TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: John Ristow
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: September 25, 2023
Approved Date
10/3/23
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 2, 7
SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT FOR
THE EAST SAN JOSE CORRIDOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of Local Support to accept and receive State grant funds appropriated from the Budget Act of 2022, Assembly Bill 178 for the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project that indicates the City will:
(a) Follow all grant program requirements and delivery timelines; and (b) Authorize the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute a grant fund transfer agreement and all documents necessary to effectuate the grant with California Department of Transportation in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
In July 2022, the Adopted 2022-2023 California State Budget included a $10 million funding appropriation for the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project.
In order for the City to receive this State allocation, the City must enter into a Fund Transfer Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that would allow Caltrans to transfer the State funds to the City. This grant funding will help achieve the City’s goals of improving transportation safety and equity.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 10/17/23
FILE: 23-1387
ITEM: 5.1
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2023
Subject: California Department of Transportation Grant for the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project
BACKGROUND
The City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) actively pursues grant funds for projects that support the City’s safety and mobility goals. On April 29, 2022, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, in collaboration with the City’s DOT and City Manager’s Office of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations, submitted a $10 million funding request for improvements along Senter Road to the California Legislature to be allocated to the City for the East San José Safety Improvement Project. The funding request was ultimately included in the final Adopted Budget (Assembly Bill 178 Budget Act of 2022) that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The funds are allocated by the California State Transportation Agency and are transferred to Caltrans to administer. To receive the State funding allocation, the City needs to enter into a grant fund transfer agreement with Caltrans, so the appropriated funds can be transferred to the City.
ANALYSIS
On June 30, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 178 into law.
Assembly Bill 178 was a budget trailer which refers to the process of assigning money for a special purpose. The trailer bill revised the Budget Act of 2022 by amending, adding, and repealing items of appropriation. The trailer bill indicated that $10,000,000 in State funds shall be allocated to the San José for the East San José Safety Improvement Project.
East San José Corridor Safety Project
Traffic fatalities have doubled in San José in the past 10 years, from 29 in 2012 to 60 in 2021, along with a record number of 65 fatalities occurring in 2022. Between 30 to 50 percent of these fatal and severe traffic injuries occurred on just 30 corridors, which are identified as Vision Zero Priority Safety Corridors. Senter Road, like many of the other Priority Safety Corridors in the City, runs through east and southeast San José and through several of the City’s disadvantaged communities.
The East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project will improve pedestrian, bicyclist, and transit safety along 4.7 miles of Senter Road between Story Road and Monterey Road, by implementing the following:
• New traffic signal at Senter Road and Balfour Drive, to simplify a complex intersection • Three enhanced crosswalks with flashing beacons
• New pedestrian scale lights and retrofit existing LED streetlights • Convert existing quick-build Class IV protected bike lanes to permanent concrete • Central transit signal priority, bus boarding islands, and other amenities such as shelters and benches
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2023
Subject: California Department of Transportation Grant for the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project
• Pedestrian and bike sensors
• Nine radar speed signs and pavement messages
Climate Smart San José Analysis
The recommendation in this memorandum aligns with one or more Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals. The project will improve walking, transit, and bicycling options. This, in turn, reduces vehicle miles traveled and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
This memorandum is not expected to require additional follow-up. As part of DOT’s goal to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented safety projects, before and after studies and follow-up reports will be available for review.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
The State funds will provide up to $10,000,000 of the cost to implement the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project. The State allocation funds have no local match funding requirement, so the project will be 100% grant funded. The City has programmed an additional $429,000 to fund a limit-dated Associate Engineer and additional staff costs for grant administration, preliminary engineering, and before/after project data analysis. Unlike most grant funds that are received on a reimbursement basis, these State funds will be provided to the City as one-time lump sum payment to be received after the fund transfer agreement is executed between the City and Caltrans. Project funds are programmed in the Fiscal Year 2024-2028 Adopted Capital Improvement Program, and the project is anticipated to be completed by June 2026.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney's Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, and Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the October 17, 2023 City Council meeting. During design, staff will coordinate a public outreach meeting to the affected neighborhoods and businesses.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2023
Subject: California Department of Transportation Grant for the East San José Corridor Safety Improvement Project
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Categorically Exempt, File No. ER23-009, CEQA Guideline Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
JOHN RISTOW
Director of Transportation
For questions, please contact Devin Gianchandani, Transportation Grants Manager, at (408) 975- 3254.