Agenda Item #13.3
For Council Meeting of: July 9, 2024
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN HENNESSEY, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR THE SANTA ROSA CREEK TRAIL ACCESS AT NORTH DUTTON (WEST SIDE) PROJECT AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution, adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Santa Rosa Creek Trail Access at North Dutton (West Side) Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
An Initial Study/Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to analyze and mitigate the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction of an access trail connecting the north side of the Santa Rosa Creek Trail to the west side of North Dutton (Project). The IS/MND concludes that the proposed project would not result in any significant or potentially significant impacts on the environment if the mitigation measures identified in the IS/MND are adopted and made conditions of approval of the proposed project.
BACKGROUND
In November 2005, the City entered into Cooperative Funding Agreement No. M70106-05 with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) to construct Santa Rosa Creek trail improvements.
Two phases of the project have been completed. The Santa Rosa Creek Dutton Avenue Access (East Side) – Phase II was completed in 2012. In 2014, the City completed the construction of a pathway along Santa Rosa Creek between Streamside Drive to Mission Circle – Phase I.
The Santa Rosa Creek Trail – Dutton Avenue Access (West Side) – Phase III project is scheduled to be completed in December 2025.
The Cooperative Funding Agreement defines the framework to enable SCTA and the City to work cooperatively in developing bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Santa Rosa Creek.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On August 16, 2005, the City Council, by Resolution No. 26361, approved Measure M Cooperative Funding Agreement No. M70106-05 between SCTA and the City of Santa Rosa for Measure M funds for the Santa Rosa Creek Trail – Dutton Avenue Access (West Side) project.
On May 8, 2018, the City Council, by Resolution No. RES-2018-068, approved Amendment No. 1 to Measure M Cooperative Funding Agreement No. M70106-05 between SCTA and the City of Santa Rosa.
ANALYSIS
In November 2005, the City entered into Cooperative Funding Agreement No. M70106-05 with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) to construct Santa Rosa Creek trail improvements.
Two phases of the project have been completed. Santa Rosa Creek Dutton Avenue Access (East Side) – Phase II was completed in 2012. In 2014, the City completed the construction of a pathway along Santa Rosa Creek between Streamside Drive to Mission Circle – Phase I. The project is considered Phase III under Cooperative Funding Agreement No. M70106-05. The contract for design was awarded to Brelje & Race on September 9, 2021 under Project Work Order No. A01035-2016-19. At that time, Brelje & Race initiated the CEQA process.
It was then determined that an IS/MND was required. The IS/MND concludes that the proposed project would not result in any significant or potentially significant impact on the environment if the mitigation measures identified in the IS/MND are adopted and made conditions of approval for the project.
In accordance with CEQA, a draft IS/MND was made available for public review on March 8, 2024, with comments due by April 8, 2024. The documents were posted to the City’s project website, the State Clearinghouse’s website, and were available to view in person at the City’s Transportation and Public Works office at 69 Stony Circle in Santa Rosa during the 30-day comment period. The Notice of Intent was published in the Press Democrat and hard copy letters of the Notice of Intent were mailed to property owners and current occupants within 500 feet of the proposed location. The Notice of Intent was provided in both English and Spanish in the hard copy letters and on the project webpage.
At the conclusion of the comment period, the City received zero (0) comments on the IS/MND and therefore no responses were required. Following adoption of the MND, the staff filed a Notice of Determination with Sonoma County Clerk’s Office and the State Clearinghouse, completing the CEQA review process for the proposed Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
This action does not have a fiscal impact to general funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
As indicated above, an Initial Study was conducted that resulted in a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project, which was circulated for 30 days starting on March 8, 2024. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt the MND was published in the Press Democrat, mailed to surrounding property owners and occupants, and was made available for public review in accordance with CEQA requirements. The IS/MND concludes that the proposed project would not result in any significant or potentially significant impacts on the environment if the mitigation measures identified in the IS/MND are adopted and made conditions of approval of the proposed project.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Initial Study/Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration/Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (IS/MND/MMRP) Resolution
PRESENTER
Felicia Ong, Assistant Engineer
Gregory Mariscal, Supervising Engineer
ADOPTION OF MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR THE SANTA ROSA CREEK TRAIL ACCESS AT NORTH DUTTON (WEST SIDE) PAGE 3 OF 3