and combined scope of work, and the priority given to two seats on the commission for youth and senior representatives will help to ensure representations of the community’s sub-populations that the new Commission will focus and serve.
Currently, the Public Arts Commission meets on a monthly basis. This ordinance codifies the change requested by the City Council to reduce the meeting frequency of this commission to once a quarter, or on an as-needed basis.
This ordinance also combines the scopes of work of the Youth, Senior and Parks and Recreation Commissions to form one consolidated Community Services Commission, and reserves or prioritizes a seat for a member of youth and senior populations.
Once approved, this ordinance will codify the changes approved by the City Council.
Staff will prepare to return to City Council with any Commission related appointments or items as they arise.
Fiscal Impact
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
Public Noticing
The public was made aware that this item was to be considered this evening by virtue of its inclusion on the legally publicly noticed agenda, posting of the same agenda and reports on the City’s website. A public hearing will be noticed for second reading of the ordinance.
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Attachment: Ordinance
ATTACHMENT 1
Ordinance
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CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING SECTIONS 2.44 THROUGH 2.46 OF ARTICLE IVC
“PARKS AND RECREATION” OF CHAPTER 2,
SECTION 2.24 AND 2.30 OF ARTICLE IV “BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS”, ARTICLE IVE “ANIMAL COMMISSION”,
SECTION 2.79-11 OF ARTICLE IVL “PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION”, AND ARTICLE IVF “SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION”,
OF THE SOUTH PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO REFLECT CITY COUNCIL’S DIRECTION IN CONSOLIDATING
CITY’S YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND SENIOR
COMMISSIONS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AND
REDUCING FREQUENCY OF THE PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSIONS.
WHEREAS, the City of South Pasadena has eleven commissions and the Library Board of Trustees codified under Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of South Pasadena; WHEREAS, the City of South Pasadena conducted a Special Meeting on February 23, 2022 to discuss City Commissions;
WHEREAS, the City Council of South Pasadena again met on April 6, 2022 to discuss further analysis of City Commissions;
WHEREAS, an analysis was provided to City Council presenting the number of commissions and committees, frequency of those meetings, staff workload related to such, and best practices from other municipalities;
WHEREAS, the City Council of South Pasadena provided direction to consolidate the Youth, Senior, and Parks and Recreation Commissions to create a seven-member Community Services Commission;
WHEREAS, this Community Services Commission will reserve or prioritize one seat each for members of youth and senior populations of the South Pasadena; WHEREAS, this Community Services Commission will have combined scopes of work of the Youth, Senior, and Parks and Recreation Commission; WHEREAS, the City Council of South Pasadena provided direction to reduce the frequency of the Public Art Commission from monthly to quarterly, or on an as-needed basis.
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NOW THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Article IVC. Parks and Recreation is hereby amended to be renamed “Community Services Commission” and sections 2.44 through 2.46 amended therein:
ARTICLE IVC. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION
2.44 Creation.
There is created and established a parks and recreation community services commission of the city to address the city’s senior citizen, youth, and general populations needs for recreational and other services.
2.45 Composition; School district representative.
The commission shall consist of seven adult members appointed who shall be appointed pursuant to SPMC 2.23. To encourage representation of the senior community, one of the seven members shall be a resident who is a member of the city’s senior citizen population. To encourage representation of the youth community, shall prioritize appointing one of the seven members as a resident who upon assuming the first term shall be under the age of twenty-one years of age. The school district may appoint a representative to advise the commission on issues related to services provided to the youth, youth recreation activities, use of school district facilities, and services with the senior citizen community appoints one member of the commission, who shall serve a regular term.
2.46 Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the parks and recreation community services commission shall be to:
(a) Act in advisory capacity to the city council and director of and the community services department in all matters pertaining to activities promoting the health and well-being of the city’s senior citizen and youth populations, all matters pertaining to parks and public recreation; and to cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of sound park and recreation planning and programming;
(b) Recommend policies for the control, management, and use of community services facilities, subject to review of the community services director and approval by the city council; Formulate and propose policies on recreation services for approval by the city council;
(c) Recommend the acquisition, use, and relinquishment of community services facilities and services for city council consideration; Assist the city manager in preparing the minimum qualifications for the position of the community services department; and assist in formulating a job description for the position;
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(d) Advise the city council director of the community services department on problems of administration, development of recreation areas, facilities, programs and improved recreation services;
(e) Recommend the adoption of standards on organizations, personnel, areas and facilities, program and financial support;
(f) Take periodic inventories of community recreation services that exist or may be needed and interpret the needs of the public to the city council and to the director of the community services department;
(g) Aid in coordinating the recreation services with the programs of other governmental agencies and voluntary organizations;
(h) Assist the city manager to the extent requested in making periodic appraisals of the effectiveness of the director and staff in administering the program; (i)(g) Inform the public of the policies and functions of community services programs the parks and recreation program as directed by the city council; (j)(h) Inform, advise and cooperate with boards of education and boards of school trustees of school districts comprising a part of the city or being immediately adjacent to the city to the extent that such information, advice and cooperation shall be proper and desirable in preparing, revising or carrying out the park or recreation programs of the city community services department.
