For Economic Development Committee [May 29, 2024]
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
FROM: Timothy Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Title
Consideration of Adding Landscaping Elements to the Newly Constructed Baseline Road Median.
Body
BACKGROUND
In October 2016, the City submitted a grant application for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 8 to improve safety along Baseline Road between Willow Avenue and Meridian Avenue. The lack of a raised median in this area was identified as a contributing factor to traffic collisions, with vehicles attempting to cross multiple lanes while turning left out of driveways and cars turning left across oncoming traffic while entering driveways. Installing a raised median was proposed to reduce traffic conflict points, reduce head-on collisions, and deter midblock and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings.
The City's grant application was successful, and in September 2017, the City was awarded $1,057,320 in federal HSIP funds for the project. In April 2019, CNS Engineers was awarded a professional services agreement for the project's design.
The City submitted the plans, specifications, and environmental package to Caltrans in June 2022, and in August 2022, Caltrans authorized the City to begin the construction phase.
The construction of the project was awarded to I E General Engineering Inc. on July 25, 2023, and completed in April 2024. The construction plans included dryscape (decomposed granite, cobble, and boulders); however, the landscaping plans did not include irrigation or vegetation elements.
ANALYSIS
Staff is proposing the planting of vegetation within the newly constructed median on Baseline Road east of Riverside Avenue. Staff is suggesting beautifying this single median as a pilot program due to the limited budget and the incorporation of newer technologies. The proposed planting plan is included in this report's PowerPoint presentation as Attachment 1.
The proposed pilot plan includes planting Lemon Bottlebrush, Lion’s Tail, and Island Bush Poppy. All plants have a flowering or color element and are drought tolerant, requiring minimal water. Because the medians are not supplied with irrigation water, an above-ground water tank, and irrigation pump will be incorporated. Staff is proposing to decorate the storage tank with a graphic wrap displaying historical photographs obtained from the Rialto Historical Society, thus adding a historical and additional beautification element to the project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The estimated supplies and materials costs for this landscaping pilot project are $15,300. Staff is proposing to use funding from the Street Maintenance and Park Maintenance Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budgets for this project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Economic Development Committee receive a presentation on adding landscaping to the Baseline Road Median Project and provide comments.