Title
Staff Report for Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Between the City of San Leandro and the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) and Appropriating Funds from the Davis/Doolittle Traffic Impact Fee Program for the Interstate 880/Davis Street Interchange Landscaping Project
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) and appropriating funds from the Davis/Doolittle Traffic Impact Fee Program for the funding, planning, design, and construction of landscaping and irrigation improvements at the Interstate 880/Davis Street Interchange.
BACKGROUND
In November 2006, the citizens of the State of California passed SB 1266 - Proposition 1B "The Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006." This bond funded the $108 million extension of a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane for southbound I-880 from Hegenberger Road to just south of Marina Boulevard through San Leandro. The HOV lane project also required the reconstruction of both the Davis Street and Marina Boulevard overcrossings. The City contributed an additional $1.1 million for improvements to the Davis Street interchange, which funded lane configuration changes, traffic signals, bridge lighting and aesthetic enhancements.
Analysis
During construction of improvements at the I-880 at Davis Street interchange in 2013, the existing landscaping surrounding the on- and off-ramps was removed. California’s severe drought during the three following years prompted the postponement of replacement landscaping at the interchange. Now that drought restrictions have been lifted, the City has asked ACTC to initiate a project to install landscaping and irrigation. The primary goal of the project is to replace the removed trees with low water consumption and “Bay Friendly” species that require infrequent maintenance and enhance the aesthetic appeal for this important entrance to the City.
The areas to be landscaped have been prioritized as follows:
• 1st Priority Area: Northwest cloverleaf area bounded by I-880, Davis Street, and the southbound on-ramp
• 2nd Priority Area: Southwest triangular area bounded by I-880, Davis Street, and the southbound on-ramp
• 3rd Priority Area: Southeast triangular area bounded by Davis Street, the northbound off-ramp, and the abutting neighborhood to the south
In response to the City’s request, ACTC has developed a Scope of Work and a funding program. ACTC will be responsible for design, permitting, and construction administration for the project. It is assumed that Caltrans will maintain the landscaping in perpetuity once the plant establishment period has ended. The funding program includes a total of $674,940, with $539,940 in Measure BB and a $135,000 local match from the City’s Davis/Doolittle Traffic Impact Fee program.
Current Agency Policies
Maintain and enhance San Leandro’s infrastructure.
Previous Actions
• On May 16, 2011 by Resolution No. 2011-097 the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Leandro and the Alameda County Transportation Commission relating to the I-880/Davis Street-Westgate Parkway Interchange Project.
Committee Review and Actions
This project was presented to the Facilities and Transportation Committee on September 6, 2017.
Applicable General Plan Policies
• Policy OSC-6.6 Intergovernmental Coordination Coordinate with the appropriate regional, state and federal agencies and other organizations in their efforts to conserve and enhance ecological resources in San Leandro. Refer local projects to these agencies as required for their review and comment.
• Policy OSC-7.3 Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Encourage the use of native vegetation and Bay-friendly landscaping and enforce the State Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO).
• Policy OSC-7.10 Open Space and Carbon Emissions Enhance the quality of the urban environment, including streets, parks, and yards, in order to absorb carbon emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Review
ACTC has assumed in their Scope of Work that the project qualifies as Categorically Exempt from CEQA evaluation (Section 15301(c), Class 1, Existing Facilities) because it would include the “…minor alteration of existing public or private structures…involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agencies determination…”
Similarly under NEPA, the proposed improvements would qualify as one of the activities specifically designated by FHWA and Caltrans as a project that qualifies for categorical exclusion (Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 771.117(c): activity 7 and 8), which includes “landscaping” and “installation of fencing, signs, pavement markings…where no substantial land acquisition or traffic disruption would occur.”
Fiscal Impacts
This I-880/Davis Street Interchange Landscaping Project requires an appropriation from the Davis/Doolittle Traffic Impact Fee in the amount of $135,000, which will fund the City’s required local match. As of June 30, 2017, the Davis/Doolittle Traffic Impact Fee Account 210-3734 had an available balance of $180,080.76.
Budget Analysis
Funding appropriation required for the subject project is:
$135,000.00 “Capital Improvement Projects Fund” to be transferred to Expenditure Account Numbers 210-38-407-5120 and 210-38-407-5240
Funds available in Revenue Account 210-3734 as of June 30, 2017:
$180,080.76
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment(s) to Related Legislative Files
o Memorandum of Agreement between ACTC and the City of San Leandro for the I-880/Davis Street Interchange Landscape Improvements
PREPARED BY: Michael Stella, P.E., Principal Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Department