SECTION 2. Section 2.24 “Eligibility for membership” of Article IV. Boards and Commissions are amended as follows:
2.24 Eligibility for membership.
(a) To be eligible for appointment or retention on any board or commission, a citizen must be and must maintain his or her status as a resident elector of the city, and shall be in good standing with the city (no open code enforcement actions or public safety issues pertaining to the resident or real property owned by them).
Elected city officials/employees are not eligible for membership on any board or commission. No individual shall serve on more than one board or commission at the same time. Notwithstanding the aforementioned prohibition of serving on more than one board or commission at the same time, in the event that a committee or other body is merged with a board or commission or is redesignated as a board or commission, the city council may waive this prohibition for any incumbent members of said committee or body. Said waiver shall be in effect until expiration of the commissioner’s term on either commission, whichever commission term expires first.
(b) To be eligible for appointment to any board or commission as a nonvoting youth member, a citizen must be and must maintain his or her status as a resident 19 - 6
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of the city and be between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years old. No youth member shall serve on more than one board or commission at the same time.
SECTION 3. Section 2.30 “Quorum” of Article IV. Boards and Commissions are amended as follows:
2.30 Quorum.
With the exception of the community redevelopment commission the public safety commission, the community services commission, and the natural resources and environmental commission, three members of any board or commission shall constitute a quorum. In the event that vacancies exist on a five-member body, three members must be in attendance to achieve a quorum. Four members shall constitute a quorum and a majority vote for the community redevelopment commission and a quorum for the public safety commission, the community services commission, and the natural resources and environmental commission.
SECTION 4. Article IVE. Animal Commission is deleted in its entirety:
ARTICLE IVE. RESERVED ANIMAL COMMISSION
2.51 – 2.53 RESERVED Creation.
There is hereby created an animal commission.
2.52 Meetings.
The animal commission shall hold a maximum of six regular meetings per calendar year. The commission shall adopt a schedule of meetings each year, consistent with this section.
2.53 Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the animal commission shall be to:
(a) Act in advisory capacity to the city council in all matters pertaining to animals and to cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of sound animal planning and programming;
(b) Formulate and propose policies on animal services for approval by the city council;
(c) Recommend the adoption of standards on organizations, personnel, areas and facilities, program and financial support;
(d) Make periodic inventories of animal services that exist or may be needed and interpret the needs of the public to the city council; (e) Aid in coordinating the animal services with the programs of other governmental agencies and voluntary organizations;
(f) Inform the public of the policies and functions of the animal program as directed by the city council.
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SECTION 5. Section 2.79-11 “Meetings” of Article IVL. Public Arts Commission is hereby amended:
2.79-11 Meetings
The public art commission shall hold up to one regular meeting each month quarter, on an as-needed basis. The chair may call for a special meeting if needed with concurrence of the commission.
SECTION 6. Article IVF. Senior Citizen Commission is deleted:
ARTICLE IVF. RESERVED SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION
2.54 RESERVED Creation.
There is hereby created a senior citizen commission.
2.55 RESERVED Powers and duties
The powers and duties of the commission shall be to:
(a) Act in advisory capacity to the city council in all matters pertaining to senior citizens and to cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of senior citizen planning and programming; (b) Formulate and propose policies on senior citizen services for approval by the city council;
(c) Recommend the adoption of standards on organizations, personnel, areas and facilities, program and financial support;
(d) Make periodic inventories of senior citizen programs, facilities and services that exist or may be needed and interpret the needs of the public to the city council;
(e) Aid in coordinating the senior citizen services with the programs of other governmental agencies and voluntary organizations;
(f) Inform the public of the policies and functions of the senior citizen program as directed by the city council;
(g) Formulate policies for the control, management and use of senior citizen facilities, subject to approval by the city council;
(h) Recommend the acquisition, use and relinquishment of senior citizen facilities and services, for council consideration.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY. If any portion or provision of this Ordinance or its application is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the City Council intends that such invalidity will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or provisions or their application and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
SECTION 8. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its final passage, and within fifteen (15) days after its passage, the City Clerk of the City of South Pasadena shall certify to the passage and adoption of this ordinance and to its approval by the Mayor and City Council and shall cause the same to be published in a newspaper in the manner required by law.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 1st day of June, 2022.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
________________________________
Michael A. Cacciotti, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ______________________________ Christina Muñoz, Deputy City Clerk Andrew L. Jared, City Attorney
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Measure M Sub-Regional Program Funding Project List Approval May 18, 2022
programming and administering the Measure M MSP funds through the development of five-year subregional fund programming plans in the San Gabriel Valley. On October 4, 2017, the Arroyo Verdugo Steering Committee, which is comprised of the Cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Office, established the AVCJPA to address regional transportation planning, and facilitate the distribution of Measure M funds in the sub-region.
