DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2022
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS, TRANSPORTATION & TRAFFIC DIVISION FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
BY: ANDREW EASTERLING, TRAFFIC ENGINEER
TITLE: PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SALINAS AND ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ FOR THE SALINAS ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution 1) approving the agreement for Professional Services between the City of Salinas and Ecology Action of Santa Cruz for the Active Transportation Plan; and 2) authorizing the use of Active Transportation Plan funds up to $212,136.18 for the agreement with Ecology Action of Santa Cruz for the Salinas Active Transportation Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salinas is well-positioned to increase walking and bicycling for transportation. It has a mild climate most of the year, is relatively flat and has an existing 95 miles of connected bikeways. However, there are substantial gaps in the current bicycle network and much of the network is in relatively disconnected islands that create barriers to bicycling on streets with high speed and volumes of vehicles and create safety issues when people bike on streets without a dedicated facility. In addition, although the sidewalk network in Salinas is generally well developed, there are some gaps and the sidewalks in many areas need repair or replacement.
The City’s current bicycle and pedestrian plans were developed in the early 2000s, and there is a need for an update compressive active transportation planning document. Additionally, the City completed an Active Transportation Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment in 2018 identifying the need for further active transportation planning. The City of Salinas and Ecology Action partnered on a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant to develop an Active Transportation Plan. The City of Salinas was the prime applicant and Ecology Action was a co-applicant. The team was successful, and Caltrans awarded a grant in the of $394,844 to the City of Salinas for the Active Transportation Plan. Grant funds will help the City and Ecology Action conduct outreach to build upon and integrate the work that was already completed to deliver an updated and comprehensive Active Transportation Plan.
The City of Salinas Active Transportation Plan will build from the 2018 Salinas Active Transportation Needs Assessment and other current work, and provide systematic, iterative community engagement, focusing on critical agency stakeholders as well as disadvantaged communities, in developing a community supported set of implementable active transportation project improvements that will encourage active modes and increase safety for all. This plan develops the strategy to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and safety by expanding existing bicycle networks, improving pedestrian circulation, reducing vehicle trips, creating complete streets, and building a healthy and livable community. The plan is intended to act as a combined update of the 2004 Pedestrian Plan and the 2002 Bikeways Plan and provide a strategy for city-wide sustainable transportation growth and opportunities to support connection and integration into the regional active transportation network. This plan will help the City build consensus around key projects that can continue Salinas’ success in supporting active transportation. The plan will include a robust outreach effort that uses a diverse set of tools to meet people where they are at, a community driven prioritization process to select projects for design and implementation, discussion and agreement on the policy and programmatic improvements to support the network, and a design process that will result in concepts that are feasible and fundable. In consideration for the current COVID-19 environment, some public outreach efforts, and stakeholder meetings will be held on-line and in-person.
The proposed agreement for Professional Services between the City of Salinas and Ecology Action of Santa Cruz establishes the terms, conditions and responsibilities between the City and Ecology Action for the scope of work to develop the Active Transportation Plan.
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).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Development of the Active Transportation Plan supports the City Council goals of “Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability” and “Public Safety” DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Public Works will oversee the development of the Active Transportation Plan. Public Works will work closely with the Community Development Department and coordinate with the General Plan Update. The Finance Department provides fiscal monitoring and reporting information for the grant agreement.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
This action authorizes the use of Active Transportation Plan funds (CIP: 5800.50.9349) up to $212,136.18 for the agreement with Ecology Action of Santa Cruz to develop the Salinas Active Transportation Plan. There is sufficient funding available in CIP 5800.50.9349.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Attachment 1: Professional Services between the City of Salinas and Ecology Action of Santa Cruz Page | 2
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