For City Council Meeting [January 14, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Rod Foster, City Manager
FROM: Savat Khamphou, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 7589 Accepting the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Grant in the Amount of $226,000 for the Easton Sidewalk Improvements Project and $14,432 for the Bus Stop Accessibility Improvements.
Body
BACKGROUND
In May 2019, the City of Rialto, submitted two applications to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program and Transit Stop Access Program. The first application requested funding for construction of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk and curb ramps along the north and south sides of Easton Street. The proposed sidewalk improvements from Acacia Avenue to Sage Court will provide continuous pedestrian access and connectivity for neighboring residents to the Easton Commercial Center located at Riverside Avenue, and to nearby Frisbie Park located easterly of Acacia Avenue. A copy of the application is included in Attachment 1. The second application requested funding to improve accessibility at current transit bus stops in various Rialto locations as shown in the list of bus stop locations which is included as Attachment 2.
In July 2019, SBCTA Board of Directors approved funding from the TDA Article 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities program, for the Easton Sidewalk Improvements in the amount of $226,000, and $14,432 for the bus stop accessibility improvements. A copy of both award notification letters from SBCTA dated July 12, 2019 are included as Attachment 3 and Attachment 4, respectively.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Area residents utilize the corridor for access to Frisbie Park, the Easton Commercial Center, churches, and nearby schools. The project will fill in a missing gap of sidewalk to improve accessibility to destinations on either end of Easton Street. The subject segment does not currently have sidewalk on either side of the street requiring pedestrians to walk in the street with traffic. The proposed sidewalk will improve pedestrian safety by providing a path of travel behind curb. Installing sidewalk facilities will provide a safer path of travel that will be constructed in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The project will include ADA compliant curb ramps improving non-motorized mobility. This project was considered for CDBG funding in the FY2019/2020 plan but was not selected for funding.
The Easton Sidewalk Improvements Project total estimated cost is $501,540, which includes $132,900 of soft costs (Design, Construction Management, Inspection, and Project Management), and $368,640 for construction costs. The SBCTA TDA Article 3 grant award is $226,000 which is 45% of the project cost, and the City match will be from local Measure I in the amount of $275,540. The TDA Article 3 award is considered a reimbursement grant with maximum reimbursement of $226,000. Should the project exceed the maximum reimbursable amount, SBCTA will not provide additional reimbursement. Additionally, if the project is completed under the award amount, SBCTA will reimburse based on a 55% local match.
The award for Bus Stop Accessibility will improve seven (7) bus stop locations that have missing ADA paths and sidewalks for the safety of riders. SBCTA awarded the City a maximum reimbursable amount of $14,432 representing 80% of the total project cost. The City will be required to match 20% of the project costs from local Measure I in the amount of $3,608 for a total project cost of $18,040. The construction of these improvements is anticipated to be completed in conjunction with the City’s Annual Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk project.
The grant applications were not approved by City Council because it was submitted before the established policy where all applications for grants above $15,000 with matching funds required Council approval. Both grants expire on December 31, 2022. The City anticipates completion of both projects prior to the grant deadline. Should City Council adopt the resolution to accept the grants, staff will proceed with developing the request for proposal for design of the projects.
There are several locations throughout the city with sidewalk gaps and staff continue to apply for additional grant opportunities. Adjacent to the Easton sidewalk project limits described above, there is 250’ of missing sidewalk on the east side of Acacia, south of Easton that was not originally identified as part of the project. This segment will be part of the project since right of way is available and connecting this small gap will provide a greater benefit to the project and can be accommodated in the proposed project budget.
Frisbee Park is currently under construction and sidewalk connectivity is currently being evaluated to ensure pedestrian accessibility.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Guidelines are required to include a list of classes of projects which have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and which are exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In response to that mandate, the Secretary for Resources identified classes of projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment and are declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents. In accordance with Section 15301 “Existing Facilities,” Class 1 projects consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities; therefore, the Easton Sidewalk Improvements Project and the Bus Stop Accessibility Improvements are considered categorically exempt from CEQA, and Notice of Exemptions will be prepared and filed with the San Bernardino County Clerk.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
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.
The City of Rialto has also outlined key Goals and Objectives through which the City looks to minimize congestion on the local road network, create opportunities and incentives for people to avoid use of their cars for short trips, maintain a circulation system that supports local businesses’ needs. These efforts will contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to State mandates.
Goal 3-6: Require that all developed areas within Rialto are adequately served with essential public services and infrastructure.
Goal 3-7: Upgrade public infrastructure as an inducement to promote private investment.
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the city.
Policy 4-8.3: Connect school facilities, parks, and other activity nodes within residential neighborhoods with bicycle trails on neighborhood streets.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report and resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact:
The proposed improvements will add additional curb, gutter, and sidewalks to the City’s infrastructure for annual maintenance using current budgeted street maintenance personnel and budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact:
For the Easton Sidewalk Improvements, the TDA Article 3 grant funding in the amount of $226,000, revenues will be budgeted in the TDA Fund Account No. 204-400-7326-7536-190811-30. The grant expenditure appropriation will be in the TDA Fund Account No. 204-500-7326-3001-190811-22. Rialto’s matching funds of $275,540 are budgeted and available in Measure I Fund 201-500-4310-3001-190811-05.
For the Transit Bus Stop improvements, the TDA Article 3 grant funding in the amount of $14,432, revenues will be budgeted in the TDA Fund Account No. 204-400-7326-7536-200814-30. The grant expenditure appropriation will be in the TDA Fund Account No. 204-500-7326-3001-200814-05. Rialto’s 20% matching funds of $3,608 are budgeted and available in the Measure I Fund 201-500-4310-3001-200814-04.
The necessary budget adjustments will be included in the City’s 2019-20 Second Quarter Budget Report.
Licensing
There are no business license application and Business License tax associated with this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. _____ Accepting the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Transportation Development Act Article 3 Grant in the Amount of $226,000 for the Easton Sidewalk Improvements Project and $14,432 for the Bus Stop Accessibility Improvements.