project are located along major arterials, including the ones identified as Routes of Regional Significance in the local jurisdictions across the county. This project will improve 20 traffic signals in Pleasant Hill along three major arterials (Contra Costa Boulevard, Taylor Boulevard, Monument Boulevard) for a project cost of $1,332,258. This is an increase in both the number of traffic signals (15 to 20) and the cost ($970,000 to $1,332,258) compared to Resolution No. 76-22 and adds the Taylor Boulevard corridor. To implement this project, CCTA requires the City to commit a local match of 11.47%, which is approximately $152,810 (increased from $111,000).
Analysis
The City has a total of 44 signals located throughout the community. Many of these existing signal systems lack needed infrastructure, such as modern signal controllers, detection, and communication technology, making it difficult to implement traffic signal synchronization and coordination between traffic signals along arterials. Most corridors do not currently include signal control and prioritization technologies to promote transit usage to reduce delay and travel times for transit vehicles, nor to reduce response time for emergency vehicles.
Staff has been strategically working to upgrade the legacy signal systems along the City’s major corridors to improve safety and circulation, and to prepare them for next generation communication and connectivity. Implementation of this Smart Signals Project by CCTA is in line with the signal upgrade approach that staff has been engaged in and is expected to result in operational and safety improvements for all modes of transportation along these project corridors.
The Countywide Smart Signals Project in Pleasant Hill will upgrade 20 signals located along three key arterial corridors:
• Contra Costa Boulevard - 12
• Taylor Boulevard - 5
• Monument Boulevard – 3
The upgraded traffic signals will benefit all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders by improving their safety and improving travel times, while better managing changes in traffic patterns due to incidents on adjacent roadways. To implement this project, CCTA requires that the City enter into an agreement with CCTA committing the required local match funds.
More details can be found in Attachment 3: Funding Agreement. The project schedule is still to be determined in coordination with other City projects.
FISCAL IMPACT
City Council’s action on this item will secure $1,332,258 of CCTA funding for the Smart Signals Project in Pleasant Hill led by CCTA. Local match funds that will be required to complete this project are $152,810, which represents 11.47% of the total cost. This project is not currently identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The matching funds would come from the City’s Measure K Pedestrian and Bicycle Program for FY 2024/25, and the Project would be added to the upcoming FY 2024/25 CIP project list.
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
Staff recommends adopting the Resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute a funding agreement committing a local match of $152,810 from the FY 2024/25 Measure K Pedestrian and Bicycle Program allocation for the Countywide Smart Signals Project in Pleasant Hill sponsored by Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA).
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
If the City Council chooses not to adopt the proposed resolution, the City will not receive CCTA funding for this project. Staff could seek other potential funding sources, or the City could choose not to construct the project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Exhibit 1 - Funding Agreement
Resolution No. 76-22, authorizing pursuit of grant funding and partnership with CCTA Countywide Smart Signals Brochure
Prepared by: Ryan McClain, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager