Title
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to File an Application for Alameda County Transportation Commission Administered Funding for the Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street Bicycle Corridor Project, Committing Necessary Matching Funds, and Stating Assurances to Complete the Project
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY
This Resolution will authorize the City Manager to file a grant application to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) 2026 Comprehensive Investment Program (CIP) requesting $2,000,000 in grant funding for the design phase of the Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street Bicycle Corridor Project.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval of the resolution that authorizes the City Manager to file a grant application with the Alameda CTC 2026 CIP for the Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street Bicycle Corridor Project.
BACKGROUND
The Crosstown Corridors Study (“Study”) was identified as a high priority project in the 2018 Update to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP), which was developed based on a robust public planning process and review of existing data and on the ground conditions. The Study sought to review and identify how to improve safety, access, and mobility for all roadway users along Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street. These two major corridors provide important connections to schools (six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school), transit (two BART stations), new and planned housing developments, recreation areas, and regional and local parks.
In October 2019, the City applied for a CalTrans STP Grant to perform the Study. On June 18, 2020, the City was conditionally awarded a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant of $349,248 with a minimum matching amount of $45,252 for a total of $394,500 for the Study. The Study consisted of three phases of community engagement feedback evaluating and identifying the preferred alternative conceptual design. The community-based Study evaluated major east-west (Williams Street) and north-south (Bancroft Avenue) corridors and provides guidelines to transition San Leandro’s transportation network into a safer and more accessible system for all users. The Study also establishes a vision for safe and balanced pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic flow while connecting schools, parks, shopping, employment, and transit. In addition, the Study provides for All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bikeway network connectivity to 9 of the 13 schools in the City of San Leandro. On November 21, 2022, the Study was approved by the San Leandro City Council. The Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street Bicycle Corridor Project was developed based on the recommendations and vision established by the Study.
The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is responsible for planning, funding and delivering transportation projects and programs within Alameda County. Alameda CTC’s Comprehensive Investment Plan (CIP) is the near-term strategic planning and programming document through which fund sources administered by Alameda CTC are programmed to maximize investments in transportation infrastructure and program operations needs that are essential for enhancing, developing and maintaining the county’s multi-modal transportation system. The 2026 CIP recently released a call for projects for $100.0 million in combined Alameda CTC-administered discretionary local funding sources, including Measures B and BB (MB/MBB), Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF), and Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) for eligible capital projects and programs within Alameda County.
Per the Alameda CTC 2026 CIP Program Guidelines, applicants may request up to a maximum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for each project submitted for consideration.
Analysis
To apply and receive discretionary funding available from the Alameda CTC 2026 CIP, the City Council must adopt a resolution of local support to submit concurrently with the CIP application.
Staff recommends submitting an application to the Alameda CTC 2026 CIP for design of the Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street Bicycle Corridor Project for the maximum funding request amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000).
Previous Actions
• On September 8, 2020, by Resolution No. 2020-110, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 74A1244 with the State of California to provide $349,248 in grant funds for the Crosstown Class IV Corridors Study.
• On April 5, 2021, by Resolution No. 21-155, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Fehr & Peers for the Crosstown Class IV Corridors Study.
• On November 21, 2022, by Resolution No. 2022-201, the City Council approved the San Leandro Crosstown Corridors Study.
Committee Review and Actions
• Several updates on the proposed Study were provided to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), the most recent occurring on July 20, 2022.
• On November 3, 2022, the City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the Crosstown Corridor Study.
Applicable General Plan Policies
• Policy T-2.1 Complete Streets Serving All Users and Modes. Create and maintain “complete” streets that provide safe, comfortable, and convenient travel through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all users.
• Policy T-3.1 Citywide Bikeway System. Develop and maintain a bikeway system that meets the need of both utilitarian and recreational users, reduces vehicle trips, and connect residential neighborhoods to employment and shopping areas, BART stations, schools, recreational facilities and other destinations throughout San Leandro and nearby communities.
• Policy T-3.2 Funding. Maximize the City’s eligibility for funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and aggressively pursue such funding to complete desired projects.
• Policy T-3.3 Designing for Multiple User Groups. Recognize the dual needs of experienced cyclists relying on bicycles for commute trips and daily travel and less experienced cyclists using bicycles principally for recreation. Where needed, develop facilities designed to serve each user group, with recreational routes primarily using low-volume streets and off-street bike paths.
• Policy T-3.7.C - Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing Improvements: Improve crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections in the City through the use of variable pavement materials, small curb radii, bulb outs, street trees and landscaping near corners, and other measures which shorten pedestrian crossings or increase driver awareness of non-vehicle traffic.
• Policy T-7.2 - Capital Improvements: Identify capital improvements and other measures which improve the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles on San Leandro streets.
Environmental Review
Approval to develop planning documents is statutorily exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment. Any future physical changes to the environment or roadway network that require discretionary action by the City Council will be subject to future environmental review.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
• During the project study from August 2021 to July 2022, Pilot City student ambassadors distributed project information fact sheets walking door-to-door to encourage the community to provide project feedback
• On August 7, 2021, a community pop-up workshop was conducted at the Farrelly Pool ribbon cutting event to receive feedback on the project
• On August 21, 2021, a community pop-up workshop was conducted at the Bayfair Farmer’s Market to receive feedback on the project
• On August 25, 2021, a community pop-up workshop was conducted at the Downtown Farmer’s Market to receive feedback on the project
• On March 12, 2022, a community open house was hosted at John Muir Middle School to discuss the project’s design concept and preferred alternative conceptual design
• On March 19, 2022, a community open house was hosted at San Leandro High School to discuss the project’s design concept and preferred alternative conceptual design
• On August 13, 2022, the City conducted a pop-up temporary bicycle facility at three locations: Williams Street in front of Halkin Elementary School, Bancroft Avenue at Victoria Circle, and Bancroft Avenue at Toyon Park. The community was invited to provide feedback and experience of the two-way separated bikeway
Financial Impacts
There is no fiscal impact with this action. The Alameda CTC CIP grant application will request a funding amount of $2,000,000. As part of the application the City must commit to providing matching funds in the amount of $500,000 for the planning and design phase of the Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street Crosstown Corridors Project, if awarded. Staff anticipates that the City’s required local match could be funded through some combination of Alameda County Measure B/Measure BB Sales Tax, Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Repair and Accountability Act (RMRA), Vehicle Registration Fees or Highway Users Tax funds. Staff will return to Council to accept the grant with identified local match funding upon grant award.
The current funding allocations available for the project are listed below:
• Highway Infrastructure Program (Federal Earmark) $4,000,000
The estimated total cost of this multi-fund project is shown below.
Final Design, Environ., Constr. Management $ 10,300,133
Construction $ 41,200,533
Contingencies $ 12,360,160
Total $ 63,860,826
With a total estimated cost of approximately $64M, staff is also pursuing grant opportunities for the construction phase of the project such as Active Transportation Program (ATP), Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), and Safe Routes to School (SR2S ). Additional local match requirements for grants will be discussed more as the grant opportunities become available.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Resolution
PREPARED BY: Robin Chee, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department - Engineering Division