Title
Staff Report for a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Program Supplement Agreement No. 027-F with the State of California to Provide $59,850 in Grant Funds for the Design Phase of the East 14th Street (State Route 185) at Joaquin Avenue Scramble Pedestrian Signal Project
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Program Supplement Agreement that accepts federal funding of $59,850 and obligates the City to provide matching funds of $6,650 in order to complete the design phase of the East 14th Street at Joaquin Avenue Scramble Pedestrian Signal Project.
BACKGROUND
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST), which was signed into law on December 4, 2015, established the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) as a core Federal-aid program. The overall purpose of this program is to achieve a significant reduction in reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads through the implementation of infrastructure-related highway safety improvements.
The City was awarded $335,250 in the 2016-17 HSIP cycle to add a scramble pedestrian signal phase to the existing signal at the East 14th Street at Joaquin Avenue intersection. Scramble pedestrian signals stop all vehicular traffic to allow pedestrians to cross an intersection in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time. This will be San Leandro’s second scramble pedestrian signal installation in addition to the one at Bancroft Avenue and 136th Avenue.
The East 14th Street at Joaquin Avenue intersection ranked high on the City’s High Collision Intersections list, which is regularly monitored and updated by City staff. Eleven collisions were reported between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. One bicycle-related and five pedestrian collisions were recorded in this five-year period. It is one of the top pedestrian collision locations in San Leandro.
In light of the relative high frequency of pedestrian-related collisions taking place on East 14th Street in the San Leandro Downtown area, the San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA) has urged the City and State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to enhance traffic safety along the East 14th Street corridor. As such, improvements to the intersection of East 14th Street at Joaquin Avenue were identified as a top safety priority.
Analysis
Caltrans, through the HSIP, approved $335,250 in federal funding for the design and construction of the East 14th Street at Joaquin Avenue Scramble Pedestrian Signal Project. With the addition of the City’s required local match of $37,250, the total project budget is $372,500. The City will design and modify the signal, while Caltrans will assume operation and maintenance as part of State Route 185 once the project is complete.
Pursuant to City Council’s authorization of the City Manager to execute the Program Supplement Agreement No. 027-F, staff will proceed with the design phase of the project. This design phase is estimated to cost $66,500. The HSIP grant will fund $59,850, while the City’s required local match for this phase is $6,650. After completion of the design phase, the City must execute a second Program Supplement Agreement for the construction phase of the work.
Based on previous direction from the City Council, the design of this project will include a rainbow crosswalk. Specific details will be refined as the design process progresses.
Current Agency Policies
• Support and implement programs, activities and strengthen communication that enhances the quality of life and wellness, celebrates the arts and diversity and promotes civic pride
• Maintain and enhance San Leandro’s infrastructure
Previous Actions
• On June 19, 2017, by Resolution No. 2017-085, the City Council approved the Administering Agency-State Agreement No. 04-5041F15.
Committee Review and Actions
• This project was presented to the Facilities and Transportation Committee on October 4, 2017.
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-3.6: Pedestrian Environment. Improve the walkability of all streets in San Leandro through the planning, implementing, and maintaining of pedestrian supportive infrastructure.
• Policy T-7.2: Capital Improvements. Identify capital improvements and other measures which improves the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles on San Leandro Streets.
• Policy T-7.7: Funding. Pursue grants for the improvement of pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle safety, including a greater focus on traffic law and speed enforcement.
Environmental Review
Caltrans performs environmental review on behalf of local agencies for federal-aid projects. Caltrans has completed the following reviews:
• On July 12, 2017, the Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) form was signed by Cultural Resources Professionally Qualified Staff, the District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE), and the Environmental Planner Designee.
• On August 24, 2017, The Air Quality Conformity Task Force reviewed and concurred that the project is exempt from PM2.5 project level conformity requirements.
Fiscal Impacts
The total project cost for this scramble pedestrian signal is $372,500. Federal funds amount to $335,250 and the City must provide matching funds from its Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Funds in the amount of $37,250.
Budget Authority
The East 14th Street (State Route 185) at Joaquin Avenue Scramble Pedestrian Signal project is funded in 2017-18 as follows:
Account No. Resolution. Appropriation Date Amount
150-36-396 Res. 2017-072, June 5, 2017 $335,250
144-38-396 Res. 2017-072, June 5, 2017 $ 37,250
Total $372,500
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment(s) to Related Legislative Files
• Program Supplement Agreement No. 027-F
PREPARED BY: Dean Hsiao, Traffic Operations Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Department