ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D2
Prepared by: Imelda M. Huerta, Assistant City Manager Meeting Date: February 13, 2024 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: STATE AND FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING (EARMARKS AND SPECIFIED
GRANTS)
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss priority city projects for state and federal project funding consideration.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Fiscal Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: On April 25, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-64, amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2022/23 and 2023/24 (Vote: 4-0, O’Donnell absent).
On April 25, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-63, approving grant agreement submission for Specified Grant Funds from Budget Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Vote: 4-0, O’Donnell absent).
On November 15, 2022, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2022-168, approving application(s) for Specified Grant Funds from Budget Act 2022/23 (Vote: 5-0).
On February 12, 2008, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2008-32, approving the submittal of Federal Appropriations Requests for Federal Fiscal Year 2009 (Vote: 4-0).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: In recent years, City staff have been contacted by State Senate, Assembly and Federal legislative representatives, typically at the beginning of each calendar year, to discuss a short-list of priority projects that include a state/federal nexus, align with state/federal priorities, and benefit the overall community. Priority projects are considered for possible state and federal community project funding, also referred to as earmarks, congressional directed spending, or specified grants.
In 2023, legislators met with City Councilmembers and staff to discuss priorities. Staff submitted the following projects for funding consideration:
•Emerald Complete Streets
•Interim Supportive Housing
•CIP8906 Drainage Improvement
•Rancho Minerva Safe Routes to School
•AVO renovations
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Discussed priority city projects for state and federal project funding consideration.
No vote taken.
MEETING DATE: February 13, 2024 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: STATE AND FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING (EARMARKS AND SPECIFIED
GRANTS)
Of the above projects, $5M was awarded by Senator Catherine Blakespear to the City for the interim supportive housing project (Buena Creek Navigation Center), $250,000 was awarded by Assemblywoman Laurie Davies for the AVO renovation project, and $850,000 was moved forward by Congressman Mike Levin for the Emerald Complete Streets project. The congressional earmark request is still pending enactment of appropriations legislation (budget/government funding), which was recently moved to March.
Other projects that were submitted and awarded funding in previous years include the Nevada and Lemon sidewalks and lighting project, Luz Duran Park community center and Sheriff’s substation project, EV charging stations, and the Boys and Girls Club indoor soccer arena project.
Last month, staff were contacted by both state and federal legislative representatives who have recommended that a list of priority City projects be developed for upcoming discussions and possible funding opportunities.
Below are key projects that staff have identified for the City Council’s consideration. The City Council may select from the list of staff recommendations or identify other proposed projects for submittal.
• Traffic Signals
o S. Santa Fe Avenue & Santa Fe Place/Santa Anita Place o W. Vista Way & Cedar Road
o Poinsettia Avenue & Corporate View
Estimated Total Project Cost: $2.5M
• Emerald Drive Complete Streets (resubmit for additional needed funding) o Emerald Drive is a north-south residential corridor located in Vista between Olive Avenue and West Drive. Parents and residents voiced difficulty walking and bicycling along and across Emerald Drive to access Grapevine Elementary, Tri-City Christian School, Bub Williamson Park and nearby retail. Motorized traffic utilizing Emerald Drive has led to safety and access concerns and a staggering 125 accidents in only a one-mile segment of road over the past ten years as vehicular speeds and volumes have increased over the years due to becoming an alternative route to connect Oceanside with SR-78. Emerald Drive has minimal traffic controls with signalized intersections located ¾ of a mile apart. Sidewalk are mostly non-existent on the sides of Emerald Drive and It is nearly impossible for pedestrians to cross the street because of the high traffic volumes and speeds. Additionally, no bike facilities exist on Emerald Drive creating a missing north-south link in the regional bike network. The main goals of this project are to increase safety and connectivity for active transportation throughout the corridor. This project is a result of community input and seeks to bridge the gaps in missing sidewalk, implement six roundabouts to manage vehicular speeds, facilitate side street access, provide adequate bicycle facilities, increase street lighting to enhance pedestrian/bicycle visibility to provide a safer environment for active transportation modes to access surrounding land uses and transit stops. The project cost estimate includes construction. The project is currently in design. Estimated Total Project Cost: $9M
• W. Bobier Drive Complete Streets Project
o W. Bobier Drive is a four-lane road with high traffic volumes and speeds. The segment between N. Santa Fe Avenue and Bobolink Drive is fronted by Bobier Elementary School, which has a high attendance of approximately 700 children. The number of lanes and high traffic volumes and speeds make it impractical to cross W. Bobier Drive or to feel safe riding a bike along the street. There have been two fatalities along this stretch of the street within the past ten years, including a pedestrian. In partnering with the Vista Unified School District 02/13/2024 D2 Page 2 of 4
MEETING DATE: February 13, 2024 PAGE 3
SUBJECT: STATE AND FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING (EARMARKS AND SPECIFIED
GRANTS)
(VUSD), the City retained a professional engineering consultant and galvanized the neighboring community around a viable solution to address traffic safety, accommodate active transportation and provide traffic calming. The proposed solution includes a road diet to reduce the number of lanes from four to two and the installation of two roundabouts, a raised median, pedestrian crossings and bicycle facilities. VUSD will also be funding the installation of a traffic signal with pedestrian crossings at one of their driveways. Estimated Total Project Cost: $4.75M
• Rancho Minerva Safe Routes to School
o The City of Vista conducted a Safe Routes to School/corridor study focusing on Vale Terrace Drive and Foothill Drive. This study provided guidance for the priorities and actions needed to improve traffic safety and walkability around Rancho Minerva Middle School, located at 2245 Foothill Drive. The study balanced the mobility of various modes, such as automobile, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connectivity throughout this area. With the assistance of an engineering consulting firm, the City of Vista has completed a plan to improve walking and biking and to slow down traffic along the streets leading to Rancho Minerva Middle School.
