CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Department(s):
Transportation
CEQA:
Categorically Exempt,
File No. ER20-170,
CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301(c),
Existing Facilities.
Coordination:
CAO, PBCE, Budget
Office
Dept. Approval:
/s/ John Ristow
Council District(s):
3 CMO Approval:
SUBJECT: FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH CALTRANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON THE
WARM SPRINGS QUIET ZONE
REASON FOR ADDENDUM
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) informed the City on June 3, 2022 that City will need to execute an agreement with Caltrans by June 25, 2022 in order to receive $8,000,000 in state funds and to use them towards implementing improvements on the Warm Springs quiet zone.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the Funding Agreement between City of San José and Caltrans, which commits the City to receive $8,000,000 in state funds and to use them towards implementing improvements on the Warm Springs quiet zone.
BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION:
In San José, the Warm Springs Subdivision railroad corridor traverses frequent at-grade street crossings in residential neighborhoods, primarily the Japantown and Hensley neighborhoods. In 2019, Union Pacific Railroad, the railroad operator on this corridor, adopted a new operating plan which increased train operations at night. As required by federal law, Union Pacific Railroad trains blew their horns as they approached the at- grade street crossings.
On April 3, 2019, the Rules and Open Government Committee approved a recommendation directing the City Manager to study a quiet zone on the Warm Springs Subdivision and explore funding strategies. A "quiet zone" means routine train horns are not sounded at crossings during quiet zone hours.
In June 2019, the City commissioned a consultant to investigate the potential for a quiet zone on the Warm Springs Subdivision from N. Montgomery St in the south to Horning St in the north. The consultant’s report was completed in July 2020 and recommended that the City establish a nighttime quiet zone in the near-term, and simultaneously work to implement longer-term improvements in order to improve safety and insure that the quiet zone does not fall out of compliance in the future.
On July 12, 2021, the Governor of California approved Senate Bill 129, which included $8,000,000 in funding for the Warm Springs Quiet Zone.
On April 19, 2022, the City Manager’s Office issued a Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment, and the nighttime Quiet Zone began on May 10, 2022.
Approval of this funding agreement will allow the City to receive the $8,000,000 and start utilizing it towards the long-term improvements on the Warm Springs Quiet Zone, including the ultimate buildout plan at 7th St and Jackson St which began design in spring 2022.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 06/14/22
FILE: 22-999
ITEM: 2.23
Climate Smart San Jose:
The recommendation in this memo aligns with one or more Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals. Specifically, the recommendation and associated projects improve these train crossings for people walking and bicycling.
Commission Recommendation/Input:
This item does not have any input from any board or commission.
COST AND FUNDING SOURCE:
Upon execution of the funding agreement, Caltrans will provide the City with a lump sum payment of $8,000,000. The receipt of the funds were anticipated per the approval of Senate Bill 129 in July 2021 and programmed in 2022-2023 in the 2023-2027 Proposed Traffic Capital Improvement Program.
FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT: Alisar Aoun, Senior Engineer, (408) 535-3500