The AVCJPA received $24M over the first five fiscal years of the Metro Measure M program and another $10.5M for fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, of which South Pasadena was allocated approximately $1.7M in Measure M MSP Program funding.
From 2018 to 2021, several actions were taken to identify, submit, and reconsider the City’s project submissions to the AVCJPA. On August 17, 2021, the Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure Commission (Commission) approved a motion recommending a list of projects for City Council’s approval to be submitted to the AVCJPA. The project list was reviewed, prioritized, and approved by the Mobility and Infrastructure Commission (MTIC) on November 16, 2021.
At the March 2, 2022 City Council meeting, Council held a comprehensive discussion on Measure M spending priorities. City Council did not approve the inclusion of a project to widen Orange Grove Avenue, and directed staff to first, negotiate with the City of Pasadena to narrow Orange Grove Boulevard north of Columbia in order to mitigate the need for widening Orange Grove Avenue south of Columbia, and second, return the project to MTIC’s consideration requesting a revised recommendation from the Commission to the Council. At the same meeting, City Council accepted four of the proposed projects for submission to the AVCJPA and directed staff to modify several of the project descriptions to include additional aspects, as described in this report.
Upon Council’s approval, staff will submit the project list to the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Technical Advisory Committee (AVCTAC) for consideration by the AVCJPA Governing Board in June 2022, and expected Metro approval in November 2022. The projects are also represented in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to be adopted in June 2022.
Analysis
Descriptions of the projects to be submitted to the AVCJPA are provided in the attached March 2, 2022 City Council Staff Report, with the addition of the following updates:
• Pedestrian Crossing Devices
Per City Council’s direction and with MTIC’s support, the “Rectangular RapidFlashing Beacons (RRFBs)” project is now the “Pedestrian Crossing Devices” project, where the specific devices to be utilized and their specific locations will be determined through a future analysis. Potential devices include High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Beacons / Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs), 20 - 2
Measure M Sub-Regional Program Funding Project List Approval May 18, 2022
Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), or other devices deemed appropriate for the selected location(s). The determined location(s) of the devices will be brought to Council at a future date.
• Columbia Street Striping and Signals
The limits of this project along Columbia Street are between Orange Grove Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue. The project description will be updated to incorporate additional benefits of the improvements to the City including where the implementation of a left-turn lane will prevent unnecessary, sudden stops for vehicles proceeding straight behind left turning vehicles in the current single lane, thereby reducing rear-end collision potential and sudden evasive maneuvers. This would also narrow the current wide through-lane in each direction, without a reduction in parking, which will assist in managing speed, efficiency, and providing a more orderly traffic flow. Specifically, edge lines on the north and south sides of Columbia Street west of Orange Grove Avenue would be added to assist drivers in managing their speed and avoiding sideswipes with parked vehicles. The proposed signal timing adjustment at Orange Grove and Columbia would improve traffic safety by providing positive control for westbound left-turning traffic, which is the predominate movement, allowing safer passage of pedestrians in the southern crosswalk. It should be noted that this project is included in Pasadena’s ‘710 Stub’ Transitional Projects to develop multimodal improvements along Columbia Street, and South Pasadena will benefit from Pasadena’s significant cost sharing of this project. South Pasadena and Pasadena have already agreed in concept on the striping configuration near the Columbia/Fremont/Pasadena intersection and will continue to discuss plans for the other components of the project. • Garfield Avenue and Monterey Road Traffic Signal, and Garfield Avenue Signal & Bicycle Lane Improvements
City Council determined that this project is contingent upon input of the local residents in the consideration of the signal, and contingent upon agreement and cost sharing with the City of San Marino. Furthermore, City Council directed staff to include additional components to this project to consider a synchronization of this signal to the existing signal at Garfield Avenue and Mission Street, research programming an off-peak flashing yellow signal phase, and implement bicycle lanes along Garfield Avenue.
The above modifications have been included in these projects based on direction from City Council provided during the March 2, 2022 City Council Meeting, and these updates will be included in the submission to the AVCJPA.
