REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Adopting the Complete Streets Policy to Comply with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Requirement for the One Bay Area Grant Program
Report
BACKGROUND
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) administers the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program. MTC is the metropolitan planning organization for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, which includes Santa Clara County. The OBAG program is federally funded and funds can be used to invest in local street and road maintenance, streetscape enhancements, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, safe routes to school projects, priority conservation areas, and transportation planning. In order to be eligible for this grant, MTC requires that local jurisdictions must comply with the California Complete Streets Act of 2008.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation Element Policies:
• LT-1.8: Support Statewide, Regional and Sub-Regional efforts that provide for an effective transportation system.
• LT-1.9: Support flexible and appropriate alternative transportation modes and transportation system management measures that reduce reliance on the automobile and serve changing regional and citywide land use and transportation needs.
• LT-5.5: Support a variety of transportation modes.
• LT-5.5a: Promote alternate modes of travel to the automobile.
• LT-5.10: All modes of transportation shall have safe access to city streets.
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
The City of Sunnyvale applies for OBAG funds every cycle. To receive grant funding, the program required that local jurisdictions must comply with the California’s Complete Streets Act of 2008. The law requires local jurisdictions to include the complete streets policies as part of their general plans so that roadways are designed to safely accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, senior citizens, and disabled people, as well as motorists. Jurisdictions can meet this requirement by adopting either a Complete Streets Resolution or a General Plan Circulation Element which complies with the California Complete Streets Act of 2008. The City currently meets this requirement by having an updated General Plan Circulation Element that includes complete streets elements. Although the City is already meeting this OBAG requirement and has adopted complete street policies, adopting this specific Complete Streets Resolution would further strengthen Sunnyvale’s ability to obtain future 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 a resolution adopting the complete streets policy to comply with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission requirement for the One Bay Area Grant Program.
Adopting the Complete Streets Policy could further strengthen Sunnyvale’s chances of receiving OBAG grant funding, since the City would meet this OBAG requirement by complying with both alternatives.
Prepared by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Shahid Abbas, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution Adopting the Complete Streets Policy