REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Filing of Fiscal Year 2016/17 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Applications for Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects
Report
BACKGROUND
TDA Article 3 is a source of funds created by State legislation and processed through the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) that annually returns to local agencies sales tax revenues earmarked for bicycle and pedestrian projects. To receive funds in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016/17 funding cycle from VTA and MTC, the City must submit potential projects that have been reviewed by the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC), must be in an approved bicycle or pedestrian plan, have environmental clearance prior to expenditure (for construction projects only), have an authorizing resolution (Attachment 1), and be able to begin construction within one year. In FY 2016/17, $115,088 is guaranteed to the City for eligible projects.
The BPAC considered FY 2016/17 TDA candidate projects at its March 17, 2016 meeting and voted unanimously in favor of staff’s recommendation (Attachment 2 - Excerpt from draft BPAC meeting minutes).
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation Element:
• Policy LT 5.5 - Support a variety of transportation modes.
• Policy LT 5.7 - Pursue local, state, and federal transportation funding sources to finance City transportation capital improvement projects consistent with City priorities.
• Policy LT 5.8 - Provide a safe and comfortable system of pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Council adopted a Mitigated Negated Declaration for the Mary Avenue Bike Lanes on October 12, 2013.
DISCUSSION
The determination of candidate TDA Article 3 projects for FY 2016/17 was based on review of budgeted and unbudgeted projects in the Resource Allocation Plan, TDA eligibility requirements, consideration of the Pedestrian Safety and Opportunities Study, Bicycle Capital Improvement Program and Bicycle Plan, School Traffic Study, citizen requests, as well as, Commission members' and staff's knowledge of bicycle and pedestrian facility safety priority needs in the City.
Staff identified and prioritized seven candidate projects for BPAC’s consideration listed below in order of priority:
1. Mary Avenue Bicycle Lanes Project - Matching Grant Funds
Description: Installation of bike lanes from Fremont to Iowa Avenue.
Approximate Cost: $800,000
2. Mathilda Avenue and Indio Way Intersection Improvements
Description: Add a bicycle and pedestrian detection system and remove the four “porkchop” islands.
Approximate Cost: $850,000
3. Maude Avenue Bicycle Lanes Project
Description: Conceptual alternatives were developed to install bike lanes, modify parking, and improve mobility on Maude Avenue between Mathilda Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue.
Approximate Cost: $396,000
4. Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road and Remington Drive Intersection Improvements
Description: Add green bike lanes at the conflict areas and upgrade the pedestrian and bicycle detection system.
Approximate Cost: $93,000
5. Knickerbocker Drive Street Space Allocation Study
Description: Conduct a street space allocation study to consider the addition of bike lanes on Knickerbocker Drive.
Approximate Cost: $90,000
6. Mary Avenue and Olive Avenue Intersection Improvements
Description: Conduct a traffic study to determine what safety improvement device should be installed at this location such as a traffic signal or in-roadway warning light system at crosswalks.
Approximate Cost: $130,000
7. Mary Avenue and Evelyn Avenue Intersection Improvements
Description: Install high visibility crosswalks, upgrade signage, and upgrade the pedestrian detection system.
Approximate Cost: $100,000
The Staff’s top priority and preference for use of the funds is to complete the Mary Avenue Bicycle Lane Project from Iowa Avenue to Maude Avenue. On October 8, 2013, City Council approved the Mary Avenue Bicycle Lane Project and selected a design concept to construct bike lanes from Fremont Avenue to Maude Avenue. The project includes removal of the existing striping, pavement repairs, slurry seal, new striping, new bike lanes, green bike lanes at the conflict points with dedicated right-turn pockets (at the intersections with California, Central, and Corte Madera), and signal modifications. As part of the design process, the construction estimate for the full length of the project exceeded the $1.2 million budget.
Based on the estimate and available funding, the project will be implemented in phases. The existing budget is sufficient to install bike lanes from Fremont Avenue to Iowa Avenue; however it is not sufficient to complete the project all the way to Maude Avenue. The installation of bike lanes between Iowa Avenue and Maude Avenue will require an additional $800,000 and will be completed as a later phase once funding is secured.
The guaranteed TDA FY 2016/17 funds would be used for the purpose of providing local matching funds for the project. Staff is currently pursuing Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) and One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) grant funds to complete this last phase of the project. Availability of local match helps improve chance of success for acquiring these grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
TDA Article 3 is a program that reimburses cities for the incurred costs of selected projects. No local matching funds are required for Guarantee Fund projects. The VTA estimates the City will receive funds in the amount of $115,088 from the City Guarantee Fund apportionment. New revenue constitutes a positive fiscal impact.
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.
The BPAC also held a public hearing on this item at its March 17, 2016 meeting and voted 7-0 in favor of staff’s recommendation to use FY 2016/17 TDA grant funds for the Mary Avenue Phase 2 project (Attachment 2 - Excerpt of draft BPAC meeting minutes).
BOARD/COMMISSION AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution requesting MTC for an allocation of $115,088 of TDA funds for FY 2016/17 to be used as grant matching funds for the Mary Avenue Bicycle Lane Project from Iowa Avenue to Maude Avenue.
The BPAC voted in favor of the recommendation 7-0.
Prepared by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Shahid Abbas, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Approving FY 2016/17 TDA Article 3 Application
2. Excerpt of the draft minutes of the BPAC meeting of March 17, 2016