City Council did not approve the inclusion of a project to widen Orange Grove Avenue, and directed staff to first, negotiate with the City of Pasadena to narrow Orange Grove Boulevard north of Columbia in order to mitigate the need for widening Orange Grove 20 - 3
Measure M Sub-Regional Program Funding Project List Approval May 18, 2022
Avenue south of Columbia, and second return the project to MTIC’s consideration requesting a revised recommendation from the Commission to the Council.
City staff spoke with the City of Pasadena Department of Transportation about the Orange Grove widening, and specifically about the relocation of the lane merge north of Columbia Street. While Pasadena was interested in coordinating with South Pasadena on a project to improve safety and efficiency along Orange Grove, the Pasadena staff determined that moving the merge would not be a feasible solution, most notably due to the lack of dedicated turn-lane capacity at the Columbia Street and Orange Grove Boulevard intersection.
Per Council’s direction, the MTIC reconsidered the Orange Grove widening project during the March 15, 2022 Commission Meeting. The Commission discussion emphasized additional details about the project in order to provide relevant factors to inform the Council’s consideration to include the project in the Measure M submittal.
For reference, the MTIC drafted project descriptions are included as an attachment to this report.
First, while the MTIC acknowledged the public comments opposing this project submitted to the March 2, 2022 Council Meeting, it also revisited the many comments submitted to the Commission from area residents that highlighted the numerous accidents and safety concerns attributable to the current street configuration.
Second, the MTIC addressed the commenters’ concern that the widening would reverse the improvements previously made, which added a planter median divider between the Orange Grove Avenue northbound and southbound lanes, and the concern that the widening would remove the existing sidewalk along the west side of Orange Grove Avenue. A preliminary review of the roadway geometrics supports that, conceptually, a configuration of the widened roadway could simultaneously maintain a sidewalk pathway and the planter median. It is noted that MTIC members reported that there were two southbound lanes south of Columbia Street prior to the landscaping project.
Third, City staff and the Commission reviewed State and national guidelines, regarding lane drops. The review revealed that the length of the lane drop does not meet the guidelines in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Further, the current geometrics of the roadway do not permit a lengthening of the merge area that would meet MUTCD guidelines.
Lastly, MTIC emphasized the importance of demonstrating the need for this project based on available traffic collision data. During the March 2, 2022 City Council Meeting, the Council also suggested comparing relevant data from before the implementation of the median divider project to today’s configuration. Staff were not able to complete this comparison with regard to the previous project, due to this information not being readily available; however, staff did compile traffic collision data in the project area from the State of California Department of California Highway Patrol (CHP) Statewide Integrated 20 - 4
Measure M Sub-Regional Program Funding Project List Approval May 18, 2022
Traffic Records System (SWITRS) for the period of 2010 to the present. City staff worked with the MTIC Chair to evaluate the collision data for southbound vehicles between Columbia Street and the California State Route 110 southbound on-ramp.
This evaluation identified fifty-three (53) southbound collisions. Of this total, fifty (50), or 94%, of the southbound collisions can likely be attributed to the lane reduction. Of the fifty (50) correctable collisions, nine (9) were sideswipe and rear end collisions with other vehicles, and forty-one (41) were ran-off-road and fixed-object collisions. City staff and MTIC advise that this represents a pattern that should be addressed, and that removing the merge condition is the most apparent solution to correct this issue, as the current geometrics of the roadway do not allow for a sufficient merge distance that meets state and national guidelines.
Following City Council direction, and additional advisement from MTIC, the project list has been prioritized as shown below. Funding is expected to be committed by the AVCJPA in June 2022. Thereafter, following approval by Metro, project related work may begin, including any necessary feasibility studies, detailed cost estimates, designs, and construction. Staff will work to minimize the project implementation cost; however, the available Measure M funds may not be sufficient to execute all the projects as described. As a result, project prioritization would ensure the Council’s direction is recognized when funding is allocated in part, if not to the entirety of the project list. Staff will work to identify additional funding sources and capital improvement project synchronization to further support financial backing for these projects.
Fiscal Impact
Approximately $1.7M is available over seven years (FY 2016-2017 to FY 2023-2024) to the City of South Pasadena for transportation projects through the AVCJPA Measure M MSP Program. The Program funding has been allocated on a per capita basis through the AVCJPA to the City. This funding can be applied to traffic studies, environment assessments, design, and construction costs of the proposed projects, as shown below:
Priority Project
7 Year MSP
(FY 2016-2017 to
FY 2023-2024)
I Grevelia Street and Fair Oaks Avenue $ 200,000
II Pedestrian Crossing Devices $ 322,624
III
Garfield Avenue and Monterey Road Traffic
Signal and Garfield Avenue Signal & Bicycle
Lane Improvements
$ 400,000 *Note 1
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Measure M Sub-Regional Program Funding Project List Approval May 18, 2022
Priority Project
7 Year MSP
(FY 2016-2017 to
FY 2023-2024)
IV Columbia Street Striping and Signals $ 300,000 *Note 2 V.a
or
V.b
Bicycle Lane Implementation ($250,000) and
leave a portion of the funding unprogrammed
until the next cycle ($250,000)
or
Orange Grove Avenue Widening from Oliver
Street to Arroyo Seco Parkway
$ 500,000 *Note 3
TOTAL $1,722,624
Notes:
1- Contingent upon cost sharing with the City of San Marino. 2- Cost sharing with the City of Pasadena and signal improvements potentially supplemented with Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funds. 3- Orange Grove project will require additional funding.
