April 1, 2025
DocID #39919v1
Public Works
DATE: April 1, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Janney Lockman, Associate Transportation Planner
Subject:
Appropriate Measure J Funds for Blue Curb Policy
Development
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the Measure J Fund 2002 Fund Balance. Funds in the amount of $120,000 will be
allocated and appropriated to fund this project.
[Account String: 20236031-400532-23067]
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
While Richmond Municipal Code authorizes the Public
Works Director to place blue curb markings on the public right-of-way that indicate exclusive parking for people with disabilities, the City does not have a comprehensive process for evaluating requests, or design standards to ensure that blue curb spaces comply with the Americans
with Disabilities Act. Public Works received proposals
from two on-call traffic engineering firms to develop a comprehensive blue curb policy to clarify existing policies and procedures and assist staff in evaluating and
providing accessible parking spaces. City staff are
requesting that City Council allocate and appropriate
funding to begin this work.
AGENDA
REPORT
April 1, 2025
DocID #39919v1
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to ALLOCATE and APPROPRIATE
funds in the amount of $120,000 from Measure J Fund
2002 to develop a comprehensive policy for providing on- street blue curb parking spaces - Public Works (Janney
Lockman 307-8097/Robert Armijo 620-5477/Daniel
Chavarria 620-5478).
DISCUSSION:
Under Richmond Municipal Code section 14.48.020, the Public Works Director is authorized to place blue curb markings, which “indicates parking limited exclusively to vehicles of handicapped persons.” While the City’s current policy to request blue curbside parking spaces is consistent with applicable disability law, the City does not have a comprehensive process for evaluating requests, or design standards to install accessible blue curb spaces that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Public Works staff are requesting that City Council appropriate $120,000 from Measure J funding to work with a consultant to create a comprehensive blue curb policy that will allow staff to more effectively and equitably evaluate resident requests for blue curb parking spaces, and install accessible on-street parking spaces that provide equal access to residents, employees, and visitors with disabilities.
In November 2024, Public Works staff issued a request for proposals to the five on-call Traffic Engineering firms to assist in the development of standards for on-street ADA parking within the City. Public Works staff received two proposals (i.e., CSWST2 and Fehr and Peers), and following interviews Fehr & Peers was rated highest to complete this policy development project. The selection was based on the firm’s experience developing similar policies and procedures in similar-sized cities, and the firm’s staff expertise in the Americans with Disabilities Act and Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). Given City Council approval the Public Department would move forward with a work authorization with Fehr & Peers to complete the project.
The final policy will include mechanisms for residents to request spaces through a standardized, easy-to-understand application process and establish:
1. Criteria for staff to evaluate and respond to these applications
2. Design standards for ADA-compliant spaces
3. Appeals process for denied requests
4. Re-application and removal policies
5. Recommendations on fees for ADA parking space requests and/or annual budget needs to support the policy
If funding is not allocated and appropriated at this time, the development of a more robust blue curb policy would be delayed. Future updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) may require the City to upgrade existing blue curb spaces to more rigorous and capital- intensive standards. By evaluating and proactively updating the City's policies now, the City will be more able to ensure that all residents can access the public right-of-way, and adjust to and implement future legislation.
April 1, 2025
DocID #39919v1
Public Works staff requests that the City Council adopt a resolution to allocate and appropriate funding from Measure J to develop this policy (Attachment 1). By creating a clear, equitable, and easy-to-understand process for residents and businesses to request accessible on-street parking spaces, and for staff to effectively and responsively evaluate these requests, this policy will ultimately ensure that our public right-of-way can serve all those who live, work, or visit Richmond regardless of ability.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution