REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution for the Sustainable Communities Grants Restricted Grant Agreement for Fiscal Year 2019/20 with the California Department of Transportation for the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
Pruneridge Avenue is an east/west street near the southern boundary of Santa Clara which ties into Cupertino on the western city limit of Santa Clara and San Jose on the eastern city limit as shown in Attachment 1, Location Map. Pruneridge Avenue becomes West Hedding Street in San Jose east of Winchester Boulevard. The majority of Pruneridge Avenue is fronted by single family homes in Santa Clara.
The General Plan lists Pruneridge Avenue as a minor arterial street to include future Class II bicycle facilities (i.e. bicycle lanes) along the entire roadway within the City. Historically, Pruneridge Avenue operated as a 4-lane facility with two lanes in each direction. In 2012, the City modified 0.85 miles of Pruneridge Avenue between the western city limit and Pomeroy Avenue to become a two-lane facility with one-lane in each direction with bicycle lanes.
During the fall of 2017, the City of San Jose constructed bicycle lanes on West Hedding Street from the shared Santa Clara eastern city limit at Winchester Boulevard eastward into San Jose. This was accomplished by changing the street from a four-lane facility to a two-lane facility. These improvements are similar in design to the 2012 Pruneridge Avenue Roadway Reallocation. Upon completion of this improvement, renewed interest from the bicycling community was generated to complete the installation of bicycle lanes on the 2.2 mile segment of Pruneridge Avenue between Pomeroy Avenue to Winchester Boulevard.
On October 9, 2018, staff provided the City Council with an update on improvements along the Pruneridge Avenue corridor. In addition to the information provided above, staff highlighted that there is no City funding allocated towards studying the installation of bicycle lanes along the portion of Pruneridge Avenue from Pomeroy Avenue to Winchester Boulevard and that staff will be applying for regional grant funds to study this roadway for potential installation of bicycle lanes.
In October 2018, the California Department of Transportation released a call for projects for the Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant Program. The program was created to support Caltrans’ mission to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. Funding for this call for projects is provided through both the State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account and Highway Account funds. The grant funds must be used for studies or plans which will directly benefit the multi-modal transportation system and through successful implementation, will improve public health, social equity, environmental justice and other important community benefits.
A grant application was submitted in November 2018 for the Santa Clara Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan. The City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee was notified that the City would be applying for this grant in their October 2018 meeting.
DISCUSSION
In May 2019, the City was notified by Caltrans that the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan grant application was selected for award of grant funding. A total of 198 projects were submitted and 84 were selected for award of funding. The City will receive state grant funds in the amount of $351,077 with local matching funds in the amount of $45,486 provided through in-kind staff support. The FY 2019/2020 grant funds are to be expended prior to February 28, 2022. Before these funds can be allocated to the City, the City Council must adopt a Resolution (Attachment 2) to authorize the City Manager to execute the funding agreement with Caltrans.
The scope of the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan includes an analysis of current and projected traffic needs for the Pruneridge Avenue corridor and how the inclusion of bicycle lanes along this portion of Pruneridge Avenue is projected to affect traffic operations. Additionally, the project will also include study of potential pedestrian improvements such as wider sidewalks, curb bulb-outs in addition to landscaping, lighting and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements. As the City continues to receive feedback from stakeholders in favor of and against any future consideration of a roadway reconfiguration (including potential lane reductions) of Pruneridge Avenue to accommodate bicycle lanes, staff anticipates that community outreach will be significant and efforts will include robust community outreach to solicit input.
Staff anticipates the need for consultant support for this project and will conduct a Request for Proposals to assist with the project. Upon successful completion of the RFP, staff will return to City Council for approval of an agreement with a private consultant to support the project and will provide information regarding the timeline for completion of the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund as local matching funds will come from in-kind staff support. Appropriations into the Capital Improvement Project account will occur at the time the City receives notification from Caltrans that all conditions of grant acceptance have been satisfied.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution for the Sustainable Communities Grants Restricted Grant Agreement for Fiscal Year 2019/20 with the California Department of Transportation for the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Resolution