In October of 2021, Metro released their MSP funding estimates for Years 8 and 9 (FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026), which includes $537,150 allocated to South Pasadena, in addition to the currently un-programmed $1.7M.
Commission Review and Recommendation
The project list was reviewed, prioritized, and approved by the Mobility and Infrastructure Commission (MTIC) on November 16, 2021, and reviewed again per Council’s direction on March 16, 2022.
Environmental Analysis
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis based on State CEQA Guidelines Section requirements under Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code, in accordance with Article 19, Section 15301, Class (1) "existing facilities."
Attachments
1. March 2, 2022 City Council Meeting- Measure M Staff Report (without attachments)
2. MTIC Drafted Measure M Project Descriptions
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ATTACHMENT 1
March 2, 2022 City Council Report
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Measure M Subregional Program Funding Project List Approval March 2, 2022
Infrastructure Commission (MTIC) on November 16, 2021. Upon Council’s approval, staff will submit the project list to the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Technical Advisory Committee (AVCTAC) for feedback in March 2022, before consideration by the AVCJPA Governing Board in June 2022, and expected Metro approval in November 2022. The projects are also represented in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to be adopted in 2022.
Analysis
With a current funding limitation of $1.7M, and multiple projects to be submitted to the AVCJPA, the project list has been prioritized as shown below. Once funding is committed by the AVCJPA in 2022, project related work may begin, including any necessary feasibility studies, detailed cost estimates, designs, and construction. Staff will work to minimize the project implementation cost; however, the available funds may not be sufficient to execute all the projects recommended by the MTIC. As a result, project prioritization would ensure the MTIC’s input is recognized when funding is allocated in part, if not to the entirety of the project list. Staff will work to identify additional funding sources and capital improvement project synchronization to further support financial backing for these projects.
The prioritized proposed project list includes:
(1) Orange Grove Avenue Widening from Oliver Street to Arroyo Seco Parkway Combined with funding from Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Projects, these improvements would install a second continuous southbound lane on the west side of Orange Grove Avenue by modifying the adjacent right-of-way, mainly the west curb and parkway. In its present configuration, moving southbound along Orange Grove from Columbia Street, the western southbound lane abruptly narrows and then ends south of Oliver Street. This abrupt merging of the lanes creates challenging navigation for drivers, especially those destined for the southbound Arroyo Seco Parkway, which appears to be the predominate pathway of many traveling in this direction. The new western southbound lane would terminate into the southbound Arroyo Seco Parkway entrance right-turn lane. An added benefit of the project and its modifications to the western parkway include relocating the ornamental parkway street lamps, which have occasionally been struck, given their proximity to passing vehicles. Significant negative impacts to pedestrian usage of the parkway are not expected, as there exists a wall along most of the route, where no homes are fronted on Orange Grove Avenue. The Metro Measure M MSP funding request for this project is $500,000, potentially supplemented with Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funds. (2) Columbia Street Striping and Signals from Columbia Place to West of Orange Grove Avenue
Combined with funding from Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Projects, these improvements would restripe Columbia Street to add a two-way centered turn 20 - 9
Measure M Subregional Program Funding Project List Approval March 2, 2022
lane, and various traffic signals improvements along the corridor, without any significant reduction in parking. At present, Columbia’s wide two-lane configuration promotes speeding and disorderly traffic flow. In addition, the lack of a turn lane leads to congestion behind left-turning vehicles accessing lateral streets or driveways. The addition of continuous edge lines, left turn pocket lanes at intersections, and continuous turn lanes to service driveways between intersections, is expected to guide drivers, mitigate turning conflicts, and manage speed in the narrowed east and west through lanes. At the ends of the project east of Columbia Place near Fair Oaks, and west of Orange Grove, the center turn lane narrows to taper into the existing double yellow center line. The planned project also addresses improvements to the offset intersection along Columbia St at Fremont Ave and Pasadena Ave, realigning the lanes to promote orderly movement through the intersection, and the left-and-right-turn lane pockets. The improvements are not expected to remove any existing parking, with the exception of adding a red curb along the large-radius curved Pasadena/Columbia intersection northeast corner, clarifying that parking is prohibited in the intersection right-turn lane. Coordination with Caltrans and the City of Pasadena are necessary to reconfigure this intersection, as well as upgrades to the signal and equipment modernization. Signal improvements and equipment modernization at Orange Grove Avenue, including the addition of a west-to-southbound protected left-turn arrow, where eastbound and westbound movements are separately phased, is expected to improve safety for eastbound vehicles and pedestrians in the southern crosswalk. The Metro Measure M MSP funding request for this project is $300,000, potentially supplemented with Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funds for the signal upgrades, and supplemented by City of Pasadena equitable contributions.
