REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update and Possible Council Action on the Amended North County and West Valley Cities Proposal, and Funding Categories, as an Advocacy Position as Part of the Envision Silicon Valley Process
Report
BACKGROUND
On August 18, 2015 the City held a four topic Council Study Session, including a discussion on “Transportation Initiatives and Proposed Ballot Measure.” As part of that discussion staff provided updates on the proposed 2016 transportation ballot measure, the Envision Silicon Valley process, the City’s priorities for transportation funding, and coordination meetings that had occurred with the North County and West Valley cities. The City priorities for funding are as follows:
• Construction funding for 101/237/Mathilda Interchange
• Lawrence Expressway grade separations within Sunnyvale
• Bike and pedestrian funding
• Maximize pavement/flexible funding
• Competitive funding for Cal train grade separations
The presentation also included an update on the meetings that had occurred between the North County and West Valley cities regarding transportation priorities. As part of that regional process the staff determined the following items:
• Support a comprehensive transportation study for the County
• Oppose setting aside approximately $800-850 million in funding for an undetermined and undefined future transit project
• “Trading” funding for local priorities (such as Mathilda/101/237 and Lawrence Expressway) for the to-be-determined Transit Project
Attachment 1 includes two letters signed by the Mayors of North County and West Valley cities stating the support for a Comprehensive Transportation Study.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation, Goal LT-1 - Coordinated Regional Planning - Protect and sustain high quality of life in Sunnyvale by participating in coordinated land use and transportation planning in the region
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation, Goal LT-5 - Effective, Safe, Pleasant, and Convenient Transportation - Attain a transportation system that is effective, safe, pleasant, and convenient.
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation, Policy LT-5.7 - Pursue local, state, and federal transportation funding sources to finance City transportation capital improvement projects consistent with City priorities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
N/A
DISCUSSION
Over the past few months North County and West Valley cities have continued to meet with the goal of reaching consensus on the type of projects that should be included in the ballot measure, levels of funding, and developing a definition to a project to reduce congestion by providing alternatives to reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. As part of that process, a proposal was developed that includes proposed expenditure categories, levels of funding, and defining a new category of project. This proposal is summarized in Attachment 2.
While it is entirely the City Council’s decision to determine the City’s position of the draft proposal, recent amendments in favor of Sunnyvale’s transportation needs suggest that the original proposal has changed sufficiently to bring back to the City Council for consideration of a support position of the draft proposal and funding categories. The draft proposal now provides a funding category for all City priorities and has a new funding category referred to as “Congestion Relief/Transit/Mode Shift”. This category is intended to fund projects that will “expand transit and other innovative strategies focused on congested commute corridors based on the results of a comprehensive, system-wide study and plan.” Given the recent amendments, and based on the previous City Council discussion on this topic, staff believes that this new category is responsive to former Council concerns because the definition includes projects that would meet a number of City policies and General Plan goals. The projects would be identified through a comprehensive study that the Valley Transportation Authority has agreed to complete, and that the City would participate in.
It is important to note that meeting the proposed categories and funding allocations is not a requirement for City support of a 2016 ballot measure. However, it does provide advocacy direction as the ballot measure and Envision Silicon Valley process moves forward. The City will continue to work with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (who is leading the polling process) and the Valley Transportation Authority to help finalize the final project list, project categories, and funding levels. Staff expects that the final project categories and funding levels will vary from this draft proposal.
FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Support the North County and West Valley cities Proposal, and funding categories, as an advocacy position as part of the Envision Silicon Valley process.
2. Do not support the North County and West Valley cities proposal, and funding categories, as an advocacy position as part of the Envision Silicon Valley process and provide a different advocacy position.
3. Take no action at this time and continue to participate in discussions with regional partners.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
The proposal is expected to be modified as part of the ballot measure and Envision Silicon Valley process, however it can provide an advocacy position for projects and funding categories that meet the City and region’s needs.
Staff
Prepared by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letters
2. Draft Proposal