For City Council Meeting [June 11, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Robert G. Eisenbeisz, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to (1) Adopt Resolution No. 7529 Accepting the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant for the Pacific Electric Trail Expansion Feasibility Study through the SB-1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account, Administered by the California Department of Transportation - Division of Transportation Planning in the amount of $299,000; and (2) Authorize the Release of a Request for Proposals for Professional Consultant Services Related to the Pacific Electrical Trail Expansion Feasibility Study.
(ACTION)
Body
On July 23, 2018, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Division of Transportation Planning, solicited grant applications for the Sustainable Communities Grant utilizing Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation (SB-1) Funds. SB-1 provides a recurring and reliable source of funds to maintain and integrate the State’s multimodal transportation system. On November 30, 2018, staff submitted an application for an SB1- 2018 Sustainable Communities Grant to conduct a feasibility analysis for the expansion of the City’s Pacific Electric Trail. A copy of the grant application is included as Attachment 1. A successful planning grant project must directly benefit the multi-modal transportation system. Sustainable Communities Grants will also improve public health, social equity, environmental justice, and the environment, while addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities, engaging the public and community stakeholders, and integrating transportation and land use planning.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The City received an award letter dated May 17, 2018 from the Caltrans Office of Transportation Planning stating that the State selected Rialto to receive a grant award of $264,705 with a local match of $34,295, for a total amount of $299,000 toward the proposed Pacific Electric (PE) Trail Feasibility study. A copy of the award letter is included as Attachment 2.
The Rialto Pacific Electric Trail Expansion feasibility study determines constraints, opportunities, and alignment options for extending the Pacific Electric Trail. The Pacific Electric Trail is an existing 20-mile pedestrian and Class I bicycle path located on right-of-way previously used by the Pacific Electric railway. The proposed study will evaluate the feasibility of extending the trail from its current terminus at Cactus Avenue to the eastern boundary of the City of Rialto at Pepper Avenue. The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) currently own the right-of-way. SBCTA has expressed support for the project through a letter of support for the grant application. The study will investigate right-of-way availability and coordinate with businesses actively using an existing railway on the corridor. The extension would provide an active transportation option for disadvantaged communities and connect the trail to Downtown Rialto. The feasibility study includes extensive opportunities for stakeholder and community input during preparation of a concept plan.
The anticipated schedule for an award and execution of the adaptation-planning project is as proposed below:
Conditional Award & Submission of Local Resolution July 15, 2019
Fully Executed Contract October 1, 2019
Release of Request for Proposal October 15, 2019
Award of Professional Services Agreement December 2019
PE Trail Feasibility Study Start January 2020
Complete all work February 28, 2022
Final Reimbursements and Final products submission to Caltrans April 28, 2022
It will take approximately three (3) months from grant approval by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to process and execute the agreements with the CTC to allocate the funds. Until that time, the City cannot commence reimbursable work on the planning project. Staff will rely on the assistance of a Consultant to complete the project scope of work. The consultant procurement will follow adopted Caltrans Local Assistance procedures and City procurement policies.
The overall project objectives are:
• Determine trail alignment for extension of Pacific Electric trail
• Identify constraints affecting the ultimate trail design
• Collect feedback from residents and stakeholders, including disadvantaged communities
• Coordinate with impacted businesses and residents.
• Identify connections to parks, schools, other bikeways, Metrolink and other destinations
• Identify roadway crossing improvements for the trail
• Assign areas for landscaping and amenities
• Propose parking areas for users
• Prepare 30% concept design
Staff will release a request for proposals to hire a consultant once Caltrans has issued a fully executed agreement and formally notifies the City authorizing the start of work, expected by October 2019.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policy:
Goal 2-21: Ensure high-quality planned developments in Rialto.
Policy 2-21.6: Encourage developments to incorporate meandering greenbelts into subdivision projects, particularly along trails, collector streets, secondary streets, and major highways, protected environmental areas, or other special features. Bicycle and pedestrian trails should be connected with similar features in neighboring projects so that upon completion newer neighborhoods will be linked at the pedestrian level.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the City.
Policy 4-8.2: Pursue a “rails-to-trails” conversion of the Pacific Electric Railroad right-of-way to a bicycle or multi-use path.
Policy 4-8.6: Coordinate recreational trail plans with neighboring cities and San Bernardino County to ensure linkage of local trails across jurisdictional boundaries and with regional trail systems.
Measure 8.74: Pacific Electric Bike Trail
Pursue funding to construction the Pacific Electric Bike Trail along the former Pacific Electric Railway right-of-way. Include amenities for bicyclists and pedestrian including lighting, seating areas, bicycle racks, landscaping, and similar features.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the staff report and Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
Staff has included in the $264,705 in the Proposed FY 2019/2020 Budget in Grant Project Fund Account Number 203-400-7305-7536-200811-22 and 203-500-7305-2011-200811-01. The grant requires an 11.47% match in the amount of $34,295 for a total project cost of $299,000. The match will be using Measure I Fund, Account Number 201-500-4310-2011-200811-04, which is also in the Proposed FY 2019/2020 Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The proposed action will not affect the Capital Improvement budget. The grant is a planning grant and is not a capital improvement activity.
Licensing
The proposed action will not require any licensing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Adopt the resolution accepting the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant for the Pacific Electric Trail Expansion Feasibility Study through the SB-1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account, Administered by the California Department of Transportation - Division of Transportation Planning.
• Authorize staff to release a Request for Proposals for Professional Consultant Services related to the Pacific Electrical Trail Expansion Feasibility Study.