CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 10 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-4662 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: May 20, 2024
SUBJECT:
Train Horn Noise Quiet Zone Projects – Service Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a Service Agreement with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board for the Train Horn Noise Quiet Zone projects at Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue in the amount of $59,440; establish a contingency reserve in the amount of $9,000; and authorize the Director of Public Works to execute the Agreement in substantially the form presented and approve amendments within the contingency amount.
BACKGROUND:
On June 20, 2023, at the Special City Council Meeting, staff presented an update to the Citywide Train Horn Noise Quiet Zone (Quiet Zone) effort, which would minimize train horn noise near rail crossings. To establish a Quiet Zone under Federal Railway Administration requirements, staff proposed the following projects, which were recommended by a 2022 Traffic Study as the most cost-effective option with minimal impacts on residents and businesses (Improvements):
•Villa Terrace: The permanent closure of the Villa Terrace at-grade railroad crossing. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists will no longer be able to cross the railroad tracks at this location. •East Bellevue Avenue: Installation 100-foot traffic safety medians near the railroad crossing on both sides of the tracks.
On February 19, 2019, Council authorized Public Works to enter into agreements with three firms, including Bellecci & Associates, Inc. (Bellecci) for on-call professional consulting services for various capital improvement projects. In January 2024, after soliciting proposals from all three on-call consultants, the City selected Bellecci for design and project management support of the Improvements. Bellecci has now completed preliminary design and is progressing to detailed design while considering feedback from public outreach and stakeholders wherever feasible.
To educate the community about the Improvements, in early 2024 staff performed comprehensive community outreach, including bilingual outreach materials (e.g. approximately 3,000 mailed notices, E-news updates, and physical posters at the proposed project sites), coordination with neighbourhood schools and property management companies, City social media updates, door-knocking at over 300 homes, and an online community survey. Staff will continue outreach to ensure the Improvements best align with the community’s needs.
Coordination with Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB) The Improvements occur adjacent to and within PCJPB Right-of-Way. The proposed Service Agreement (Attachment 2) is required for PCJPB review of the design of the Improvements in accordance with PCJPB design and safety standards, and overall coordination of the Improvements. PCJPB estimated an Agreement amount of $59,440. Staff recommends a contingency amount of $9,000 (15% of the agreement’s budget) to cover unforeseen costs, as needed. Any unused funds
CITY OF SAN MATEO
will be returned to the City, and PCJPB will not charge more than the Agreement amount unless an Amendment to the proposed Service Agreement is approved. In addition, as the design is nearing completion, PCJPB and the City plan to amend this Agreement in the future to include PCJPB’s fees during construction. If such fees exceed the contingency amount, staff will bring this item back to City Council with a recommendation to approve a subsequent Amendment.
Next Steps
The design of these Improvements is anticipated to be complete in late Fall 2024. Staff anticipates advertising the project for construction by the end of 2024. After construction is complete, staff will apply for Quiet Zone status by end of 2025.
Staff will present an update for the Quiet Zone effort at a City Council Study Session on June 17, 2024, and bring a future construction contract award recommendation to City Council following the completion of design.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are available in the Train Horn Noise Project (462205) to fund this agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Approval of a Service Agreement between the City and the PCJPB is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the review of the Improvements design intended to minimize train horn noise may have a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 - PCJPB Service Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Karen Magallanes, Assistant Engineer
[email protected]
(650) 522-7576
Tina Pham, Senior Engineer
[email protected]
(650) 522-7305