DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
BY: ANDREW EASTERLING, TRAFFIC ENGINEER
TITLE: TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENCROACHMENT PERMIT PROJECTS ACCEPTANCE RECOMMENDED MOTION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution accepting four traffic signal improvement projects delivered through encroachment permits for maintenance and responsibility.
RECOMMENDATION:
Four recently completed traffic signal improvement projects were constructed by private parties through an encroachment permit. The City needs to formalize the acceptance of these projects for maintenance and responsibility to document the dates the operations of the traffic signals transferred from the private contractor to the City. It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution accepting four traffic signal improvement projects delivered through encroachment permits for acceptance and maintenance.
BACKGROUND:
Most traffic signal projects are constructed by the City of Salinas, but on occasion a private party may deliver a traffic signal project through an encroachment permit. On City managed projects the City monitors the construction schedule and documents the hand off from the Contractor to the City by formerly issuing a project acceptance and release of maintenance and responsibility letter to the contractor which is passed by a Council Resolution. However, it was recently noted that when a private party delivers a traffic signal project through an encroachment permit there are no records to document this transition. Four recently completed traffic signal improvement projects were constructed by private parties through an encroachment permit, and the City needs to formalize the acceptance of these projects.
Lowe’s Traffic Signals
Two new traffic signals were installed at San Juan Grade Road at Northridge Way and Boronda Road at Dartmouth Way, as part of the Cloverfield Retail Center (Lowe’s) Project. These improvements were evaluated in the development’s Traffic Impact Analysis (Attachment 1) and required as part of the Environmental Impact Report. An encroachment permit issued on May 10, 2017, to construct the Cloverfield Retail Center offsite improvements including the two new traffic signals (Attachment 2). Construction started on May 17, 2017 and the final inspection was on June 15, 2018. Staff recommends a Resolution accepting the Cloverfield Retail Center offsite improvements for maintenance and responsibility effective June 15, 2018.
Harden Ranch Signal
Harden Ranch Management Group prepared a traffic signal warrant study and Traffic Signal Analysis (Attachment 3) for the intersection of North Main Street and Cherokee Drive. On December 19, 2017 the City Council passed Resolution No. 21315 approving the installation of a traffic signal at the North Main Street and Cherokee Drive intersection; and approving a funding agreement with the Salinas Shopping Center Associates Limited Partnership for the installation of said traffic signal. On August 27, 2019 the City Council passed Resolution No. 21696 approving the plans and specifications for the traffic signal and approving an amendment to the funding agreement so that Harden Ranch Shopping Center could deliver the new traffic signal through an encroachment permit. An encroachment permit was issued on June 22, 2020, to construct the new traffic signal (Attachments 4 & 5). Construction started on March 17, 2021 and the final inspection was on December 14, 2021. Staff recommends a Resolution accepting the traffic signal improvements at North Main Street and Cherokee Drive for maintenance and responsibility effective December 14, 2021.
North Davis Road and West Rossi Street Signal Modifications Traffic signal modifications were installed at North Davis Road and West Rossi Street as part of the Harvest Moon Agricultural Employee Housing Project. These improvements were evaluated in the development’s Traffic Impact Analysis (Attachment 6) and required as part of the Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration processed by the County of Monterey. An encroachment permit was issued on August 19, 2020, to construct the offsite improvements within the City’s right of way, including the traffic signals modifications (Attachment 7). Construction started on October 12, 2020 and the final inspection was on April 13, 2021. Staff recommends a Resolution accepting the Harvest Moon Agricultural Employee Housing Project offsite improvements for maintenance and responsibility effective April 13, 2021.
East Romie Lane Flashing Beacon
In 2020, the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital proposed a new mid-block crosswalk on East Romie Lane to improve crossing conditions for hospital staff. The hospital redeveloped some of its buildings, which resulted in hospital staff crossing East Romie Lane in front of the Hospital. The Hospital hired a traffic engineer and prepared plans and specs to meet the City’s crosswalk policy and standards. The crosswalk meets the City’s crosswalk policy and city standards, therefore, staff recommended the approval of the proposed mid-block crosswalk on East Romie Lane. On August 4, 2020 City Council approved Resolution No. 21916 approving the proposed mid-block crosswalk on East Romie Lane. An encroachment permit was issued on October 22, 2020, to construct the crosswalk, pedestrian refuge island and rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) system (Attachment 8). Construction started on November 5, 2020 and the final inspection was on March 24, 2021. Staff recommends a Resolution accepting the crosswalk, pedestrian refuge island and RRFB system improvements for maintenance and responsibility effective March 24, 2021.
In summary, each of the four traffic signal improvement projects were constructed by private parties through an encroachment permit. The City reviewed and approved the construction plans, provided oversight and inspected the installation on all four projects. When the private contractor completed construction and the project passed final inspection the City assumed responsibility for operations and maintenance of the traffic signals. The City needs to formalize the acceptance of these projects for maintenance and responsibility to document the dates the operations of the traffic signals transferred from the contractor to the City.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION:
On July 14th 2022, the Traffic and Transportation Commission received a report regarding the consideration to accept traffic signals encroachment permit projects for maintenance and responsibility. The Commission voted unanimously 6-0 to recommend that the City Council approve a Resolution accepting four traffic signal improvement projects delivered through encroachment permits for maintenance and responsibility.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action does not support a specific City Council Goal.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
All cost to design, construct and permit these projects were funded by private parties. The City is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the traffic signals once construction is complete and the project passes final inspection. The cost to operate and maintain a traffic signal is estimated to be approximately $5,000 per year. Every fiscal year, the budgeted funding for signal maintenance typically comes from motor vehicle fuel tax and SB1 Road Maintenance Funds.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Attachment 1: Cloverfield Retail Center Traffic Impact Analysis Attachment 2: Cloverfield Retail Center Offsite Improvement As-Built Record Drawings Attachment 3: Harden Ranch Traffic Study
Attachment 4: Main Street and Cherokee Drive Traffic Signal Approved Plans Attachment 5: Main Street and Cherokee Drive Traffic Signal As-Built Record Drawings Attachment 6: Harvest Moon Agricultural Employee Housing Project Traffic Impact Analysis Attachment 7: Harvest Moon Agricultural Employee Housing Project As-Built Records Drawings Attachment 8: 450 E Romie Ln Approved Encroachment Permit
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