TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Clifford G. Finley, Public Works Director
DATE:April 25, 2023
SUBJECT: Thousand Oaks Boulevard Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (CI 5398)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize staff to advertise the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (CI 5398) for construction bids.
2. Find that the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 CCR 15301.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time and costs required to advertise for bids is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 Capital Improvement Program Budget. $617,400 is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 Streets Capital Budget (CI 5398) including $504,540 in Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant. Total estimated project cost is $824,726. Additional funding for construction will be requested as part of the biennial capital budget process.
BACKGROUND:
The Thousand Oaks Boulevard (TOB) Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing (CI 5398) Project addresses pedestrian crossings at the intersections of TOB and Live Oak Street and at TOB and Oakview Drive, as shown in Attachment #1. TOB is a principal arterial street within the central core of the City’s downtown commercial district. TOB carries regional traffic from the eastern portion of the City.
In 2018, the City selected Iteris, Inc. to conduct a Corridor Pedestrian Safety Study (Study) on TOB, from Conejo School Road to Skyline Drive, adjacent to the downtown area. The consultant analyzed vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic on TOB between Conejo School Road and Skyline Drive. Public outreach included online and in-person surveys from June through July 2018, and public meetings on July 12 and July 19, 2018. The Study recommended consolidating the two crosswalks at TOB and Live Oak and TOB at Oakview to one mid-block crosswalk
Thousand Oaks Boulevard Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements CI 5398 April 25, 2023
6 0
6 between the two intersections with pedestrian-activated flashing devices to alert oncoming traffic to the presence of a pedestrian looking to cross TOB.
In 2019, staff applied for a HSIP Cycle 9 Grant using the design concept recommended in the Study and was successfully awarded a $504,540 grant for relocation and consolidation of the two existing crosswalks to a new single mid- block crossing. The HSIP Grant requires the use of a minimum of 10 percent City matching funds for the total project cost.
On October 27, 2020, City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA) (Contract No. 12605-2020) in the amount of $97,726 for the design and engineering of the project. KHA completed the plans, specifications, and cost estimate in February 2023.
Staff obtained approval of the final design from Caltrans and secured the federal grant funding for the project in March 2023.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The project will provide one mid-block crosswalk that includes a center median pedestrian island with split pedestrian crossover, and a pedestrian-activated overhead rectangular flashing beacon that will aid in alerting oncoming traffic of a pedestrian looking to cross TOB (Attachment #2). The overhead mast arms will also provide street lighting to aid pedestrian visibility at night. Additional elements of construction include reconstructing curb ramps and cross gutters, removing existing crosswalk striping and signs, and new roadway markers.
Staff is requesting City Council’s authorization to advertise and receive bids for the TOB Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project. Once bids are received, staff will make a recommendation at a future City Council meeting for the award of the construction contract.
The project plans and specifications are complete and are available for review upon request to the Public Works Department by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (805) 449-2400.
The estimated project costs are as follows:
Design and Engineering (previous action) $ 97,726
Engineering Extra Services (previous action)
Construction (including contingency)
$ 10,000
$ 652,000
Construction Engineering Support Services $ 60,000
City Furnished Materials and Services (previous action) $ 5,000 Total Estimated Project Cost $ 824,726
Thousand Oaks Boulevard Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements CI 5398 April 25, 2023
6 0
6 The tentative schedule for completion of the project is as follows:
Bid Process and Award April – June 2023
Construction Phase Summer 2023 – March 2024
Project Completion / Closeout Spring 2024
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA per section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
Community Outreach: Staff has established a robust public outreach plan for the project. Different tools and strategies, including community meetings, press releases, City website, and social media will be implemented to keep the public informed and to receive input. The impacted businesses have been contacted, and their concerns have been considered in finalizing the design of the proposed pedestrian crossing while meeting the project’s main purpose and objectives.
Staff invited the public and presented the initial concept plan to the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission on October 20, 2021, for their recommendations prior to finalizing the design and seeking City Council authorization to advertise the project for construction bids.
This project meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #9 to, “Adopt and implement two-year Operating and Capital Improvement budgets that are aligned with best practices on fiscal sustainability and financial resiliency. Make strategic investments in existing critical public works infrastructure including pavement management, sidewalks, water resources, and streetscape.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2021-22 & FY 2022-23 CIP Program Budget)
Priority One – Essential projects which address health and safety, legal, and regulatory requirements.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
Thousand Oaks Boulevard Curbs and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements CI 5398 April 25, 2023
6 0
6 F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Jorge Muñoz, Sr. Engineer
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
Attachment #2 – Proposed Mid-Block Crosswalk Layout
DPW: 850-20\ev\H:\Council\2023\042523\CI5398\TOB Curb and Pedestrian Crossings staff report.docx