REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Filing of an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding of $160,000 for the Design Phase of the Installation of Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue and Bank the Remainder of the Funding ($176,620) for the Construction Phase of the Project
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 is a source of funding created by State legislation and processed through the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) that annually returns sales tax revenues designated for bicycle and pedestrian projects to local agencies. For FY 2023/24, the City anticipates having $336,620 in TDA funding for reimbursement of eligible projects.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) considered this item at their February 16, April 20, and May 18, 2023 meetings.
At the May 18 BPAC meeting, staff recommended Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to use $160,000 for FY 2023/24 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funding for the design phase of Project No. 6 and bank the remainder of the funding for the design phase of Project No. 6.
However, the Commission voted 5-2 for Alternative 2: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for FY 2023/24 for:
• Project No. 2 - Reduction of pork chop islands on westbound El Camino Real at Murphy Avenue and at Frances Street ($60,000);
• Project No. 3 - Implementation of Class III Bicycle Route on Pastoria Avenue ($30,000);
• Project No. 6 - Design Phase of the Installation of Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue ($160,000); and
• Bank the remainder funding ($86,620) for future use.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Filing of an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding of $160,000 for the Design Phase of the Installation of Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue and Bank the Remainder of the Funding ($176,620) for the Construction Phase of the Project
2. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Filing of an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding of $250,000 for Three Projects: Reduction of Pork Chop Islands on Westbound El Camino Real at Murphy Avenue and at Frances Street ($60,000), Implementation of Class III Bicycle Route on Pastoria Avenue ($30,000), and Design Phase of the Installation of Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue ($160,000), and Bank the Remainder of the Funding ($86,620)
3. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Filing of an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding of $336,620 for different project(s)
4. Direct Staff to Bank the Entire Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding of $336,620 for Future Use
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Filing of an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding of $160,000 for the Design Phase of the Installation of Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue and Bank the Remainder of the Funding ($176,620) for the Construction Phase of the Project
Project 2 was proposed by the BPAC to provide more convenient and improve safety for bicyclists. Due to the existing geometry, bicyclists need to merge into the vehicular travel lane when maneuvering the existing pork chop islands. However, this improvement was not identified in the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) as one of the recommended improvements. Project Nos. 3 and 6 are recommended improvements identified in the ATP as bicycle or SRTS improvements.
Staff’s top priority and preference for use of the TDA grant fund is to design and install the sidewalk on Poplar Avenue, which aligns with Council’s priority to implement improvements as identified in the ATP.
On May 23, 2023, City Council accepted the findings of the Poplar Avenue Sidewalk Study (DPW 21-04), approved the installation of a 6-foot wide sidewalk and 4-foot wide park strip along the east side of Poplar Avenue between El Camino Real and Peterson Middle School, and approved the installation of a minimal of 6-foot wide sidewalk on the north and south sides of Bryant Way east of Poplar Avenue. The sidewalk closure on the east side of Poplar Avenue and on Bryant Way would provide a critical pedestrian and bicycle linkage for students accessing Peterson Middle School. The total project costs are estimated at approximately $1.055 million, which includes the design and construction phases. Currently, no funding has been allocated to implement the project. Staff would like to use TDA Article 3 funding for the design phase, and bank as much money as possible for the construction phase. The construction phase could be funded by a combination of the banked TDA Article 3 funding, future TDA Article 3 funding, General Fund, as well as Green Stormwater Infrastructure funding. Once implemented, the sidewalk gap closure will provide improved, connected, safe and convenient walking and biking access for students to and from Peterson Middle School.
If Projects No. 2 and 3 were approved, these projects would be added to staff’s existing workload, which is already at capacity. Therefore, other projects already approved and planned for would need to be delayed in order to accommodate these additional projects to meet the TDA Article 3 implementation deadline set forth by MTC, which is June 30, 2026.
Staff
Prepared by: Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission 23-0429, May 18, 2023 (without attachments)
2. MTC Resolution 4108
3. Class IIIB Bicycle Boulevard Improvement Locations for Candidate Project #5
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
4. Excerpt of the BPAC meeting minutes of February 16, 2023
5. Excerpt of the BPAC meeting minutes of April 20, 2023
6. Excerpt of the BPAC meeting minutes of May 18, 2023
7. Resolution to Request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 23/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding