REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Complete Streets Policy Amendment by Resolution to Comply with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Requirement for 2016 Measure B Funds
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2016, Santa Clara County voters approved 2016 Measure B, a 30-year, half-cent countywide sales tax to enhance transit, highways, expressways and active transportation (bicycles, pedestrians, and complete streets).
In June 2017, the VTA Board of Directors adopted the Complete Streets requirements for 2016 Measure B. As described in the requirements, to be eligible to receive 2016 Measure B funds, all recipients must adopt a Complete Streets Policy by resolution that contains nine elements of Complete Streets principles, implementation, and exception processes. Currently, there is pending litigation against Measure B in state appellate court; therefore, these funds will not be available until there is a final non-appealable judgment that the Measure B tax is valid.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation Element:
• Goal A: Coordinated Regional and Local Planning - Protect the quality of life, the natural environment, and property investment, preserve home rule, secure fair share of funding, and provide leadership in the region.
• Goal B: Coordinated Regional and Local Planning - Support the sustainable vision by incorporating sustainable features into land use and transportation decisions and practices.
• Goal C: An Effective Multimodal Transportation System - Offer the community a variety of transportation modes for local travel that are also integrated with the regional transportation system and land use pattern. Favor accommodation of alternative modes to the automobile as a means to enhance efficient transit use, bicycling, and walking and corresponding benefits to the environment, person-throughput, and qualitative improvements to the transportation system environment.
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.
DISCUSSION
In December 2016, to comply with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) One Bay Area Cycle 2 (OBAG 2) Grant Program requirements, the City of Sunnyvale adopted a Complete Streets Policy under Resolution No. 793 (Attachment 1). However, the City’s adopted policy consists of only seven out of the nine elements required for the 2016 Measure B funds. To be eligible for VTA 2016 Measure B funds, the City needs to amend the existing Complete Streets Policy to include the two additional elements. These two additional elements are B.4 “Public Outreach” and C.1 “Exceptions”. The “Public Outreach” element aligns with the City’s current practice where staff would seek input from the public and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) on various bike/pedestrian related projects. The “Exceptions” element provides an opportunity for projects which cannot accommodate elements of complete streets to get exemptions by submitting written findings of exceptional circumstances.
The resolution amending the previously adopted Complete Streets Policy is included as Attachment 2. In addition, amending the existing Complete Streets Policy would further strengthen Sunnyvale’s ability to obtain future OBAG grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution to Amend the Complete Streets Policy to comply with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Requirement for 2016 Measure B Funds.
Staff
Prepared by: Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Shahid Abbas, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Charles Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Current Complete Streets Policy (Resolution No. 793-16)
2. Resolution to Amend the Complete Streets Policy