Title
Staff Report for Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Operations and Maintenance (O & M) Agreement with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit (AC Transit) for the AC Transit East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Facilities Within the City of San Leandro
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This agreement defines the scope of the operations and maintenance (O & M) of the BRT facilities within the City of San Leandro.
Staff recommends City Council approval of the O & M Agreement for the BRT facilities within San Leandro.
BACKGROUND
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is proposed to provide high quality, fast, and frequent express bus service between downtown Oakland and San Leandro. In San Leandro, the alignment runs along East 14th Street to Davis Street, then onto San Leandro Boulevard to the San Leandro BART Station. Eight (8) of the 32 BRT stations are within San Leandro, with one of them located in the median and the others located in curb extensions or sidewalk plazas with level station boarding and ticket stations. Basic features of the proposed BRT system include transit priority at all signalized intersections, new passenger stations with ticket vending machines, shelters, a combination of mixed-flow from Garcia Avenue to the BART Station, and dedicated travel lanes between Durant Avenue and Garcia Avenue.
On June 23, 2010, the AC Transit Board of Directors selected a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) based on the recommendations from various cities and public input at various public meetings. This LPA was also based on funding, community acceptance, and BRT operational issues, including transportation-related impacts. The BRT was initially planned to start from north Berkeley and terminate at the San Leandro BART Station, with the same features and alignment as the LPA. However, this plan was dropped due to capital costs and environmental impacts.
On May 31, 2012, a subcommittee of the City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee met with AC Transit officials in San Leandro to review the project and provide input. AC Transit forwarded alternative plans that eliminated several of the challenges that were identified earlier in the process and are the basis for the current LPA.
On July 16, 2012, the City Council approved and designated the DOSL Alternative as the City of San Leandro Locally Preferred Alternative.
Final Design of the East Bay Bus Rapid Transit Project has started, with construction anticipated to commence in 2014.
Analysis
The proposed O & M Agreement will not modify the existing O & M Agreement between the City of San Leandro and Caltrans for the East 14th Street and Davis Street corridors. However, it is intended to reinforce San Leandro's ability to preserve the assets in the City. Most BRT items will be installed within Caltrans right-of-way or BART right-of-way. There are a total of eight (8) bus stops for the proposed BRT in San Leandro at the following locations:
- East 14th Street at Durant Avenue (median station)
- East 14th Street at Georgia Way/Euclid Avenue (1 curbside station each on east and west sides)
- East 14th Street at Haas Avenue/Lorraine Boulevard (1 curbside station each on east and west sides)
- Davis Street at Hays Street (1 curbside station each on north and south sides)
- San Leandro BART
Some of the items identified as AC Transit responsibilities in the O & M Agreement include:
- Costs related to operations, maintenance, protection, and repair of BRT facilities
- Ensure timely litter and graffiti removal, and regular garbage removal
- Installation and maintenance of BRT facilities operational and directional signage
- Installation and maintenance of pavement striping and marking on dedicated lanes for the operation of BRT facilities traffic
- Costs related to the installation and maintenance, including electrical energy costs, of BRT facilities lighting
- Costs of installation, repair, replacement and cleaning of safety devices within BRT facilities
- Maintenance of all landscape, hardscape, curbs and irrigation systems at BRT Stations, consistent with the standards adopted by the City in the immediate contiguous streets
Previous Actions
- On July 2, 2007, by Minute Order No. 2007-069, the City Council directed staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor to reply to AC Transit indicating the City of San Leandro's Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is either Alternative 2 or Alternative 4
- On May 17, 2010, by Resolution No. 2010-054, the City Council designated San Leandro's Locally Preferred Alternative to be included and analyzed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report (FEIS/R)
- On July 16, 2012, by Resolution No. 2012-273, the City Council adopted the City of San Leandro's Locally Preferred Alternative for the AC Transit East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project
Committee Review and Actions
- June 27, 2007 - City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee: Recommendation for City Council to direct staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor to reply to AC Transit indicating the City of San Leandro's LPA is either Alternative 2 or Alternative 4 as described in the DEIS/R
- June 9, 2008 - Work Session: Bus Tour Along East 14th Street and Bus Rapid Transit Workshop (for information only)
- January 13, 2009 - Facilities and Transportation Committee: Update on the AC Transit Bud Rapid Transit (BRT) project (for information only)
- December 8, 2009 - City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee: Update on the AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) (for information only)
- February 9, 2010 - City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee: Presentation regarding AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit providing review of Planning Commission material (for information only)
- March 8, 2010 - City Council Work Session: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Locally Preferred Alternative presentation (for information only)
- May 31, 2012 - City Council Facilities and Transportation Subcommittee Meeting with AC Transit: Review of potential mitigations for BRT in San Leandro
- July 9, 2012 - City Council Work Session: Bus Rapid Transit Locally Preferred Alternative review presentation (for information only)
Applicable General Plan Policies
- General Plan Goal 15 - Ensure that public transportation is safe, convenient, affordable, and provides a viable alternative to driving
- Policy 15.01 Coordination with service providers
- Policy 15.02 Integration of Schedules
- Policy 15.05 Passenger Amenities
- Policy 15.06 Barrier-Free Transit
Environmental Review
AC Transit Board approved the FEIS along with the Findings of Fact, the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan, and the Statement of Overriding Considerations on April 25, 2012.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
A Public Meeting was held on the East Bay BRT Project on March 1, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in San Leandro at the South Office's Conference Room. Approximately 60 people attended. Responses were evenly mixed toward the project.
At least one more Public Meeting will be held prior to the completion of the design phase of the project.
PREPARED BY: Austine Osakwe, Senior Engineer, Engineering & Transportation Department