June 4, 2024
DATE: June 4, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Vice-Mayor, Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Gayle
McLaughlin, and Councilmember Doria Robinson
Subject:
Traffic Calming Division within the Department of Public Works
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The hiring of 2 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) in Public Works
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
The City Council allocated $1.2 million to create the initial traffic calming program and given the demand for
additional projects, $1.6 million is proposed in the draft FY 2024-25 Budget.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
In 2022, the Council approved allocating $1.2 million to traffic calming projects. This led to a new traffic calming program to address the community's street safety
concerns. Since we want the program to work and timely
address residents' street safety concerns, P ublic Works requires additional capacity . The creation of a Traffic Calming Division will enable the Department of Public
Works to implement projects in time ly manner thereby
improving responsiveness to Richmond residents.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: RECEIVE a presentation outlining the proposal to create a Traffic Calming Division within the Department of Public Works to address street, pedestrian, and bicycle safety concerns in the City; and DIRECT the allocation of funds to hire 2 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) in the Department of Public Works to manage the street calming, complete
streets in an integrated and environmentally sustainable manner – Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565),
Councilmembers Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636) and
Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
AGENDA REPORT
June 4, 2024
DISCUSSION:
In 2022, the City Council approved the allocation of $1.2 million dollars for street calming projects. Department of Public Works staff then proposed creating a Street Calming program where residents would have the opportunity to submit locations that need interventions to make them safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Staff created a prioritization matrix to choose which intersections and locations to work on first. Using the matrix, the City Council approved the first 18 locations for Public Works staff to commence work. On May 28, after several meetings in which the City Council asked for information on when the 18 projects will be implemented, staff presented a detailed plan and timeline. All 18 projects are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.
Once the Initial 18 projects are completed, the City will begin another round of new projects. Still, better infrastructure within the Department of Public Works is needed to support this effort and move forward promptly. Staff created a website that enables residents to submit locations for improvement. Thus far, more than 300 locations have been submitted. Qualified personnel are necessary to manage the work of the street calming program.
Richmond residents increasingly advocate for traffic measures to reduce speeds and support street safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Addressing these safety issues requires a dedicated approach integrating planning, engineering, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The establishment of a Traffic Calming Division will focus on creating safer streets and promoting sustainable solutions. It will also plan what new streets in Richmond will look like and how we can use opportunities such as street paving funding to improve street safety conditions.
The proposed Division could focus on traffic safety planning, infrastructure improvements, community outreach, coordination with existing city departments and external agencies, and help to move projects towards complete streets and green infrastructure while also addressing street safety concerns and adding capacity to research and attain state and federal funding available for these innovative projects. Dedicated staff will ensure that the City’s infrastructure meets current and future demands, aligning with a broader urban development goal, and maintain close communication with residents to address their traffic safety concerns.