November 7, 2023
Public Works
DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Subject:
Housing Resolution for Compliance with One Bay Area
Grant (OBAG) Funding Requirements
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Adoption of the recommended resolution will make the City eligible to receive $2,703,000 in OBAG Round 3
funding for the Bayview to BART and McBryde Ave Safe-
Routes-to-Parks projects.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City’s Bayview to BART and McBryde Ave Safe-
Routes-to-Parks projects have been selected for funding under Round 3 of the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG)
program. Prior to receiving its OBAG funding, the City
must adopt a resolution wherein the City agrees to
continue complying with specific state housing laws
related to surplus lands, accessory dwelling units, and density bonuses.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution wherein the City agrees to continue
complying with various state housing laws as a condition of receiving its One Bay Area Grants (OBAG) 3 funding
awards for the Bayview to BART and McBryde Ave Safe-
Routes-to-Parks projects – Public Works Department
(Robert Armijo 510-620-5478/Josef Munoz 510-620-
6671/Lina Velasco 510-620-6841).
AGENDA
REPORT
November 7, 2023
DISCUSSION:
The One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program is designed to help communities invest in transportation infrastructure that supports infill development by providing funds for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, local road repair, and planning activities, while also providing funds for Safe Routes to School programs and for Priority Conservation Areas. The City Council adopted Resolutions authorizing applications for OBAG funding and allocating matching funds for two projects in December 2022 (see Attachments 2 and 3).
The City’s Bayview to BART Project is one of two Richmond proposals that have been selected for funding under round 3 of the OBAG program. As shown in Exhibit A, this project will provide a safe and comfortable walking and biking route connecting the Del Norte BART Station to the San Francisco Bay Trail. It will leverage existing multi-use paths, tie into El Cerrito’s Transit Oriented Development Complete Streets Project, improve conditions around parks and schools, and implement elements of the South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan.
The other Richmond proposal selected for OBAG funding is the McBryde Ave Safe- Routes-to-Parks Project. As described in Exhibit B, the project will provide a safe and comfortable walking and biking route from Wildcat Canyon Regional Park to the amenities and bus service along San Pablo Avenue and an existing crosstown bike route on 37th Street. The project will improve pavement conditions, calm traffic, add audible pedestrian signals, restripe the roadway with bike lanes, and build curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and other pedestrian improvements.
The Bayview to BART Project will receive $1,675,000 in OBAG funding and the McBryde Ave Safe-Routes-to-Parks Project will receive $1,028,000. Once the City receives the funding, the project designs will be further developed and finalized with extensive community input.
City staff will apply for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice to Exemption Section 15301.The projects do not have significant effect on the environment, and therefore can be deemed categorically exempt from CEQA.
To maintain funding eligibility, all cities and counties receiving OBAG money must authorize the submission of an application for financing allotted to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), as well as the commitment of any necessary matching funds and assurance of completion of the project. On December 20, 2022, the City Council passed and adopted the local support resolution for Bayview to BART and McBryde Ave Safe-Routes-to-Parks Projects (refer to Attachment 2 and 3).
Jurisdictions are required to self-certify compliance with specific state housing laws related to surplus lands, accessory dwelling units, and density bonuses through adoption of a local resolution. The Resolution in Attachment 1 has been prepared for
November 7, 2023
this purpose and is in substantial compliance with the template provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2 – Resolution No. 186-22 MTC Bayview to BART Project Attachment 3 – Resolution No. 187-22 MTC McBryde Safe Routes to Park Project Exhibit A – Bayview to BART Project Description
Exhibit B – McBryde Ave Safe-Routes-to-Parks Project Description