REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Approval of Location and Design of the Rainbow Crosswalk Project
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The City's FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget (CIP Budget) includes $100,000 for a Rainbow Crosswalk project. This project was added during the June 25, 2024 City Council meeting, where Council directed staff to install one rainbow-colored crosswalk in the City. The concept of a rainbow crosswalk was originally proposed through a written petition submitted by previous Councilmember Becker on October 11, 2021 and was also included on the City Council's Priority Setting list. Rainbow-colored crosswalks have been utilized by many municipalities as a display of support for the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) community.
DISCUSSION
Staff researched regulatory guidelines related to rainbow crosswalks, explored rainbow crosswalk installations in other municipalities, identified potential locations in Santa Clara, and developed design concepts. Since aesthetic treatments at crosswalks are viewed as forms of artwork, the Rainbow Crosswalk project was presented to the Cultural Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council regarding the art design and installation location.
Regulatory Guidance
In June 2024, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that aesthetic surface treatments, such as rainbow-colored artwork in crosswalks, are not considered traffic control devices. Consequently, these treatments are not regulated by the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which the City follows for the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices in Santa Clara. It should be noted that while rainbow-colored artwork can be added on roadways, traditional roadway markings, including crosswalk markings (i.e. white pavement markings), must...
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