(3) Garfield Avenue and Monterey Road Traffic Signal
The project consists of an installation of a traffic signal at the currently all-way stop controlled intersection. At present, the intersection inefficiently requires drivers to proceed and stop multiple times before reaching the intersection. The analysis would include a traffic study as well as coordination and potential cost sharing with the City of San Marino. The Metro Measure M MSP funding request for this project is $400,000.
(4) Grevelia Street and Fair Oaks Avenue
The project would provide a traffic safety improvement to better accommodate the westbound to northbound two-lane right-turn movement from Grevelia Street to Fair Oaks Avenue. Expanding the current approximate 12-foot curb radius to a 25-foot curb radius would encapsulate the area containing an exposed truncated dome pad, and guide vehicles away from striking the curb or interfering with the path of an adjacent turning vehicle. The expanded northern curb radius would be accompanied by shifting the eastern Grevelia striping southward, removing the 20 - 10
Measure M Subregional Program Funding Project List Approval March 2, 2022
parking in this area, and consolidating eastbound Grevelia to one lane.
Coordination with Caltrans to restrict the northern SR-110 off-ramp lane from traveling eastbound would accommodate the lane reduction east of the intersection.
This may require additional funding from Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Projects. This change would modify the northern off-ramp lane to a left-turn only, which is the existing predominate use, and better align the west and east sides of the intersection until a future SR-110 off-ramp project offers a permanent alignment.
In addition to the curb reconfiguration and restriping, the existing switchback eastwest access ramp would be converted to a conventional north-south long-slopped ramp by moving the northbound mast-arm signal pole approximately 10 feet to the north. The “No Turn on Red” sign along westbound Grevelia would likely be replaced with a “No Right Turn” blank-out LED sign that displays the “No Right Turn” sign when the opposing off-ramp is emptying on a green light. The LED sign is not visible at other times, allowing a right-turn on red to improve traffic flow. The Metro Measure M MSP funding request for this project is $200,000. (5) Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)
The project consists of the installation of RRFBs at the following locations at an approximate cost of $322,624:
Fair Oaks Avenue at Spruce Street
Huntington Drive at Court Avenue
Huntington Drive at Maple Street
Meridian Avenue at Bank Street
Huntington Drive at Wayne Street marked crosswalk removal, as it lacks pedestrian controls, and there is not a bus transit stop at this location. (6) Meridian Avenue and Oak Street Realignment
Where any portions of the above projects are deemed infeasible, a reserve project for funding consideration includes the realignment of the southern curb line of Oak Street near Meridian Avenue to relocate the marked crosswalk to north of its current location, and at a right angle to the curb. The realignment would require relocation and reconstruction of the access ramp and catch basins at the intersection. (7) Meridian Avenue Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliant Curb Ramps from Kendall Avenue to Gillette Crescent
Where any portions of the above projects are deemed infeasible, a reserve project for funding consideration includes the installation of ADA compliant curb ramps along Meridian Avenue, where absent, or not included in another capital project. 20 - 11
Measure M Subregional Program Funding Project List Approval March 2, 2022
Fiscal Impact
Approximately $1.7M is available over seven years (FY 2016-2017 to FY 2023-2024) to the City of South Pasadena for transportation projects through the AVCJPA Measure M MSP Program. The Program funding has been allocated on a per capita basis through the AVCJPA to the City. This funding can be applied to traffic studies, environment assessments, design, and construction costs of the proposed projects, as shown below:
Priority Project
7 Year MSP
(FY 2016-2017 to
FY 2023-2024)
1 Orange Grove Avenue Widening from Oliver
Street to Arroyo Seco Parkway
$ 500,000
Note (1)
2 Columbia Street Striping and Signals from
Columbia Place to West of Orange Grove
Avenue
$ 300,000
Note (2)
3 Garfield Avenue and Monterey Road Traffic
Signal
$ 400,000
Note (3)
4 Grevelia Street and Fair Oaks Avenue
$ 200,000
Note (1)
5 Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) $ 322,624
6 Meridian Avenue and Oak Street Crosswalk
Realignment Note (4)
7 Meridian Avenue Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) Compliant Curb Ramps from Kendall
Avenue to Gillette Crescent
Note (4)
TOTAL $1,722,624
Notes:
(1) Potentially supplemented with Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funds.