The project cost estimate includes full design and implementation of the plan. Estimated Total Project Cost: $7.5M
• W. Vista Way Street Rehab (SR78 On Ramp to City Limits with Oceanside) o W. Vista Way is a two-lane arterial street that is in need of asphalt resurfacing. The segment from the SR78 on-ramp to the City limits with the City of Oceanside was used as an undesignated detour route during the storm drain failure under SR78 this past year. The heavy truck traffic and additional vehicles accelerated the deterioration of the asphalt surface causing cracking and rutting. Recent historical rainfall has further caused the asphalt surface to deteriorate even further. The project cost estimate includes just the construction of the street rehabilitation for the segment listed.
Estimated Total Project Cost: $1.35M
• W. Vista Way Complete Streets Engineering
o W. Vista Way is a major east-west connector traversing the cities of Vista and Oceanside.
The street is not only an important vehicular commuter route, but is also a critical connector for active transportation to access numerous destinations, including the beach on the west end since non-motorized traffic is not allowed on the adjacent SR-78 freeway. However, the portion of W. Vista Way within the City of Vista between N. Melrose Drive & Thunder Drive does not have any speed controls or adequate active transportation accommodations with only striped bike lanes placed immediately adjacent to 50+ mile-per-hour traffic. In addition, several bus stops exist on the south (freeway) side of the street with no improved pedestrian crossings to provide safe and proper access to transit from the neighborhoods to the north.
This 2.1-mile segment of W. Vista Way experienced 85 traffic accidents with two fatalities over the past five years. The project provides for the design and environmental documentation of complete streets improvements including roundabouts, protected bike lanes, sidewalks, enhanced pedestrian crossings and street lighting. Estimated Total Project Cost: $2.88M
• Matagual Park
o The future Matagual Park resides at the end of Matagual Drive adjacent to Hacienda Drive and SR78. The 2.27-acre parcel climbs gently to the east, which will allow for various community proposed amenities. Community workshops will be held during the current Park Needs Assessment Program, or Park Master Plan, that will determine the best use for the park. Example amenities may include trails, landscaping, off street parking, all gender 02/13/2024 D2 Page 3 of 4
MEETING DATE: February 13, 2024 PAGE 4
SUBJECT: STATE AND FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING (EARMARKS AND SPECIFIED
GRANTS)
bathrooms, picnic tables, shade structures, dual use pickleball and basketball courts, and a dog play area. The project cost estimate is for design and construction of the park. Estimated Total Project Cost: $6M
• AVO/Curbside Parcel Redevelopment Feasibility Study
o The proposal includes hiring an architectural firm to perform a redevelopment site assessment study for the parcels underlying the AVO Playhouse, Curbside Cafe and adjacent public parking lot. The study will provide design guidelines and alternatives for a mixed-use development that contains a community theatre and public parking with housing above.
Estimated Total Study Cost: $450,000
Please note, projects can be phased to allow for a more favorable outcome and will be discussed with legislative staff.
Staff recommends that the City Council identify a list of priority projects for submittal. Following the direction received, staff will return to the City Council for adoption of a supporting Resolution to be submitted with the selected project proposal(s).
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
EXHIBITS:
None.
02/13/2024 D2 Page 4 of 4