CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 17 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-4661 File ID: 25-10467 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: November 17, 2025
SUBJECT:
San Mateo Caltrain Station North Access Improvement Project Design — Service Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an agreement with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board for services associated with the City’s design of the San Mateo Caltrain Station North Access Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $20,800; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Mateo Transit-Oriented Development Pedestrian Access Plan (TOD Plan), adopted by the City Council on November 21, 2022, identifies priority projects to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access in the downtown area. A key recommendation is the construction of a new entry to the Downtown San Mateo Caltrain Station at the north end of the northbound platform, near the intersection of Cypress Avenue and N. Railroad Avenue. Currently, the northbound platform is accessible only from its south end at 1st Avenue. The proposed entry will provide a shorter, more direct route for pedestrians and cyclists approaching from north of the station. Additionally, the TOD Plan recommends evaluating Cypress Avenue between N. Claremont Street and N. Railroad Avenue to identify pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly improvements. It also suggests studying the feasibility of implementing one-way traffic on this block to accommodate on- street parking on both sides. To implement these recommendations, the City initiated the San Mateo Caltrain Station North Access Improvement Project (Project).
Funding
In November 2023, the City applied for a Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Program grant for Fiscal Year 2023-24. In May 2024, the City was awarded $253,800 for the Project’s design phase. On July 15, 2024, the City Council accepted the grant and appropriated $28,200 in local matching funds, fully funding the design phase.
Caltrain Service Agreement
The Project commenced in July 2025. As the fence along the tracks is owned by Caltrain and the proposed ramp to the northbound platform lies within Caltrain’s right-of-way, Caltrain’s approval of the design is required. The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB), which owns and operates Caltrain, requires the City to enter into a Service Agreement to facilitate reimbursement for Caltrain’s support services, including design review and approval. Caltrain has estimated these services at $20,800, which is included in the Project budget and eligible for reimbursement through the TDA Article 3 grant.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the execution of a Service Agreement with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board for Caltrain’s support services, not to exceed $20,800, to advance the design of the San Mateo Caltrain Station North Access Improvement Project.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
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BUDGET IMPACT:
The San Mateo Caltrain Station North Access Improvement (46r028) project design budget includes sufficient funding for this Service Agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Approval of an Agreement with the Peninsula Joint Powers Board for review of proposed design of a new entry to the Downtown San Mateo Caltrain Station is exempt from CEQA as an “existing facility,” because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Service Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Mike Kato, Associate Engineer
[email protected]
650-522-7377