(2) Cost sharing with the City of Pasadena and signal improvements potentially supplemented with Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funds. (3) Cost sharing with the City of San Marino.
(4) Reserve project for funding consideration where any portions of the above projects are deemed infeasible.
In October of 2021, Metro released their MSP funding estimates for Years 8 and 9 (FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026), including $537,150 allocated to South Pasadena in addition to the currently un-programmed $1.7M.
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Measure M Subregional Program Funding Project List Approval March 2, 2022
Commission Review and Recommendation
The project list was reviewed, prioritized, and approved by the Mobility and Infrastructure Commission (MTIC) on November 16, 2021.
Environmental Analysis
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis based on State CEQA Guidelines Section requirements under Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code, in accordance with Article 19, Section 15301, Class (1) "existing facilities."
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ATTACHMENT 2
MTIC Drafted Measure M Project Descriptions
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1 Measure M Projects
Project Descriptions
1. Garfield Avenue and Monterey Road Traffic Signal: $400,000 This project will provide more positive control, improve traffic safety, reduce unnecessary stops and reduce gas consumption, air emissions and midblock acceleration by providing traffic signal control. The current all-way stop control requires drivers to proceed and stop multiple times before reaching the stop line.
Some are inclined to accelerate rapidly after stopping to compensate for the delay.
Prior to the pandemic six car queues were observed. A traffic signal study is to be conducted. Since part of this intersection is within the jurisdiction of the City of San Marino, the City should approach them regarding the possibility of cost sharing, asking for a potential contribution of $100,000, in which case the City’s share would be approximately $300,000.
2. Columbia Street between Columbia Place to west of Orange Grove Avenue: $300,000 This project will provide more orderly traffic flow and multiple traffic safety improvements, while not encouraging any additional traffic along the Fremont Avenue-Pasadena Avenue corridor.
This will primarily be a restriping project. The street, approximately 52 feet wide, would be restriped for continuous left turn channelization between Columbia Place and Orange Grove Avenue. The restriping would provide separate lanes among through traffic and left turning traffic, thus preventing unnecessary, sudden stops for through vehicles behind left turning vehicles in the current single lane, thereby reducing rear-end collision potential and sudden evasive maneuvers. This would also narrow the current wide through lane in each direction, which will assist in managing speed and providing a more orderly traffic flow. At intersections there would be left turn pocket lanes and at midblock locations there would be two-way left turn lanes to serve the residential driveways. Easterly of Columbia Place and westerly of Orange Grove Avenue there would be transitional tapered striping to tie into the current double yellow center line, that is, a wedge of double yellow lines shadowing the opposing left turn lane. The striping would include 10-foot wide through lanes, a new 10-foot wide left turn lane, and 11-wide parking areas.
Between the offset intersection at Fremont Avenue-Pasadena Avenue there would be 11-foot wide right turn lanes eastbound and westbound to be compatible with the right turn signal phases. Edge lines on the north and south sides of Columbia Street west of Orange Grove Avenue would be added to assist drivers in managing their speed and avoiding sideswipes with parked vehicles. No existing parking 20 - 15
2 would be removed, but red curb would be installed on the large-radius curb return on the northwest corner, where some vehicles illegally park. .
At Orange Grove Avenue, a protected left turn arrow, possibly with split phasing (eastbound and westbound move separately) would be provided for the westbound approach. This would improve traffic safety by providing positive control for westbound left turning traffic which is the predominate movement. Currently, some drivers do not yield to eastbound through traffic nor to pedestrians in the south leg crosswalk as legally required since they are the predominate movement. The westbound right turn lane would be retained.
Traffic signal modifications for the westbound protected left turn would be required at Orange Grove Avenue and they would be included as part of this primarily striping project. Signal modernization and upgrades ultimately would be required at the Fremont Avenue-Pasadena Avenue offset intersection. As the offset intersection is operated by Caltrans and also located in the City of Pasadena, coordination with both agencies would be required and equitable cost sharing with those agencies would be pursued, especially since the collision reduction would primarily be within the City of Pasadena right of way. These signal improvements would be programmed as part of the Fremont Avenue Measure R corridor project or other grant funding to be identified but not part of this Measure M project.
