City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARD: 1 SUBJECT: ALAMO STREET AT RIVERA STREET / APPLE GROVE – 12-MONTH CUL-DE-SAC CLOSURE PILOT PROJECT ISSUE:
Consider implementation of a 12-month cul-de-sac closure pilot project at the west leg Alamo Street at its intersection with Rivera Street / Apple Grove.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the proposed 12-month cul-de-sac closure pilot project at the west leg of Alamo Street at its intersection with Rivera Street / Apple Grove.
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS:
On May 1, 2024, the Transportation Board (Board) reviewed this matter; all seven members were present. The Board voted unanimously to recommend the proposed 12-month cul-de-sac closure pilot project at the west leg of Alamo Street at its intersection with Rivera Street / Apple Grove.
BACKGROUND:
The Riviera Communities Homeowner’s Association (HOA) and residents have been communicating with the City’s Public Works Department regarding ongoing concerns with illegal dumping, trash and debris, graffiti, loitering, and illegal parking within the cul-de-sac area on Alamo Street west of Rivera Street / Apple Grove which abuts the northwest side of their community. The HOA and community residents previously worked with the Public Works Department to implement No Dumping signs within the cul-de-sac area; however, reports of illegal dumping continue. Additionally, reports of illegal parking within the cul-de-sac in violation of the posted with “No Stopping Entire Block” signs continue to be received.
DISCUSSION:
In response to ongoing HOA and area resident concerns and to mitigate illegal dumping, graffiti, loitering, and illegal parking activity within the westerly cul-de-sac terminus of Alamo Street and negative impacts to the community, the Public Works Department assessed options to deter these activities. Based on staff review of the location, the cul-de-sac provides no access to the Riviera Communities housing tract or to the commercial businesses located at the northwest corner of Alamo Street and Rivera Street, currently serves no purpose for the adjacent community and businesses. Additionally, there is an existing catch basin at the end of the cul-de-sac and no utilities run along this portion of the roadway.
As a result of ongoing concerns and the lack of public benefit by this section of street, the Public Works Department is proposing a temporary 12-month pilot project to close the westerly leg of Alamo Street at its intersection with Rivera Street / Apple Grove to restrict vehicular access. The proposed twelve-month pilot project would utilize water filled barricades until a swing gate with locking mechanism on the underside of the gate arm to prevent vehicular access into the cul-de-sac could be installed as part of planned paving work. The proposed gate type would allow for emergency and/or service vehicle access to the cul-de-sac without removal of any posts/bollards while also limiting the potential for vandalism of the gate. The cul-de-sac closure 12-month pilot project would likely reduce or eliminate illegal dumping activity within the cul-de-sac, thereby reducing staff time and resources devoted to cleanup of illegally dumped items, however, the closure may also require hand cleaning of the area should accumulation of trash, debris, weeds, etc. occur.
It is anticipated that costs associated with the performance of any hand sweeping services required would be minimal and likely offset by the reductions in costs related to illegal dumping pick-ups within the cul-de-sac. The pilot project would also eliminate parking violations within the cul-de-sac and Parking Services and Police Department personnel staff time in patrolling and enforcing violations. The project is further anticipated to aid in deterring graffiti, loitering activity, and trash and debris accumulations within the cul-de-sac.
The proposed cul-de-sac closure 12-month pilot project would allow for assessment of the effectiveness, impacts, review of any public comments received, and input from emergency and service providers related to the project. If deemed effective, the permanent gate would remain closed on Alamo Street.
Prior to the permanent gate installation, Public Works staff have installed water filled barricades on an interim basis to restrict vehicular access to the west leg of the intersection. This temporary action is at the discretion of the City Traffic Engineer and Public Works Director and may occur prior to approval of the full 12-month pilot.
A new stop sign, stop bar, stop legend, stop ahead signage and associated striping were constructed for the east leg (westbound approach) which converted the intersection into a multi-way stop controlled intersection as part of the improvement project.
Figure 1: Photograph of interim water-filled barricade improvements.
The Northside Specific Plan includes Alamo Street as a primary connector for the Santa Ana River Trail and the envisioned regional park. Thus, ultimate plans for use of the cul-de-sac may change at the time when these aspects of the Northside Specific Plan move forward.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.4, to support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
Additionally, the proposal aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting threads:
Community Trust – The temporary pilot project supports community involvement in seeking alternative potential solutions to ongoing neighborhood concerns related to illegal dumping activities and negative quality of life impacts facilitated by vehicular access within the Alamo Street cul-de-sac which currently serves no purpose and provides no access to the adjacent community and businesses.
Equity – The proposed temporary pilot project improvements are anticipated to reduce or eliminate illegal dumping and illegal parking activity within the cul-de-sac as well as deter graffiti, loitering activity, and trash and debris accumulation within the cul-de-sac to reduce negative impacts for area residents and businesses.
Fiscal Responsibility – The pilot project improvements are fiscally responsible as they enable further assessment of effectiveness and overall impacts.
Innovation – The temporary pilot project allows staff to assess project impacts and consider public and emergency and service provider input related to the pilot project prior to considering extension of the pilot project duration or any permanent improvements.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed pilot project improvements can be and maintained throughout the 12-month duration of the pilot project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated fiscal impact of this action is $4,565 for swing gate material acquisition and costs associated with the installation. The cost of the sign fabrication and installation is estimated to be $1,100. Sufficient funds are available in the Public Works General Fund, Street Maintenance, Signing Supplies account 4110100-424143 to cover this cost. Although the project may be integrated into planned paving work at the location. Costs related to any required hand cleaning of the cul-de-sac are anticipated to be minimal due to the short term 12-month duration of the pilot project and are expected to be offset by cost savings realized by reduced or eliminated clean-ups of illegally dumped items and materials within the cul-de-sac.
Prepared by: Philip Nitollama, City Traffic Engineer
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
attachments:
Site Map
Pilot Project Exhibit
Presentation
Transportation Board Meeting Minutes – May 1, 2024
Alamo Street at Rivera Street / Apple Grove – 12-Month Cul-de-sac Closure Pilot Project Page 2