TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Clifford G. Finley, Public Works Director
DATE:January 30, 2024
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association for Final Business Improvement District Proceeds and Public Improvements
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association (TOBA) including a $310,170 contribution towards a variety of safety, beautification, and enhancement upgrades along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.
2. Approve budget appropriation and authorize revenue increase in the amount of $310,170 to A/C #001-5310-481-0000 (Other Revenue / Private Capital Contribution).
3. Find that the Project is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$310,170 Increase to FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget. $310,170 increase to General Fund, Fund Balance for safety, beautification, and enhancement upgrades along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Expenditure budget/funds will be requested during the upcoming biennial budget process and will be fully offset by $310,170 contribution from TOBA.
BACKGROUND:
The TOBA was founded in 2005 with the goal of promoting a healthy business environment for properties along Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Moorpark Road and Duesenberg Drive. This primarily commercial corridor has approximately 300 parcels, with more than 200 owners, and comprises the limits of the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan (Specific Plan). The Specific Plan was adopted in
MOU with TOBA for Final BID Proceeds and Public Improvements January 30, 2024
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0 November 2011, and amended in November 2022, with the goal of creating a unique commercial corridor that is an economically viable, self-sustainable, and pedestrian-friendly destination.
In that same year, the property owners who were members of TOBA established a Business Improvement District (BID) for Thousand Oaks Boulevard, which was managed and administered by TOBA. The main objective of the BID was to revitalize and beautify Thousand Oaks Boulevard, with the necessary funding provided by annual assessments of properties within its boundaries.
The BID has previously provided funds to the City for a variety of pedestrian and walkability upgrades. The upgrades include, but are not limited to, the following:
· $25,000 for enhanced striping at seven existing crosswalks (MI 2602) · $10,000 for parking space markings along Thousand Oaks Boulevard (MI 2603) · $30,000 for a new pedestrian crossing at Boardwalk Avenue (CI 5560) · $30,000 for a new pedestrian crossing at Oak Lane (CI 5576) · $30,000 for a new pedestrian crossing at Clay Court (CI 5578) · $30,000 for a new pedestrian crossing at Oakview Drive and Live Oak Street (CI 5398)
The BID is not being renewed, therefore TOBA intends to use its final BID proceeds to invest in long-lasting public improvements that will benefit the entire corridor. In 2023, TOBA contacted the City with a request to contribute funding towards the implementation of automated license plate reader cameras at strategic locations in the City, including Thousand Oaks Boulevard. These locations were identified by the Thousand Oaks Police Department and approved by City Council on December 14, 2021, to improve the safety of customers, shoppers, and employees by providing enhanced safety measures. TOBA also expressed their interest in contributing towards future beautification and enhancement of existing signage along the corridor.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The stretch of Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Moorpark Road and Duesenberg Drive is a 2.8-mile arterial with 11 signalized intersections and 20 uncontrolled intersections, as well as four dedicated pedestrian crossings. This section comprises the limits of the Specific Plan, which was adopted in November 2011, and amended in November 2022. The Specific Plan guides development to revitalize, beautify and create a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly destination between Duesenberg Drive and Moorpark Road.
At their October 25, 2023, Board Meeting, the TOBA Board approved setting aside $150,000 of their funds for a future parking study to be performed by TOBA, with MOU with TOBA for Final BID Proceeds and Public Improvements January 30, 2024
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0 the balance of approximately $310,170 being contributed to the City to be used towards the City’s overall future public improvements, including a variety of safety and beautification upgrades and enhancements along Thousand Oaks Boulevard, as follows:
1. $27,500 to fund the design, purchase of equipment, and installation of automated license plate reader cameras at strategic locations.
2. $282,670 towards future City capital projects to upgrade and beautify the existing Thousand Oaks Boulevard street-name signs, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, and traffic safety improvements including but not limited to roadway striping, radar feedback signs, flashing beacons, and traffic calming.
The intent of the upgrades and beautification is to develop a distinct sense of place along Thousand Oaks Boulevard by utilizing different architectural tools (primarily signage). The signage will be used to mark and separate the Specific Plan boundaries along Thousand Oaks Boulevard, with unique and distinctive signs that warmly welcome and express gratitude to visitors to "Downtown Thousand Oaks." The City and TOBA shall collaborate on the style, themes, scope, and locations for this work. However, the City shall have the final decision-making authority on all aspects of related projects. All final decisions shall conform to City's General Plan, sign code, design, and construction standards. The projects will ultimately be subject to City Council approval and included in the future biennial capital improvement budget.
Staff recommends approval of the attached MOU with TOBA for a contribution in the amount of $310,170 (Attachment #1).
Community Outreach: The projects are not anticipated to have any negative impact to adjacent businesses. Staff will collaborate with and involve TOBA throughout the future design process.
This action meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #6, “Public Works + Infrastructure Investments.”
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
MOU with TOBA for Final BID Proceeds and Public Improvements January 30, 2024
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0 I. Maintain a strong local employment base geared toward retaining high quality businesses; Sustain a healthy business community; and, Diversify the local economy, with a specific emphasis on small businesses and high technology/biomedical jobs.
PREPARED BY: Paul Weinstein, Associate Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – MOU with TOBA
DPW: 840-10\etm\pw\ev\Council\2024\013024\MOU with TOBA staff report.docx