3. Orange Grove Avenue between Oliver Street and the Arroyo Seco Parkway southbound on ramp: $ 500,000
This project would provide a continuous number two southbound lane thereby improving traffic safety and traffic flow. Currently, the number two southbound lane abruptly narrows and then ends southerly of Oliver Street in a reverse curve, thereby creating challenging navigation for drivers, especially for those destined to the southbound Arroyo Seco Parkway, the predominate movement downstream destination. The continuous number two southbound lane would become a right turn lane onto the southbound Arroyo Seco Parkway.
The additional travel width would be obtained from the parkway area on the west side and the landscaped median would not be narrowed. Currently the parkway is approximately 18 feet to 25 feet in width. There are only two homes that front on the west side and most of the subject segment is walled off from the homes above. Pedestrian traffic is light on the west side due to the minimal frontage. The parkway would be narrowed 4 to 6 feet in order to provide sufficient width for the proposed two continuous southbound lanes. The resultant parkway would be in the range of 10 feet to 21 feet wide. In addition, this project would include relocation of the parkway street lamps which were installed too close to the current curb line and have been repeatedly hit. They would be moved back several feet 20 - 16
3 from the new curb line, reducing the potential for fixed object collisions, replacement and maintenance.
Due to the potential that this project might exceed $500,000, any shortfall in the actual construction costs could be funded through the City’s allocation of Measure R regional corridor improvement funds
4. Grevelia Street near Fair Oaks Avenue: $200,000
The project would provide a traffic safety improvement to better accommodate the westbound to northbound dual right turn movement. This would be possible by providing a 25-foot curb return. Currently, the 12-foot curb return radius forces the inside westbound right turn lane to either strike the existing high barrier curb or are forced to intrude into the path of the outside right turn lane, thereby increasing the potential for sideswipe collisions. Despite mitigation measures during the last three years the curb continues to be struck while drivers continue to cross paths. The following actions would be necessary:
Relocate the northbound mastarm signal pole approximately 10 feet to the north in order to provide adequate sidewalk width to accommodate handicapped. persons approaching a more conventional access ramp with a longer slope. Replace the switchback, high barrier curb access ramp with a conventional design with a longer slope starting from the relocated mastarm pole. Shift the striping further to the south to accommodate the arc of the 25-foot curb return, such that the eastbound curb lane is 12 feet wide. This would require some parking removal from the side of Bristol Farms which is not critical to their operation.
Coordinate with Caltrans to obtain a traffic count to justify providing only one eastbound through lane from the northbound off ramp of the Arroyo Seco Parkway. This is likely feasible because the two lanes abruptly merge into one lane anyway east of Fair Oaks Avenue. Unless there would be only one eastbound lane from the off ramp there would not be sufficient room to shift the striping to the south. Although only one lane would proceed onto Grevelia Street, there would be no reduction in lanes on the northbound off ramp. It is likely that the left lane on the northbound off ramp would become a left turn only lane. This revision would improve the alignment for drivers continuing on Grevelia Street by recducing the sharp reverse curve maneuver.
Coordinate with Caltrans to remove the “No Turn on Red” sign for the westbound approach and replace it with a symbolic No Right Turn blank out LED sign. The blank out sign would be activated when westbound traffic has a red signal except during that portion of the signal phasing when State Street has a green signal and all other traffic is stopped. This modification would allow dual right turns from 20 - 17
4 Grevelia Street to enter the intersection and then wait at State Street, thus incrementally improving traffic flow at this saturated intersection.
5. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs): $300,000 This project would provide RRFBs at key locations to improve pedestrian safety and aid pedestrian circulation at key locations. They would be installed at:
Fair Oaks Avenue at Spruce Street
Huntington Drive at Court Avenue
Huntington Drive and Maple Street
Meridian Avenue and Bank Street
Removal of the marked crosswalk, after appropriate notification on Huntington Drive at Wayne Street as a proactive traffic safety improvement.
This is necessary since there is no bus stop at that location, pedestrian crossing activity is minimal and there is no budget to upgrade the pedestrian controls. Removal of the marked crosswalk would emphasize that this location is not a preferred crossing, while legally allowed pedestrian crossings to use the unmarked legal crosswalk but encouraging them to be more cautious when doing so.
6. Reserve Projects
These would be implemented if there is cost savings from the projects above or some are deemed infeasible. They include:
Meridian Avenue and Oak Street Realignment: $500,000. This project would realign the south curb line of Oak Street near Meridian Avenue in a curve in order to be able to relocate the marked crosswalk north of the driveway serving 1683 Meridian Avenue and to be able to align it more towards a right angle. The realignment would require relocation and reconstruction of the access ramp and revisions to the catch basins at the intersection.
Meridian Avenue Access Ramps from Kendall Avenue to Gillette Crescent:
$500,000. Provide access ramps along Meridian Avenue where they are absent. 20 - 18