CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
August 7, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FY 2023-24 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET BY CREATING A NEW PROJECT, “TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT – MCKINLEY AVENUE AND CANYON WAY,” PROJECT NO. 428-2590-XXXXX-68587 AND APPROPRIATING $600,000 OF FAIRPLEX MITIGATION FUNDS TO THE PROJECT RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-132 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FY 2023-24 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET BY CREATING A NEW CIP PROJECT, “TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT – MCKINLEY AVENUE AND CANYON WAY,” PROJECT NO. 428-2590-XXXXX-68587 AND APPROPRIATING $600,000 OF FAIRPLEX MITIGATION FUNDS TO THE PROJECT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As recommended by the Fairplex Mitigation Fund Advisory Committee, City Council adoption of Resolution No. 2023-132 (Attachment No. 1) will create a new CIP project, “Traffic Signal Improvement – McKinley Avenue and Canyon Way,” Project No. 428-2590-XXXXX-68587 (Project). It will also fund the Project by appropriating $600,000 of available Fairplex Mitigation Funds to the Project. The Project will provide for the installation of a new traffic signal, including a controller cabinet, a video detection system, battery backup system, and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Canyon Way.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Project will be funded with Fairplex Mitigation Funds. Per the Agreement Regarding Interim Use of Fairplex, the Fairplex financially contributes to a mitigation fund (Fairplex Mitigation Fund) to construct public infrastructure improvements to mitigate impacts stemming from events at the Fairplex. The table below summarizes the fiscal impact of this action:
Project / Funding
“Traffic Signal Improvement – McKinley Avenue and Canyon Way,” Project No. 428-2590-XXXXX-68587
Beginning Budget
$0
Appropriation of Fairplex Mitigation Funds
$600,000
Ending Budget
$600,000
Annual maintenance expenses of approximately $3,000 will not be covered by the Fairplex Mitigation Fund. The current balance of the Fairplex Mitigation Fund is $966,951.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On July 29, 2019, the City Council approved the Agreement Regarding Interim Use of Fairplex (Agreement) and it became effective on August 20, 2019. On November 4, 2019, the City Council reviewed and approved the Fairplex Mitigation Fund Advisory Committee Bylaws. On December 21, 2020, the City Council approved an Amendment to the Agreement extending the term by one year to August 20, 2023. On November 21, 2022, the City Council approved a Second Amendment to the Agreement extending the term by two years to August 20, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
When the City Council entered into the Agreement, they requested that Staff create a 9-member Advisory Committee (Committee) to meet publicly with the purpose of recommending to the City Council suggested uses for the Fairplex Mitigation Fund derived per the Agreement. Seven of the nine Committee Members are residents of the mitigation area, each of which have been appointed by a Councilmember or the Mayor. The Fairplex and Los Angeles County are represented with one member each. The Agreement established a revenue source to be set aside in the Fairplex Mitigation Fund for improvements meant to mitigate impacts caused by historical year-round events, such as impacts to traffic, public safety, and noise.
The Fairplex Mitigation Fund is overseen by the Committee which hold open and public meetings. The Committee first convened on October 21, 2020 and regularly meets three times per year in the months of March, June, and October on the third Wednesday of the month. The Committee structure is intended to create transparent and accountable use of the mitigation funds, and includes affected neighborhood residents in determining the best use of the Fairplex Mitigation Fund. The current balance of the Fairplex Mitigation Fund is $966,951.
After several meetings and many more robust discussions, the Committee is recommending the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Canyon Way. This t-intersection is located across the street and in close proximity to Fairplex’s Gate 1. This intersection is also located at the midway point between Gate 17, a major entry location to the Fairplex, and White Avenue, a major thoroughfare that distributes many thousands of vehicles to and from the Fairplex. Because McKinley Avenue experiences very heavy traffic volumes during Fairplex events, especially during the annual LA County Fair, it becomes very difficult for Ganesha Hills residents to make vehicular turns either from or to Canyon Way without experiencing long delays. Additionally, a new traffic signal at this intersection will provide for a controlled crosswalk across McKinley Avenue to allow for safer pedestrian crossings to and from the Fairplex.
With the recently approved Second Amendment to the Agreement extending the term by two years to August 20, 2025, the Fairplex will continue depositing funds into the Fairplex Mitigation Fund. As such, the Committee will continue to meet, evaluate, and address impacts from Fairplex events, and may bring forth additional recommendations for mitigation measures in the future.
Prepared by:
Rene Guerrero
Public Works Director
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2023-132
Attachment No. 2 – CIP Project Details Sheet
Resolution Amending the FY 2023-24 CIP Budget by Creating a New Project, “Traffic Signal Improvement – McKinley Avenue and Canyon Way” and Appropriating $600,000 of Fairplex Mitigation Funds to the Project